Just a stone’s throw from the too-low-for-April Animas River, more than 100 community members and Durango High School students gathered at the Powerhouse to learn, discuss and ultimately prove that developing drought resilience requires us to come together as a community.
On the evening of April 23, DHS geology teacher Ryan Brink’s classes hosted a community game night at the Powerhouse to share what they had learned about how Colorado towns can prepare for, mitigate and build resilience in the face of increasing hazardous events, including our current drought. The evening left attendees with hearts full of pride and hope for the future, along with the lingering glow of having participated in something truly special.
The evening’s program – led by fearless and engaging student emcees Reece and Gabriella – began with time for participants to browse more than 35 student-created posters. These posters highlighted community stakeholders interviewed by geology students whose careers intersect with water issues. Students spoke with the local Water Trust programs director, a member of the Florida Consolidated Ditch Board of Directors, the water information program manager for the Southwestern Water Conservation District, local farmers and landowners, and others. Additional posters showcased student analysis of water-related issues ranging from changing water levels in Lake Powell to water access on the Navajo Nation, cloud seeding and streamflow conditions on the Animas River.
Following the poster session, and fueled by a delicious Zia buffet, participants raced to find seats for the game. The simulation – created by the Center for Education Engagement and Evaluation’s Hazard Education, Awareness and Resilience Task Force at CU Boulder – tasked participants with taking on the roles of different community members who had to work together to invest wisely in drought mitigation and adaptation strategies. Their goal was to save the most water possible during increasingly severe drought conditions. Through gameplay, participants reflected on the effectiveness of their investments – and their understanding of drought preparedness strategies – as water levels dwindled, or held steady, in their town’s reservoir.
To round out the evening, Peter Butler, chair of the Southwest Basins Roundtable, spoke about the state of Durango’s current drought and some of the projects the group has worked on in recent years, including replacing more than 100-year-old wooden aqueducts with underground infrastructure capable of surviving a wildfire. Fascinating.
Student reflections following the event highlighted its impact:
Graduating seniors who participated in the event, along with completing rigorous coursework, are eligible to receive the Seal of Climate Literacy on their diplomas. The designation was championed by former state Rep. Barbara McLachlan.
As we enter summer after a historically dry winter in our little town, those lucky enough to attend this inspiring evening leave empowered with greater knowledge about what it takes to remain resilient in the face of any challenge – and with a deeper sense of connection to one another and to our community.
Megan Fretz is an instructional coach with Durango School District and a passionate supporter of the district’s students and staff members.