Forest employees will be honored
Four Forest Service employees will be remembered during a dedication ceremony at the U.S. Forest Service Memorial Grove near Monument, Colo., on Saturday, May 2.
Each year U.S. Forest Service employees who have died in the past year are honored at the Memorial Grove. This year a record number from the former Mancos Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest will be recognized for their service to the public.
Jack Ott, forester; Betty Alexander, district clerk; Lloyd McNeil, forestry technician; and Bud Roach, engineer, will be remembered at a solemn ceremony.
Each were stewards of the resources of the Mancos District and served the greater Mancos Community for well over fifty years.
Canyons of Ancients gets exposure
Located in the far southwest corner of Colorado, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is getting its day in the sun as a featured attraction in Colorado Life magazine’s March/April edition.
Plugged with the tease “Uncover Mysterious Ruins” on the issue’s cover, the story takes a look at the Anasazi Heritage Center and Hovenweep National Monument, as well. The subheadline – “Up to 40,000 Ancestral Puebloans inhabited this valley, then suddenly vanished” – takes dramatic license, as it’s not as though they were abducted by aliens but instead migrated south over a period of several years after a severe drought and increasing conflict in the region.
But author Dan Leeth makes much of the density of archaeological ruins – the most dense in the country and among the most dense in the world – and the collection at the heritage center. He also visited and photographed some of the more remote ruins for visitors who aren’t so adventurous.
Visit www.coloradolifemagazine.com to learn more.
Human trafficking seminar set
The local League of Women Voters is hosting a forum on the problem of human trafficking in Colorado on May 14, from noon until 3:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church, 515 North Park St., in Cortez.
Presenters include experts from the Colorado Organization of Victim Assistance (COVA), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Human trafficking goes on here more than people realize,” said Sharon Hansen, of the League of Women Voters. “It is important that Colorado is up to speed on the issues surrounding these crimes.”
The presentations include Human Trafficking 101: What does it look like in Colorado; Victim Services; Victim Rights; and The Reality of Secondary Trauma.
“Victims can be anyone from around the world, or right in your backyard,” said Angelika Carnes,” a presenter from COVA. “We want to raise awareness to the different types going on in Colorado and the response system to both labor and sex trafficking.”
Holly Landgren and Jacque Shiflett, of Homeland Security’s Durango office, will discuss the differences between human trafficking and human smuggling. COVA trainer Ami Gerstner will give a class on the Victim’s Right Act.
For more information, call Eleanor Kuhl at (970) 564-0708.
Parks and Wildlife offers men-only shop
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will sponsor a free workshop, for men only, on June 12-14 at the Lone Cone/Jim Olterman State Wildlife Area south of Norwood.
The workshop will feature instruction about hunting, fishing, camping, archery, firearms training and more. The workshop is aimed at men who have little or no hunting or fishing experience. Those attending can bring their tent for camping or bring a pad for sleeping on the floor of the cabin. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will provide food and water. Colorado Parks and Wildlife also will provide all equipment, including fly rods, shotguns, and archery gear. Participants can bring their own fishing and archery equipment and a 20-gauge shotgun. Attendees must have a current fishing license. The application deadline is May 25. A $40 deposit is required, but that will be returned during the workshop.
To apply, email Dawn Bresett at dawn.bresett@state.co.us or call 252-6000.
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