Quivira Coalition

Dear Quivira Community:

April has brought Quivira several exciting new additions. Not only do we have two new apprentices on the ground with San Juan Ranch and James Ranch Artisan Cheese, but we would also like to welcome our newest staff member, Kit Brewer

Also new this month--the Quivira 2012 Annual Report is now available online. Take a moment to peruse this pithy yet poignant review of our accomplishments last year. Highlights include: a SOLD OUT 2012 Quivira Conference, four land health outdoor classrooms/workshops, three graduated New Agrarian apprentices, donated/in-kind volunteer time totaling 2,056 hours and a successful Executive Director leadership transition.

Looking forward into the next few months, we hope to see you at one (or both) of the Artisan Cheese-making classes (July 26-28 and Aug 2-4) and/or at our monitoring weekend at Red Canyon Reserve (May 3-5). All the best and I look forward to being in touch.

Sincerely,
Avery C. Anderson
Executive Director

Inspiring Adaptation
November 13-15
Albuquerque, NM

Begun in 2002, the Annual Conference is the Quivira Coalition's major outreach event of the year, bringing together a diverse group of people who seek both practical and positive solutions. The conference serves as an important forum for the radical center and in the past has explored such topics as Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide, New Agrarians, and in 2012 - How to Feed Nine Billion People from the Ground Up. Now in its twelfth year, the Quivira Conference draws 500 people from all over the West who look to the event to facilitate important partnerships, explore creative differences and create an upbeat forum for productive dialogue.

In 2013, the Conference will explore the theme of Inspiring Adaptation. From prehistoric times to the present, human societies have successfully adapted to the challenges of a changing West, including periods of bad drought, limitations created by scarce resources and shifting cultural and economic pressures. However, the American West is entering an era of unprecedented change bought on by new climate realities which will test our capacity for adaptation as well as challenge the resilience of the region's native flora and fauna. It is therefore paramount that we find and share inspiring ideas and practical strategies that help all of the region's inhabitants adapt to a rapidly changing world. We will hear from scientists, ranchers, farmers, conservationists, urban planners and others who have bright ideas and important tools to share from their adaptation toolbox.

Read more about the speakers, general information, rates, etc.

• Please support this inspiring event by becoming a sponsor. 2013 Sponsorship Benefits
• Online registration will open soon and be announce in our eNewsletter.
• Thanks to Andy Dunigan and the Dunigan Family the $20,000 Clarence Burch Award will be presented again this year. The call for nominations will be posted June 1 in our eNewsletter and on our website.
• Videos from past Quivira Conference presentations are on our You Tube site. We all know how important soil is - right? Watch Dr. Jill Clapperton break it down at last year's conference.
• View the 2012 Quivira Conference Photo Album.

From Quivira Land and Water Program Director, Mollie Walton:

Red Canyon Reserve Monitoring Weekend - May 3-4. Quivira Staff and the Friends of Red Canyon Reserve will be conducting our annual Bullseye Monitoring. There is no formal workshop, but we are extending an invitation to anyone who wants to come, camp and hike for the weekend. Contact Mollie Walton if you are interested in attending.

JOB OPPORTUNITY: 2013 Comanche Creek Watershed Restoration Internship. We are seeking a summer intern who is passionate about land health to assist with a variety of tasks linked to our Comanche Creek restoration projects. Read more To apply, email Mollie Walton - mwalton@quiviracoalition.org.

We got word that the Comanche Creek Success Story nomination was accepted by EPA and is now posted on the official website. Congratulations to all who contributed to all the work over the years to reduce sedimentation in the creek.

Comanche Creek Events Online registration will begin in June.
July 26-28 in Springwagon Creek with Bill Zeedyk and Steve Carson
August 16-18 in Grassy Creek with Craig Sponholtz and Steve Carson

From New Agrarian Program Director, Virginie Pointeau:

Introducing the 2013 New Agrarian Program Apprentices: With the arrival of spring comes the graduation of our 2012-2013 San Juan Ranch apprentice--Martha Skelley--who who will continue her training in agriculture as a 2013 apprentice with Tooley's Trees in Truchas, New Mexico.

For 2013, we have chosen two very talented and enthusiastic apprentices for 2013:

Drew Cole left his home in California a couple weeks ago to begin his 12-month apprenticeship on the San Juan Ranch. He is quickly settling into his new apprenticeship, and is currently immersed in the joyous chaos of calving season.

Patrice Treu began her 8-month apprenticeship with James Ranch in the third week of March, after moving up to Durango from her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.