Whether you are new to the area, or have lived in the beautiful Four Corners area for years, there is something new you can learn at one of the free programs sponsored by San Juan Mountains Association and San Juan Public Lands this summer, led by the staff and volunteers of SJMA.

We wanted to make the outdoors more accessible to everyone this year, especially families; hence we have started our new San Juan Family Explorers program. Starting Saturday, June 4 through the July 4 weekend, come to the Dolores River Trail to see the first local Story Walk installation of I Know the River Loves Me by Maya Christina Gonzalez. This is a beautiful book about a young girl’s love of a river. Continuing on the river theme, the next program is Saturday, June 25 at Cottonwood Park in Mancos. Bring your family here to get your feet wet and investigate the macroinvertebrates (river bugs) that thrive in this river.

Become a Forest Superhero on Saturday, July 9 and be part of the Families Pulling 4 Colorado, pulling weeds and making your public lands a better place for everyone (email kathe@sjma.org). As the weather gets warmer in the high country, come investigate butterflies and flowers at Purgatory on Saturday, July 16 (email mk@sjma.org). And, since you’ll be experts on those, check them out some more on the Family Backpacking trip to Purgatory Flats Saturday and Sunday, July 30–31 (email mk@sjma.org). This trip is for families who may feel more comfortable going backpacking with a guide, and for those who just like some company. Our last family program will be Saturday, August 6 when we’ll be visiting this historic building at the 1877 townsite and learn about early mining life in the San Juan Mountains (email relambert@fs.fed.us).

Toddlers and preschoolers can come on our Little Legs Adventures programs on Fridays, June 24–July 22 from 10–11 a.m. We’ll be meeting at Denny Lake in Cortez, reading stories and learning about the bugs, birds, and other critters living there. Older children (ages 6–10) can become Nature Detectives investigating the Dolores River ecosystem from Monday–Thursday, July 11–14, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Adults like to be outside too (and without kids), so we also have Hikes for Grownups, led by Karen Dickson this summer. Saturday, June 11 visit Mud Springs near Cortez, Saturday, July 9 check out the wildflowers on the Navajo Lake Trail, and Saturday, August 6 meander along Fish Creek. Contact Karen for meeting places and times at 394-4862.

If you are in the mountains above Durango, come on one of our Guided Nature Hikes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, June 23–August 18. These free hikes are led by knowledgeable naturalist volunteers and are in partnership with Durango Mountain Resort.

There is always something new to learn about our San Juan Mountains, and our Field Seminars programs help us get there. On Thursday, June 30, join Rod Cook, La Plata County Weed Manager and learn to identify noxious weeds and effective management techniques to get rid of them. This program meets at the south parking lot of Santa Rita Park. On Saturday and Sunday, August 20–21, join M.K. Thompson on an easy backpacking trip for novices to experts. If you have never gone backpacking before (or if you just like the company), this is the trip for you! (email mk@sjma.org)

Mushrooms and edible plants will be the focus of a hike led by Katrina Blair on Saturday, September 10 from 1–5 p.m. Use these skills on your next backpacking trip! The aspens will be beautiful on a Saturday, September 17 hike with Larry Eads on the Lower Engineer Trail, where you’ll learn all about the changing of the leaves. Finally, end the season by going back to the beginning with an amazing geology hike with Jason Hooten on Horse Gulch and Raider Ridge, Thursday, September 22 from 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Our website is always being updated with new programs and information, so check it out at www.sjma.org. Unless otherwise noted, to inquire about or register for the above programs, call 385-1256 or email gabi@sjma.org. All programs are supported by San Juan Public Lands. Thanks to all our amazing volunteers without whom we couldn’t offer all these superb programs. Now get out and learn something new on your public lands this summer!