Upcoming Events
Agenda in development. Email Anthony for more information at anthony@mountainstudies.org.
Join us at the MSI office as we celebrate the end of the year with our Jack Frost event! This will be an evening of connecting, mingling, and highlighting all we have accomplished during 2024 and what is in store for 2025. We will be serving appetizers from Durangourmet, and wine and beer generously donated by Wagon Wheel Liquor. There is no cost to attend, but we ask that you please RVSP via this link so we can get an accurate headcount for refreshments.
Hope to see you there!
Donate today for Colorado Gives Day! You can join the statewide movement and make a big impact in your community. This year, Colorado Gives Day is on December 10, and it’s easily the best day to give!
Early Giving Starts Today
From November 1 through December 10, every donation you make will be boosted with a $1M+ Incentive Fund, made possible by Colorado Gives Foundation and FirstBank. Each nonprofit will receive a share of the fund based on their percentage of the total raised. Plus, if you set up a new monthly donation, Colorado Gives Foundation will match your first monthly donation up to $100 and up to $250,000 in total across all organizations! This is a fantastic opportunity to double your impact and support our efforts to empower communities, managers, and scientists to innovate solutions through mountain research, education, and practice.
Donate today through this link!
Join us for a presentation from the San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District on projects from 2024 and upcoming projects in 2025. We’ll be discussing how the work addresses local values and concerns from the collaborative and lessons learned. Go to the SJHFHP website to learn more or email Alex at alex@mountainstudies.org.
Symposium: 10am - 4pm
Sunflower Theater, 8 E. Main St, Cortez, CO
Reception: 4pm - 7pm
ZU Gallery, 48 W Main St, Cortez, CO
Refreshments provided
Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Due to limited capacity, please let us know if your plans change so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist.)
Join us for a one-day symposium on the critical dust-on-snow issue in the San Juan Mountains. This event is free and hosted by the Wright-Ingraham Institute in partnership with the Mountain Studies Institute.
Nexus of Land and Water takes place in Southern Colorado and highlights the findings of an interdisciplinary team of researchers focused on addressing land health and water resource challenges in the Southwest. Experts from diverse fields will present innovative strategies to tackle these pressing concerns.
We invite you to join us for an engaging one-day symposium, Nexus of Land and Water: Southwest Initiative on Land Health and Water Resources, hosted in collaboration with the Mountain Studies Institute. This event is the culmination of interdisciplinary research projects to devise novel approaches to the critical issue of dust-on-snow in the San Juan Mountains.
As climate change intensifies in western North America, the region faces hotter and drier conditions, which increase dust mobilization. Topsoil loss diminishes land productivity, while airborne dust harms the health and daily lives of nearby communities. When deposited on snowpack, dust accelerates snowmelt, creating a dangerous cycle that worsens drought and water scarcity for downstream communities.
Over the last six months, 21 researchers – scientists, artists, professionals, and community leaders from diverse fields – have been working together on applied research projects to identify implementable management practices that align with community values and reduce dust mobilization. Though centered on the San Juan Mountains, the issue of dust-on-snow and the insights of our researchers have global implications.
At this symposium, our interdisciplinary teams of researchers will share their findings and discuss strategies to manage land health and water resources more effectively. Through presentations, collaborative sessions, and discussions, we will explore practical solutions and innovative ideas to address these pressing challenges.
This project of the Wright-Ingraham Institute is funded by the Southwestern Water Conservation District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Gale Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. We extend our gratitude to our collaborators at the Mountain Studies Institute, Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies, New Mexico State University, USDA Soil Health Services, and the Center for Earth Theology.
Follow @wrightingrahaminstitute.org or visit wright-ingraham.org/nexus-of-land-and-water/ for more information.
Join the San Miguel Watershed Coalition for an introduction and overview of their recently developed, physically-based integrated hydraulic-hydrologic model of the San Miguel Basin. This model, based on DHI’s MIKESHE hydrologic code, uses distributed hourly weather data to drive runoff, infiltration, snow storage/melt, actual evapotranspiration, and fully dynamic sub-daily flows between surface waters and a complex 3-dimensional groundwater flow system for the past 20 years.
We will be discussing other regional partnerships in the area and how SJHFHP fits into the broader context of watershed and recreation planning in the Upper San Juan. We’re hoping to have presentations from Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership and Pagosa Area Recreation Council. Stay tuned for more details. Visit the SJHFHP website for more information.
Join the monthly meetings for discussion on forest and watershed health topics. Email Anthony to get on the email list for updates and agenda invites at anthony@mountainstudies.org.
We want to invite you to our end of season celebration event to show our appreciation to our MSI volunteers. The event will be held at the MSI office on Oct. 9th from 5PM-7PM. MSI will be providing burgers and brats and their veggie counter parts but are asking attendees to bring one favorite side or dessert to share. Just so we know how many folks will be going, please register here.
We will be replacing the October SW CO CFLRP Coordinating Council meeting with a field tour to the Upper Hermosa Restoration Project. We will convene at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and arrange carpools there.
How are water and forests connected? What does a restoration economy look like? Join us for a discussion of collaborative forest, watershed, and community work in the San Luis Valley and beyond. All are welcome. There will be a meet and greet happy hour at the Windsor Hotel on September 17th from 4:30-6:30pm. We hope to see you there!
Reach out to Alex with questions (alex@mountainstudies.org). Go here for more information on the 2-3-2.
The purpose of the Forest Collaboratives Summit is to connect place-based forest collaboratives from across the state and facilitate learning about issues most relevant to collaboratives. MSI is a part of the planning team, presenters, and tour guides. Go here to learn more.
We’re hosting at Green Drinks!
We will be tabling at the Animas City Night Bazaar. Come on by!
What is the Animas City Night Bazaar?
Activate underutilized spaces, Support the local artisan economy, Build community with
ART | COMMUNITY(That's You!) | PERFORMANCES | LIVE MUSIC | GAMES | CONTESTS | FUN FOR ALL AGES
Festivities on the last Wednesday of the month in June through September, 6pm - 9pm
We will be discussing topics related to work on Jackson Mountain as well as upcoming events and overall updates. Check out the San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership website for more information.
While we prefer that people join in person, you can attend virtually through this zoom link. All field trips are in person. SJHFHP is coordinated and supported by MSI.
How can aquatic insects be used to track mine remediation? MSI’s Water Program Director Scott Roberts will present to the Bonita Peak Community Advisory Group on the results of a benthic macroinvertebrate assessment conducted within the BPMD Superfund site in the Animas River Headwaters. Full meeting agenda here
Join the 4 Rivers monthly meeting for a discussion on communications and outreach strategy. We’ll be discussing 4 River’s roles in supporting partners and filling gaps to get the word out about forest and watershed health. Learn more about 4 Rivers here.
Meet at MSI’s office, 162 Stewart St, Unit A, Durango, CO 81303.
Join the Rising River Stewards (Students K-12) on a Watershed Tour learning about wetlands on August 13th, 10am-2pm at the Colorado Trail Trailhead at Junction Creek. Learn about your local watershed! This includes a glimpse into our wetlands and how they support our water downstream.
This event is free and is open to all youth. Click here to register.
Join MSI for our annual E. coli Monitoring training!
Volunteers will learn how to monitor our waterways for E.coli, an indicator of fecal matter. Meet at the Kiwanis Pavilion near Smelter rapid at Santa Rita Park in Durango from 6:00-7:30PM on Thursday, June 20th. Coordinated sampling events will occur between July and September. ***This event is for volunteer 18 and over. Our youth training will occur beforehand from 4-6pm.
Sign up here: https://msi.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/msi/event.jsp?event=867& or reach out to cassidy@mountainstudies.org for more information.
Are you an educator looking to learn how to implement forest health and water quality into your curriculum? Join us for a two-day, outdoor professional development to bring place-based watershed education to your students. A $50 deposit is required for registration. This fee will be REFUNDED upon completion of the workshop.
The workshop will take place at the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) office and will include field trips to explore the Upper San Juan River watershed with a focus on the ties between forest health and water quality. Teachers will also learn a series of classroom activities and lessons that they can use with your students. To register click the button below.
For more information check out this article from the Pagosa Sun!
MSI Annual Moving Mountains Fundraiser at the Rochester Hotel, May 30th, 5-7pm
Forest collaborative field trip between Durango and Pagosa Springs to talk about prescribed fire.
Love to play in the snow? Want to learn more about winter in the San Juans? Join Mountain Studies Institute and SJMA for our special winter hike series, Snow Science & Social! Back by popular demand, these snowshoe hikes are a great opportunity to explore the snowy landscape and learn more about winter in the San Juans.
On select weekends this winter, our education team will host snowshoe interpretive hikes from 1-3 pm, then welcome you back to our new mobile basecamp in the Andrews Lake Winter Parking Lot for a bonfire, hot drinks, and good conversation. Topics will include forest ecology, watersheds, climate change, and the future of snowpack in the San Juans. These popular events are FREE to the public, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
If needed, SJMA will provide snowshoes for your use (when registering make sure to include your shoe size, height and weight).
Participants must be prepared to hike up to 2 miles in the snow at ~11,000 ft of elevation.
Participants encouraged to bring an avy shovel (or any compact shovel) for digging snow pits. SJMA can provide avy shovels, but it’s more fun if everyone can get their hand on a shovel.
Wear warm clothes and boots to spend the afternoon in the snow.
It’s that time of year again! The San Juan Resilience Youth Summit (SJRYS) provides students an opportunity to share their work with and learn from an authentic audience of peers, natural resource professionals, and community leaders. The theme of this year’s summit will be Building a Resilient Future.
Students across SW Colorado are invited to join the summit as presenters or participants. Teachers are invited to get their whole class involved. Email cassidy@mountainstudies.org with any questions.
Presentations can be any environmental topic and should be registered by 2/27/2024.
View event schedule by clicking the button below!
Love to play in the snow? Want to learn more about winter in the San Juans? Join Mountain Studies Institute and SJMA for our special winter hike series, Snow Science & Social! Back by popular demand, these snowshoe hikes are a great opportunity to explore the snowy landscape and learn more about winter in the San Juans.
On select weekends this winter, our education team will host snowshoe interpretive hikes from 1-3 pm, then welcome you back to our new mobile basecamp in the Andrews Lake Winter Parking Lot for a bonfire, hot drinks, and good conversation. Topics will include forest ecology, watersheds, climate change, and the future of snowpack in the San Juans. These popular events are FREE to the public, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
If needed, SJMA will provide snowshoes for your use (when registering make sure to include your shoe size, height and weight).
Participants must be prepared to hike up to 2 miles in the snow at ~11,000 ft of elevation.
Participants encouraged to bring an avy shovel (or any compact shovel) for digging snow pits. SJMA can provide avy shovels, but it’s more fun if everyone can get their hand on a shovel.
Wear warm clothes and boots to spend the afternoon in the snow.
Love to play in the snow? Want to learn more about winter in the San Juans? Join Mountain Studies Institute and SJMA for our special winter hike series, Snow Science & Social! Back by popular demand, these snowshoe hikes are a great opportunity to explore the snowy landscape and learn more about winter in the San Juans.
On select weekends this winter, our education team will host snowshoe interpretive hikes from 1-3 pm, then welcome you back to our new mobile basecamp in the Andrews Lake Winter Parking Lot for a bonfire, hot drinks, and good conversation. Topics will include forest ecology, watersheds, climate change, and the future of snowpack in the San Juans. These popular events are FREE to the public, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
If needed, SJMA will provide snowshoes for your use (when registering make sure to include your shoe size, height and weight).
Participants must be prepared to hike up to 2 miles in the snow at ~11,000 ft of elevation.
Participants encouraged to bring an avy shovel (or any compact shovel) for digging snow pits. SJMA can provide avy shovels, but it’s more fun if everyone can get their hand on a shovel.
Wear warm clothes and boots to spend the afternoon in the snow.
Love to play in the snow? Want to learn more about winter in the San Juans? Join Mountain Studies Institute and SJMA for our special winter hike series, Snow Science & Social! Back by popular demand, these snowshoe hikes are a great opportunity to explore the snowy landscape and learn more about winter in the San Juans.
On select weekends this winter, our education team will host snowshoe interpretive hikes from 1-3 pm, then welcome you back to our new mobile basecamp in the Andrews Lake Winter Parking Lot for a bonfire, hot drinks, and good conversation. Topics will include forest ecology, watersheds, climate change, and the future of snowpack in the San Juans. These popular events are FREE to the public, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
If needed, SJMA will provide snowshoes for your use (when registering make sure to include your shoe size, height and weight).
Participants must be prepared to hike up to 2 miles in the snow at ~11,000 ft of elevation.
Participants encouraged to bring an avy shovel (or any compact shovel) for digging snow pits. SJMA can provide avy shovels, but it’s more fun if everyone can get their hand on a shovel.
Wear warm clothes and boots to spend the afternoon in the snow.
Love to play in the snow? Want to learn more about winter in the San Juans? Join Mountain Studies Institute and SJMA for our special winter hike series, Snow Science & Social! Back by popular demand, these snowshoe hikes are a great opportunity to explore the snowy landscape and learn more about winter in the San Juans.
On select weekends this winter, our education team will host snowshoe interpretive hikes from 1-3 pm, then welcome you back to our new mobile basecamp in the Andrews Lake Winter Parking Lot for a bonfire, hot drinks, and good conversation. Topics will include forest ecology, watersheds, climate change, and the future of snowpack in the San Juans. These popular events are FREE to the public, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
If needed, SJMA will provide snowshoes for your use (when registering make sure to include your shoe size, height and weight).
Participants must be prepared to hike up to 2 miles in the snow at ~11,000 ft of elevation.
Participants encouraged to bring an avy shovel (or any compact shovel) for digging snow pits. SJMA can provide avy shovels, but it’s more fun if everyone can get their hand on a shovel.
Wear warm clothes and boots to spend the afternoon in the snow.
Love to play in the snow? Want to learn more about winter in the San Juans? Join Mountain Studies Institute and SJMA for our special winter hike series, Snow Science & Social! Back by popular demand, these snowshoe hikes are a great opportunity to explore the snowy landscape and learn more about winter in the San Juans.
On select weekends this winter, our education team will host snowshoe interpretive hikes from 1-3 pm, then welcome you back to our new mobile basecamp in the Andrews Lake Winter Parking Lot for a bonfire, hot drinks, and good conversation. Topics will include forest ecology, watersheds, climate change, and the future of snowpack in the San Juans. These popular events are FREE to the public, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
If needed, SJMA will provide snowshoes for your use (when registering make sure to include your shoe size, height and weight).
Participants must be prepared to hike up to 2 miles in the snow at ~11,000 ft of elevation.
Participants encouraged to bring an avy shovel (or any compact shovel) for digging snow pits. SJMA can provide avy shovels, but it’s more fun if everyone can get their hand on a shovel.
Wear warm clothes and boots to spend the afternoon in the snow.
You’re invited to our Jack Frost Celebration, bringing together MSI staff, partners, and community members.
Support MSI by donating on Colorado Gives Day during Power Hour. Put a donation reminder on your calendar for 10am 12/5 - if we raise the most money during this "Power Hour" on CO Gives day, we win an extra $2000!
Click here if you have a google calendar for an easy link to a calendar invite. Click here for any other calendars.
All donations are appreciated, whether they are in the Power Hour or not!
Join the first lecture of the Colorado Native Plant Society Winter Series at Fort Lewis College Center for Southwest Studies by none other than our very own Haley Perez.
New Field Guide for Durango Nature Center
by Haley Perez, Mountain Studies Institute
November 9, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Presentation
Haley Perez, recent graduate of Fort Lewis College (FLC) is now serving as the AmeriCorps member on the education team for Mountain Studies Institute in Durango, CO. Due to her passion for the health of our environment, Haley pursued a degree in Environmental Studies and Public Health. During her college career, Haley held a project lead position at the FLC environmental center where she spent a little over two semesters working on a producing a native species field guide for San Juan Mountains Association and the Durango Nature Center. This field guide was created from scratch, entailing much trial and error as well as many successes along the way. Taking over 180 hours to complete, Haley will be talking through the creation as well as the process it took to achieve a completed native species field guide that is now used as an educational tool to identify the vegetation around the Durango Nature Center.
Contact amanda@mountainstudies.org with questions
This presentation will be offered in person at the Lyceum in the Center for Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College, as well as on Zoom. Zoom info will be provided via email upon registration.
November 7th 5:30-7:30pm at the Durango DoubleTree
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar
Come learn about Southwest Colorado’s iconic bighorn sheep and the serious threats they face. Join expert panelists and bighorn advocates in a lively presentation about bighorns and share in an important announcement about local efforts to protect our wild bighorn sheep. Learn what you can do to help, including supporting citizen science and funding efforts.
You won’t want to miss this event!
