Colorado Couple Protects Ancient Rock Art for Over a Decade

A couple's decade-long mission to protect 100-year-old petroglyphs and historic sites has made them heroes of Colorado's cultural heritage.

The Bureau of Land Management recently named Lynne and John Green as Colorado's Volunteers of the Year. For over a decade, the duo has monitored at-risk archaeological sites, removed graffiti from sacred rock art, and taught their community why preserving these places matters for future generations.

Their work centers in northwest Colorado, where ancient pictographs and petroglyphs tell stories thousands of years old. When vandals damaged these irreplaceable sites, the Greens worked alongside BLM staff and Tribal partners to carefully restore them.

But the couple's impact goes far beyond cleanup. Every year, they lead field trips for about 100 fourth graders and their families through the White River Field Office's Every Kid Outdoors program. Students learn Leave No Trace principles, explore the Canyon Pintado National Historic District, and discover how to enjoy public lands responsibly.

In 2019, when the Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit came to Rangely, the Greens guided more than 80 students through tours of ancient rock art. They helped young people connect with history etched into stone long before their grandparents were born.

The couple also documented the Yellow Creek Schoolhouse, a century-old building now being considered for Colorado's State Register of Historic Properties. Their careful records helped preserve the story of early education in the region.

The Ripple Effect

The Greens represent a growing movement of everyday people protecting places that belong to all of us. Their volunteer hours allow understaffed agencies to complete vital preservation projects that might otherwise wait years or never happen at all.

Each student they teach becomes an ambassador for cultural heritage. Those 100 kids each year go home and tell their friends, siblings, and parents what they learned. That knowledge spreads respect for these fragile sites across entire communities.

Their work also strengthens partnerships between federal agencies and Tribal nations. When volunteers help remove graffiti from sacred sites, they're not just cleaning rock—they're showing respect for Indigenous history and supporting collaborative stewardship.

Anyone can join this effort. The BLM encourages people to report vandalism or suspicious activity at archaeological sites by calling (800) 637-9152, available 24/7. One phone call can save an irreplaceable piece of human history.

The Greens prove that passion and consistency create lasting change, one protected petroglyph and one inspired student at a time.