In observance of Colorado Public Lands Day, the Southwest Colorado Conservation & Outdoor Recreation Roundtable will host a Volunteer Fair for Public Lands from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Durango Nordic Center, also known as the Purgatory Community Center, on U.S. Highway 550.
The volunteer fair will offer insight into how people can get involved in caring for public lands, with groups offering volunteer opportunities that are available throughout the year.
Organizations such as Durango Trails, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, the La Plata County CSU Extension and the San Juan Mountains Association will be represented at the event, according to SJMA.
In a description of the event, SCCORR said the fair will highlight the importance of public lands, engage the public in stewardship efforts, foster common ground among user groups and organizations, and support education and outreach.
Those interested in attending can fill out a form on SCCORR’s website at sccorr.org/events-1.
According to the National Forests Foundation, Colorado Public Lands Day was established by the Colorado General Assembly in 2016 and is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. State Sen. Kerry Donovan sponsored the legislation.
The holiday celebrates Colorado’s national, state and county parks, and more than 14.5 million acres of recreation and wilderness land managed by the U.S. Forest Service in the state.
“When driving west on Interstate 70 through the overpass portal at Lookout Mountain, it’s our National Forests that greet us with the most splendid view of the snowcapped backbone of America,” the National Forests Foundation said in an article about Colorado Public Lands Day. “The mountains of our National Forests, Pikes Peak, James Peak and the Rampart Range pull us home as we return from eastern adventures.”
cburney@durangoherald.com
