The San Luis Valley in southern Colorado has a fascinating archaeological record dating back 12,000 years. The Rio Grande National Forest Heritage Program works to help inform people of this rich history through the archaeological record. For Latino Conservation Week the Rio Grande National Forest Heritage Program has been working with the Move Mountains non-profit youth group to provide the members of Move Mountains with an interactive archaeological experience on public lands. Move Mountains Youth Group is a non-profit organization that employs young community members from San Luis over the summer. The program educates the members on conservation, community organizing, environmental activism, entrepreneurism, etc, and helps connect them to the land and their history. San Luis has little access to public land, however is one of the oldest settlements in Colorado.
On Friday, July 20th, 20 children and 4 adult chaperones will be shown multiple historical and prehistoric archaeological sites on BLM land, they will also participate in interactive activities and a mild hike. During these activities the Rio Grande National Forest Heritage Program will inform the participants on opportunities and jobs associated with conservation. There is an abundance of public lands in the San Luis Valley and we hope to help connect these children to these areas, their heritage and opportunities in conservation.
Rio Grande National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management
Date & time:
July 20, 2018