Project Overview:
This book takes children on an illustrative journey from the snow falling high in the San Juan Mountains to the water in their faucet tap. It introduces children to the distinctive wildlife, ecosystems, and diverse uses of water along the way from the mountains to the desert. By learning about their local environment, children experience connection to their “place” and the natural resources on which they depend. The Durango 9-R and Archuleta County School Districts have endorsed this project.
This publication is a local adaptation of “My Water Comes from the Mountains”, which focused on the Boulder Watershed in the Front Range. The new book highlights the western San Juan Mountain watersheds and communities and incorporates art and quotes from school children in La Plata County. |
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The book is available for free to classrooms in the southwestern San Juan Mountains (Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan Counties) as supplies last. Teachers can sign up for a workshop and an activity guide that accompanies the book.
The book also will be for sale from local and online booksellers.
The project is a result of the newly formed San Juan Collaboratory, a joint effort among MSI, Fort Lewis College, University of Colorado at Boulder, and the USFS/BLM San Juan Public Lands Center. The University of Colorado was involved with the first edition of the “My Water…” series for for elementary school students in Boulder, Colorado. They had quite a lot of success with that project and have encouraged MSI and Fort Lewis College to bring this opportunity to children in southwestern Colorado.
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Districts & Schools Signed Up (as of Oct. 26, 2009)
Archuleta 50 Joint: Pagosa Elementary; Bayfield 10Jt R: Bayfield Elementary; Dolores RE-2(J): Seventh Street Elementary, Rico Elementary; Durango 9R: Animas Valley Elementary, Florida Mesa Elementary, Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary, Park Elementary, Needam Elementary, Riverview Elementary, Sunnyside Elementary; Durango 9R/Diocese of Pueblo Catholic School Net.: St. Columba School; Ignacio II JT: Ignacio Elementary, Ignacio Intermediate; Mancos RE-6: Mancos Elementary; Silverton: Silverton Elementary, Telluride R-1: Telluride Intermediate.
Links to More Information
Article in the Durango Herald, April 23, 2009 (website)
Artwork from Students (website)
Letter to School Districts Inviting Participation, 3/17/09 (pdf)
Participation Form for Schools (pdf)
"My Water Comes from the Mountains" book, from which the San Juan version is adapted (website)
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Project Updates:
Oct 2009 - Update letter sent to school districts, October 26, 2009 (pdf)
Sept 2009 - Worshops will be held in spring, 2010
July 2009 - Book is in print! Purchase at local book sellers or online.
4/13/09 - Received word from publisher that book will be printed within a month.
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Project Partners:
Mountain Studies Institute: Koren Nydick, Rob Blair, Ali Sabeti
Fort Lewis College: Gary Gianniny, Mary Ann Goff
University of Colorado at Boulder: Mark Williams
Durango 9-R Schools: Mary Barter, Laurie True and her students at
Needham Elementary School
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