Birding festival features several tours
Several tours offered during the 11th annual Ute Mountain-Mesa Verde Birding Festival will focus on the Dolores River’s various habitats.
Birding enthusiasts who register for these tours will have opportunities to spot raptors, owls, herons, waders, waterfowl and other spring migrants.
Tours include McPhee Reservoir on May 7 and May 9, the Dolores Canyon on May 8, local lakes on May 8 and Bradfield Bridge on May 9 and May 10.
A family tour May 10 will visit the Butler Bluebird Trail.
Tours are filled on a first-come, advance-registration basis.
For more information and to register, visit www.utemountainmesaverdebirdingfestival.com or call 565-1151.
Grant money available for fire mitigation
FireWise of Southwest Colorado is offering grant money to Vallecito-area residents to remove hazardous fuels to reduce wildfire risk.
The grant is a 50/50 cost-share program, however, the match from the homeowner can be either cash or volunteer labor.
Grant money can be used to hire a mitigation contractor for hand-thinning or mastication work, which makes use of a brush hog or similar apparatus.
Applications are available at www.southwestcoloradofires.org. They will be accepted until grant money is expended.
For more information, call Melody Walters at 903-2139 or email laplatafirewise@gmail.com.
Herald Staff
