Inspire discovery, appreciation and conservation of culturally modified trees and places held sacred to Native Americans.

NASTaP’s mission is to inspire discovery, acknowledgment, and conservation of Native American sacred places and culturally modified trees.

We envision widespread awareness, respect, understanding, and appreciation of Native American sacred trees and places.

Our purpose embraces •Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs) •Modified stones, stacked rocks, rock art, and rock writing •Ceremonial landmarks and landscapes •Native American natural science and western science • Stewardship of the earth, land, water, and sky.

We value •Cultural appreciation •Experiential learning •Multidisciplinary research Inclusivity •Mentorship •Stewardship

Board of Directors

Dr. James Jefferson
Dr. James JeffersonPresident and Cofounder
Southern Ute elder. Ignacio, Colorado (Nuuchiu/Ute)
Janet Shown
Janet ShownVice President
Co-Founder
Linda Davies
Linda DaviesSecretary
Mike Vitek
Mike VitekTreasurer
Marlene Brown
Marlene BrownMembership Chair
Vida ClarkMember At Large
Nathan Elk
Nathan ElkMember At Large

Co-Founders

John Anderson
John Anderson Co-founder
MBA, TEDx Speaker, Published Author. 30 years public safety experience, including eight years as Sheriff of El Paso County, Colorado and ten years corporate experience. Multiple-book author including: Ute Indian Prayer Trees of the Pikes Peak Region and Native American Prayer Trees of Colorado.

Dr. James Jefferson
Dr. James JeffersonCo-founder and Southern Ute Elder
“As I look at it, we indigenous people have a different view about life that has been taken away from us by the government, that is lost by the majority of the Native American society. Only a few of us retain this different view, but we are not able to express to anyone. Everything is changing with time as we try to retain our original Sovereignty that was given to us by the Creator. No one person or Tribal group believes the same way as story tellers change the original version depending on where they live. Language, customs and traditions change from the original version as we get more modern.”
Janet Shown
Janet ShownCo-founder
MSW, Social Work, BS, Journalism. 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, training, event management and writing.

Advisory Council

John Anderson
John AndersonFounder, Advisor and Author
Stephen A. Bain
Stephen A. BainAdvisor, Legal Counsel
Attorney | Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley, P.C.
Vickie Danielsen
Vickie DanielsenAdvisor, Web Administrator
Artist, Editor, Educator, Photographer
Cindy Goodburn
Cindy GoodburnAdvisor, Technical Coordination
Susie Petersen
Susie PetersenAdvisor
Lee Recca
Lee ReccaAdvisor
Writer, Gardener, Naturalist, Traveler, Native plant mentor, Teacher
Barry Trester
Barry TresterAdvisor