Are you interested in connecting with the landscapes of Ouray? Do you desire more knowledge of the regional plants and animals that inhabit the San Juans? Or do you simply wish for a fun and engaging exploration that you can share with your family? Our winter exploration will reveal how a little sun can make
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
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
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
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
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
SJMA is co-hosting two Wilderness First Aid (WFA) classes this spring. Prepare for the unexpected with this hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine. Participants who complete the course will receive a certification from NOLS Wilderness Medicine which is valid for 2 years. This course is sponsored by Treeline Perspectives and taught by instructors of NOLS Wilderness
Help SJMA spruce up our outdoor learning lab before our summer season! There are a variety of tasks ranging from light duty to heavy duty. Join us for thistle weeding, trail maintenance, trail mulching, trash pick-up, native plant garden planting—hopefully, and general sprucing up of the place. Snacks, drinks, and coffee will be provided! When:
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
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
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
CANCELED
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
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
Celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day by making our public lands cleaner and more beautiful! We will focus on the Boggy Draw's dispersed camping area, northwest of Dolores, CO. We have a variety of tasks, guaranteeing a good-feeling at the end - trail maintenance and mulching, invasive weed removal, litter pick-up, and landscaping. Families are strongly
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
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
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
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
Each year, SJMA, Mountain Studies Institute, Water Information Program, and Fort Lewis College host a two days, hands-on exploration of our local watersheds for teachers. Designed for local teachers’ to teach their students about where water comes from – because it doesn’t just come from the faucet. Curriculum guide is based on the children’s book
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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.
Cover photo credit: Mason Cummings
P.O. Box 2261 (mailing)
15 Burnett Court (physical)
Durango, CO 81302
970.385.1210
info@sjma.org
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