GLC Adventures to Ft. Collins

Our Greenway Leadership Corps (GLC) adventures took us to Ft. Collins to discover what Colorado State University (CSU) and their Environmental Learning Center (ELC) has to offer college students. 

The ELC is located on 300 acres of woodland and prairie, and works to connect people with nature through environmental education. We were lucky to have two CSU students as our educators–Aaron and Claire–who are studying at the Warner College of Natural Resources at CSU. 
We started the day with a test of trust in our teammates and our leadership skills. After lining up along a rope we placed blindfolds over our eyes and set out to guide each other along a natural challenge course. After our daunting teambuilder concluded, we were ready to use our sight to help us conquer the next challenge. 

The team at ELC had already placed flags around the woods and gave us a map with the locations of the flags, a compass, and a lesson on orienteering. When the whistle blew, all teams ran in opposite directions in search of orange flags. Some teams used their new orienteering skills while others leaned on good luck! 
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After our adventures through the woods we learned about and practiced stewardship by picking up trash and pulling up mullein, an invasive species found throughout Colorado. Mullein can overtake and displace native plants, and will take over areas when left unattended. 

Our ELC trip concluded with a mock stakeholders’ meeting to decide what should be done with an expansion of the nextdoor sewage treatment plant and the ELC. Students were given roles of varying stakeholders like the City of Ft. Collins, Trout Unlimited, and CSU. Although the debate got heated, it ended with an outcome that everyone could be happy with. ​

​The next portion of our adventure took place on the CSU campus to learn about student life and what the university has to offer. We lucked out and showed up before a home football game, and got the real experience of campus life!

We want to thank Aaron, Claire, and the Environmental Learning Center for hosting and educating us!  

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