Join us for the 18th Annual Gila River Festival September 22 – 25, 2022

The Gila Conservation Coalition invites you to the 18th annual Gila River Festival – One Water, Many Currents – September 22 – 25, 2022 in Silver City, the Gila National Forest and along the Gila River.

The festival will explore the many ways in which water connects us and is the common thread weaving together the Gila River watershed’s human and ecological communities of the past, present and into the future.

The hybrid (in-person and virtual) event will examine how the Gila River brings us together, investigate human relationships with the Gila River through our many uses of water and cultural perspectives related to water, and facilitate understanding of the ecological systems of the Gila River watershed and human dependence on these systems.

Nuevomexicana writer and biologist Leeanna Torres will be this year’s Gila River Festival keynote speaker.

A panel discussion entitled “One River, Many Voices” with Archaeology Southwest’s Tribal Outreach Fellow Skylar Begay, Gila River Indian Community historic preservation officer Barnaby Lewis, Fort Sill Apache Tribal Chairwoman Lori Gooday Ware and moderated by Diné Park Ranger and Interpreter Alex Mares will examine the indigenous connections to the Gila River from its headwaters in New Mexico to the Great Bend of the Gila in southwest Arizona.

The festival will also offer guided hikes and field trips on birding, archaeology, geology, riparian restoration, butterflies, and fishing, as well as the Dance of the Mountain Spirits with the Fort Sill Apache Fire Dancers with the Gooday Family.

For the full schedule and registration, visit www.gilariverfestival.org