Here in the San Juan Mountains, we have an amazing community of public lands supporters from all walks of life. It’s part of what makes our corner of the world unique. It’s not for everyone, but if you live here, you know it’s for you. Many of these public lands supporters donate their time as San Juan Mountains Association volunteers and are central to our stewardship efforts.
For 37 years, SJMA has guided volunteers through projects and experiences that help community and land thrive. Ample opportunities are available to help assure that our public lands are in good hands. Trainings are provided, so no experience is necessary. We can steer you to the right opportunities for you.
Congressional budget cuts in October made it impossible for United States Forest Service to hire many seasonal crews for 2025 (tinyurl.com/hcn-FScuts) and more recent cuts to USFS have further impaired its capacity. This greatly increases the need for SJMA and its volunteers to fill the gaps. Agency partners are solidifying details for volunteer opportunities including more trail work and wilderness solitude monitoring.
Solidified opportunities
- Ice Lakes Ambassadors: From May 24 to Sept. 14, SJMA volunteers and staff members will be at the trailhead or on the trail educating recreators about protecting and caring for this beautiful area. A training is scheduled for the evening of May 20 in Durango.
- Chicago Basin Ambassadors: SJMA volunteers began educating backpackers in Chicago Basin in 1989. Starting June 20, volunteers will spend Thursday to Sunday making sure visitors know what to expect from the unique challenges in the basin and surrounding 14ers. Thanks to our partnership with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, volunteers receive round-trip train tickets and can backpack into the basin or take advantage of our base camp less than a mile from Needleton. Training is available on the evening of June 10 in Durango.
- San Juan nature walks: SJMA’s naturalist-led walks will take place on Fridays this summer. How does this support our public lands? When people slow down and understand the little things that make a place special, that place becomes valuable to them. Training is on the morning of May 30 near Haviland Lake. Even a fledgling naturalist can assist on these walks.
- Durango Nature Center spring cleaning: On April 26, we’ll spruce up SJMA’s own learning laboratory before opening to the public for the summer. Volunteer needs include: weeding invasives, fixing trails, prepping native plant gardens and installing signs on interpretive trails.
- Hardrock 100 Collaborative Cleanup: SJMA will again partner with the ultrarunning community and nNormal, to clean up dispersed camping sites along South Mineral Road. This USFS road accesses the Ice Lake trail and parts of the Hardrock 100 racecourse. Volunteers are needed on July 10.
- Maintenance on the Colorado Trail: SJMA’s adopted segment 25.1 – from Little Molas Lake to Rolling Pass – is an incredibly beautiful stretch. We’ll address erosion and drainage issues July 18-20 and Aug. 5-7. At least one hitch will involve two nights of overnight backpacking.
- Educator Opportunities: We always need volunteer naturalists to engage children in the outdoors. Opportunities range from assisting after school and homeschool programs to leading groups on field trips.
- Adopt-a-Road: Is there a USFS road that you love and want to keep clean? Let us know!
Is there something you want to help with that isn’t mentioned in this article? Can’t make a training? For additional opportunities or more information about on everything, go to sjma.org or email volunteer@sjma.org. Keep your map oriented, and we’ll get there together.
MK Thompson has worn many hats for SJMA and is thrilled about her new role as volunteer coordinator. See more of her writing at artofmisadventure.com.
