Please join us on Earth Day at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds for presentations on:

• Archaeology

• Archaeoastronomy

• Star Lore

• Dark Skies

• Friends of Brown’s Canyon

Archaeology/Archaeoastronomy - Learn about Native American archaeological sites in our area, a PowerPoint presentation by Ken Frye and Becky Donlan of Native American Research and Preservation, Inc. Archaeoastronomy aspects have been found in research with several sites.

Dark Skies - Dani Robbin, Community Connections Coordinator from San Luis Valley Great Outdoors and DarkSky Colorado, will present on the importance of dark skies. The proposed Sangre de Cristo Dark Sky Reserve, which would stretch from the southern portion of Chaffee County to Huerfano and Saguache Counties, could potentially be the largest dark sky reserve in the world, at some 4000 square miles.

Friends of Brown’s Canyon will have two speakers talk about their Dark Sky certification efforts and programs for 2024, as well as their Dark Sky quality meters and how readings are being taken in the monument.

Special Guest Southern Ute Johny Valdez will speak about star lore. Mr. Valdez will be our first speaker and will offer a blessing before we begin.

Admission is FREE, and we welcome donations to Badger Creek Ranch Community/Full Circle Alliance, to continue and expand the work of regenerative agriculture, grazing techniques, water conservation, Audubon Ranching Conservation Program efforts, and education.

Doors will open at noon and presentations will start at 1:00 PM.