The Natural History of the Gila Symposium is a hybrid event featuring presentations on research, management, education and policy focused on the Gila region of southwest New Mexico and southeast Arizona and will take place at Western New Mexico University in the Global Resources Building in the auditorium and Classrooms ABC on February 23-24, 2022.

Several Symposiums ago we agreed to add what we call Creative Voices which incorporated presentations by some of Silver City’s finest authors who write about our beautiful Gila region.

For this version of the Creative Voices Ted Presler, a member of the Symposium’s steering committee and co-chair of the Southwest Word Fiesta volunteered to organize a multi- talented group of presenters for this year’s segment. Stephen Fox, also a member of the Fiesta steering committee has stepped in to finalize this evening’ series of activities and will act as moderator.

The venue for this segment will be at THE COMMONS not WNMU. The presenters include:

David Chandler, Executive Director of The Commons will welcome the attendees and briefly explain the activities of The Commons. 

Raul Turrieta of KURU will conduct a mock interview with Allyson Siwik of the Gila Coalition.

State Senator Siah C. Hemphill, Stephen Fox, Bart Roselli, Kris Neri will read excerpts from written works by Aldo Leopold and Dutch Salmon.

 Aldo Leopold Charter School students under the direction of Wendy Spurgeon will present two delightful acts relating to the Gila; a skit  “The City Folk verses the Gila” and a monologue “A Gila Story.” 

 Elise Stuart, a former poet laureate and Kit West will read their poetry relating to the Gila region.

Joe Neri, one of our talented musicians and a aficionado of Bob Dylan will provide some music. Lastly our poet laureate emeritus, Eve West Bessier will present some of her poetry and provide a delightful song about the Gila.

Come join us for an exciting evening by a wonderful group of members of our town.

This event is free and open to the public.

Wearing of masks and social distancing is required.

For further information see http://wnmu.edu/gila symposium/  and https://www.swwordfiesta.org