Peabody Coal, Black Mesa, AZ. open pit mining that sends coal via slury line (contaiminating the fresh water) to Las Vegas and southern CA coal power plants. The Navajo Nation gets 37 cents/ton, a revenue of $60 M /year. But the private corporations are gaining $4-5 /ton of coal. A strange predicament. Also this mine will be shut down in a year or so since the power plant it feeds is not meeting sulfur emission levels. 700 + jobs will be lost to the Navajo people, already with roughy 40% unemployment rate. How to use the resources available, while maintaining land integrity, and economic development?

Making flat bread with chef Lehi and IHP students in Sweetwater, Navajo Nation

Coal Canyon-Navajo Nation-small mining for household fuel.

Navajo Nation.

I'm working as an assistant for the study abroad program that I participated in two years ago. THey are now starting on the Navajo Nation under the wing of Moroni, a friend from that trip we took together. So the first 4 days we have been getting aquainted and doing logistical things, and now we're heading towards Sweetwater, Navajo Nation. I'm putting my 15 passenger van and group food shopping skills to work, and also helping to provide some insight into the program and what's to come for these students.

Pueblo ruins, at Natural Bridges National Monumnet- even contatins the original wood roof.

Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah- Completely off the grid converting sunlight into electrical power to run the visitor center and the 6 trailers. There's excess energy being provided, each house has 2-3 conventional fridges running!!

August 7-
ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE, Snowmass, CO www.rmi.org
An interesting foundation that is working to inform the private sector and thus create change that is market driven. The have a nearly energy neutral building, 40 some odd employees, and lots of opportunities to get involved. Through integrated design solutions based on the idea of Natural Capitalism (see the RMI webpage for links to this) they embody many of the diverse areas that impact businesses, and find ways to make them more successful. It's the multi-dimensional approach that I've been searching for and it seems to be working!
The three areas of focus are Energy and Resources Services (ERS), Green Development Services (GDS), and Integrated Design Practice (IDP).

It was exciting to see such a diverse range of projects all being successful from a rural backdrop, although the Aspen valley is developing rapidly, not as rapidly as Eagle County. According to one, Aspen is trying to become the largest ecotourist spot. It will be interesting to follow those developments. Everywhere is still short of sustainaibility, or even enhancing the area in which they live and work, but I have yet to doubt the possibility of it. It just takes dedicated individuals who can live for today, while looking towards the future.

Rocky Mountain Institute- Snowmass, CO Visitor Center/office. Looking into the greenhouse area where the grey water is cleansed and banana trees grow. There is a bit of a bug problem at times and their newest strategy is to house a hedgehog inside. No joke. He eats the bugs and lives happily inside.

August 6- National Renewable Energy Lab, Golden, CO. A Residential and Commercial Building Expo. Lots of great speakers and exhibits. A tour of the Solar research lab, and lots of information about "green" building in the front range. We weren't allowed to take pictures in the lab area, so this is the visitor center, but has a passive solar design and some solar panel demonstrations around back.

August 5-Cheyenne Wyoming. Gotta love the humor of the wild west, or at least the tourist draw.