District Dialogues: A Conservation Podcast

Montezuma County CDs

District Dialogues is a podcast focused on sharing stories about conservation and on-the-ground work being done to solve natural resource issues in Montezuma County, Colorado. Each episode will follow Sensa Wolcott from the Mancos Conservation District as she interviews local landowners, producers, and experts about their experiences, concerns, and insights. Conversations will highlight collaborative projects happening to manage and conserve natural resources.  Find our conservation districts:  Web: https://montezumacountyconservationdistricts.org/

Episodes

  1. 04/25/2025

    Episode 1, Part 2: The Programs of the Mancos Conservation District with MCD Staff

    Sensa Wolcott interviews the current staff of the Mancos Conservation District about what projects and programs they are currently a part of, highlighting projects that can help landowners, producers, and our community. She is joined by the MCD executive director, district manager, and forestry team. This concludes our two-part first episode. Keep an eye out for episode 2, which will focus on soil health in Montezuma County. Timestamps: 00:28: Episode introduction 00:47: Danny Margoles introduction 03:00: Overview of MCD’s mission and goals 05:33: Neva Connolly introduction 06:16: Soil Health Program 09:25: Tarra Harris introduction 10:12: Rowan Henke introduction 10:55: Forestry Program 18:39: Sensa Wolcott introduction 19:38: Watershed Program 22:53: Education and Outreach Program 26:10: Wrap-up To learn more about any of the Mancos Conservation District’s programs mentioned in this episode or to contact our staff: About MCD: https://montezumacountyconservationdistricts.org/about-mcd  Soil Health Program: https://montezumacountyconservationdistricts.org/soil-health Forestry Program: https://montezumacountyconservationdistricts.org/programsandprojects/project-three-8zgh7-t485x Watershed Program: https://montezumacountyconservationdistricts.org/programsandprojects/new-water Neva Connoly: neva@mancoscd.org Tara Harris: tara@mancoscd.org Rowan Henke: rowan@mancoscd.org Sensa Wolcott: sensa@mancoscd.org Find the transcript on our website or follow this link to view it directly.

  2. 01/25/2025

    Episode 1, Part 1: The History of Conservation Districts with Jack Burk

    Sensa Wolcott is joined by Jack Burk to discuss this history of conservation districts, his experience with them, and how conservation districts work today. From the dust bowl to efforts today, they cover the role a conservation district can play in its community. This has been part one of our first episode! Keep an eye out in February for part two where we dive deeper into the programs the Mancos Conservation District Offers with board president, Mike Nolan. Timestamps: 00:54 Introduction of host, Sensa Wolcott, and guest, Jack Burk 01:16 Jack describes his history with conservation districts 02:26 What a Conservation District is 04:47 Creation of the Soil Conservation Service and Soil Conservation Districts 07:15 Transition to the Natural Resources Conservation Service 09:05 How conservation districts are structured in Colorado 10:35 How a district is structured and functions 12:47 What makes a district successful 16:56 Educational benefits to a community 19:10 A brief look into the history of the Mancos Conservation District's notable programs 22:20 Jack touches on a riparian restoration project his property is a part of 25:34 Wrap up To learn more about different organizations mentioned in the episode, follow these links: Conservation District History: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/history/brief-history-nrcs CACD: https://www.coloradoacd.org/ NACD: https://www.nacdnet.org/ NRCS: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ Montezuma School to Farm Project: https://www.mstfp.org/ Trees, Water & People: https://treeswaterpeople.org/ Mountain Studies Institute: https://www.mountainstudies.org/ Montezuma Land Conservancy: https://montezumaland.org/ Native Conservation Corps: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/native-conservation-corps.htm Find the transcript on our website or follow this link to view it directly

About

District Dialogues is a podcast focused on sharing stories about conservation and on-the-ground work being done to solve natural resource issues in Montezuma County, Colorado. Each episode will follow Sensa Wolcott from the Mancos Conservation District as she interviews local landowners, producers, and experts about their experiences, concerns, and insights. Conversations will highlight collaborative projects happening to manage and conserve natural resources.  Find our conservation districts:  Web: https://montezumacountyconservationdistricts.org/