CMC prepares for virtual Sustainability and Ecosystem Science Conference

Ute leader, educator and author Forrest Cuch to give keynote address, “Native Knowledge for the New Earth” on April 19

April 11, 2024  ­– Colorado Mountain College’s sustainability and ecosystem science bachelor’s degree students will host the college’s Sustainability and Ecosystem Science conference from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 19. Now in its eighth year, this online-only event is being offered at no charge, and the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

The conference will be accessible by Zoom throughout CMC’s nine-county district and beyond, and will be followed by in-person events at CMC Spring Valley, Leadville, Vail Valley and Steamboat Springs the afternoon of April 19. CMC Breckenridge is planning events commemorating Earth Day on April 28.

Native knowledge

Giving the keynote address, “Native Knowledge for the New Earth,” will be Forrest Cuch, an enrolled member of the Ute Indian tribe. An elder, author, educator and former director of Indian Affairs for the state of Utah, Cuch is from the Uintah and Ouray Ute Indian Reservation in northeastern Utah. He will discuss the return to a matriarchal/Mother Earth perspective during his talk.

“Many indigenous cultures are matriarchal,” he said. “It’s a feminine consciousness that relates to Mother Earth. This New Earth perception is a shift from a male to a female sensibility.”

Cuch said he will explain how this New Earth perspective runs counter to European patriarchal beliefs. For hundreds of years, the Utes survived because they clung to nature and by doing so, kept in touch with the creator. “This helped us survive, and kept us strong,” he said. “We have a respect for water, food and families. We preserve nature.”

Capstone presentations

CMC President Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser will open the conference at 9 a.m., which will be followed by an opportunity for attendees to select one of seven virtual breakout rooms to view around six short research presentations by CMC sustainability and ecosystem science students from various CMC campuses. Topics range from assessing the sustainability of land exchanges in Summit County to using mindful meditation to loosen the grip of mindless consumption among wealthy individuals, plus dozens more.

After the student presentations, Cuch will give his keynote address at 11 a.m. The conference will conclude at noon.

The college’s sustainability bachelor’s degree program began in 2011. CMC began accepting students for the ecosystem science and stewardship bachelor’s degree program in the fall of 2022. The conference will commemorate both Earth Day on April 22 and CMC’s first graduating class of ecosystem science and stewardship bachelor’s degree students.

The virtual Sustainability and Ecosystem Science Conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The conference will be accessible by Zoom throughout CMC’s nine-county district and beyond.

Participants need to register for the virtual conference by visiting colomtn.me/suscon2024.

Campus activities

CMC Spring Valley, Leadville, Vail Valley and Steamboat Springs are offering activities at their campuses the afternoon of April 19. CMC Breckenridge is planning events commemorating Earth Day on April 28.

Spring Valley campus’s April 19 activities: Sustainability Studies Earth Day Garden Party and Poster Session

Free and open to the public

Following the online conference, CMC Spring Valley welcomes the public to the campus for an early Earth Day celebration.

Where: Spring Valley greenhouse, next to the Quigley Library at the Spring Valley campus

When: 1-3 p.m.

What: Four graduating seniors’ in-person poster presentations of their capstone research, plus food, music and garden tours

CMC Spring Valley, 3000 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs, 970-945-7481

Leadville campus’s April 19 in-person activities: Ecosystem System Science and Stewardship Capstone Research Poster Symposium and Community Social

Free and open to the public

Following the online conference, CMC Leadville welcomes the public to the campus for a symposium and community social.

Where: First-floor of the New Discovery Building at the Leadville campus

When: 2-4 p.m.

What: The event will showcase the original research of CMC’s first class of bachelor’s degree ecosystem science and stewardship students by inviting CMC Leadville campus students, staff and faculty and the greater Lake County community to see their work. Refreshments served.

CMC Leadville, 901 S. Highway 24, 719-486-2015

Vail Valley campus’s April 19 in-person activities

Capstone Poster Gallery 

Following the online conference, CMC Vail Valley will offer virtual and in-person environmentally focused presentations and activities.

Free and open to the public

When: 12-1 p.m.

Where: The poster gallery will be at CMC Vail Valley’s second floor hallway outside of room 249

Climate Democracy Initiative’s Student Summit

When: 1-3:30 p.m.

Where: Second floor, room 249, CMC Vail Valley

What: With guest speaker Namatai Kwekweza, founder and director of WELEAD Trust, a youth leadership and advocacy organization, students and educators from across Colorado will convene virtually and in-person to learn more about the intersection between climate and democracy. New opportunities for leadership development. and significant paid opportunities for students and recent grads will be announced and discussed. Go to the Climate Democracy Initiative Student Summit for more information.

CMC Vail Valley, 150 Miller Ranch Road, Edwards, 970-569-2900

Steamboat Springs campus’s April 19 in-person activities

Following the online conference, CMC Steamboat Springs welcomes the public to the campus to view graduating seniors’ capstone posters in person and attend a special online and in-person student summit.

Free and open to the public

Graduating Seniors’ Capstone Poster Session

Where: CMC Steamboat Springs Allbright Family Auditorium, Academic Building

When: 12-1 p.m.

Climate Democracy Initiative’s Student Summit

Where: CMC Steamboat Springs Allbright Family Auditorium, Academic Building

When: 1-3:30 p.m.

What: With guest speaker Namatai Kwekweza, founder and director of WELEAD Trust, a youth leadership and advocacy organization, students and educators from across Colorado will convene virtually and in-person to learn more about the intersection between climate and democracy. New opportunities for leadership development. and significant paid opportunities for students and recent grads will be announced and discussed. Go to the Climate Democracy Initiative Student Summit for more information.

CMC Steamboat Springs, 1275 Crawford Ave., Steamboat Springs, 970-870-4444

Breckenridge campus’s April 28 activities

Free and open to the public

On Sunday, April 28, the public is invited to CMC Breckenridge for several Earth Day-inspired activities.

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Earth Day Hike – Nearby hike will include swag and snacks; meet at the Breckenridge campus’s lobby

2-3 p.m. Sustainability Studies Capstone Student Poster Presentations – in Breckenridge campus’s lobby and the Finkel Auditorium

3-8 p.m. “A Finer Future is Possible” with Hunter Lovins, CEO, Natural Capitalism Solutions, at the Finkel Auditorium, Breckenridge campus, sponsored by Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church and co-sponsored by CMC Breckenridge, High Country Conservation and Summit Interfaith Council.

CMC Breckenridge, 107 Denison Placer Road, Breckenridge, 970-453-6757