ANTONITO— Saturday, May 20, was the first-ever Colorado Public Lands Day, along with Armed Forces Day. Children, youth, and adults stepped into the great outdoors to celebrate public lands across Colorado.
Conejos Clean Water adventured out onto and flew above our public lands along the Río Grande Corridor.
They teamed up with South Conejos Schools, Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley, EcoFlight, and Conservation Lands Foundation to get outside and explore these local gems.
Danny Ledonne of Emberwilde Production explains the link of public lands to education, “As a hands-on learning environment, public lands can captivate the imagination and stir the curiosity in students of all ages.”
Public lands are crucial to the way of life and economy here in Colorado. According to the Colorado Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, outdoor recreation in our state supports 313,000 jobs and $34 billion towards the economy annually.
Additionally, these lands are a defining part of the local heritage and identity.
Vianey Valdez, a youth leader participating in the EcoFlight flyover said, “Having the incredible opportunity to be a part of the flyover has allowed me to see my birthplace in a whole new light. Our public Lands are like a great treasure, and I really hope that more teens, and people in general, learn to love and protect them. We should all be able to enjoy them for generations to come.”
According to the 2017 Conservation in the West Poll, 69 percent of Coloradans prefer the administration place more emphasis on protecting sources of clean water, our air quality, and wildlife habitat while providing opportunities to visit and recreate on our national public lands.
Representative Donald Valdez of House District 62 explains, “It’s about our youth and community. We need to make sure and encourage our youth to continue to forward not only our heritage and culture, but also to protect and fight for our land and water.”
Both state and national public lands are especially important to the community members here in the San Luis Valley including veterans. They provide accessible recreation opportunities, making them a beautiful and uniquely American treasure.
Local veteran Andrew Perea shared his thoughts, “There is so much history to be appreciated: Ute Mountain, Kiowa Hill, Río Grande, Conejos, and San Antonio rivers, Pike’s Stockade, Lobato’s Bridge, Piñon Hills, Flat Top Mountain, and of course the five 14ers - Blanca Peak, Ellingwood Point, Mt. Lindsey, Little Bear, and Culebra Peak! It is a good feeling to be recognized and appreciated for being a military veteran.”
And to sum it up, Michael Gorman of EcoFlight explained the flyovers as opportunities, “to show our appreciation for our veterans and for our public lands, and where the two meet. I’ve spoken with many veterans who deeply value our wild places as places of healing for our nation.”