Animas River Youth Confluence
Bringing young people together from Silverton to Farmington Animas High School and Navajo Preparatory School will host youth-led discussion about the future of the Animas River The event will include - art inspired by the river - water quality testing results - a special musical presentation -a student film on reform of the 1872 Mining Law Tuesday, December 1st 5:00 to 7:00 pm San Juan College Information Technology Center Lecture Hall 7103 Farmington, NM Get maps and directions . Partners San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District, Animas Watershed Partnership, Voices of the Animas, Navajo Preparatory School Special thanks San Juan College, Silverton School, Piedra Vista High School, and Mountain Studies Institute For more information email Marcus Renner [email protected] |
The Animas River Youth Confluence takes place in conjunction with the San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District's annual meeting and awards banquet.
We encourage you to stay after our event for awards and presentations by
about the Gold King Mine spill and response RSVP for dinner by November 20th For more information, contact Melissa May at 505-334-3090 x5 or email [email protected] or [email protected] Read our Press Release (coming soon) |
The Backstory
Senior Humanities at Animas High School begins with a study of politics and government. Students chose to focus on pollution in the Animas as their focus for their group project this year. The Junior class had already completed their Voices of the Animas Storycorps Project to capture different perspectives on the Gold King Mine spill. The seniors wanted to see what they could do to shift policy. Study of pollution issues, the policy making process, and how political movements throughout U.S. history have created change resulted in the decision to organize an event that would generate dialogue, motivate action, and feature youth as leaders caring for the river.
Our students want to draw particular attention to the need for reforming the 1872 Mining Law that exempts companies from having to contribute to clean up costs. Below is a map the students make showing the causes of pollution in the Animas. The students have organized a petition that you can sign by clicking here. Two reform bills (HR963 and S2254) are currently sitting in committee in Congress. If the bills can gain Republican co-sponsors they will be more likely to get to floor of the House and Senate for a vote and 1872 Mining Law Reform could become an election issue in western states.
Senior Humanities at Animas High School begins with a study of politics and government. Students chose to focus on pollution in the Animas as their focus for their group project this year. The Junior class had already completed their Voices of the Animas Storycorps Project to capture different perspectives on the Gold King Mine spill. The seniors wanted to see what they could do to shift policy. Study of pollution issues, the policy making process, and how political movements throughout U.S. history have created change resulted in the decision to organize an event that would generate dialogue, motivate action, and feature youth as leaders caring for the river.
Our students want to draw particular attention to the need for reforming the 1872 Mining Law that exempts companies from having to contribute to clean up costs. Below is a map the students make showing the causes of pollution in the Animas. The students have organized a petition that you can sign by clicking here. Two reform bills (HR963 and S2254) are currently sitting in committee in Congress. If the bills can gain Republican co-sponsors they will be more likely to get to floor of the House and Senate for a vote and 1872 Mining Law Reform could become an election issue in western states.
1872 Mining Law - A Root Cause of Pollution in the Animas
Come to the Youth Confluence on December 1st to find out more about our campaign
to get reforms to the 1872 Mining Law through Congress
to get reforms to the 1872 Mining Law through Congress
Additional Resources
Listen to Voices from the Animas - Animas Humanities Students' Partnership with Story Corps to gather perspectives on the river and its importance to our community.
Read an op-ed from Ann Oliver (Animas Watershed Partnership) and Marcie Deming Bidwell (Mountain Studies Institute) about the future of the Animas River.
Upcoming Events
December 3rd - Animas Watershed Partnership monthly meeting in Durango
December 4th - AHS Junior Chemistry Exhibition on the the Animas River in conjunction with the Mountain Studies Institute
Listen to Voices from the Animas - Animas Humanities Students' Partnership with Story Corps to gather perspectives on the river and its importance to our community.
Read an op-ed from Ann Oliver (Animas Watershed Partnership) and Marcie Deming Bidwell (Mountain Studies Institute) about the future of the Animas River.
Upcoming Events
December 3rd - Animas Watershed Partnership monthly meeting in Durango
December 4th - AHS Junior Chemistry Exhibition on the the Animas River in conjunction with the Mountain Studies Institute