SJMA

Login
  • EXPLORE
    • Visitor Information Services
    • Forest Regulations
    • Weminuche Wilderness
    • Chicago Basin
      • Trip Planning
    • Ice lakes Basin
      • Trail Information
      • Trip Planning
      • Management Issues and Solutions
    • Alpine Loop
    • Colorado Trail
    • San Juan Skyway
    • Nature Center
    • More helpful links
  • LEARN
    • Mancos Friday Program
    • Spring Break Camp
    • After-School Programs
    • Summer Programs
      • Rising 1st – 6th Graders
      • Rising 7th – 12th Graders
    • School Programs
    • Interpretive Programs
    • Teacher Workshops
    • Camp Forms
    • Scholarship Opportunities
    • From The Blog
  • PROTECT
    • Public Lands Stewardship
    • Cultural Program
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT US
    • Meet the Staff & Board
    • Partners of SJMA
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Become a Member
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Job Opportunities
    • Calendar
Friday, 17 April 2020 / Published in Education, Hiking, volunteers

Wilderness Efforts in time of Covid

by David Taft, Conservation Director, San Juan Mountains Association

As one of Durango’s longest running public lands education and stewardship organizations, San Juan Mountains Association has plenty of experience connecting folks with the outdoors and confronting challenges in the backcountry. However, just like everyone else, we are caught in the midst of the ongoing public health situation. We’re currently observing how it relates to our local public lands and the San Juans community, as well as figuring out how we will approach this season. We have been in close communications with our agency partners, fellow conservation organizations, and healthcare specialists to ensure that we can continue pursuing our mission of caring for our local public lands, while protecting the health of our staff and supporters.

This season we have planned on upping our efforts in the Weminuche Wilderness, and we continue working hard to ensure that these plans can go forward. This is especially important as people continue to retreat to the local mountains for their social distance, a trend likely to continue as weather warms and trails dry. In a collaborative effort with the San Juan National Forest, we will help manage a new San Juan Ranger crew thanks to generous donations from the local community. This crew will be backpacking through heavy use areas, documenting and maintaining trail conditions, restoring heavily impacted areas, engaging with the public (according to CDC guidelines), and ensuring that the SJNF has the information they need to make informed management decisions. We will be providing reports from the field over the course of the season so that we can all keep an eye on their progress. 

While in-person volunteer events are off the table in the near term, there are still ways to get involved. Sign up for a webinar (we are hosting a Colorado Public Lands Day crosscut saw Zoom course!), stay informed about future volunteer outings through our E-News at sjma.org, and share your stories and photos to stay positive. We encourage everyone looking to stay excited about our magnificent local public lands by sending in a short write up along with photos of a memorable trip to the San Juans. You can send these to us at our instagram @sjma_co, Facebook, or info@sjma.org.

As always, we will continue to offer visitor information for local public lands, and our staff will do their best to provide the clearest up to date guidance on trails, access, facilities, and regulations.    

Thank you, be safe, be healthy, stay close to home.

What you can read next

Native Plant Restoration Project Successful Despite Inclement Weather
The bright sides to the problem of beetle-killed trees
SJMA Seeks to Inspire Public Lands Conservation

Recent Blog Posts

  • Preparing for Christmas tree fundraiser

  • Forest Ambassadors End Second Successful Season

Sign Up For SJMA's E-NEWS

Want to learn more about our current projects, ways to stay involved and news from the San Juan Mountains Association? Sign up for our eNews updates and be the first to know...

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

About Us

Founded in 1988, the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA), promotes the exploration and protection of public lands in Southwest Colorado through stewardship and conservation education for people of all ages.

Get Around

  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop Maps and Books
  • Calendar

    CONTACT US

    P.O. Box 2261 (mailing)
    15 Burnett Court (physical)
    Durango, CO 81302

    970.385.1210
    info@sjma.org

    © 2018 - All Rights Reserved - San Juan Mountains Association | Web Design by Sweet P Web Development

    TOP