Our Mission
Friends of Pando is dedicated and working to educate the public, support research and preservation efforts and inspire stewardship of Pando, the world’s largest tree.
Our Vision
We envision a future where the Pando Tree is understood, monitored and cared for so that it may be enjoyed for generations to come. To realize our vision, we work every day to educate others, protect, monitor and advocate for the Pando Tree wherever opportunities arise. Each day we work, is one more day toward the future we work to realize.
Key Accomplishments
- Advocated for $400,000 of donations, grants and state allocations to protect Pando and create jobs caring for the tree
- Delivered over 11,000 hours of service to our mission (2020-Current)
- Welcomed 90 volunteers who have committed their talents to deliver an additional 1,300 hours of work to care for the Pando Tree
- Established longitudinal monitoring programs (See Year In Review 2022, 2023, 2024)
- Developed the Pando Science and Data Store making maps and monitoring data freely available for study and use
- Developed and published The Pando Photographic Survey, the largest image of a Tree ever gathered. A project that provides a document, helps researchers plan their field work, and helps makes Pando accessible to everyone. (Link)
- Undertook 183 protective projects (Link)
- Established Longitudinal Wildlife Monitoring Programs (Link)
- Captured the first Digital Landmass Model of the Pando Tree (Link)
- Launched the Pando Living Map Project, which serves as a living reference for mapping, monitoring, and protection work undertaken on the Pando Tree.
- Supported and documented research working on the effort to decode Pando’s Genome
- Developed formal and informal agency and community leadership partnerships to restore community forestry and care for the Pando Tree. (EX: Utah Div. of Wildlife Resources, Utah Forest, Fire and State Lands, 7 Mile Grazers Association, Southern Utah University, Snow College, Richfield.)
- Welcomed 14 artists from around the world inspired by the Pando Tree, whose works have made global headlines (Link)
- Advocated for the Pando Protection Plan, a historic investment to bring 80% of Pando into protective care (Link)
- Supported work to see the Pando Protection Plan realized, helping bring 23 acres of the Pando Tree into protective care. (Link)
- Collaborating with partners Fishlake National Forest, and with the Support of the State of Utah leadership, developed strategies to protect regeneration outside of the master wildlife control system, allowing us to protect and foster up to 2 acres of regeneration on a rotational basis, year-over-year.
- Earned a commendation from Utah Forests, Fire and State Land Regional office for our work on the Pando Tree (Link)
Our Values
Friendship
Just as each of the 47,000 branches of Pando are unique expressions of the larger tree, we recognize that each person brings unique talents, insights, and skills. We appreciate and respect all who are inspired by the tree and declare “A friend of Pando, is a friend of mine.”
Collaboration
Just as Pando is one tree that spreads it roots widely, Friends of Pando works to foster collaboration working with all who demonstrate a sincere commitment to a future where Pando is understood and thrives. Friends of Pando works from the fence post to the State House to advance Pando’s protection, study and care.
Open Science
Friends of Pando is committed to open science because the Pando Tree belongs to the world. We develop resource and collect and organize data to educate the public, help researchers and inform policy makers.
A Learning Organization
Just as the branches of Pando fall off as the tree finds better paths to light, Friends of Pando works to advance our vision based on data, peer review, open dialogue and transparency to improve our processes, programs and efforts to care for the Pando Tree.
Long Term Thinking
As the Pando represents thousands of years of ingenuity and sustained growth, Friends of Pando supports and promotes long-term thinking to promote understanding and inspire stewardship.
Creative Partnerships to Promote Prosperity
Working with our partners, sponsors and community leaders, Friends of Pando uses creative problem-solving to advance long-term conservation efforts while creating opportunities right here in the Pando Tree’s homeland.
Leadership
Dave Ogden, Founding President
Former Mayor of Richfield and longtime resident of Richfield, Utah, Founder and Board President, Dave Ogden has recently retired from public service. He first met with Lance Oditt, Friends of Pando’s Executive Director in early 2020 to talk about the Pando tree and has been instrumental in helping get Friends of Pando up and running. In his work as President he has provided leadership, logistic support and outreach to small business and community organizations, helping Friends of Pando realize its vision to see that our investments, leadership and the opportunities we create, can have a positive and lasting community impact. Even though he is officially “retired,” Dave continues his work as a local historian, writing and publishing history articles as well inspirational stories and poetry. Dave loves to travel and also helps run the Richfield Visitor Center.
Lance Oditt, Founder and Executive Director
Friends of Pando founder and Executive Director Lance Oditt first fell in love with trees in rural Ohio where he used to climb a hickory tree on the family property and read books. He first experienced Pando in 2017, and In 2019, began to organize community calls with people who shared his passion for the tree to gather ideas to ensure this natural wonder can be enjoyed for generations to come. Lance brings 7 years experience working on Pando doing everything from research support and documentary efforts to fence building to developing partnerships and programs that employ local students and fellow Pando lovers. In addition to his love and concern for Pando, Lance brings background in public service and community resource development (Americorps) as well as experience leading large scale projects in the high tech sector (Microsoft, State of Texas).
Hope Smith, Founder and Treasurer
Founder and board Treasurer, Hope Smith, is a certified Human Resources professional who works for an environmentally focused software engineering company. She has over 10 years’ background in executive non-profit management, 4+ years in accounting, and many years as a small business owner. Hope was first captivated by Pando in 2019, then in 2021, she provided logistics and support for the team, taking part herself in photography work, while also cooking for a team of 20 each day. Now in her second year with Friends of Pando, Hope’s unique blend of experience in nonprofit leadership, HR and business have provided rare and invaluable insights to the Friends of Pando board.
Toni Horrall, Secretary
Toni Horrall is a lifetime resident of Salt Lake City and has enjoyed spending her summers at Fishlake for over 30 years. She built a cabin with her husband Mike two miles from Fish Lake where she spends half of each year. Prior to joining the board as Secretary, Toni spent a year as a community liaison working on the Pando Restoration Project. Toni recently retired from owning her own business with her husband for over 30 years. She has been President of Aspens of Fishlake Homeowners Association since 2010. Toni is proud that her Homeowners Association has earned certification from the National Firewise USA Program and will bring that talent and experience organizing folks to undertake some of the first restoration undertaken in Pando since 2014. In her free time Toni enjoys spending time with her two children and six grandchildren. Toni also loves hiking, running, fishing, sewing and taking her dog Ruger for walks.
Kaden Dyreng: 2025 Pando Youth Ambassador
I’m Kaden Dyreng, and I’ve always been passionate about natural resources and environmental conservation. I moved to Richfield when I was 11, and after graduating from Gunnison Valley High School, I spent time working on a farm, which helped me develop important skills in teamwork and leadership. I also earned a wildlife management proficiency award through FFA, which really sparked my interest in environmental work. After high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in natural resources, something that would allow me to work outdoors and explore different career paths. That’s when I found the Pando project near Fish Lake. As a Youth Ambassador for Pando, I work to raise awareness about the Pando tree and its environmental significance. I get the chance to collaborate with scientists, land surveyors, and other professionals, learning a lot about natural resource management along the way.
Community Liaison Program
The Community Liaison Program is rooted in our boots-on-the-ground ethos. In their roles, Community Liaisons pilot and develop programs working with community leaders where Pando lives. Each Ambassador has ties to Pando and the land it calls home, and brings leadership background and field experience to help support broader efforts to protect and preserve Pando and inspire stewardship.
Kenny Henager, Field Ops and Administration
New Community Liaison Kenny Henager always looks cool in his transition lenses because he loves working outside. Kenny was raised in Logan, Utah, and has always cherished nature and outdoor spaces. From camping with his family as a kid to living and working out of a tent he has always enjoyed being out in it. In 2015 he joined the Utah Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program through Utah State University. The next 10 years, he would lead crews on backcountry projects, deploy to the southeast US for natural disaster response, and eventually land in Cedar City as the Regional Coordinator. In this role, he collaborated with many state, federal, and private agencies to complete a variety of projects throughout Utah. He also had the opportunity to work with, train and provide guidance to young adults. He volunteered for Friends of Pando in the fall of 2025, where good work got done with great folks in an absolutely beautiful place. Being a community liaison for 2026, Kenny looks forward to bringing his leadership, technical skills, and sharing his experience in conservation work to ensure Pando can be appreciated for generations to come.
Jameson Pace, Youth Ambassador Program
Jameson Pace grew up in Bicknell, Utah, just south of the Pando. Growing up, he herded cattle and helped run a family farm. Earlier in his career, Jameson spent summers working for the United States Forest Service on projects to understand and care for Pando, arduous work that earned him the T-shirt “I Survived Pando”. In his role as Community Liaison, Jameson is working to develop a “Pando Youth Ambassador Program,” creating opportunities for local high school. Beyond his work as a Community Liaison ,Jameson continues ranching and, is a loan officer for local State Bank of Southern Utah bringing background, insight and experience in financial planning and local investment strategy. He currently lives in Loa with the love of his life and 4 young kids. In his free time, he frequents Pando’s homeland and enjoys kayaking, hiking, camping, hunting and fishing
What We Have Achieved: Year in Review Reports
The publication of this Year In Review documents a historic year of work to care for and celebrate the Pando Tree. In 2025, we oversaw the completion of the Pando Protection Plan. A project that completes work that began in the 1990s and brings around 80% of Pando’s landmass into protective care. 2025 was a year volunteers gathered to beautify, protect, and restore some 3 acres of Pando, while behind the scenes, we worked to gather data on Pando’s genome and worked to develop LiDAR models that allow us to study and care for Pando down to an area the size of a single leaf. 2025 was also a year of new visions and creative perspectives; a string quartet about Pando by composer Nancy Ives, a meditation on the seasons of life in Pando found in the threadpaintings of Lisa Benham and the fabric sculptures of Amanda Triplett that each and all, illuminate a subject that has been regenerating itself for millennia. New friends, partners, and sponsors connecting – and spreading our reach from the Pando Tree, around the world.
Download Previous Year in Reviews
Our History
Friends of Pando was founded in 2019 by a group of researchers, artists, land managers, educators and community leaders who came together to share their ideas and their passion for Pando. Through a series of informal calls facilitated by Founder and Executive Director Lance Oditt, the group brainstormed about what could be done to help protect Pando and ensure that the tree can be enjoyed for generations to come.
In 2021, we officially became a nonprofit and in 2022, entered into a partnership with Fishlake National Forest. Today, we are the only organization dedicated and working to protect, monitor and restore the Pando Tree. Our work would not have been possible without the generous support of EJF Philanthropies. Founded by Manny Friedman and overseen by Simone Friedman, EJFP’s foundational support empowered efforts to develop what are now, ongoing protection, monitoring, restoration and education programs whose successes, spurred additional support by other foundations, corporate sponsors and friends of pando from around the world.
Friends of Pando is dedicated and working to educate the public, support research and preservation efforts and inspire stewardship of Pando, the world’s largest tree.
Your gift of only $14 a month will help protect Pando for generations to come.
Make a one-time or, recurring tax deductible donation today.
Friends of Pando is a proud partner of Pando’s public land stewards, Fishlake National Forest of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture.
Learn more about our partnership.
Friends of Pando and its partners are equal opportunity employers.
Friends of Pando
PO Box 12
Richfield, UT, 84701
Phone: 435-633-1893
IRS EIN: 87-3958681
