NORTH AMERICA
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Today we will travel to Durango via private coach or scheduled flight.
Durango & SilvertonDurango and Silverton are old mining towns located in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, part of the southern Rockies. The San Juan Range features numerous jagged volcanic summits, 13 of which rise to over 14,000 feet, along with many lakes, waterfalls and streams including the source of the Rio Grande. The extensive mineralization of the range, as evident from the vivid colors found in the rocks, supported the 19th century mining towns.
Daily reflection and group discussion"We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey On every evening of the program, we will set time aside to update our Reflection Journal and share thoughts and impressions that have come to the fore in the course of the day.
How is water management becoming increasingly important?
ActivityStarting at the top of the watershed, we will examine how water, riparian ecology, and environmental impacts change moving downstream, including looking at snowpack as the main water source in the West down to where the Colorado River dries up.
EveningAfter dinner together, we’ll have some time to reflect on the day's activities and discuss what we have learned from your service activity.
Why is it important to monitor for early indicators of climate change?
ActivityWe will study the effect of climate change on the San Juan mountains. Weather permitting, we will collect data on the American Pika. This high alpine creature is considered an indicator species of climate change due to its high vulnerability to warming global temperatures. Data that participants collect will become part of a larger effort to monitor Pika populations in Colorado and across the Southern Rockies.
EveningAfter dinner together, we’ll have some time to reflect on the day's activities and discuss what we have learned from your service activity.
How can corporations be better stewards of the environment?
ActivityWe will visit the mining district and review how the EPA has attempted to remediate some of the acid mine drainage that is prolific in the San Juans. Specifically, we will study geology and hydrology, water chemistry (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, etc.), and aquatic ecology and water quality assessment through comparative aquatic insect surveys. (Another activity may be substituted if snow cover is too deep.)
EveningAfter dinner together, we’ll have some time to reflect on the day's activities and discuss what we have learned from your service activity.
Today, we will have two activities to choose between depending on snow cover. If there is low snow cover, we will study wildfire ecology, particularly the effects of 2018's 416 fire on water quality and aquatic ecology. If there is deep snow cover, we will instead study winter ecology.
Visit Mesa Verde National Park. Here, with the accompaniment of an additional local guide, we will see how the Park preserves and interprets the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from 600 to 1300 CE. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. The park is open year-round, but all areas may not be accessible in the winter.
EveningWe will enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant.
Final reflection and discussion sessionThis evening we make the final entries in our Reflection Journal and share some of the most significant observations and perspectives that have taken shape in the course of our Outdoor Education program in Colorado and how these experiences may be most relevant for us all as we return home.
Our rewarding and enjoyable Climate Change in an Alpine Environment outdoor education program comes to an end. Bid farewell to Durango and depart for home.
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