

The Watershed Education Program (WEP) provides hands-on environmental education for grades K-12 in the San Miguel Watershed from its headwaters in the high alpine zones down to the plateaus of southwest Colorado at the confluence with the Dolores River. Our main focus is to provide teachers with partial or full day field studies that are tied directly to their classroom curriculum and Colorado State Standards. We use the San Miguel River and other regional ecosystems and environments as the core elements of a place-based curriculum that addresses current issues regarding the nexus of food, water, energy, and climate change. Each field study experience also addresses the social, cultural, and economic implications linked to these topics, and emphasizes the value of collaboration and service across communities. Field study opportunities are created with the Fall and Spring seasons in mind, but also include the opportunity for a Winter Ecology program. WEP works with schools within San Miguel County and the surrounding region. All programming is provided free of charge, but requires a deposit fee that is returned upon completion of the course. In order to provide this free programming WEP raises funding through grants, foundations, and individual donors.
A commitment to contribute to the inspiration, education, and activation of generations of informed, thoughtful, and innovative stewards of people, place, and planet.
To use the San Miguel Watershed and surrounding region as a non-arbitrary, place-based teaching tool of environmental, ecological, economic, social, and cultural relationships. Exploration, critical thinking, and project or service-based learning within such a matrix is more complex, dynamic, and engaging. This method opens the doors for generations to create a resilient, healthy, equitable, and sustainable future for our community and others.
“Progress does not have to be patented to be worthwhile. Progress can also be measured by our interactions with nature and its preservation. Can we teach children to look at a flower and see all the things it represents: beauty, the health of an ecosystem, and the potential for healing?”
– Richard Louv, Author of Last Child in the Woods
The Lifton-Zoline Family Foundation
Audrey Marnoy
Stuart and Joanna Brown Charitable Fund
Just for Kids Foundation
San Miguel County
Town of Telluride (CCAASE)
Telluride Foundation
AND WEP PARTNERS:
State of Colorado, BLM, USFS, Idarado, Town of Mountain Village, Telski, Wilkinson Public Library, Naturita Public Library, Rimrockers Historic Society, SMPA, and The Nature Conservancy
+ please contact WEP Director, Lia Cristadoro
lia@tellurideinstitute.org
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