This story originated from Sol del Valle and has been translated for our English readers.
On December 10, 2024, the Buddy Program wrapped up the year with one of its annual activities, EcoFlight. EcoFlight is a nonprofit founded in 2002 by pilot Bruce Gordon. They tackle a myriad of environmental concerns by hosting charter flights “to elevate and partner with the voices and communities affected, in order to advocate for conservation policies that promote environmental justice for all,” according to the official website. EcoFlight’s mission is based on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, using flight “to dismantle systemic barriers and achieve a more just and equitable future, where everyone can thrive in a healthy and sustainable environment.”
The Buddy Program created their “Outdoor Leadership Program” to develop leadership skills while students learn about nature. In a previous unit, they explored various topics related to public lands.
During five EcoFlight trips, 22 individuals, including students and Buddy Program staff, had the opportunity to fly. Pilots Gordon and Gary Kraft led the groups over the Piceance Basin in western Colorado. This area is rich in natural gas, used for cooking, heating and other purposes, and the area serves as an important habitat for local wildlife.
Garfield County has been drilling and working with the oil and gas industry since the 1960s, leading to more than 12,000 oil wells drilled throughout the region.
During the EcoFlight, participants were able to observe from a new perspective the scale of fossil fuel extraction in the Rifle area and the Colorado River Valley, seeing a part of Rifle that can’t be understood from the ground. In the air, students saw a web of roads leading to numerous wells.
As the plane ascended, pilot Kraft began a conversation with the students about drilling and its impact on Garfield County and surrounding areas. During the discussion, several participants recognized they are directly affected, as their families work in the oil and gas industry, one of the largest employers in the region.
Kraft commented, “Not all drilling is bad; we need it. What we want is to make sure it is done responsibly and in the most appropriate places.”
One of the students asked if the wells were located on public lands, to which Kraft responded, “Some are on public lands, and others are on private lands.”
Lulu Colby, a local activist currently working to “Save West Mamm Creek,” an area located near Rifle at an elevation of 7,820 feet, commented on the impact drilling has on the area. West Mamm is home to wildlife, recreationalists and hunters. Colby explained, “When you’re down here, you see one well, but when you’re in the air, you see one after another. Wildlife has no continuity.” She wondered, “When does this become a problem?”
Colby detailed that they were attempting to drill 90 new wells in the West Mamm area, although they have reduced that number to between 60 and 70. However,
they are still far from their goal to “Save West Mamm Creek.” She explained that the problem with massive drilling is that wildlife is forced to move from place to place until, due to the excessive activity, there is no longer a place to move to — a severe environmental issue.
Another topic discussed during the EcoFlight was the increased release of carbon into the atmosphere due to the number of wells, which contributes to climate change, droughts and, eventually, the alteration of weather patterns.
Xiadani B., a Buddy Program student who flew for the first time, shared that she felt nervous at first, but once in the air, her nerves dissipated. She described her experience: “It’s like being able to connect all the dots, being able to connect what we learned with what we can see.”
Koda G., also a Buddy Program student and first-time EcoFlight participant, shared how inspiring it was to see firsthand the scale of the wells they had heard so much about. She mentioned seeing her house from the air, and by the end of the flight, she dreamed of becoming a pilot.
“I personally believe that as a community, we need to come together,” Koda said. “Take a pause and realize the impact that [drilling wells] has, recognize that we need it, but also question how much we really need and find a balance.”
For more information about the Buddy Program, visit buddyprogram.org, and to learn more about EcoFlight, visit www.ecoflight.org
