Registration is now open for the 2nd Annual “Water Connections,” an evening educational event hosted by the Southwestern Water Conservation District (SWCD)and Four Corners Water Center at Fort Lewis College (FLC).

This opportunity for engagement and learning will focus on our adaptation strategies from forest to desert.

5:00 p.m. Appetizers and Networking (FLC Student Union Plaza)

5:30 p.m. Snowtography - Forest Treatments and Hydrology (FLC Student Union Ballroom)

Joel Biederman, Research Hydrologist with USDA's Southwest Watershed Research Center, presents his recent hydrology studies tied to forest treatments and upcoming test cases in southwestern Colorado

6:30 p.m. Break

6:45 p.m. Survey of Adaptation Strategies - From Our Forests to Our Deserts

Moderated by Steve Wolff, SWCD's General Manager
Aaron Kimple, Mountain Studies Institute, regional forest health initiatives.
Selwyn Whiteskunk, Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Councilman, adapting to drought from the water user and tribal perspectives.
Carrie Padgett, Harris Water Engineering, southwest Colorado planning for future water needs.
Becky Mitchell Colorado Water Conservation Board Director and Colorado Commissioner to the Upper Colorado River Commission, how aridification affects our water management.

PANDEMIC SAFETY: SWCD and Fort Lewis College are working together to ensure participant safety and have agreed to follow Fort Lewis College's health policies in order to hold this hybrid event.

All attendees are required to wear a mask on campus, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated. Face shields may be worn as an additional layer of protection but are not a replacement for masks. Buffs, neck gaiters, and bandanas are not permitted as masks.

Attendees will also be required to complete a health screening form. You can complete the form in advance and bring it to the event or complete it upon arrival.

Please observe physical distancing of six feet from others.

You may also participate remotely via livestream (see our "VIA ZOOM" ticket option.)

FOOD: Plan on joining us for satisfying hors d'oeuvres and networking outdoors (FLC Student Union Plaza) starting at 5:00 p.m. with speakers to follow at 5:30 p.m. (FLC Student Union Ballroom). Attendees can remove masks to eat.

CAMPUS LOCATION: Networking will begin outside on the FLC Student Union Plaza at 5:00 p.m., with speakers to follow in the FLC Student Union Ballroom at 5:30 p.m. Here's a link to the campus map.

PARKING: For free parking, please park in the EBH lot or the 8th Ave lot, not at parking meters. If you park at a meter, you will have to pay. Here's a link to the campus map.

WANT TO ZOOM IT? We plan to have a livestream option for those who would like to watch the event remotely. Please use the "VIA ZOOM" ticket option to receive the Zoom link for the event in your email one week prior to the event.

Water Connections: Adaptation from Forests to Deserts