Teresa Coons, left, discusses the human tendency to stockpile in difficult times, whether it be necessitites for the family or water, during the panel discussion at “Between Mountains and Desert: Environmental Issues in Western Colorado” held Tuesday at Colorado Mesa’s University Center. Some of the other experts on the panel included, from left to right, Sentinel environmental reporter Matthew Berger, Frank Smith of the Western Colorado Congress, and Bernie Bornong, acting deputy forest supervisor for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.