Monica is the education and outreach intern for the San Juan Water Conservancy District.

Why did you choose to serve with Blue Elements?

I grew up canoeing and kayaking on the rivers and lakes in Minnesota, so a life dedicated to water seemed inevitable. When I moved west, I worked as a river guide on the Upper Arkansas, San Juan, and Colorado Rivers, and it seemed like time to do something about reciprocating the gifts those waters gave me.

What’s a moment during your service that made you feel proud or deeply connected to the mission of watershed stewardship?

As part of my Blue Elements service, I planned a watershed restoration volunteer day where I live in Pagosa Springs. I recruited community members to participate in a low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) initiative in a damaged drainage where many people recreate. I was inspired by how motivated and passionate the volunteers were despite the hard work of lifting and moving rocks to build the Zeedyk structures that are designed for watershed recovery. A month later, there was record rainfall and flooding in Pagosa Springs and our structures were put to the test. I felt especially connected to our work when I received photos from a number of volunteers who had gone to the drainage to check on our structures, which were doing what they were designed to do! I felt so grateful for the commitment and stewardship of my community. 

How do you recharge or stay grounded when the work gets tough?

I play fiddle in a small Irish/bluegrass band in Pagosa Springs, and we have a standing jam session every Thursday night. No matter how long my to-do list is, I prioritize those precious evenings where I can focus entirely on another passion of mine. Playing the songs of my ancestors with close friends recharges me and restores my spirit so that I can focus on the important work of watershed restoration and stewardship.