The Loch Lake with rocks and mountains in snow around at autumn. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA.

CMC’s Sustainability Studies and Ecosystem Science & Stewardship present

REMATRIATING THE ROCKIES

Virtual Conference, Friday, April 18, 2025, 9 am-12 pm

Register now for this free, public virtual event!

Keynote Presentation: Rematriating the Rockies

How do we shift environmental conservation toward a more equitable and balanced future? Gemara Gifford will share her research on the pathways and barriers to rematriation in the Southern Rocky Mountain Region. “Rematriation” is a movement supporting the direct return of lands to Indigenous Peoples, the return of buffalo to their homelands, and the reclamation and resurgence of Indigenous Knowledge, cultural practices, languages, and lifeways.

Register now for this free, public virtual event!

Gemara Gifford.

Keynote Speaker

Gemara Gifford, M.S.

Gemara Gifford, M.S., Owner of Mending Mountains Collective LLC, and Ph.D. Candidate at Colorado State University. A former wildlife scientist, with a background in community-based conservation, nonprofit leadership, and rematriation movements in Latin America, Gem advocates for environmental justice and Indigenous rights. With roots in the Southern Rocky Mountain Region, Gem’s family — Chicano labor rights organizers from the San Luis Valley and coal mining camps of Southern Colorado — instilled in her a deep love and responsibility for animals and the environment.

On-campus Events

All live campus events are free and open to the public.

Thursday, April 17

CMC Vail Valley at Edwards

Climate Speaker Series / 6 – 7:30 pm

Join Rachel Forbes, MSW, as she addresses the impacts of climate change on mental health. The Climate Speaker Series, sponsored by Walking Mountains Science Center and CMC, explores the ecological and societal impacts of climate change, including the creative solutions needed to address humanity’s most pressing problem. Registration REQUIRED; admission is FREE.

Friday, April 18

CMC Leadville

Ecosystem Science & Stewardship Symposium / 3 – 5 pm

Visit the Pinnacle Learning Commons to celebrate the incredible work of our bachelor’s degree candidates as they unveil their research projects through dynamic poster presentations. Join us for a casual, engaging event of learning and conversation about cutting-edge research. Connect with students and faculty over refreshments.

Registration required; admission is FREE.

Register for the Leadville Ecosystem Science & Stewardship Symposium

Friday, April 18

CMC Spring Valley & Glenwood Springs

Interactive Poster Session and Community Garden Party / 1 - 3 pm

Visit the CMC Spring Valley Greenhouse (aka the Jungle next to Quigley Library) for snacks, music, and Sustainability Studies Capstone Research Posters. Come one; come all! Registration NOT required; admission is FREE.

Friday, April 18

CMC Steamboat Springs

Interactive Research Poster Session and Permaculture Garden Party / 12:30 - 2:30pm

Visit the CMC Steamboat Springs’ Bear Park Permaculture Center. Join us for snacks, live music, and see what our graduating Sustainability Studies seniors have been up to! Registration NOT required; admission is FREE.

* weather/snowmelt depending; alternate location is the Academic Building lobby

Tuesday, April 22

CMC Breckenridge

Sierra Headwaters’ Earth Day / 4 – 8 pm

Join Sierra Club's Headwaters Group at CMC Breckenridge for an action fair featuring interactive education and exhibits about plastics, light pollution, wolves, and public lands; a showing of Dark Sky Film: Defending the Dark; and research presentations from CMC Sustainability student presentations. Light refreshments. Door prizes. Registration is NOT required; admission is FREE.