Nexus of Land and Water: Dust on Snow Symposium
Description
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Symposium: 10am - 4pm
Sunflower Theater, 8 E. Main St, Cortez, CO
Reception: 4pm - 7pm
ZU Gallery 48 W Main St, Cortez, CO
Refreshments provided
Join us for an engaging one-day symposium, Nexus of Land and Water: Southwest Initiative on Land Health and Water Resources, presented by the Wright-Ingraham Institute in collaboration with the Mountain Studies Institute. This public event is the culmination of a multi-year project to develop interdisciplinary research that devises novel approaches to the critical issue of dust-on-snow in the San Juan Mountains.
Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited capacity, please let us know if your plans change so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist. Please also note that this event is in-person only.
Over the last six months, 21 researchers – scientists, artists, professionals, and community leaders from diverse fields – have been working together on applied research projects to identify implementable management practices that align with community values and reduce dust mobilization. Though centered on the San Juan Mountains, the issue of dust-on-snow and the insights of our researchers have global implications.
At this symposium, the project's research teams will share their findings and discuss strategies to manage land health and water resources more effectively. Through presentations, collaborative sessions, and discussions, we will explore practical solutions and innovative ideas to address these pressing challenges.
This project of the Wright-Ingraham Institute is funded by the Southwestern Water Conservation District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Gale Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. We extend our gratitude to our collaborators at the Mountain Studies Institute, Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies, New Mexico State University, USDA Soil Health Services, and the Center for Earth Theology.
Follow @wrightingrahaminstitute on social channels and visit http:wright-ingraham.org/nexus-of-land-and-water/ for more information.
Presenters and Participants Include:
Core Team
Kevin Lombard, Associate Professor and Superintendent at the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center at Farmington.
Jeff Derry, Director of Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies in Silverton, Colorado. Director of the Colorado Dust-on-Snow program (“CODOS”).
Nicholas Webb, Research Physical Scientist at the Jornada Experimental Range Research Unit at USDA Las Cruces.
Heidi Steltzer, Climate Scientist, Theologian and Founder of the Center for Earth Theology in Cortez, Colorado.
Patrick O’Neill, Agronomist and Soil Scientist at Soil Health Services, San Luis Valley, Colorado.
Interdisciplinary Problem Solvers
Bill Brinton, Supervisor of the Mosca-Hooper Conservation District, Alamosa County, CO.
Larry Brown, San Luis Valley Area Director & Agriculture Agent at CSU Extension.
Lauren Czaplicki, Founder of Science by Design LLC DBA Fungal Solutions, with a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering.
Seth Denizen, Human Geographer and Landscape Architect. Assistant Professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
Saroj Dhital, Atmospheric Science Researcher and Postdoctoral Associate at the Jornada Experimental Range, NMSU.
Sunny Dooley, Diné Hozhojii Hané (Diné Blessing Way Story) Storyteller, Poet, and Organizer of positive possibilities for true change. Creative Director/Producer of Wisdom Carriers.
Mike Duniway, Research Ecologist with the US Geological Survey in Moab, UT.
Beth Lamberson, professional in Non-profit, Grant Writing and Public Radio Management.
Angie Mestas, Teacher from 6 generations of Farmers and Ranchers with a background in Agricultural Biology and Art.
Travis Nauman, Research Soil Scientist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Len Necefer, Founder of NativesOutdoors, with a Ph.D. in Engineering & Public Policy.
S. McKenzie Skiles, Snow Hydrologist, Associate Professor, and Director of the Snow Hydro Lab, at the University of Utah.
Leslie Sobel, Multi-Media Artist addressing water and climate change.
Linnea Spears-Lebrun, senior Restoration Ecologist and Project Manager.
Madeline Wilson, Agricultural Production Systems Specialist for CSU Extension.
Kristina Young, Research Ecologist (postdoctoral scholar) USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, with a Ph.D. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.
Program Facilitators
Jake Kurzweil, Hydrologist and Associate, Director of Mountain Studies Institute Water Program
Melissa May, Executive Director, Mountain Studies Institute
Frida Foberg, Program Manager, Wright-Ingraham Institute
Dylan Gauthier, Director of Research, Wright-Ingraham Institute
Tal C. Beery, Executive Director, Wright-Ingraham Institute
Program Interns
Julia Salame, Intern; Jessica Smith, Intern (Environmental Science major at Fort Lewis College)