Volunteer training to showcase experts
Chimney Rock National Monument Volunteer Training Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 10-11 at the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association Clubhouse, 230 Port Ave. in Pagosa Springs.
The training by Chimney Rock Interpretive Association will feature two keynote speakers who are renowned scholars of archaeology and the Chacoan culture: Steve Lekson, curator of anthropology and professor of anthropology at the University of Colorado, Boulder; and Dan Simplicio, cultural specialist at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center.
The training will include a free lunch both days and an extended tour of the monument led by Lekson.
Registration is required by April 2 by calling 731-7133. After the training, the association will offer a mentoring program, which pairs new volunteers with veteran volunteers until they are comfortable in their new positions.
For more information, visit www.chimneyrockco.org.
Birding festival in May to feature 25 tours
Registration is underway for the 11th annual Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival, which will take place May 6 -10.
The festival will feature 25 tours with overnight trips to Moab, Utah, and Telluride. Birding destinations targeted for tours range from sub-alpine and ponderosa forests to piñon-juniper scrub, the great sage plain, riparian river corridors and desert canyons.
Full registration for the festival includes presentations by birding experts as well as the Saturday evening banquet.
Daily registration is available. Advance registration is required for tours and for the “Pasta and Film” evening at the Mancos Public Library.
For more information, visit www.utemountainmesaverdebirdingfestival.com or call 565-1511.
Herald Staff
