Improving the Local Environment as a Habitat Hero

by Skyler Smith, Development and Marketing Intern

There’s a new hero in town! Since this spring, Trees, Water & People (TWP) has been hard at work on our garden to create a sustainable, natural and chemical-free environment that both aesthetically enhances the neighborhood and provides a habitat for our native bird and butterfly species. We have been planting beautiful native flower species that have the combined benefit of requiring very little maintenance and water as well as inviting birds and butterflies to visit. We have also been striving to remove pests and invasive species solely through mechanical methods rather than using pesticides and herbicides so that our garden is as healthy and inviting as possible.

So when we saw that the Audubon Rockies had a “Habitat Hero” designation for homes and businesses that use “wildscaping” garden practices, we knew that we could take our garden to the next level and achieve that status! Our garden is a great mix of native plants, regionally adapted flowers, and tasty vegetables like tomatoes and peppers and we have recently added some great low-water plants such as echinacea, milkweed, sand cherry and a brand-new crabapple tree. We are proud of the work we put in to make our space a sustainable and wildlife-friendly habitat and even more pleased to announce that the Audubon Rockies’ awarded TWP the highest category: Habitat Hero Gold. An enormous amount of thanks is due to all of our volunteers and staff for working in the garden and making this possible!

We have collaborated with Audubon Rockies in the past and have admired their organization for quite some time, so we are very honored to have received this designation. It is imperative to acknowledge that we live in an arid climate, so the more that we can move away from water-intensive yards such as lawns and non-native gardens, the better! One of the biggest reasons we are proud to have achieved Habitat Hero status is that we hope to inspire others to do the same. We encourage you to check out Audubon Rockies’ website and start looking into ways that you can make your garden a sustainable habitat for local wildlife as well! If you are in the Fort Collins area, please drop in and check out our garden. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and would love to share it with you!

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Volunteer Voices: Sustainable Energy on Native Lands

by Kirstin Moore, TWP Development Intern

It’s saddening to witness America’s Native people living in such poor, inadequate conditions. The Lakota were forced to migrate to the Pine Ridge Reservation, and after decades of oppression many of them are now unemployed, suffering from malnutrition, and unable to meet their basic needs. Some people living on the reservation have little to no access to the electrical grid. For others, electricity is available but the cost of the utility is impractical.

Upon arrival to the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center (RCREC), you are immediately welcomed by a huge mural with the words Hau Kola painted in large letters, which translates to “Greetings Friends.” It is a place where like-minded people who share a similar vision are able to connect. It all began with what Henry Red Cloud calls a “hot-air collector.” He was building his own when his curiosity led him to form a natural relationship with Trees, Water & People (TWP).

Photo by Kirstin Moore

Thanks to the supporters of TWP, a week-long workshop was held to educate Native Americans on how to build and maintain off-grid solar systems. What would have been a thousand-dollar training session was free for those interested in participating. People came from on and off the reservations, including Standing Rock, with the intention of spreading the word of harvesting sunlight as an energy source and job creator.

Professionals from Solar Energy International (SEI) taught us how to generate electricity through the simple task of monitoring the sun. Our team developed off-grid, 12 volt solar light buckets and a small 48 volt trailer with the ability to power lights, computers, pumps, and tools. The most amazing aspect of the training was that no matter your skill level, you were able to gain an understanding of what solar power can do and how the systems operate.

Cedric Goodhouse of the Standing Rock Tribe and Lawrence Richards of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation connect wiring on a donated Magnum inverter.  Photo by Dave Bowden

For example, I learned that the PV panel converts solar energy into electrical energy; the charge controller regulates the amount of charge going in/out of the battery, and the inverter changes DC current to AC current and vice versa. Within a week, I had advanced from stripping wires to wiring components.

One merely has to look around, read some news, and watch a little television to understand there is a dire need for sources of clean energy. This innovative technology is affordable and can be applied as a method to reduce energy consumption from the grid and encourage self-sufficiency through renewable energy.

To learn more about the events and workshops of Trees, Water & People, or how to get involved, please sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Intern Spotlight: Jordan Engel

Photo by Lindsay Herrera

This month’s featured volunteer, Jordan Engel, is embracing a truly unique opportunity through Trees, Water & Peoples Internship Program.  Originally from upstate New York, Jordan moved to Kentucky in 2010 to attend Berea College.  With his studies focused on Sustainable Community Development, Jordan’s decision to pursue an internship with TWP for the summer was a no-brainer.   “I first heard about Trees, Water & People when I saw Henry Red Cloud’s profile in Yes Magazine,” Jordan explained.  A few months later Jordan finds himself (a self proclaimed “Yankee”) smack dab in the middle of Indian Country, working side by side and towards the same goals as our partner, Henry Red Cloud.

Jordan arrived in Pine Ridge South Dakota excited to learn about sustainable building techniques and solar energy.  After living on the Rez, Jordan has learned about a lot more than just that.  “The numbers only tell part of the story,” Jordan exclaimed when referring to the staggering poverty statistics that exist about life on Pine Ridge.  “I’m learning about happiness, and how to be happy…how to live my life and make the most of it.”  The Lakota culture is beautiful and can be quite invigorating; Jordan’s learning this firsthand.

The Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center (RCREC) campus on the Pine Ridge Reservation is the heart of TWP’s Tribal Renewable Energy and Food Security Programs, and the place that Jordan calls home at the moment.  As TWP’s on-site assistant, Jordan handles a myriad of tasks including maintaining and improving campus buildings, assisting Henry in accommodating trainees, and assisting Henry with sustainable living and renewable energy projects.  When asked what his favorite task is, he said it’s definitely taking care of the Solar Warrior Farm and foraging for traditional foods.  “I love working the earth!” Jordan exclaims,  “We’re growing food for the people and it’s making waves.  This is a little thing that’s making a big difference.”  In the end, this is what TWP is all about: Finding culturally appropriate ways to improve lives and help people manage their natural resources.

If you would like to hear more about Jordan’s experiences, check out his regular “Notes from the Field” posts right here on the TWP blog.

Intern Spotlight: Cate Stone

by Pete Iengo, Volunteer Manager

Cate Stone, National Program Rockstar (Intern)

The TWP team has many pleasant and colorful characters turning the gears of sustainability, and this month’s Featured Intern, Cate Stone, is certainly no exception.  Having Cate around is a joy.  She is a dedicated conservationist with a smile and presence that fills up the room!

Originally from Pennsylvania, Cate was en route to Alaska with her good friends when their magic school bus broke down in Idaho.  Revised final destination: Fort Collins!

Soon after Cate discovered TWP here in Fort Collins, she applied and was hired.  Serving as National Program Intern, she works closely with Program Director Lacey Gaechter on our new Food Security Program, as well as bringing renewable energy to Native Americans through our Tribal Renewable Energy Program.

“What TWP is doing is pretty incredible!” Cate said when commenting on our community-based approach in Fort Collins and in the other communities we serve.   In particular, Cate is referring to the work we do on Native American reservations.  It wasn’t until her internship that she began to see for herself the level of poverty that can exist on the reservations of the West.  Cate had the opportunity to go to the Pine Ridge Reservation and work with a team of volunteers and our partner Henry Red Cloud on a recent project.  “I feel lucky to get to volunteer on the Rez, it makes it all feel real.” she commented on the experience.

We are very lucky to have Cate on board here at TWP!  It won’t last forever, though.  Cate is excited to get out there and see the world, and aspires to finding a niche in environmental anthropology, focusing on clean water systems in Latin America. Where ever you end up Cate, we know you’ll do great things; thank you for your hard work and dedication!

Intern Spotlight: Stephanie Lesar

by Pete Iengo, Volunteer Manager

 

Have you ever met someone who is an absolute joy to be around, smiles a ton, works hard and is willing to help out in any way they can? How about all of these amazing things at once? This is exactly what it’s like working with Stephanie Lesar.

Originally from Colorado Springs, Steph came to Fort Collins to attend Colorado State University and become part of the Fort Collins’ community, all while staying close to her family.

“I just like the type of people that are around here” Steph exclaims, “and that’s actually what drew me to Trees, Water & People as well. Good people with a solid mission, that’s why I like to help out.”

And boy, does Steph help out. Starting out as a occasional volunteer, she quickly became a regular office volunteer, and then moved on to become one of our amazing marketing interns.

One of Steph’s favorite volunteer tasks is working on thank you letters. “It’s cool because it’s an easy way to help out, and I get see and be inspired by others contributions.” Steph also enjoys helping at special events like our annual fundraiser Rhythms for the Planet. “Events are super fun!” she told me.

We simply can’t thank Steph enough for her hard work and dedication to our mission!