Become a Sponsor of the 19th Annual Gila River Festival
June 14, 2024
Dear Friend of the Gila River,
After taking a break in 2023, we’re back with the 19th mostly-annual Gila River Festival scheduled for September 26 - 29, 2024!
As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gila Wilderness in 2024, the Gila River Festival will not only celebrate this important milestone in protecting America's first Wilderness River, but will also look to the Gila’s future. By exploring themes of long-term protection, climate resilience, cultural exchange, and stewardship, we will envision together the Gila River’s next hundred years and beyond.
Kicking off the festivities on Thursday night September 26 will be a keynote presentation given by Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr., the San Carlos Apache leader who has worked tirelessly to prevent the desecration of Oak Flat, an Apache sacred site in what is now southeastern Arizona, from a mine operated by international mining giant Rio Tinto. What does defending your homeland look like, and how can we protect the places that we call home, whether in Oak Flat, the Gila, or elsewhere on this beautiful planet?
The keynote talk will be followed by an energetic concert of Afro-flamenco music by Sidy Samb, presented in collaboration with Western New Mexico University Cultural Affairs.
Friday night a diverse panel of leaders, including Guadalupe Cano, Ray Trejo, Michael Darrow, Martha Cooper, Joe Saenz and Luke Koenig will discuss their perspectives on the future of the Gila River and its watershed.
The L&J Ranch’s Airstream Mobile Lab will be on hand throughout the Festival with its Gila River Project that will challenge participants to explore the relationship between place and the life it enables.
In keeping with tradition, the Festival will host a series of field trips. Alex Mares, of Diné and Mexican heritage, is an ever-popular interpreter of rock art. Luke Koenig, New Mexico Wild’s Gila Grassroots Organizer, will lead a Wild and Scenic hike to the Gila River, which richly deserves this protective designation. Geologist Dylan Duvergé will take participants to nearby springs to highlight the unique features of these landscapes. As always, the Festival will host birding, wildlife tracking, native plant, horseback riding and more!
On the evening of Saturday, September 28, the Festival welcomes Native American dancers who will share their cultural heritage with us through traditional dances.
These are just a few of the events in store for Festival attendees. We sincerely hope that you will join with other Gila River Festival supporters at the highest level you are able so that we can bring high quality Festival programming to our community. More importantly, we need your support to continue our work on behalf of the Gila River and surrounding wildlands.
On behalf of New Mexico’s last wild river, we thank you for your support!
For the Gila,
Charles Kreisenbeck, Gila River Festival Coordinator
Check out the SPONSORSHIP FORM for sponsorship levels and how to support the festival!