March means three things in the San Luis Valley:
1: It’s the start of a roughly 6-week period where tens of thousands of sandhill cranes migrate through the Rocky Mountain flyway and use the wetlands of the San Luis Valley as stopping off points to feed on grain and get a rest. It’s stunning, every year. Enjoy this gallery of photos by Ryan Michelle Scavo, who shoots for Alamosa Citizen from her home base in Del Norte.
2: It’s the time of year for newborn calves, which you’ll spot in fields all over the Valley.
3: It’s time to spring forward, that annual exercise of moving the clock forward one hour to give us that extra daylight. The clocks move forward Saturday night into Sunday. A little extra coffee Sunday morning will help.
Photo courtesy Adams State University
Brianna Robles wins indoor national title
Adams State running dynamo Brianna Robles continues to have a stellar 2021-22 school year. She won the 5,000-meter NCAA Division II Indoor Track National title Friday night in Pittsburg, Kan. Not only did she win the national indoor crown, but Robles did so in a record breaking time of 16:00.98. Earlier this school year during the cross country season, Robles led Adams State to the 2021 NCAA Division II National Cross Country team title.
Concert for Cancer Relief
Don Richmond, Eliza Gilkyson, Tish Hinojosa headline Saturday evening’s 9th Annual Concert for Cancer Relief at Society Hall in Alamosa. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 at the door.
A last remembrance
We continue to receive remembrances of the late Dennis Lopez and wanted to share this one from SLV Ecosystem Council Director Chris Canaly. She writes:
“I had the honor to serve with Dennis Lopez when a mighty group worked together to establish the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. Such a kind, beautiful, thoughtful and discipled human being. He chose his words carefully, spoke eloquently, and lived to express the sense of place that is the San Luis Valley. He presented its specialness in Washington DC, before Congress, and is now part of its lasting legacy. One of the reasons I loved being around Dennis is because he laughed easily. Like a fine dancer, he could speak with grace, seemingly effortlessly, because he spent his life studying, teaching and refining his art, establishing his and our place in the world. Much love to you and your family, Dennis. The stars in the sky are smiling upon you, and your memorable stories.
Most sincerely,
Christine Canaly
Director, San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council