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I love Colorado’s natural beauty, especially the mountains and the rivers below that stretch along the valley floors. Experiencing that nature draws me closer to God. That was further revealed to me after reading Gary Thomas’ Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God. ‘The Naturalist’ is one of my sacred pathways.
Perhaps that’s why I enjoy reading and reflecting on the Psalms found in Holy Scripture. Take this one, for instance – The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. – Psalm 24: 1-2
Yes, the earth is the Lord’s. That being the case, it seems evident that we have a responsibility to steward (caretake) what belongs to the Lord. Mrs. Hochtl and some of our students are doing just that through River Watch Club and Sustainability Squad.
River Watch is a Colorado water quality and monitoring assessment program. Our students field sample Eagle River water and analyze those samples in our lab. This work is critical in many ways, including ensuring healthy fish habitats. The state’s program director recently shared with me that it is because of “dedicated teachers like Mrs. Hochtl that we can provide students a valuable, worthwhile introduction into the multiple facets of water quality.”
Sustainability Squad will join the Eagle River Coalition’s 26th Annual Highway Cleanup on Saturday, May 2nd. Students will be picking up trash on a one-mile stretch of Highway 6 near VCHS.
When we care for clean water in our local river or pick up trash along a highway to restore the natural beauty along the sides of the road, we are caretaking what is the Lord’s and what has been entrusted to us by Him.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. – Psalm 46:4
Steve O'Neil
Head of School
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