20th Headwaters Conference

The topic for Headwaters XX is very timely considering the complexity of social and environmental solutions in a volatile economic climate – locally, nationally, and globally. We will investigate varied interpretations of prosperity with the help of two inspiring and motivated grassroots change agents, Dr. Vandana Shiva and Dr. Devon Peña, as well as through a “triple bottom line” lens that equally considers Equity, Environment, and Economics (also termed the three Es:). While the triple bottom line was conceptualized in the business world, it helps reframe prosperity for local, national, and global communities.

The Triple Bottom Line panelists will share local projects that have far-reaching implications. Dr. Jessica Young will represent Environment by discussing the complexities of her work with the Gunnison Sage Grouse, Erika Vohman will represent Equity via sharing her insights creating The Equilibrium Fund and embracing the gifts of the Maya Nut, and the last panelist representing Economics will be Carolyn Riggs via her restaurant The Brick Cellar Bar & Sushi Bistro.

In general, "transitioning" refers to the transitions movement, started in Ireland and devoted to transitioning global, single-bottom-line societies to more local forms of food, renewable energy, economy, and culture. The aim of this movement is to mitigate the “long emergency” (i.e., peak oil, global economic crisis, global climate change), while creating more resilient communities – something that could be particularly attractive for many isolated headwaters communities. Some of our actions already align with this philosophy, such as farmers’ markets, committing to buying locally-produced goods, creating carbon-reducing action plans for our communities, etc.While the Headwaters conference committee had planned to offer a transitions panel, High Country Citizens’ Alliance was simultaneously planning a transitions panel for their 10^th Annual Sustainable Communities Symposium (SCS). As such, we are pleased to provide Headwaters folks a choice: attend the SCS transitions panel, or take a Western State College sustainability tour with the Director of Environmental Studies, Dr. John Haudoerffer. The hope is that either of these options will promote thought and discussion regarding the extent to which Headwaters communities offer a unique setting to transition to a triple bottom line, providing a model of prosperity for communities beyond the Headwaters.

In addition to the opportunities described above, Dr. Laura McCall will offer a Headwaters Project 20^th anniversary retrospective; Laura is a Headwaters Project pioneer and will help us celebrate and reflect on the prosperity brought into all of our lives as the result of community building through rigorous intellectual inquiry and cultural appreciation. As well, Aaron Abeyta will read his “Letter to Headwaters”, Alan Wartes will perform his original Headwaters Anthem that he first performed in 1998, Karen Hausdoerffer will read an original Headwaters short story, and a video montage of prosperity perspectives from a wide array of people will be shared. Our final meal together will be on Sunday morning at the new LEED-certified Kelley Hall, where we will PASS THE GOURDE!

Devon Peña will discuss the re-imaging of the link among ecology, economy, and equity.

Dr. Vandana Shiva will share her insights on the concept of Earth Democracy.