Rio Grande Watershed Conservation & Education Initiative

Despite the vast amounts of land to explore in the San Luis Valley, rural students, families and schools face financial and logistical barriers that do not afford Valley communities with meaningful access to and awareness of the landscapes upon which they depend. Schools must focus on core curricula and are unable to provide field trips and outdoor experiences for students.

The Rio Grande Watershed Conservation & Education Initiative (RGWCEI) is dedicated to providing dynamic conservation education for K-12 students in all 14 school districts of the San Luis Valley through collaborations and experiences that enhance understanding of working landscapes and natural resource stewardship. RGWCEI works with teachers to supplement the school curriculum with lessons that align with field-based experiences on farms and ranches, cultivating a connection to the land. In-school lessons are complimented by field-based experiences on local farms, ranches and public lands. 

Learn more about RGWCEI here.

Impact:

RGWCEI also facilitates important extra curricular activities and competitions, such as Envirothons for high school students at state and national level focused on concepts in forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, and soil health; and a summer Youth Conservation Camp for children and teen counselor opportunities.