E4 Spring Fiesta

11:00 a.m.

Lecture by Jack Loeffler: "Thinking Like A Watershed"

Join Jack Loeffler for an informative lecture on the importance of perceiving watersheds as complete eco-systems of which our own species is but one of many. He addresses the effects of damming wild rivers, the imposition of geo-political boundaries and the error of perceiving water as a commodity to be turned into money. He illustrates diverse points of view from interviews he has recorded with in the Columbia, Colorado and Rio Grande watersheds. He cites the revered Russian philosopher, Pyotr Kropotkin, who contended that evolution of species and culture owes far more to mutual cooperation than to mutual antagonism. Lecture courtesy of the New Mexico Humanities Council. Event held in conjunction with Spring Fiesta celebration. For info: 575-854-3600.

Jack Loeffler is a writer, aural historian, radio producer and sound collage artist who has hunted and gathered sound throughout the American West, Mexico and beyond for more than forty years. He has written a number of books, including "La Musica de los Viejitos: The Hispano Folk Music of the Rio Grande del Norte" and "Adventures with Ed: A Portrait of Abbey. He is proprietor of the Peregrine Arts Sound Archive in Santa Fe, and his extensive collection of recordings is currently being digitally duplicated, to be donated to the Museum of New Mexico. He is a recipient of a 2008 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and produced the audio vignettes for the Camino Real International Heritage Center exhibition.

Guest speaker

Jack Loeffler

Other activities are scheduled.

Details will be posted as the program agenda is finalized.

2:00 p.m.

Lecture by Steve Harris: "An Environmental History of the Rio Grande"

Beginning with the transformation of ancient watersheds into the present-day river, this one-hour talk by Steve Harris traces the history of settlement, agriculture and water development in New Mexico, Colorado and the borderlands. It includes the rise of such institutions as land grants, state water codes, the Rio Grande Compact and international treaties, and includes underlying and present environmental conditions. Lecture courtesy of the New Mexico Humanities Council. Event held in conjunction with Spring Fiesta celebration. For info: 575-854-3600.

Steve Harris has over two decades of experience as a wilderness guide. He is founder and president of Far-Flung Adventures and executive director of Rio Grande Restoration.

Think Green! Learn about the New Mexican environment and its wonderful resources through information booths, hands-on activities, and our guest speakers.