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Mission
The Environmental Leadership and Knowledge Seminar (ELKS) is dedicated to creating a pathway to environmental awareness by educating Tribal Membership youth and local Native American youth of environmental issues and processes through hands-on demonstrations and field trips.
What is ELKS?
ELKS is a program created by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Environmental Programs Department (EPD). ELKS will educate young tribal members of the community so they will know how important the environment is and how the Tribe’s EPD is protecting the environment. Educating the youth on the importance of the environment is crucial to the longevity and sustainability of our natural resources just as Leonard C. Burch advocated for the SUIT’s water rights with the Animas-La Plata Project.
2025 ELKS
To sign up for ELKS 2025, please fill out the appropriate form from the options below and send it to Mitchell Dorsk at mdorsk@southernute-nsn.gov. Spots are limited.
- Session 1 ELKS June 10-11(For students going into 3rd-5th grade): Application
- Session 2 ELKS June 12-13(For students going into 6th-8th grade): Application
2024 ELKS
ELKS and Culture Camp was held June 25th-27th, 2024 at the Environmental Programs Department in Ignacio, Colorado. This three-day conference featured a Wolfwood Refuge tour, an electroshock fishing demonstration, a bison herd tour, Ute language mini lessons, plant identification, and many other hands-on science and culture related activities!
Wolfwood Sanctuary Tour- photos by Jeremy Shockley
Water Sampling Activity – by Jeremy Shockley
Elephant toothpaste activity- by Jeremy Shockley
2023 ELKS
ELKS was held June 27th-28th, 2023 at the Environmental Programs Department in Ignacio, Colorado. This two-day conference featured an electroshock fishing demonstration, a bison ranch visit, Macroinvertebrate lessons, garden demonstrations, and many other hands-on science activities!
Fish Stocking activity
Agricultural Division demonstration on cultivation and food connection
Fish Stocking demonstration at Scotts Pond
Food Chain activities near Scotts Pond
Benthic macroinvertebrates Examination
Benthic macroinvertebrates activity
2022 ELKS
ELKS was held July 13-14, 2022 at the Environmental Programs Department in Ignacio, Colorado. This two day conference featured soda rockets, ‘glowing’ science, a field trip to electro fish, fire restoration, and so much more!
2019 ELKS
ELKS was held June 11 – 12, 2019 at the Environmental Programs Department in Ignacio, Colorado. This two-day conference featured nature hikes, hands-on science experiments, demonstrations and much more!
2018 ELKS
ELKS was held July 24 – 25, 2018 at the Environmental Programs Department in Ignacio, Colorado. This two-day conference featured aquatic insects, hands-on science experiments, demonstrations and much more!
2017 ELKS
ELKS was held June 19 – June 20, 2017 at the Environmental Programs Department in Ignacio, Colorado. This two-day conference featured rockets, glowing science, climate change issues, and a field trip for electrofishing.
