Activity Report Explorer

Four Corners • Entered by Jennifer Singer on April 29, 2024

Ute Mountain Ute and SWOS relationship building

January 1, 2024 – April 30, 2024

Key Issue: Public Lands Health & Protection
Activity Type: Relationship Building with non-white and/or frontline communities (relational meetings, attending events, community support, etc.)
Key Partners: Scott Clow and Ben Robinson- Ute Mountain Ute Environmental Center, devyn lacey- SWOS STEM teacher.

Short Description of Activity

Sally encouraged me to reach out to Scott about Slick Rock Canyon uranium mining. I scheduled a call with Ben Robinson who I worked with on Mancos Canyon Restoration last fall and Scott was able to join in. We discussed what we’re doing and invited them to attend or comment to San Miguel County Planning and Zoning. Scott shared so much background info on their opposition based on White Mesa Mill milling, mining history, government meetings and future plans. We also discussed starting a Towaoc Broadband. I offered our 10 free memberships and that I’d bring swag and help them get started. Scott has a couple of local leaders he wants to check with. I hope this works out so our groups could work together on projects- theirs and ours, if invited.

I’m doing virtual field trips about Slick Rock Canyon uranium mining with SWOS chemistry students in devyn’s classes. They have been studying mining and I want to share a local issue and help them advocate for their environment and future. I might be able to expand to Colorado Green Amendment activism like the Montana students using their Green Amendment to stop new power plant projects. I also gave copies of Greta Thunberg’s The Climate Book to the STEM teachers to inspire their students to become climate activists. I have been building relationships with staff for a couple of years now, been through sub/mentor process, meeting students during open period times, and am now integrating with classroom projects. SWOS is a charter high school that attracts a diverse student population and builds relationships with at-risk students.

Reflection/Evaluation

My goal is to interest students in local activism projects. I’d like to see them network with students across the state to introduce the CO Green Amendment to legislators to help their community protect clean air, water, and healthy lands for future generations. I reached out to Mark Schenberger of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative and he’s working on integrating SWOS into their environmental pathway which offers many opportunities for environmental collaboration projects. He introduced me into the Southwest Environmental Education Leadership Council which is a network of environmental organizations that promote a wide variety of outdoor educational opportunities for young people. I even found Inspire Montezuma and am hoping to collaborate on projects for SWOS students. So we’re working to build the next generation of environmental activists!