WSC Presents the 21st Annual Headwaters Conference, Nov. 12-14; A Resilient Headwaters: Skills for Re-Inhabiting Places

The conference will be held from Nov. 12 to 14 at the WSC College Center in Gunnison, Colo.

Author Rick Bass will be one of the keynote speakers. Bass is an award-winning Western and environmental writer who will read from a range of his work that addresses the intersection of ecological, community and personal resilience.

“The Headwaters Conference brings together leaders from communities along the headwaters of the Rocky Mountains to discuss environmental, cultural and economic issues unique to their bioregion,” explained John Hausdoerffer, conference organizer and WSC professor of environmental studies.

This year’s conference theme is “A Resilient Headwaters: Skills for Re-Inhabiting Places.” “Resilience” is an ecological principle referring to the ability of a species or system to adapt to shock, to thrive in response to trauma. This Headwaters Conference aims to understand how human systems themselves can become resilient, with mutually reinforcing ecological, social and economic benefits for the Headwaters region. Topics and workshops include energy, food, citizenship, justice, permaculture and biomimicry.

To lead these conversations and workshops, the conference has a line-up of writers, community leaders, scholars, artists, musicians, farmers, builders, activists, ranchers, teachers and students.

In addition to Bass, Enrique Salmon, assistant professor of ethnic studies at California State University, East Bay, will present a keynote address. Salmon, who recently penned a book on small-scale Native farmers of the Greater Southwest, will explore resilient foodways, stories and communities in that region. 

Other speakers and panelists include: poet Aaron Abeyta; poet Art Goodtimes; Rose Tocke, Full Circle Collaborative; WSC lecturer Molly Mugglestone; Jerome Osentowski, Central Colorado Permaculture Institute; State Sen. Gail Schwartz; WSC professor Maria Struble; Devon Pena, Acequia Institute & University of Washington; local author George Sibley; WSC professor Lynn Sikkink; WSC professor Duane Vandenbusche; Mountain Roots Community Gardens Project; Gunnison Farmer’s Market; and the Office for Resource Efficiency. 

“This conference does not seek to repeat a litany of “doom-and-gloom” threats to environmental security,” Hausdoerffer said. “We seek to share proactive ideas, methods and skills that will empower communities to re-inhabit the Headwaters, so the resilience of our places will emerge from our own social, economic and environmental wealth. In other words, Headwaters XXI hopes to understand, experiment with, and begin to practice the capacity of the Headwaters for self-renewal."

Registration costs are: $35 for students; $75 for individuals; $55 for teachers and nonprofits; and $140 for couples. A $5 donation is suggested for community members to attend each keynote speaker session.

For registration and additional information, visit the 21st Headwaters Conference website or contact Hausdoerffer at jhausdoerffer@western.edu or (970) 943-3450.