Mark Surls

COLORADO STATE COORDINATOR 

Mark is the Colorado State Coordinator at Project Coyote. In this role, he helps to expand the organization’s core programs and campaigns throughout Colorado.

Mark’s diverse career journey has taken him from trading stocks to living in a village in sub-Saharan Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer, to embracing the role of stay-at-home dad and championing wildlife advocacy. Throughout it all, he has followed his heart and passions, making decisions that reflect his deep commitment to making a positive impact. In the process, he has discovered that open, honest communication is one of the most powerful tools for ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.

One of the most effective ways Mark has learned to inspire compassion for our wild neighbors is through art. As a contributor to Project Coyote’s Capture Coexistence Campaign, he not only shared his photography with a wider audience but also connected with fellow photographers who shared his passion. Many of his images featured in the campaign also appear in his proudest achievement—Coyote Conversations, a published book of original photography and poetry. Through this work, Mark aimed to shine a compassionate light on one of North America’s most misunderstood and mistreated animals—the coyote.

Spending countless hours in the field observing and admiring coyotes, Mark realized he needed to do more to protect America’s carnivores. This led him to a path of wildlife advocacy, where he began volunteering his time to push for policy reform in both corporations and government. He focuses on combating some of the most pressing issues facing carnivores today, including the senseless killing of wild carnivores through poison and unlimited hunting and trapping for fur, as well as promoting education on peaceful coexistence with these vital animals. As the Volunteer Coordinator for Prop 127—a ballot initiative to end trophy hunting of mountain lions and trapping of bobcats—Mark played a pivotal role in qualifying the initiative for the ballot. He believes firmly in the power of people to create change and is dedicated to guiding those who want to stand up for wildlife and speak out for the protection of our wild spaces.