Durango is the beneficiary of one of Colorado’s premier city forests, comprised of over 12,000 trees of 163 species (Durango Forestry Management Plan 2024). For a town of our size, this is a remarkable tribute to the vision of our earliest residents and for those who have done the hard work to keep it. It is critical that we do not threaten this essential community asset through neglect.
Many of Durango’s older streets, parks and the Animas River corridor, as well as the Fort Lewis College campus, are as pleasant and welcoming as they are because of their trees. Yet our city forest is being compromised by factors such as insufficient funding and other pressures, including climate change and rapid development.
Recent studies have revealed that many – one third of the planet’s tree species – are at risk of extinction. Indeed, according to Red List and Nature Serve, 169 of 881 native U.S. trees are threatened or are at risk. City forests represent a significant investment of time and money, yet it is clear that our community forest is not a leading priority. If it were of greater importance in our strategic thinking, funding and the role of our forest in our future would be more evident.
There are only a few full-time arborists on staff in the city of Durango’s Parks and Recreation Department. Older maturing trees need extra care and maintenance. Ninety-four percent of our city’s trees require regular pruning, which is only one of the multiple tasks arborists are responsible for carrying out. We, as residents, need to insist that our city’s forest becomes a higher and more urgent priority. Commercial interests, development and other interests speak loudly. We residents need to do the same for our amazing community forest.
What if we could change our perception of our urban environment and forest and take a moment to begin a new day by acknowledging our place in it and its place in our lives? We take it for granted that the sun rises every morning just as it has for millions of years, and that it is the source of everything we depend on to switch on the lights, cook our meals, drive our family to its appointments, and to live and breathe from one dawn to the next. Trees (and all living plants) make that happen for us. Without them, we would not be alive on this planet, which they have lived on for much, much longer than we have.
The next time you are on East Third Avenue, take a stroll and admire the century-old American Elms that form its beautiful nave. Or if you are on West Second Ave., take a moment to study the mature silver maples this spring when their dark red flowers unfold before their lime green leaves appear.
Durango Botanic Gardens’ annual conference, Envisioning a Changing DurangoScape 2026, will examine and make the case for the value – and challenges – of our community forest. This now-annual event will bring city foresters, local professionals and enthusiasts to discuss the value and importance of our city’s trees, and why taking a few moments to note the ones around you in your daily life can benefit both you and the trees. That event is taking place March 6 and 7 at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel. You can learn more at DurangoScape.org.
Gaining greater awareness and appreciation of the rich, diverse green canopy that improves our lives is a rewarding and worthwhile experience for all Durango residents. We must join Dr. Seuss’ Lorax in proclaiming, “We speak for the trees, for the trees have no voices.”
Jeff Wagner is the founder of the La Plata County Tree Study Group that meets monthly at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
