January 19th, 2010
Kay Sherwood, and 2009-10 Rockies student researcher, has been awarded the Stenner Scholarship from USA Cycling. A senior environmental policy major, Sherwood maintains a 3.4 grade point average while competing both on the road and in mountain biking for the Colorado College Cycling Team. After being introduced to cycling as a freshman, Sherwood was quick to enter her first bike race and went on to qualify for road nationals that year. The Tiger squad then introduced her to mountain biking where she went on to take the Division II short track national title as a sophomore. The Ipswich, Massachusetts, native has since collected four Collegiate National Championship medals on both the road and the mountain bike while working tirelessly to introduce more women to the sport and her Tiger team. Sherwood’s work with the Rockies Project focused on land and water use in agriculture, and organic production in the Rockies region.
The annual Stenner scholarship program is funded by donations to the USA Cycling Development Foundation in the name of John Stenner, one of the founders of collegiate cycling.
October 1st, 2009
The 3rd annual State of the Rockies Student Photo Competition is accepting submissions. Prizes will be awarded to top photos, and many will be included in the 2010 State of the Rockies Report Card. The competition is open until January 15, 2010, and photos must be taken in one of the eight Rockies States. For more information, click here.
September 24th, 2009
The 2010 State of the Rockies Report Card is the first ever Report Card to be dedicated entirely to one subject: agriculture. The 2009-10 student Project Researchers spent the summer investigating the historical, demographic, financial, organizational, production, and land use issues of agriculture in the Rockies Region. Their analysis of multiple data sets, mapping projects, academic papers, and interviews will provide a unique and comprehensive look at the challenges and successes of agriculture in our region.
July 2nd, 2009
The State of the Rockies Project will be heading out in the field from July 6th until July 13th. The focus of our summer research trip will be agriculture in the Rockies, and we’ll be visiting family farms, large corporate farms, non-profit organizations, dairy operations, and the Malpai Borderlands Group. One van and 1700 miles through New Mexico and Arizona!
Watch for our “Notes from the Road” to hear more about the trip. First stop on Monday: the Javernick Family Farm (Canon City, Colorado) and the Quivira Coalition (Santa Fe, New Mexico).
Monday, July 6th
The group had a great experience meeting with Javernick Family Farms, and Beckie gave the student researchers a tour of their operation, discussing their experience with farmer’s markets, Community Supported Agriculture, and organic certification. The students asked questions about the local organic grower’s associations and the challenges of keeping the small farm in the family. Weed control was a major issue at the farm given the moisture this spring, requiring much volunteer labor and creative solutions (plastic tarps for the tomato plants).
Next stop was the Quivira Coalition in Santa Fe, where the group met with founder Courtney White. Courtney discussed the issues related to grassbanking, conservation easements, and public-private land partnerships. He also emphasized the importance of economic sustainability and Western beef production, not simply land sustainability. Quivira offers direct marketing of grass fed beef, as well as river restoration and range management courses. Courtney provided the students with new perspectives on climate change, fossil fuel challenges, and ranch carbon footprints.
May 12th, 2009
Six Colorado College students have been selected as student researchers for the 2009-10 State of the Rockies Project. With declared majors ranging from Mathematical-Economics to Sociology, hometowns spanning Colorado Springs to Kathmandu, and interests including ranching, bicycle racing, and everything in-between, this team brings a diverse background to their common research. Learn more about the new researchers HERE.
March 9th, 2009
While many forecast the broad implications of change at the national level, the Colorado College State of the Rockies Project has been pondering the future of the ever-changing Rocky Mountain region…
Read more of Elizabeth Kolbe’s recent article in HeadWaters News here: http://www.headwatersnews.org/P.Look.ColoradoSOTR030509.html
December 19th, 2008
Colorado College has named Ed and Betsy Marston, the former publisher and editor, respectively, of the High Country News in Paonia, Colo., as the 2008-09 Champions of the Rockies. Read more »
September 22nd, 2008
The 2nd Annual State of the Rockies Photo Competition is accepting photo submissions. Winning photos may be published in the State of the Rockies Report Card and win prizes! Learn more HERE.
September 11th, 2008
Five great talks over the next six months. Complete Speaker Bios and Schedule HERE!
