Welcome to the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado

Our mission is to promote the sustainability movement in Southwest Colorado by facilitating communication, collaboration, and integrated solutions among individuals and organizations, with a primary focus in La Plata County.

To get involved with sustainability activities in the community, please check out our current projects:

Community Resource Project
Education & Outreach
Food & Agriculture
Local & Regional Policy
Smart Energy
Sustainable Local Economic Development (SLED)

January Appleseed Series Event Recap

Submitted by Eliza Searles on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 22:48
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On January 6, 2010, San Juan Citizens Alliance hosted the fourth monthly
Appleseed Series event: Recycling. The event was held at the Durango
Recreation Center. Ashleigh Tucker, a recent graduate of Prescott College
with a degree in Education for Sustainability, facilitated the presentation.
Ashleigh shared a local as well as a global perspective on recycling and
related issues.

Mark Williams of the City of Durango presented an overview of the current
and future role of the City in the area's recycling efforts. Recycling has

The Winter Locavore: Four Corners grows into a four season food source

Submitted by redhat707 on Sun, 01/31/2010 - 16:20
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by Amy Donahue

Imagine a cupboard packed with neatly labeled jars of beans, pickles, jam and chutney; a freezer full of locally raised beef, lamb, turkey and raspberries; a root cellar stuffed with potatoes, onions and pumpkins. This is the image of abundance, of food sustainability, of the future of the local food movement as it expands to envelop the winter months.
The Durango local food movement has grown exponentially in the last several years, a self-fulfilling cycle of more fervent demand and an increasingly diverse supply. [Read More>>]

Also see: Locomotives and Locavores

Local Sustainability Resources

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Below is a list of key sustainability-related resources in La Plata County, CO, with links to relevant websites and contact information. We have also provided a brief list of recommended reading on sustainability issues.

Appleseed Series Recap: Utilities, Clean Energy, and Jobs (December 2009)

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Appleseed SeriesThe December Appleseed Series event Utilities, Clean Energy, and Jobs was hosted by the Durango Youth Coalition. Primary organizers were Charlie Erickson and Riley Neugebauer, with photography courtesy of Eirik White.

OPINION: E-mails Do Not Change the Laws of Physics

Submitted by redhat707 on Wed, 12/16/2009 - 12:05
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Dick White, Sustainability Alliance Policy Chairman and Scientist, discusses the recent global warming email controversy.  Read his Durango Herald Op-ed piece here.

Community Collaboration Project

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Nonprofit Organization Resource Guide

The Community Resource Project team is currently working on compiling a Nonprofit Organization Resource Guide for La Plata County. This guide is a step toward the larger-picture goal of creating a comprehensive Community Asset Inventory encompassing social, ecological, and environmental entities in our community.

Book Review: How to Change the World, by David Bornstein (New York: Oxford, 2007)

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In How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas, author David Bornstein describes how members of the Ashoka community—a global association of leading social entrepreneurs—have used their passion to foster systemic change around the world. Dubbed Ashoka Fellows, these individuals are committed to changing societal patterns through innovative ideas. As a journalist who focuses on social innovation, Bornstein’s accumulated expertise in this growing topic enables the content of the book to befit its ambitious title.

Appleseed Series Recap: Organic Earth and Soil – Fall Garden Prep, Making Compost Tea, and Growing Greens Year Round (November 2009)

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TEWBy Terry Woodward, Sustainability Alliance of SW Colorado Outreach Committee

Greetings, Friends! We recently enjoyed the second event in our Appleseed Series hosted at the Rocky Mountain Retreat in Durango and are providing the following summary of the engaging evening we experienced together. I've also included additional resources for exploring the topics in more detail.
 

Be Local Coupon Book

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The Be Local Coupon Book is back!

The 2010 Be Local Coupon Book is bigger and better!

Based on anticipated demand, Local First has printed 3,000 copies for distribution at local businesses in time for the holiday season. Look for copies of this great local gift idea in stores after November 20. 

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