Winter 1998-99 Bulletin

Brian Takes a Break!

Dear Friends: 1998 was the year of our tenth anniversary. We celebrated many victories, numerous accomplishments, and tremendous growth. We rose to new challenges, won some major victories, and set the stage for a strong rivers movement. Amigos Bravos has a lot to be proud of and it is thanks to you, our members, for your support, dedication, and insights. As you empower Amigos Bravos, so the staff and Board work daily to return your gift by preserving healthy rivers and vibrant communities throughout the Río Grande watershed. Your membership is key to our efforts. With more of you advocating for the protection and restoration of the Río Grande watershed, more elected officials, land managers, planners, and regulators are influenced to take action to protect our region's precious waters. You can help us increase our influence by encouraging your friends to join Amigos Bravos and by helping us reach our goal of 2001 members by the year 2001. Ten years ago we began building a river conservation organization with credibility and staying power. At that time there were no such groups on the Río Grande. Since then, we have helped to build a strong rivers movement, whose momentum is evident in the proliferation of river groups and watershed councils in our region. For this movement to remain vital and effective, it must be informed by local wisdom and knowledge, as well as science. Solutions must comprise the diverse cultures and values of our communities. Without this, the movement will be confined to a purgatory of litigation and political posturing. This new year promises to be a very exciting one for the organization, as well as for me personally. As Amigos Bravos

begins to implement our new three-year strategic plan and build our organizational capacity, we will be developing a more active volunteer program and will open an office in Albuquerque in September, 1999. Our objectives for 1999 include: · establishing an on-going presence at the legislature and Water Quality Control Commission; · begin implementing the Río Grande Silvery Minnow Recovery Plan; · work with, and provide technical assistance to, numerous community and watershed groups; · build a trail along the Río Pueblo de Taos: and, · continue collecting oral histories, organizing river clean-ups and maintaining our core projects. In addition, we look forward to late spring when, through a series of hearings, we will have the opportunity to influence how Molycorp undertakes its long-term reclamation. Beginning on January 9, after ten years of working for Amigos Bravos, I will be taking a six-month sabbatical. I am planning to rest and paint in southern Spain. For the past nine months, I have worked with the Board of Directors and staff to prepare for my absence. As a result, the Board of Directors has become increasingly active in reviewing and implementing our strategic plans. The staff is making decisions as a team and taking even more authority for their respective programs. I look forward to returning in July with a fresh and reinvigorated vision, and a slew of paintings! Thank you for supporting Amigos Bravos. The Board and staff join me in wishing all of you a joyful and healthy 1999.     Sincerely, Brian Shields Executive Director

Please return to Winter Bulletin 1998-99 Index.