Stewards of the Land - The Durango Herald

If water is life, there should be life in your water

“I was water brought to lifted leaves of daffodils and day lilies/Drank into the grace of trees – the aspens like the willows weep.” – from “Drop” by Elephant RevivalTo say “water is lif...

DATE: Aug 25, 2017 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

The next generation of wilderness defenders

“Shoo!” “Scram!” “Oooogaboogaboogaboo!” The Wilderness Information Specialists in training started throwing rocks at a hollow log. The sound startled the mountain goats and they r...

DATE: Jul 28, 2017 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Food-conservation efforts have always been here

By Ruth Lambert San Juan Mountains Association April 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the United States entry into World War I. With the war, our country sent many ...

DATE: Jun 23, 2017 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Get outside and learn something new this summer

Whether you are new to the area, or have lived in the beautiful Four Corners for years, there is something new you can learn at one of the free programs sponsored by San Juan Mountains Asso...

DATE: May 26, 2017 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Creating fire-adapted communities: It takes a village

This June marks the 15th anniversary of the Missionary Ridge and Valley fires and the fifth anniversary of the Weber and West Fork fires. Combined, these fires burned almost 200,000 acres. ...

DATE: Apr 28, 2017 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Backpacking is work, but it doesn’t have to be hard work

By Dr. Will Rietveld Many of us moved to Southwest Colorado for the wonderful climate, people and abundant public lands. With millions of acres of public lands surrounding us, we ...

DATE: Feb 25, 2017 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Art of misadventure: Appreciating the unpredictability

Not every adventure goes according to plan, but if it is not planned, the adventure might never go. This is the sentiment that occurred to me, not all at once, at some point in ...

DATE: Feb 4, 2017 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Plenty of bird watching to be had in winter

Birding in winter? Many people think of birding in the spring, when migrants from the South come back to our own little corner of paradise. But birding in the winter can be fun and rewarding...

DATE: Dec 24, 2016 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Allison’s Turkey Packers Co-op

During the dark days of the Depression, the residents of La Plata County struggled to survive and, in the rural areas, families helped to sustain themselves as they made the most of their fa...

DATE: Nov 26, 2016 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

A new study of three Hispano cemeteries along the San Juan River

By Ruth Lambert San Juan Mountains Association In 1880, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad pushed west from Antonito through Chama, New Mexico, and along the Navajo and S...

DATE: Oct 22, 2016 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Our ‘spiritual’ insect friend, the praying mantis

While walking around Hawkins Preserve in Cortez on a recent morning, I happened upon an insect that is letting itself be seen more this time of year. I managed to carefully scoop her (or him...

DATE: Sep 24, 2016 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Before you head out into the wild: Some tips for backpacking

Ah, the thrill of the wilderness! The mountain vistas! The serene lakes! The smell of the spruce trees! The aching back and feet! The soggy sleeping bag! Wait ... hang on ... these things do...

DATE: Aug 27, 2016 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land