Originally published with The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties In a world overrun by screen time and increased social pressures from social media, teens deserve a place to let loose with their peers. They deserve a place to be creative, share experiences with one another, and make new friends all while learning…
Big Mountain | The Fight for Environmental Justice in Black Mesa
Two years ago I received a fellowship from Colorado State University’s Energy Institute to learn more about the impacts of energy extraction on indigenous peoples and cultures. After spending two springs in Black Mesa, where the Peabody coal mine has been operating for over a half-century, I learned the importance of environmental justice, tribal sovereignty,…
Moments of Prayer
Moments of prayer is a photojournalism essay capturing images of the different ways communities practice their faith in Northern Colorado. View full story here. All photos were taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T5 18-55 DSLR. *Permission was granted to take photographs by each community appearing in the essay.
College of Liberal Arts welcomes new major: Women’s and Gender Studies
Women’s Studies has been offered at CSU for 40 years – as an interdisciplinary minor, an undergrad certificate, and a graduate certificate – and now, in fall 2017, it’s available as a bachelor’s degree. The bachelor of arts in Women’s and Gender Studies is housed in the Department of Ethnic Studies in the College of…
The heart of it
Photo by Christian Clothier Passfire’s lead singer and guitarist Ted Bowne leans back in an office chair while sitting at a soundboard in his St. Petersburg, Florida studio. Tapestries line the windowless walls, and a few desk lamps offer a warm glow. Rains softly drum a rhythm on the rooftop, and the faint smell of…
Living her dream
As a child, Kimberly Nichols’ favorite place to visit was the San Francisco Zoo. “When Mom wanted us out of the house, she would give us a dime and say: ‘Go to the zoo,’” Nichols said. At the zoo, she became friends with a 5-foot-3, 375-pound silverback male gorilla named Bwana. “Every time I would…
Loving Nature Too Much
Do we love nature too much, or do we appreciate it in the wrong way? Colorado State University researchers and Fort Collins community members gathered at Avogadro’s Number earlier this month to discuss recreation’s impact on Colorado’s national and local parks and open spaces. “Human beings tend to assume that nature exists in a pure…
The Land
Her body remembers every drop of ancient blood taken, spilled from empty cups. These memories stored in the depths of her Earth . . . she will not forget. Yet somehow, heals. Every highway, a scar. Cars crawl across her body like maggots. Railroad tracks stitch across her skin. The pieces . . . will never…
What it means to be human
Kenneth Shockley joined the Department of Philosophy as the Holmes Rolston III Endowed Chair in Environmental Ethics and Philosophy this summer, bringing a breadth of experience to ensure a strong legacy for, and to supplement the already substantial strength in environmental ethics at Colorado State University. Shockley’s research focuses on how climate change impacts marginalized…
The ‘welcoming back of a nation’
As appeared in SOURCE On Nov. 1, 2015, the first bison to walk upon the short-grass prairie of Northern Colorado in decades returned to Soapstone Prairie. For local Native Americans, the return was a momentous and emotional occasion. “Hearing their hooves on the prairie again, it is the welcoming back of a nation,” said Ty…
Beyond the Honey Bee
Beyond the Honey Bee Discussing Native Bees with Pollinator Ecologist, Danny Minahan By Kate Simota Young Bees usually stir a bit of fear inside us rather than a feeling of gratitude. However, our attitude towards bees is changing as the success of our food system depends on these pollinators. Danny Minahan, a pollinator ecologist, and…
The Rise of Organics
The Rise of Organics Part I: An interview with Arnie Koss, Founder of Earth’s Best Baby Food and Pioneer of the Organic Foods Industry By Kate Simota Young The Beginning of Earth’s Best Baby Food Traveling through the agricultural lands of rural California, twin brothers Arnie and Ron Koss, who would become the founders…
SOIL & Hearth 