Boating Advocates plan panel discussion
Dolores River Boating Advocates is hosting a Dolores River Flow Management panel discussion on Thursday, May 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dolores Library.
The panel will include Nathan Fey from American Whitewater, Matt Clark from Trout Unlimited, Ken Curtis of Dolores Water Conservancy District, and Sam Carter with Dolores River Boating Advocates. We’ll hear about the management plan for McPhee for 2015, and discuss the flows situation in relation to recreation.
The public will have a chance to ask questions and participate in the discussion.
Volunteers wanted for Ghost Rider program
San Juan Mountains Association and the San Juan National Forest is recruiting volunteers for the information specialists and Ghost Rider programs.
Hikers, backpackers and horsemen can volunteering for this program, which promotes public education about Leave No Trace land ethics and behaviors that protects the integrity of wilderness. WIS volunteers primarily work on all Wilderness trails on the San Juan, in particular the Needle Creek trail and up to Chicago Basin.
Ghost Riders are skilled mounted volunteers on the Wilderness trails. Volunteers are provided with training, uniforms and nametags. Horsemen must provide their own stock. Online training is available, and the first meeting is June 2. For information, contact Kathe@sjma.org, or 385-1310.
For more information, visit sjma.org.
San Juan Forest programs win awards
The San Juan National Forest and its partners has received the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Regional Forester’s Honor Award this week for launching a program that offers college students experience in resource-management careers. The Four Corners Federal Lands Internship Program puts students to work alongside Forest Service and National Park Service staff.
In addition, the San Juan National Forest, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited 5 Rivers Chapter and Mountain Studies Institute were honored in April with the Forest Service’s national “Rise to the Future” award for Collaborative and Integrated Aquatic Stewardship. The agencies and their nonprofit partners are being recognized for restoring native Colorado River cutthroat trout to a portion of the species’ historic range in the Hermosa Creek watershed. The effort began in 1991 with habitat improvement, construction of instream barriers, removal of nonnative fish and restoration of native trout. More than 17 miles of Hermosa Creek have been isolated to allow genetically pure trout to reoccupy their former habitat. The restoration project is also used as a working stream laboratory for Fort Lewis College classes.
Mesa Verde Gardeners plan public plant sale
The Mesa Verde Gardeners are hosting their seventh annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 23 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of Front Row Seat (next to City Market) on Main St. in Cortez.
This is your chance to add some new and perhaps unusual plants to your landscape. Plants are provided by garden club members and local nurseries. Perennials, annuals, herbs, houseplants and vegetables will be available.
Mesa Verde Gardeners is a group of women and men dedicated to enriching the lives of the local gardening community through education and experience in all aspects of horticulture and gardening. Anyone interested in plants or gardening is invited to join. There are educational meetings and garden tours throughout the year.
For more information or to donate additional plants for the sale, call Mary Ann Bruner at (970-565-9158.