March News

Director Makes a Big Trip

Seeing a map of the Ogallala Commons region makes quite an impression…but a driving tour is even more striking.  Last month, I made a 2,000 mile journey.  Leaving Nazareth, TX on the last Saturday of February, I picked up a rental car in Amarillo.  With wind and dust blowing fiercely out of the southwest, I was glad to be driving in the opposite direction.  First, I spent a couple days working with OC Board Member Tom Giessel in Larned, Kansas.  Tom just wrapped up a centennial book project for his local Catholic parish, an illustration of the power of documenting local history and recording stories.  Tom and I also visited Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS, and introduced the Student Services and Career Counseling departments to our Community Internship Program. 

Sign at the Center of the United States

Hosts of OC Community Interns in Arnold, NE

Next, I drove north and further east to Lebanon, KS, where I encountered a sign extolling the  “Geographic Center of the U.S.”  Crossing into Nebraska, I made a short excursion to the town of Lawrence, where my grandparents and several other families had migrated from to come to Nazareth, TX in the early 1900s.  Being from the flat Llano Estacado, I was struck again by the hilly terrain of the northern section of the Ogallala Region.  The next day, I drove out of Grand Island on scenic Highway 2, in search of the mythic village of Arnold, NE.  What a treat to finally see this community that produced OC’s first Community Intern from Nebraska!  I was impressed by the variety of community events that happen in Arnold…flowing like the beautiful South Loup River outside of town!  I also traveled to Mullen (deep in the Nebraska Sandhills) to check on another upcoming Community Internship. 

Mojo Express in Atwood, KS

On the “Leap Day” of February, my journey’s arc turned south, and before noon, I arrived in Atwood, KS.  At lunch, I toured an innovative farm and hunting lodge out on Beaver Creek, operated by Jeff and Alice Hill.  Instead of another long drive, I spent the afternoon walking the streets of Atwood, stopping for coffee at the Mojo Expresso, and meeting up with leaders who have worked with OC since 2004.  After supper, OC Advisory Council member Chris Sramek gave me a tour of the newly-renovated county hospital.  Seeing these accomplishments that took years of dedicated vision and work was a boost to my spirit. 

Next morning, I stopped in Leoti, KS for a visit with our newest OC Board Member, Simone Cahoj.  She gave me a quick tour of local assets, and it was great to see the impact that a passionate, dedicated young leader can make in a community.   For the last evening of my journey, I veered far to the west, across the state line to touch down in Campo, CO.  I had a great visit and planning session with OC’s Board Treasurer, Nikki Johnson (and superintendent of Campo Schools).

My journey lasted eight days.  It gave me a chance to connect with our community partners and OC leaders face-to-face and to interact with them in their hometowns.  As I drove for hours, I was memorized by landscapes: so varied and beautiful, even in winter.  For a week, I was a connector of points that we see on that flat map.  It was a cherished time to dream the dream of Ogallala Commons—and for the vision to reshape and recharge me.

Conservation Education Day in Pampa

CED attendees enjoy a presentation

On Feb. 23^rd, Ogallala Commons held a Conservation Education Day and Landowner Luncheon in Pampa, TX, in partnership with Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District and Hemphill County Underground Water Conservation District.  Gray County Soil and Water Conservation District also provided logistical and technical assistance.

As a result of the event, Ogallala Commons will be partnering to bring Playa Festivals to Lamar Elementary School in Pampa, and a potential Festival for all three schools in Lipscomb County in this fall, in addition to continuing the Water Festivals in Panhandle and Canadian.  A total of 18 landowners attended the Luncheon, and went home with timely information about aquifer saturated thickness, depletion rates, and more understanding of playas and federal conservation programs.

Playa Festival in Sudan & Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

On Thursday, March 8^th, approximately 40 students from Sudan Elementary School in Sudan, Texas participated in a Playa Festival! The group was given the ultimate Playa Festival with an all-star lineup of presentations topped off with a visit to near-by Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. 

Robert Martin Shows Sudan Students A Toad!

The day began at 8:30am with an overview of Playas, the Ogallala Aquifer and Nature Journaling with Julie Hodges.  Afterwards the students enjoyed presentations from several presenters, including: Reptiles and Amphibians with Robert Martin of The Nature Conservancy, Playa Raptors with Gail Barnes of The South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Playa Waterfowl and Grassland Buffers with writer and outdoorsman Jim Steiert, Macro-Invertebrates and other wildlife with Melanie Hartman of the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Playa Soils with Julie Hodges. 

Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge sponsored the event for the school and provided students with a hands-on afternoon in the field, guided by Refuge Manager Jude Smith.  Students saw a dry playa, a saline lake, and a natural spring.  The Refuge also supplied students with field journals, hand lens, binoculars, and water bottles.

Edward Trevino, Sudan 5^th grade science teacher, was a wonderful host and had prepared his students for the event thoroughly.  Mr. Trevino is already making plans for a Playa Festival for next years students, with hopes of inviting students from Amherst to join in.