Learn for yourself, not others
Welcome back to class, students! It is another year to learn, strive and go for your dreams, no matter what age you are. Some of you will have plenty of people – parents, teachers, coaches, guardians, older siblings, tios and abuelos – exhorting you to study and do your best. Some of you may feel you have no one in your corner, cheering you on. Excel anyway, for yourself. Learn and build knowledge for your dreams, no one else’s.
It is OK if it takes you longer to learn than someone next to you. It’s OK to ask for help from teachers or adult mentors. It is OK to fall, to fail, to struggle – every single person does – but what’s important is to get back up and keep going. When you find a subject or a career or a project you are passionate about, pursue it with every ounce of your being. And never, ever, listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t achieve your goals. As Goethe said, “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
Adults – offer help to students when they do reach out. If you are retired or want to make a difference in your community’s future, offer to help a teacher in the classroom or to mentor students. Sign up with Big Brothers Big Sisters and be a friend to a young person (bbbsmountainregion. org/taoscolfax-counties).
Let teachers know every chance you get how much you appreciate their efforts to engage and instruct students.
It is a new school year. Make it the best one yet.
Give a clear path for wildlife
Bighorn sheep, elk and cutthroat trout share a common trait – they like to migrate. Moving back and forth along valley and mountain paths, or in rivers, helps them survive and thrive.
Climate change, roads and development are threatening these wildlife corridors.
The federal government needs to be convinced the public wants these corridors protected, especially under the Trump administration, which has gone about dismantling environmental protections and silencing any mention of climate change as quickly as possible.
Taos will host an important summit Tuesday (Aug. 20) regarding the Upper Río Grande Wildlife Corridors at the Sagebrush Inn from 8 a.m.
- 5 p.m. The summit is free, but people are asked to register. Go to eventbrite.com and enter 2019 Upper Río Grande Wildlife Corridors or just Taos in the search box.
New Mexico and Colorado state and congressional leaders along with wildlife scientists and public lands managers will be on hand to discuss the corridors and what is needed to protect them.
Join in if you can or read this week’s story by reporter Sheila Miller on how you can get involved to help protect these crucial wildlife pathways.
In addition, Taos County Commissioners could vote Aug. 20 on a resolution to protect wildlife corridors.
If you value wildlife and their survival, especially with the full impacts of climate change looming on the horizon, plan on attending this summit. Or at least make your thoughts known to the Carson National Forest and elected officials.
Help give wildlife the best chance of surviving in the years ahead.