The San Luis Valley Conservation Districts consist of five local Conservation Districts: Mosca-Hooper, Conejos County, Costilla, Center, and Rio Grande. Each thrives to protect our soil, water, animal habitats, wildlife as well as other natural resources. They accomplish this through working with landowners, organizations, government entities, and by providing a comprehensive educational program within the schools of the San Luis Valley. The educational program promotes stewardship of our natural resources by providing several outdoor and indoor learning experiences to San Luis Valley youth. Some of the educational lessons are listed below. Please feel free to contact the program to discuss other options to fit your educational goals.
EarthNest Institute's mission is to awaken and nurture ecological intelligence and wisdom through explorations in nature, science, spirit, and systems thinking and to enable our transition toward a humane, diverse, and sustainable society.
Majestic and austere, the Great Sand Dunes rise from a high mountain valley flanked by some of the tallest peaks in the Rocky Mountains. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve celebrates the entire natural system of the Great Sand Dunes as well as a rich and living connection with ancient and modern peoples. Our mission is to offer visitors opportunities for learning, solitude, and a growing sense of stewardship in an accessible and undeniably enticing natural setting. The National Park Service works with park partners, neighbors, and the American public to protect this treasure forever.
The San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges are three unique wetland ecosystems within the San Luis Valley. The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a 14,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge that lies the foot of the San Juan Mountains approximately six miles south of the town of Monte Vista. The 12,000 acre Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge lies in the heart of the San Luis Valley four miles east of Alamosa along old oxbows of the Rio Grande. The newly created Baca National Wildlife Refuge, near the community of Crestone will eventually protect over 58,000 acres of wildlife habitat.
The San Luis Valley Public Land Center is composed of the Rio Grande National Forest and the San Luis Valley Bureau of Land Management. The Rio Grande National Forest is approximately 1.86 million acres in size and is located in the mountains surrounding the San Luis Valley. The SLV Bureau of Land Management is composed of almost 600,000 acres of land in the foothills and on the Valley floor.
The mission of the SLV-ROCK (Regional Outdoor Center for Knowledge) is to expand student academic and personal growth through rigorous environmental, experiential, standards based learning. Programming consists of opportunities for students to come visit the 640 acres study site. Curriculum includes the sciences (geology, biology, ecology, chemistry, and physics), language arts, and cultural history. Delivery includes hands on, experiential, and project and adventure based programming.
