Toddlers, preschoolers can explore nature
A program tailored to toddlers and preschoolers will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. July 24, July 31 and Aug. 7 at Denny Lake in Cortez.
Kids will learn about local animals, explore the natural world, read books and play.
The program is free and is sponsored by San Juan Mountains Association, San Juan National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office. Advance registration is encouraged.
For more information, email gabi@sjma.org or call 759-1170.
Mancos State Park announces activities
Mancos State Park will offer these programs:
The Four Corners Stargazers, an astronomy club, will set up telescopes and allow the public to view at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Cowboy poet Slim McWilliams will entertain with stories and songs about the West at 7 p.m. July 25.
Park naturalist Carol Bylsma will lead bird walks at 5:30 p.m. Fridays. She’ll talk about the habits of birds, and explain how to identify them by their calls and colors. Participants should bring their binoculars and meet at the Vista Trailhead behind the entrance gate.
The trivia bowl and an “Instant Melodrama” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Fridays in the amphitheater.
A workshop about butterfly identification will be held at 1 p.m. Saturdays. Butterfly nets will be provided. Participants should meet at the Quarry trailhead.
Children can learn about wildlife and wildlife habitats during “Wild Games” at 4 p.m. Saturdays. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should meet at the amphitheater.
A discussion of Colorado’s predators will be held at 7 p.m. Saturdays at the amphitheater. There will be displays of skulls, furs and hides.
A nature walk around the lake to learn about birds, wild flowers and the mountains will take place at 10 a.m. Sundays.
For more information, call 882-2213.
Fly-fishing workshop to be held Saturday
Durango Nature Studies will host a fly-fishing workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Durango Nature Center.
The cost is $10 for nonmembers and free for members. Fly-fisherman, Jake West will talk about bugs, fly-tying and fly-fishing tips.
Workshop participants will receive free entry to the Nature Center, which is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To register, email sally@durangonaturestudies.org; call 769-1800; or visit www.durangonaturestudies.org/wildwords.htm.
Field trips planned to Hermosa Creek
The San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District is continuing to host public field trips to the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area to allow participants to discuss issues, concerns and proposals to be addressed during the process for the Hermosa Creek Watershed Management Plan.
These field trips are scheduled:
A short walk in the Hermosa Park area to look at historic resources, dispersed-camping impacts, trailhead and campground facilities, and low-water road crossings will take place Friday.
A 10-mile hike on the Upper Dutch Creek/Pinkerton Flagstaff Trail to look at motorized-use issues and opportunities and to visit old logging areas to discuss reforestation possibilities will take place Aug. 21. Participants should be physically fit and bring their own gear.
A winter snowmobile/snowcat trip in the Cascade Divide-Relay Creek area to look at winter recreation issues will be held on a date to be determined.
Members of the public are asked to sign up no later than one week in advance of each trip they are interested in attending by calling Cam Hooley at 884-1414, or emailing HermosaSMA@fs.fed.us.
Details about meeting times and locations will be provided to people who sign up.
Herald Staff
