Hey everyone! Today, I’ve got an inspiring and heartwarming story to share with you all. We had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Eeland Stribling—a multifaceted individual who wears many hats.
He’s a wildlife biologist, an educator, a talented comedian, and yes, a bona fide cookie enthusiast based right here in the Denver area. Eeland opened up about his deep-seated passions for conservation and comedy, the critical importance of outdoor education for future conservation efforts, and even let us in on where to find the absolute best cookies in Fort Collins.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss a word of his insights below!
Getting to Know Eeland: A Journey Rooted in Nature
Born and raised in the vibrant city of Denver, Colorado, Eeland’s introduction to fishing and the great outdoors came at a young age, thanks to his grandfather. “We used traditional gear,” he recalls with a nostalgic smile. An interesting tidbit: he’s named after the Eeland, a large African antelope—a testament to his family’s love for wildlife and the natural world.
“My grandfather was a wildlife biologist, and he loved the name Eeland,” he explains. “We’d wake up at three or four in the morning, listening to the blues on our way to the lake. We’d get there before sunrise, cast our lines, and then just sit and wait all day.” As a kid, he admits he found it “the most boring waste of time.” All he wanted was to play in the water, run around, and explore the trees. But his grandfather would gently remind him, “Just sit there and wait for your bobber to go down.”
These early mornings were more than just fishing trips; they were life lessons in patience, observation, and connecting with nature. Even if young Eeland didn’t fully appreciate it at the time, these moments laid the foundation for his future passions.
The College Years: Discovering a Purpose
Fast forward to his college days, Eeland attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Initially, he set his sights on becoming a veterinarian, driven by his love for animals and the outdoors. “I thought, ‘Oh, I want to save all the animals, so I’ll become a veterinarian,'” he recalls. But as he delved deeper into the coursework, he realized that being in a lab or vet office wasn’t aligning with his true passions.
“That required being in a lab or a vet office and dealing with small animals, or working with cattle, horses, sheep, and swine,” he explains. “Those things are important and cool to some people, but that’s not what I wanted to do.” Fortunately, he found his calling in the College of Natural Resources, switching his major to wildlife biology and conservation.
His freshman year was a turning point. He enrolled in a fly tying class held one Saturday morning per month, taught by a man named Eugene Decker. Here’s where fate takes an interesting twist: Eugene had been his grandfather’s academic advisor years before at the same university. “What’s kind of crazy is my grandfather also went to CSU in Fort Collins, and Eugene Decker was my grandfather’s academic advisor,” he marvels.
In that class, he learned to tie flies before even casting a line. “We spent a couple of weeks tying flies, and then one day we went out to this pond to cast all the flies we tied,” he says. Spotting big fish cruising the banks—carp, as he later learned—they spent the day trying to catch them. “I had a few chases, and all I could think about was trying to get those carp on the fly,” he recalls. This ignited a new passion, leading him to get his own starter kit complete with rod, reel, line, and flies.
A Lifelong Love for the Outdoors
From as early as he can remember, Eeland was captivated by the natural world. “My grandpa and I would watch Animal Planet, National Geographic, PBS shows—anything that had to do with birds, wildlife, fish, insects, or nature and ecosystems,” he shares. This early exposure instilled in him an insatiable curiosity and a deep appreciation for natural resources and the outdoors.
Being a minority in a class of a thousand students studying wildlife biology wasn’t lost on him. “No one in my family was an outdoors person besides my grandpa,” he notes. This realization sparked a desire to become an educator and advocate for inclusivity in outdoor spaces. “I thought it would be cool to teach people who look like me or people who have never had the opportunity to enjoy nature and wildlife,” he says.
Influential Educators and Pivotal Moments
Eeland credits much of his personal and professional development to influential professors and courses during his time at CSU. One such figure was a professor named Walter, who wasn’t even in the wildlife biology department but taught English or writing. “He taught the class about trying to understand your purpose, what you think you’re good at, and how you can add value to the world,” Eeland recalls. “That class pushed me to be more aggressive with outdoor education, natural resources, and conservation.”
Another pivotal moment came during his Intro to Wildlife class. “One day, one of my professors, Ann Randall, brought in an owl and an eagle to show the class,” he says, eyes lighting up at the memory. “I was like, ‘You can do that? You can just have wild birds and get people’s attention and create concern for those animals?'” This hands-on experience solidified his desire to engage people directly with wildlife as a means of fostering conservation.
Becoming an Educator: A Mission of Inclusion and Conservation
So, what made him decide to become an educator? It was a combination of personal experience and a recognition of a broader need. “I never had exposure to many recreational activities,” he explains. “I think if I’d had that exposure early, I could have been fishing younger or could have gotten into climbing.”
This lack of early exposure fueled his commitment to make the outdoors accessible to everyone. “When I realized I wanted to become a wildlife biologist, I also realized that I thought it was important to go out and tell people, ‘Save the planet—do your best to conserve water, protect trees, and don’t squish that spider because it may be helping you,'” he says passionately.
He emphasizes that the outdoors and natural resources belong to everyone. “Invite everyone you can and make sure it’s an equal opportunity space for people—even if they don’t want to become anglers or hunters but just want to be outside,” he urges.
Current Roles: Educating the Next Generation
Today, Eeland is deeply involved in outdoor education through two significant roles. He works for Lincoln Hills Cares, an organization steeped in history. “Lincoln Hills was a place here in Colorado that was a historically Black vacation place,” he explains. “It was the only vacation place for middle-class Black families west of the Mississippi.”
People would flock to Denver’s Five Points neighborhood for a jazz arts festival and then head up to the mountains for fishing, camping, hiking, and backpacking. “Now it’s turned into sort of a fly fishing club, but we also use it as an education space,” he says. They bring in students from organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, local neighborhood volunteer clubs, and the YMCA. “We teach them about ecology, how to track animals, how to build shelters, how to fish, how to do archery—the list goes on.”
In his second role, he’s an educator for the Butterfly Pavilion. “Before COVID, we would go to schools and take small exhibits, teaching kids about ecology and running different games,” he says. “For example, they can learn about predator and prey relationships.” Both roles allow him to engage with children, fostering a love for nature and conservation from a young age.
Adapting to a Changing World: Education During COVID
The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, but Eeland and his teams found ways to adapt. At Lincoln Hills Cares, they couldn’t shift to a virtual classroom due to the nature of their programs. However, being secluded in the mountains allowed them to continue hosting smaller groups. “We usually have around 40 students, but during COVID, the most we have per day is like 15 students,” he explains.
The smaller group sizes turned out to be a blessing in disguise. “It became more personal, and kids felt a little bit less pressure if they wanted to ask questions or were curious,” he notes. “Smaller groups made it easier to answer kids’ questions and spark a little bit more joy.”
At the Butterfly Pavilion, they pivoted to virtual learning environments. “You can go onto their website and follow the metamorphosis of a butterfly or a moth, which I thought was really cool,” he shares. “There are even a few projects kids can do at home.”
The Rewarding Aspects of Education
When asked about the most meaningful part of being an educator, Eeland doesn’t hesitate. “Probably the potential,” he says thoughtfully. “I like to think of kids, especially in elementary and middle school, and even high school, as this fertilized soil that can blossom.”
He recognizes that while not everything can be fixed in his lifetime, planting the seed of curiosity and concern can lead to significant future impacts. “We could plant a seed for a kid who’s gonna figure out some solution or figure out some way to help animals and help ourselves in return,” he says. “I hope to give one kid the opportunity or the chance to do something they enjoy, enjoy the outdoors, and inspire someone to do better than what has been done in the past.”
The Comedy Connection: Finding Laughter in Life
Believe it or not, Eeland is also a talented stand-up comedian—a pursuit that might seem worlds apart from wildlife biology but is deeply connected in his life. “I’ve always had an admiration and a soft spot for comedians,” he admits.
His inspiration came from watching Katt Williams’ stand-up special, American Hustle. “I remember being over at my best friend’s house and my friend had left it playing,” he says. “I remember sitting there in the dark, just watching Katt Williams tell jokes to a theater full of people. Even though I was younger and didn’t get all the jokes, I remember thinking it was such a cool thing to see and think about.”
In college, he began writing jokes and even told people he was a comedian before ever stepping on stage. “Over MLK weekend in 2018, I thought, ‘Well, if I’m funny and people like it, then I will have succeeded, and if they don’t, no one’s going to ever know who I am,'” he laughs.
His first performance went exceptionally well, but he soon learned the ups and downs of comedy. “The next 50 times it was the worst experience I’ve ever had,” he admits. Yet, the challenge only fueled his passion. “It’s very addicting to have strangers laugh at me and with me.”
Crafting Comedy: Drawing from Real Life
Eeland’s comedic material is rooted in everyday experiences. “It’s from everyday things, like having a conversation with friends and maybe they say something and I’m like, ‘That’s funny,'” he explains. Sometimes inspiration strikes on his way to a show, leading him to try out new material on the spot.
“I like to just say stuff and then kind of write it down and hash it out after that,” he says. “A majority of my stand-up is either true thoughts, actions, or stories that have happened to me.” This authentic approach resonates with audiences and allows him to connect on a deeper level.
Goals and Aspirations in Comedy
When it comes to his ambitions in comedy, Eeland has a balanced perspective. “Of course, I would like to be the greatest comedian of all time,” he says with a grin. “I love getting paid for telling jokes. But I thoroughly enjoy getting up on stage and telling jokes, and so it’s something I’m never, ever, ever going to stop doing.”
He envisions a future where he can sell out theaters yet still maintain his anonymity in everyday life. “I want to be able to go out to the street and no one knows who I am,” he says. “I want to be a really good comedian and be able to do comedy all over but also want to just be a normal person.”
Importantly, he sees comedy as a vehicle to further his primary mission of environmental conservation. “My main goal is to help the environment and help people learn and care about the environment,” he emphasizes. “Comedy allows me to meet new people to help me with that goal or be able to speak in front of audiences who wouldn’t normally listen to my stories and perspective on things.”
Influences and Inspirations in Comedy
Eeland holds a deep respect for the craft of comedy and those who’ve mastered it. “My top comedian right now is Dave Chappelle, who’s the greatest comedian of all time,” he states unequivocally. He also admires Patrice O’Neal, who passed away in 2011. “He had this fearlessness of saying what he wants to say,” Eeland notes.
Other favorites include Chad Daniels, whose last three albums he can recite by heart. “I met him, and he was an extremely nice guy,” he shares. Bill Burr, Jackie Kashian, and Baron Vaughn also make his list. “If any of those people said, ‘Hey, you’re funny,’ I would just stop doing comedy because I would have reached my goal,” he laughs.
The Importance of Comedy in Society
Why does he believe comedy is vital? “I think it’s the last place of real free speech,” he says thoughtfully. “It’s wild and it’s unexpected, and you can have one thing said with many different perspectives about it.”
He appreciates that comedy is “silly and shouldn’t be taken seriously,” yet acknowledges the responsibility that comes with the platform. “If you’re going to say something offensive, it should be funny,” he asserts. “If it’s not funny, then you have to deal with the consequences of that.”
Advice for Aspiring Comedians
For those looking to dip their toes into the world of stand-up, Eeland offers sage advice. “You have to have courage,” he says. “The hardest part is getting up there the first time. Go up there with your three or four minutes of whatever you want to talk about, have fun, and then just hang in there.”
He draws parallels between comedy and fly fishing. “If you just go out and fish to have fun, then you’re going to have a lot more fun than others going out there trying to get cool Instagram pictures or trying to catch a hog,” he notes. “Starting out, fishing or comedy may seem daunting. Of course, there’s a learning curve with everything that you’re going to do, but just start, and if you’re having fun, then just have fun.”
Shout-Outs: People and Places That Matter
Eeland is all about community and support. He wants to highlight organizations and individuals who’ve made a significant impact on his life.
First up is Brown Folks Fishing. “Our mission is to create a space for people of color to feel comfortable in the outdoors, especially in fishing and fly fishing,” he explains. “We also hold companies and organizations accountable to say, ‘There are all types of people out here fishing.’ People should have a more open representation of that.”
He also gives a heartfelt shout-out to St. Peter’s Fly Shop in Fort Collins, Colorado. “Connor Murphy is a fish god to me,” he says. “He is very, very talented, and one of the nicest people. He doesn’t care if you’ve been fishing for two minutes or 20 years—he’s very helpful and knowledgeable.”
And let’s not forget his love for cookies. “I also love Mary’s Mountain Cookies,” he enthuses. “They supported me when I was in Fort Collins and doing shows, and I will always send people to them. I love cookies—they’re my one sweet tooth sort of thing. My favorite is their snickerdoodle, and the cookies are the size of a small plate. It is a religious experience.”
Looking Ahead: The Future Is Bright
So, what’s next for this dynamic individual? Eeland is eager to continue blending his passions for wildlife conservation and comedy. “I’m aiming to bring the beauty and importance of wildlife conservation to a wider audience,” he says. “I want to inspire others to explore, try new things, and fall in love with nature the way I have.”
His multifaceted approach allows him to reach people in unique ways. Whether he’s educating children about the wonders of the natural world or making audiences laugh with his stand-up routines, he’s making a difference.
Final Thoughts: A Beacon of Inspiration
Eeland Stribling isn’t just a wildlife biologist or a comedian; he’s a force for positive change. His story is a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets purpose. From his early days fishing reluctantly with his grandfather to his impactful work in education and comedy, he embodies the spirit of adventure and a deep love for the natural world.
His journey reminds us that it’s possible to blend seemingly disparate interests into a fulfilling life path that benefits not just oneself but the community and the environment as well.
So whether you’re an experienced angler, an aspiring comedian, or someone who’s never stepped foot in the wilderness, Eeland’s story is sure to inspire you. It’s a call to action to find your own passions, embrace them wholeheartedly, and perhaps most importantly, to share them with others.
Let’s raise a glass—or maybe a giant snickerdoodle—to Eeland and the exciting times ahead. Here’s to making the world a better place, one laugh and one lesson at a time!