Summer Newsletter Updates

Medano Creek, Sand Dunes, June 6th.

Blog: Residents and Community Advisory Board Push for Climate Resiliency Planning in the San Luis Valley

Article by: SLVEC Communications Manager (Isabel Lisle)

On May 22, 2023, a team of San Luis Valley (SLV) community leaders and researchers from the Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center (RMPRC) met at the very first SLV Resiliency Planning Meeting to discuss the impending environmental challenges facing the SLV and potential resiliency planning solutions.

The team hopes to create a resiliency engagement report that synthesizes information from community residents related to climate concerns, such as air quality, drought, wildfires, and priorities for action in the SLV, as well as future areas of action in research, practice, and policy agendas to pursue climate action.

RWR tries to influence politics in Douglas County through Parker Water and Sanitation District by contributing thousands to board candidates.

--Info from Water Education Colorado.

Developers behind San Luis Valley water export proposal contribute thousands to Douglas County water district races.

The fight continues. We need to encourage developers to create water efficient solutions and limit unsustainable development without realistic water plans.

Real estate developers interested in exporting water they own from the San Luis Valley to fast-growing, water-short Douglas County have contributed thousands of dollars to candidates for the Parker Water & Sanitation District Board, one of the largest water providers in the county.

Last month, Robert Kennah won a seat on the Parker water board and had received two donations from partners in Renewable Water Resources, a real estate development group whose principals include former Colorado Governor Bill Owens. The contributions were made by RWR principals John Kim and Hugh Bernardi, according to filings at the Colorado Secretary of State’s office.

A second RWR-backed candidate, Kory Nelson, also received $10,000 in donations from RWR, but did not win a seat on the Parker water board. Nelson is contesting the results of the election.
If Nelson had won, RWR would have ties to three members of the five-member board, according to Parker Water and Sanitation District Manager Ron Redd.

13 Canadian Fossils Linked to Massive Losses in Western Wildfires

Peachland British Columbia Wildfire, July 2, 2018, Martin Davis

Thirteen oil and gas companies operating or based in Canada, are on the list of 88 big carbon polluters now being called out for a major share of the forested lands lost to wildfires in North America between 1986 and 2021.

The fossil fuel and cement companies on the longer list share responsibility for 37% of the wildfire losses over the 35-year span in the western regions of Canada and the United States.

“Using modelling data, researchers were able to determine that emissions traced back to those 88 companies resulted in an additional 80,000 kilometres squared being burned,” CBC reported last week. “That’s an area larger than the size of Ireland.”

Colorado Outdoor Partnership Summary

The Colorado Outdoor Partnership brought people together from all over the state to discuss recreation impacts and opportunities, and figure out ways to plan for visitor use while simultaneously conserve/protecting the reasons people come to Colorado to live in the first place. It’s such a beautiful place, and wildlife, biodiversity and riparian/wetland areas deserve to be protected for future generations. How do we maintain that balance? Planning that strongly enforces respectful behavior (of the landscape) is part of the solution.

Opening Mercadillo ~ July 15th!

What: Farmers’ Market (Mercadillo)

Where: Rio Grande Farm Park (Alamosa, CO)

When: Wednesday, July 15th

Who: Come support your local growers, shop vendors, and connect with your community. If you’re interested in vending the Mercadillo, click on the link below or email daliah.slvlocalfoods@gmail.com.

SLV GO! Dark Sky Photo Contest Winner

First Place, People's Choice: The Fairy Hills, Mark Skinner

Join 1% for the Planet Community EcoChallenge

Join SLVEC in the Community Ecochallenge!

July 10 - August 7

The challenge is simple—join a team to compete with, choose actions that support people & planet, and score points when you complete them! 

You get to choose your challenges, so you can work climate action into your schedule and see how collective action adds up. The event is free and open to everyone.

Newsletter content and design by:

Isabel Lisle (Communications Manager, SLVEC)