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<br />as it did, the morning's scientific presentations, the panel discussion put into immediate <br />and graphic relief consequences of development in the upper San Miguel River Basin. <br /> <br />In addition to scientific and legal presentation and debate, the Ideas Festival included a <br />water conservation exhibit ongoing throughout the day which featured landscape ecologist <br />Elisabeth Gick who provided advise and insight on landscape in the Telluride region. The <br />exhibit showcased native species and indigenous low-water plants. Also available was <br />video viewing of a traditional lawn being retrofitted as a xeriscaped lawn. <br /> <br />The water conservation exhibit provided literature on why it is important to conserve <br />water as well as ways an individual can accomplish conservation through home <br />maintenance and simple retrofitting. The benefits of installing ultra-low flow appliances <br />were emphasized. <br /> <br />Each visitor to the exhibit and Ideas Festival participant was given a Water Conservation <br />Packet which included a water conservation kit for residential retrofits as well as <br />information on ecological landscape, and such information as 25 Things You Can Do To <br />Save Water. <br /> <br />The water conservation exhibit was highlighted by art contributions of the Deep Creek <br />School, the black and white photography of Eileen Benjamin, an antique photo collection <br />of the historic Bridal Veil Power Plant and a photo exhibit by the 1991 kindergarten class. <br />The theme of all the art contributions was water. <br /> <br />The event was free to the community. Approximately 75 persons attended with a strong <br />showing of regional-decision makers and community leaders. <br /> <br />Based on audience evaluations, the project effected increased knowledge across all subject <br />areas including Colorado water law, local San Miguel River history, hydrology, ecology, <br />proposed developments, land use policy and water conservation techniques. In addition, <br />every person who completed the survey indicated familiarity with THE CITIZENS <br />WATER GUIDE newspaper supplement which had a much wider audience than the <br />conference. <br /> <br />CONCUJSIONS <br />The outcome of the 1992 IDEAS FESTIV AL "WATER: THE CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO <br />THE UPPIm SAN MIGUEL" is an action agenda on ways to maximize the health of the <br />Upper San Miguel River system. Without basic scientific information on the hydrologic <br />regime, it is impossible to have truly meaningful discussions on water resource <br />management and appropriate conservation strategies. Therefore, the first requirement is <br />for certain basic scientific information. To that end, the process of determining data <br />collection and analysis needs and obtaining necessary funding is presently underway. <br /> <br />3 <br />