Western Water Writers Panel and Reception to launch Rivershed Weekend!
Following up on our successful 2023 All About Beaver Weekend the Colorado Farm & Food Alliance is back to further our work for healthy watersheds and the lands that contain them with another weekend of events in Paonia.
On April 5-7, we will offer up Rivershed: A Weekend of Awareness and Action for Healthy Lands and Watersheds
This weekend of activities will explore themes around our river and water in the west. Through conversations, film, discussion and hands-on activities, we will touch on watershed restoration, beaver and riparian life, the risks of persistent drought and building greater system resilience, and the role of healthy lands in the security of our western river systems.
Friday, April 5: The public is invited to a “Confluence: Writers, Water and Advocacy”, a panel featuring award-winning writers, at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts, from 5:30-7:00 pm. You can RSVP here to secure your space.
We are excited to open the weekend with TWO exceptional Friday evening activities in partnership with Paonia Books.
After the panel, Paonia Books is generously hosting the Colorado Farm & Food Alliance for a Western Water Writers Reception, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.
The writers’ panel at the Blue Sage—spotlighting well-loved western writers Paolo Bacigalupi, Heather Hansman, and Jonathan Thompson—will examine the current state of western watersheds, the urgency of creating awareness about water scarcity, and the role of storytelling in advocacy work. Moderated by Emily Sinclair, owner of Paonia Books — the valley’s beloved local bookstore.
This will be a conversation with three writers whose craft includes astute coverage and unique perspectives of western water issues, across distinct genres. This event is offered on a gift model, open to all, with a suggested donation of $15. It is expected to sell-out so an RSVP is recommended.
The reception is by Chef Anthony Reichenbach - Cater Paonia, and Clear Fork Cider, and also featuring North Fork Valley wines. It will include the opportunity to mingle with the author-panelists and others interested in this work. The authors’ books will be available for purchase and signing. The reception supports our work to secure healthy watersheds and protect public lands.
Tickets for this don’t-miss reception with seating at the Blue Sage writers’ panel, are $60. This event will sell out but you can get your tickets now and RSVP for all the weekend’s events at this link.
We hope this weekend will allow the community to better understand the vital roles our river and watershed play and how we can better advocate for them.
On our RSVP page, you’ll want to check out our Saturday April 6 activities, including Ponds and Tributaries, a day art, activities and education centered in Paonia’s Poulos Park.
And save your spot for The Rivershed on Screen, an evening at the Paradise Theatre with a puppet show and a short film-fest on water in the west, the value of our river, and local efforts to promote watershed health. This will include a special film debut premier that you won’t want to miss! Find the weekend schedule and RSVP here.
Big THANKS to Paonia Books, Clear Fork Cider, and Storm Cellar for hosting and sponsoring our reception and to Studio MW for sponsoring our Friday night activities! AND to Patti Kaech broker at Paonia Realty for sponsoring our Saturday activities!
Keep watching our website www.ColoFarmFood.org and follow us on social media (@ColoFarmFood) for more details on all the weekend’s activities.
Our sponsors, contributors and activity attendees make all our work possible. If you cannot attend or just want to support our work. Do that here.
