Conservation and Recreation in the SLV

Conservation and Recreation in the San Luis Valley

Outdoor Photography by Andrew Parnes

"Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift."  (Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass) 

(Photo: Handstand at Great Sand Dunes National Park)
 
As San Luis Valley supporters of conservation, we must spend time thinking about and preparing for a future of increased outdoor recreation tourism to help protect our wildlife and natural resources for generations to come.
 
SLVEC has partnered with SLV GO! to help write the SLV conservation and recreation plan.

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Dark Sky Survey 

San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!) is seeking community input about their dark sky initiative! Please take this short, 4-question survey about preserving the night sky.
 
(Photo: Milky Way over San Luis Valley)

4 Question Survey

Welcome Ty Benally as the new Refuge Manager of Baca National Wildlife Refuge

Ty has been administering special use permits in Alaska where he has closely worked with tribes, state, and other federal land managers to conserve wildlife and cultural resources on refuge lands. Most recently, he helped refuge staff to produce a children’s activity book that includes wildlife names provided in English and Yupik, a first for the Service to target Alaska Native youth. Ty, who is enrolled with the Navajo Nation, has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science from New Mexico State University and an MBA in management from
Hawaii Pacific University.

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Potential Conservation Area in the San Luis Valley

SLVEC is currently working to inform policies that would grant long-term protection to the Rio Grande Corridor in Colorado’s Conejos and Costilla Counties. The proposed Upper Rio Grande National Conservation Area would provide management continuity, financial stability, and education opportunities to a significant area in southern Colorado. 

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Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area

The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (SdCNHA) hosts the Alliance of National Heritage Areas 2022 Fall Conference this week, October 10-14, 2022.
 
(Navajo Boy, no record of name)

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Job Openings

(Photo overlooking Del Norte)

Southwest Conservation Corps Los Valles has an opening for a Youth Program Manager. This position is an incredible opportunity to develop meaningful programming serving high school age youth in central Colorado. Position is eligible for location within LV’s service area.  They plan to begin screening applicants by October 21, 2022, for a preferred start in December or January. 

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is seeking a communications contractor for three months to manage CDTC’s ongoing marketing and communications efforts. Please submit a response of no more than two pages explaining your ability to provide the services outlined above. Please include links or samples of past work (these examples will not count towards the page limitation). Responses are due to lmurray@continentaldividetrail.org by November 1, 2022.

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