This course, taught at the Baca Campus of Colorado College in the San Luis Valley, focused on the regional applicability of sustainable development: the topic of the June, 1992 United Nations Rio Conference on Environment and Development. Building upon the traditional meaning of economic development for a rural region, the class evaluated the meaning of sustainable development criteria. These criteria require that economic activities be permanently compatible with environmental and natural resource sustainability. The dilemma is how economic prosperity can be achieved without eroding the permanent foundations for future prosperity. Readings ranged from materials on global sustainable development to regional documents on the San Luis Valley's ecosystem management and economic development initiatives and problems. In-the-field investigations and speakers, as well as group projects and student papers, directly involved the students in considering a "sustainable" economic future for the San Luis Valley.

The January, 1995 course focused on how to manage Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Mountains in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner. Forming the eastern side of the San Luis Valley, these mountains serve as a "spine" which links the Wet Mountain Valley to the San Luis Valley. Students examined the role of the newly designated Sangre de Cristo Wilderness in the activities, economies, and ecologies of these rural valley communities. Questions explored included can the mountains sustain a balance between natural and human activities? Can we find sustainable links between their ecology and local economies? A Public Forum was held as part of the course on Sustainable Management of the Sangres.

Biographical Information about Professor Walt Hecox
Economics Department
The Colorado College
Sustainable Development Workshop