Interpretive Programs

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  • Snow Science & Social Snowshoe Hike

    Interpretive Programs

    Join SJMA and Mountain Studies Institute to learn about forest ecology, watersheds, climate change, and the future of snowpack in the San Juans by digging snow pits and taking a winter interpretive hike. Snowshoes will be provided if necessary. Back by popular demand, these snowshoe hikes are a great opportunity to explore the snowy landscape

  • The Nature of Ironton Hike

    Interpretive Programs

    Join SJMA in a hiking/snowshoeing tour of the Corkscrew Gulch area to explore the nearby wetlands and forest communities in search of animal tracks and signs to decipher the mysterious stories of animal survival in winter. We will share some of the special stories of the animals that survive and thrive in winter amidst a

  • Full Moon Howler Snowshoe Hike

    Durango Nordic Center
    Interpretive Programs

    One way to beat the darkness of this time of year is to get outside and enjoy it!  While experiencing the alpine glow of the Twilight Peaks and the rise of the full moon, strap on your snowshoes and join SJMA staff for an 60-90 minute interpretive walk.  Afterwards, take in the beauty of the

  • Snow Science & Social Snowshoe Hike

    Interpretive Programs

    Join SJMA and Mountain Studies Institute to learn about forest ecology, watersheds, climate change, and the future of snowpack in the San Juans by digging snow pits and taking a winter interpretive hike. Snowshoes will be provided if necessary. Back by popular demand, these snowshoe hikes are a great opportunity to explore the snowy landscape

  • Snow Science & Social Snowshoe Hike – Pagosa Area

    Interpretive Programs

    Join SJMA at Lobo Trailhead, near Wolf Creek Pass, to learn about forest ecology, watersheds, climate change, and the future of snowpack in the San Juans by digging snow pits and taking a winter interpretive hike. Snowshoes will be provided if necessary. These snowshoe hikes are a great opportunity to explore the snowy landscape and learn

  • Spring Birds at the Nature Center

    Interpretive Programs

    Join Mike Foster at SJMA's Nature Center for a spring bird outing. Expect to find the residents and the first of the migrants, who will be on their way north. Walking distance is less than a mile. Leisurely pace. WHEN April 25, 2026, 9:00am - 12:00pm WHERE SJMA's Durango Nature Center,Durango Nature Center meet in

  • Nature in Four Seasons: Spring Regrowth, Ouray

    Interpretive Programs

    Join SJMA in Ouray for the second exploration hike of the four - season series. The Spring seasonal exploration will focus on the melting phase of the hydrologic cycle. We will explore how species are influenced by daylight and daylength, and how the flowing of water distributes food and minerals to all the species of

  • Nature Center Opening Day

    Interpretive Programs

    Celebrate the 2026 summer season opening of SJMA's beautiful Nature Center on Saturday, May 9th!  The day will be filled with family-friendly events such as crafts, archery, guided hikes, snacks, and more. Elli Morris, local tree storyteller, will be ready to hike with kids of all ages to share her knowledge on trees. Have you

  • Sand Canyon Wildflower Walk, CANM

    Montezuma County

    Celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day with a Wildflower Walk in Sand Canyon! Join SJMA for a special guided wildflower walk through the stunning landscape of Sand Canyon. As we explore this high desert canyon, we’ll take our time identifying native plants and learning about the diverse flora that thrive in this unique ecosystem. This is a

  • Hartman Rocks Guided Hike, Gunnison

    Gunnison Area

    Want to know more about nature right in Gunnison's backyard? Flora, fauna, geology, water, you name it: our trusty Visitor Information Specialist Melanie can enlighten you while on an interpretive hike in the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area. The fun, fact-filled nature hike is considered moderate. We’ll be moving at a “walking” pace for around 3

  • Geology Hike: Ice Caves Loop, Pagosa

    Pagosa Area

    Again this year, SJMA in conjunction with the US Forest Service, Pagosa and Bayfield Ranger Districts, is hosting educational geology hikes, free for the public, from May through October. These interpretive hikes, led and presented by geologists Dave Bouquet and Scott McAllisters, will be in an area of the San Juan National Forest rich with

  • Spring Birds at the Nature Center

    Durango Area

    Join Mike Foster at SJMA's Nature Center for a spring bird outing. Expect to find a mix of migrants: some will travel further north to nest and raise chicks; others will nest here. Walking distance is less than a mile. Leisurely pace. WHEN May 23, 2026, 8:30am - 12:00pm WHERE SJMA's Durango Nature Center, meet

  • Hartman Rocks Guided Hike, Gunnison

    Gunnison Area

    Want to know more about nature right in Gunnison's backyard? Flora, fauna, geology, water, you name it: our trusty Visitor Information Specialist Melanie can enlighten you while on an interpretive hike in the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area. The fun, fact-filled nature hike is considered moderate. We’ll be moving at a “walking” pace for around 3

  • Night Sky at the Nature Center

    Durango Area

    Join SJMA for an evening of night sky wonder! Luann Andrew, an avid and passionate amateur astronomer, is hosting a series of night sky events at the Nature Center this year. She has been a Park Ranger at Mesa Verde National Park for the last 14 years where she has enjoyed working as a night

  • “Read the Weeds” Invasive Plants ID and Migration Walk, Archuleta County

    Pagosa Area

    Join SJMA and Ethan Proud of Archuleta County Weed and Pest on an educational "Read the Weeds" walk to identify some of the unwelcomed invasive weeds species that are taking root in the Pagosa area. This is an educational walk focused on helping participants understand how non-native weeds displace native flora and impact wildlife, as

  • San Juan Nature Walk, Andrews Lake

    Durango Area

    Want to know more about nature? Flora, fauna, geology, clouds, water, you name it: our trusty crew of volunteer naturalists can enlighten you while on a pleasant stroll in the San Juan Mountains. Every Friday from June through August, SJMA is offering this fun, fact-filled, moderate nature hike. We’ll be moving at a “walking” pace

  • Hartman Rocks Guided Hike, Gunnison

    Gunnison Area

    Want to know more about nature right in Gunnison's backyard? Flora, fauna, geology, water, you name it: our trusty Visitor Information Specialist Melanie can enlighten you while on an interpretive hike in the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area. The fun, fact-filled nature hike is considered moderate. We’ll be moving at a “walking” pace for around 3

  • Spring Songs – Audubon Rockies Bird Walk, Pagosa Area

    Pagosa Area

    Join Audubon Rockies and Weminuche Audubon Society on this leisurely Bird ID Walk. We will trace the old Wolf Creek Road grade accessed from West Fork Road north of Pagosa. We expect plenty of birds back in the neighborhood with the spring migration! When: June 11, 2026 from 9am - 12pm Where: ~0.4 miles up

  • San Juan Nature Walk, Andrews Lake

    Durango Area

    Want to know more about nature? Flora, fauna, geology, clouds, water, you name it: our trusty crew of volunteer naturalists can enlighten you while on a pleasant stroll in the San Juan Mountains. Every Friday from June through August, SJMA is offering this fun, fact-filled, moderate nature hike. We’ll be moving at a “walking” pace

  • Spring Birds at the Nature Center

    Durango Area

    Join Mike Foster at SJMA's Nature Center for a spring bird outing. Expect to find the birds that nest and raise chicks here: the residents and those migrants who are comfortable in this latitude. Walking distance is less than a mile. Leisurely pace. WHEN June 13, 2026, 8:00am - 12:00pm WHERE SJMA's Durango Nature Center,