Wilderness Politics

Yes, wilderness politics. We here in the Midwest have grown immune to the problems of land and water conservation in other parts of the country. We don't realize that thousands of beautiful wilderness acres in areas like Western Colorado are about to fall into the hands of some water-wasting Americans. We don't realize that this part of the country has enough energy sources to last the entire United States 100 years, but that its water resources have already been utilized to the point that the Colorado River dries up before it reaches the Gulf of California. What we have to realize is that we all have a stake in the future of our wilderness, and that we cannot ignore the land use issue any more.

In Colorado you will be exposed to the Homestake II project along with many other alternatives, including Camp Hale, agricultural purchases, water trades, and combined projects. There is much debate on what is the best solution to which you will no longer be a stranger after this course. You will participate in research to support or challenge these potential solutions and assist in scientific findings. Below are some examples of previous students' work. Currently, the big debate is over the designation of the Cross Creek River. If the river receives a "wilderness" designation, the cities' water affect would be affected. More info can be found at Cross Creek Wild and Scenic River web site.

Consider Wilderness Politics (POL 365) and spend three weeks of your summer learning about the politics of land use as well as intergovernmental relations.

You will have the opportunity to...

• Spend one or two weeks in the most remote parts of the Holy Cross wilderness with Hope Professor Jack Holmes and teaching assistants with environmental field experience.
• Spend a week interviewing leading persons on various sides of the wilderness issue with Professor Holmes, who has had extensive experience with the issue.
• Contribute to a group report which will be made available to media, interested persons, and political decision makers.
• Learn about what might be a whole new world of crucial issues in one of the most rapidly growing parts of the United States.
• Interact with students from several other institutions and states on backpacking trips.

Cost: $595 -- includes room, board, and transportation within Colorado. This does not include the cost of tuition or travel to and from Vail, Colorado.

Credit: 4 hours of IDS Senior Seminar or 3 hours Political Science. Possible credits for Social Science II.

Dates: August.  Exact dates to be determined.

Places: Eagle County, Colorado (near Vail) A six-day and five-day trip to the Holy Cross Wilderness in the White River National Forest. Five days of interviewing in offices of officials in various parts of Colorado.

Experience Needed: The backpacking trips do not require experience or technical climbing. Some remote areas are visited that do require a moderate to strenuous level of activity, but a person in good physical condition should have an enjoyable time.

Optional Trip: Students will have the option of taking a second trip of five days into the Holy Cross Wilderness while doing their term project.

Wilderness Politics Students In Action

• They have produced a half-hour video tape and have been featured on the television show P.M. Magazine.
• They have gathered useful material as Holmes is included in panel of experts on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for $142 million . II Project.
• They have provided reports that were influential in the formation of the Holy Cross Wilderness Defense Fund. This material was used to appeal to several government agencies.
• They have interviewed past, present, and future Colorado leaders.
• The class has been called a "Spirited, alternative way to educate students," by Scouting's Explorer Magazine. It was featured in a front page story in an August, 1996 Vail Trail.
• Project alternatives are being seriously considered in part because of input by students.
• They learn several sides of an issue which has been considered at many levels and agencies at the local, state, and national levels including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Scientific findings

• Technical Report #1 - Edward W. Rovey, Catherine Kraeger-Rovey, David J. Cooper
• Technical Report #2 - David J. Cooper, Ph.D.

Related Articles

• Environmental Values - Vail Daily