Dear Friends of Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance,
Happy New Year! I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you. At SCCA, we’re stepping into the new year with a sense of excitement and purpose. As we continue our mission of protecting and celebrating the cultural and natural resources of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, we’re thrilled to share a few highlights of what’s ahead.
First, we’re kicking off the year with a new Artist-in-Residence! We are thrilled to welcome watercolor artist Lisa Spangler as the Winter 2025 Artist-in-Residence at Canyons of the Ancients! Lisa finds inspiration in the natural world, using her art to capture the beauty and wonder of landscapes, plants, and wildlife.
Join us for two special free events during her residency:
Watercolor Demo – February 15
Nature Journaling Workshop – March 1
Scroll down for more details and follow Lisa’s work on Instagram and her website.
We’re also in the process of planning a full calendar of events for 2025, including stewardship opportunities, cultural demonstrations, and special programs to engage our community and visitors alike. Keep an eye out for updates as we finalize the details!
As always, we’re grateful for your support—whether you attend an event, volunteer, or help spread the word about our work, you’re a vital part of our mission. Wishing you a wonderful start to 2025, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Warm regards,
Markleigh Swanson
Executive Director
Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance
A Note from The Chair
January 2025
Happiest of New Years to You. I am looking forward to 2025 and a successful year for Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance. There will be some enhancements, improvements, and hopefully some expansions of opportunities for YOU, our great members.
Strategic Plan Evaluation
The Board of Directors closed out 2024 by completing a detailed evaluation of our Strategic Plan approved in June of 2023. What was the Evaluation Conclusion? Overall, we are meeting our Mission, Vision, and Values statements as well as accomplishing our Programs & Activities. There were no elements that were not being met to a sufficient level that a “Yes” answer couldn’t be supported. The final consensus conclusion is that the Strategic Plan is being met.
There are a few elements, however, where specific points need additional work to be fully achieved. Accomplishing these points will be a priority for the Board to work on in 2025.
Summary of Actions for 2025. We will:
1. Focus on improving the Board of Directors to increase numbers overall, but also to fill specific vacancies of the Treasurer and Vice-Chair positions.
2. Work on a Community Engagement Plan to expand educational opportunities and open them to the public more.
3. Hire new guides and expand the tour operation.
4. Continue required monitoring of sky metrics using volunteers & supporting four programs per year for the Dark Skies certification program.
5. Discuss the need for and process for three-year budget forecasting.
6. Determine what the future of the Learning on the Landscape program will be.
7. Make “paperwork” processes easier for Artist In Residence, Indigenous Art Market, and other programs.
8. Determine appropriate ways to “recognize” volunteers and members in 2025.
9. Discuss timing of and process for pursuing the name change.
10. Work with the BLM to honor the values of Indigenous communities, and specifically try to work with 5-6 school groups, especially Tribal groups in the coming year.
Regards,
Don Hoffheins
SCCA Board Chair
Upcoming Events
 The Nature Journaling Workshop filled up incredibly quickly but there is a waitlist if you're interested!
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