Colorado Update
AWSS Newsletter, June 1996
Conservation, Customers, and Culture
is the session name sponsored by AWSS at the Soil and
Water Conservation Society's Annual Conference in Keystone,
Colorado, July 7th through 10th. The session, scheduled
for Monday, July 8th, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., will be co-chaired
by Dr. Sharon Nance, Rural Sociologist and Mary Thomas,
IRM Director.
An Assoication Social, open to all, is
scheduled for early Monday evening. A dinner meeting for
AWSS members and friends will follow the social. Everyone
is invited to all activities.
The 1996 Soil and Water Conservation
Society Annual Conference
By Cheryl Simmons
AWSS Newsletter, September 1996
Fun, exciting and a whole lot of work
are words to describe the 1996 annual SWCS meeting, One
couldn't help learn from the excellent program and presenters
brought together to share resource perspectives in Colorado's
high country.
Lois Trevino, Tribal Consultant in Washington
state, Rio de la Vista, Center for Holistic Resource Management,
Grand Junction, Colorado, and Jane Mt. Pleasant, Cornell
University, related historical and modern day holistic
approaches to land use decisions. Another highlight brought
NRCS Chief Paul Johnson and FS Chief Jack Ward Thomas
together to ponder Aldo Leopold and his influence on the
way we as individuals and groups view ecosystem management
and ecological health. "What would Aldo say?"
was a warm and insightful talk by Chief Thomas as he related
Aldo Leopold's work to his own development as a forester.
"What would Aldo's wife say?"
was voiced at a short meeting held later in the day. A
small group gathered to see if there is interest in forming
a Women in Conservation Association. Providing a forum
for training, links to schools for recruitment activities,
and traditional networking and mentoring were some of
the advantages identified by the group. With open membership,
the association could provide a valuable link to local
conservation district boards and employees.
The Association of Women Soil
Scientists' special session was a success. Pat
Johnson, Iowa, and Gabe Estrada, New Mexico, shared views
on 'Culture, Customers and Conservation'
from the customer's viewpoint. Febe Ortiz, New Mexico,
Roylene Ridesatthedoor, Montana, and Laura Merkel, Colorado,
added insight from the provider's point of view. Marcy
Arrowchis, Arizona, Mary Thomas and Jackie Diggs, Washington,
and Carole Jett, Michigan, assisted with session. Incoming
SWCS president Aniko Szojka-Parnell chaired the session.
* USFWS Chief Mollie Beattie was
to have joined the group, but passed away earlier this
summer.
