a project of  Extended Studies Summer Teacher Institute

River Ecology Course (3 days)
Monday-Wednesday June 18-20, 2018, 2 credit course: $260; additional $10 course fee
During this interdisciplinary field-based course, participants will explore the three major components of a river ecosystem: aquatic life, water quality, and riparian habitat. Field experiences include field trips to local riverside parks, Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery, and Curecanti National Recreation Area.

Water Management Course (2 days)
Thursday-Friday June 21-22, 2018, 1 credit course: $150; additional $10 course fee
During this interdisciplinary field-based course participants will explore western water management, water law, and watershed geography. Field experiences include a Blue Mesa Dam and Hydropower Plant tour and Taylor Reservoir tour.

Insiders Tips
1. If you sign up with a group everyone gets a discounted rate, the bigger the group the larger the discount for all. 
2. Western State makes the dormitories available during the workshops at a very affordable rate for lodging. 
3. Come and stay all week for both classes and then enjoy the Gunnison River Festival at the end of the week. 

In 2014, the North American Association for Environmental Education and the Kettering Foundation renewed their partnership to develop the Environmental Issues Forums (EIF). One of the goals of the partnership is to increase deliberative public dialogue on climate change and other environmental issues. EIF is modeled on the National Issues Forums (NIF)—a nonpartisan, nationwide network of locally sponsored public issues forums. NIF is rooted in the simple notion that democracy requires an ongoing deliberative public dialogue. People need to come together to reason and talk — to deliberate about common problems. Understand together. Decide together. Act together.
Through the partnership with the Kettering Foundation, EIF has involved educators from across the nation, including Sarah R. Johnson from Wild Rose Education, in the development and testing of issue guides and other materials. This publication, Using Environmental Issues Forums (EIF) to Enhance Deliberation: Case Studies documents, through a series of case studies, the journeys taken by these educators. They report on the process of developing locally relevant EIF materials, reflect on their experiences holding forums for a variety of audiences, and report assessment results. Read more

A moderated thoughtful public process where citizens will learn from one another, weighing various approaches, and find courses of action consistent with what the community and individuals hold valuable.  During a deliberative forum, people:

• Look at different ways of thinking about a problem
• Exchange views with others
• Weigh benefit and trade-offs of different options
• Listen and reconsider in a safe environment

Moderating Community Deliberative Forums: Finding Common Ground for Wicked Issues
Deliberate to find common ground for wicked issues including climate change, water availability in Colorado, and energy choices. We can moderate a deliberation for your group of 8-14 adults or students as a method to facilitate learning, improve democratic attitudes, build relationships, and increase civic capacity within any group. View the Deliberating Colorado Water Issues Introduction slide show.