The following story was originally reported by Sol del Valle and has been adapted for English readers.
On December 10, 2024, the Buddy Program celebrated the end of the year with a special event called EcoFlight. Founded in 2002 by pilot Bruce Gordon, EcoFlight is a nonprofit that addresses environmental issues by offering charter flights to communities affected by these challenges. Their goal is to advocate for conservation policies that support fairness and justice, allowing everyone to thrive in a healthy, sustainable world.
This year, the Buddy Program launched the “Outdoor Leadership Program,” which aims to teach students about nature while building their leadership skills. In a prior unit, students had explored different topics related to public lands.
During EcoFlight, 22 participants, including students and staff from the Buddy Program, flew over the Piceance Basin in western Colorado. This region is not only rich in natural gas, essential for cooking and heating, but also serves as a vital habitat for local wildlife.
Garfield County has been involved in the oil and gas industry since the 1960s, resulting in over 12,000 drilled wells in the area.
From the aircraft, participants got a unique view of fossil fuel extraction in Rifle and the Colorado River Valley. They observed an intricate web of roads leading to various oil wells, gaining perspective that is hard to grasp from the ground.
During the flight, pilot Gary Kraft engaged students in discussion about the impact of drilling on Garfield County. Many students shared that their families work in the oil and gas sector, one of the region’s biggest employers.
Kraft emphasized a balanced approach: “Not all drilling is bad; we need it. What we want is to ensure it’s done responsibly.”
One student asked whether the wells were on public or private land. Kraft explained that some are on public land, while others are on private property.
Lulu Colby, a local activist working to protect the West Mamm Creek area, shared her thoughts on drilling’s impact. This area, home to various wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts, is currently facing plans for new wells. Although the drilling proposal has been reduced from 90 to between 60 and 70 wells, the threat to wildlife remains serious. Colby noted, “When you’re on the ground, you only see one well, but in the air, it’s a different story. Wildlife struggles to find a safe space.”
Colby pointed out that excessive drilling forces animals to relocate until they have nowhere left to go, posing a significant environmental challenge.
The flight also highlighted another concern: the rising amount of carbon released into the atmosphere from these wells. This increase contributes to climate change, leading to droughts and altered weather patterns.
Xiadani B., one of the students experiencing flight for the first time, recalled her nerves before takeoff. Once airborne, she said, “It felt like connecting the dots between what we learned in class and what I saw from the sky.”
Another first-time flyer, Koda G., expressed her amazement at the vast number of wells. She even spotted her house from above. Inspired by the experience, she dreamed of becoming a pilot one day. “We need to pause and consider the impact of drilling,” Koda said. “It’s important to find the right balance.”
For more about the Buddy Program, visit buddyprogram.org. To learn more about EcoFlight, go to www.ecoflight.org.
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