We are coming out of a rainy spring in the San Juans. The monsoons are already here, and with them, the strong winds carry aromas, revolve the leaves and also increase our curiosity to explore and enjoy the summer. Some of us can even smell the mushroom spores in the air as the wind blows. With all this rain, the fungi are also coming early to serve their role in the forest, just as the ambassadors of the San Juan Mountains Association are working across National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands to accomplish our purpose as stewards of the land.

Fungi play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by utilizing their remarkable abilities. They assist plants in increasing their water and nutrient intake, secure the diversity of a biome and even provide a food source for a variety of species, from microorganisms and insects to mammals, including humans. As we all explore the trails of the beautiful San Juan Mountains, fungi quietly work to maintain the well-being of their habitat.

As SJMA ambassadors, we are also working to protect and stabilize our environments. We work alongside our federal agency partners to balance out the relationship between people and the wilderness; between outdoor recreationists and our public lands. We strive to meet the diverse needs of the environment and do our best to maintain the harmony of all natural and recreational resources. We strive to keep your favorite trails clear and remove fallen trees and trim bushes, so you can go on that hike and absorb the nutrients of nature. We will ask you to stay on the trail in exchange, and pack out what you packed in, because all of us have a role in keeping a healthy ecosystem. When we enter the wilderness, there is an exchange. The call to reciprocity summons us all.

The fungi take good care of the network of living things, also because they need it to subsist and sustain themselves. People need nature. We venture into the wilderness seeking that singular nourishing experience, and nature generously grants it to us each time. As we give back active care and respect, we will have learned what these mushroom spores blowing in the air came to remind us. We all depend on each other.

As stewards of the land, the call is to minimize our impact and spread awareness of our reciprocal and dependent relationship with the land. As you follow Leave-No-Trace principles and make an effort to leave what you find and dispose of your waste properly, SJMA forest and Alpine Loop ambassadors carefully retrieve pieces of microplastics, glass, cans and more from the ground to help the soil restore itself. In the meantime, decomposer fungi recycle wood, converting them into carbon, minerals and nutrients that will nourish and replenish the same soil. That healthful soil will grow the trees, flowers and grasses that you love to observe while exploring your favorite trail.

SJMA’s role as stewards is rooted in this cycle of life, as we nourish one another. When you see us on the trails of the San Juan Mountains or the tundra landscapes of the Alpine Loop byway, come talk to us. We love hearing from you, your experiences in the outdoors and your insights, as well as sharing our best knowledge of recreating responsibly. Let’s continue to foster reciprocal connections within this ecosystem. Let’s cherish our precious public lands and one another.

Adela Pizarro-Conte serves as an Alpine Loop ambassador for the San Juan Mountains Association and is passionate about connecting people with the wonders of the natural world.