Joanna Wheelton
EXPERIENCE
Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, BS
Utah State University
Juris Doctorate, Syracuse University College of Law
With over twenty years’ experience as an attorney and executive, Joanna melds her love of the outdoors with her administration experience as the passionate and dedicated Executive Director of the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation.
PASSION
Jo started skiing New Year’s Day, 1978, at Snowbird, and still dreams about skiing 365 days a year. Working in the canyons allows her to follow her second dream as an avid nature lover and biologist.
FOR FUN
Jo shares her passion of the Canyons with her husband who hails from the base of Mont Blanc. She loves to garden at their mountain-side home in Utah, and fish and explore with their teenage children. The family also enjoys spending time with their families in the desert along the Colorado and in Southern Europe.
Ella Abelli-Amen
EXPERIENCE
B.S. Biology, California Polytechnic State University, SLO
M.S. Biology, California Polytechnic State University, SLO
Originally from Petaluma, California, Ella spent six years studying plant ecology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Her experience ranges from greenhouse management and alpine plant surveys to teaching botany labs for undergraduates while her research focused on plant and animal interaction ecology and GIS. Now, she collaborates with community partners to manage invasive plants, restore native species through planting and monitoring of rare plants, and engages with the community through education and stewardship to build ecological resilience across the Tri-canyons.
PASSION
Ella is passionate about preserving the biodiversity of the canyons, spreading the delight of learning to identify plants, and connecting the community with the natural world through recreation.
FOR FUN
You can find Ella trad climbing, skiing, or trail running in the Tri-canyons. She also loves yoga, gardening, and birdwatching.
Liz Anderson
EXPERIENCE
A.O.S. Culinary Arts Johnson & Wales College
Providence, RI
As the daughter of a park ranger, Liz grew up living in our National Parks, which ignited her commitment to the great outdoors. Working over 31 years in the hotel hospitality field allowed her to continue her love of travel and learning. She has worn many hats in the food and beverage field, where she honed her strength in developing teams and management skills.
PASSION
Liz has always had a love for volunteering and environmental stewardship. Whether a citizen scientist, volunteering over a decade with the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation (alongside her family), a State Park volunteer, a Boy Scout leader, or through community involvement, she commits to her passions with total energy and enthusiasm.
FOR FUN
Liz lives by: if it’s not fun and you are not learning, it’s not worth doing. Traveling the country and dining with her family, crafting, reading, foraging, creating, cooking, camping, gardening, hiking, birding, exploring new local places. She loves any excuse to be outside.
CCF CREW 2026
