The Columbine Ranger District is accepting applications from schools and other educational organizations to reserve the historic Farmer Cabin north of Durango for educational and environmental programs.

The cabin was recently renovated and has been adopted by the Four Corners Backcountry Horsemen.

The cabin is available for use by nonprofit groups for educational backcountry programs.

Reservations for the summer and fall will be accepted until April 15. People interested should contact the Columbine District at 884-2512 to learn program requirements. Groups must be supervised by an adult, and the cabin may be reserved for day-use or overnight stays not to exceed seven days.

People who wish to sign up must visit the Columbine District Office in person at 367 Pearl St., Bayfield. A $100 deposit check is necessary and is refundable after a successful inspection after use.

The cabin is very primitive in nature, with no potable water or electricity. In addition, it is accessed by a very rough unimproved road, which requires high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle access.

Ignacio library announces events

The Ignacio Community Library, 470 Goddard Ave., will host these events:

The Friends of the Library will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

A fly-tying workshop will take place from noon to 3 p.m. April 12. The workshop will focus on the life-cycle of the mayfly. Along with tying the flie, there will be a discussion of fishing tactics associated with each fly. All tools and materials will be provided.

To sign-up, visit www.ignaciolibrary.org or call 563-9287.

Seed library to host celebration

The Southwest Seed Library will celebrate the grand opening of its permanent location from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Durango Discovery Museum, 1333 Camino Del Rio.

The event will feature a seed starting party and non-flowering house-plant exchange, as well as a 15-minute presentation on companion planting and plant guilds at 1 p.m., how to start seeds and permaculture at 2 p.m. and composting methods and the science of healthy soil at 3 p.m.

Participants should bring planters, organic soil, hand tools, and organic seeds to start or check out some from the seed library.

For more information, visit http://southwestseedlibrary.wordpress.com or call 426-9993.

Library branches to close during break

Durango Public Library’s two branch libraries, at Fort Lewis Mesa and Sunnyside Elementary Schools, will be closed in conjunction with Durango School District 9-R spring break from March 24 to 28.

The branch libraries will reopen at 2 p.m. March 31.

Land, garden workshop to be held March 26

An “Integrated Land & Garden Workshop” will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 26 at La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension Building, 2500 Main Ave.

The class will consist of talks on these subjects: Forest Management; Cover Crops: Improving Your Soil Organic Matter without Tilling; Modeling Ancestral Pueblo Agricultural Yields: The Village; Ecodynamics Project; Keeping Unwanted Creatures out of the Garden; Electric Fencing for Bears; Companion Planting; and Nuisance and Noxious Weed Identification.

The cost of the class is $20 and includes lunch.

To preregister or for more information, call 382-6463, email Darrin Parmenter at [email protected], or visit the La Plata County Extension Office.

Four Corners Weed Symposium to be held

The 21st annual Four Corners Weed Symposium will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 25 at La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension Building, 2500 Main Ave.

The class will consist of talks on these subjects: Top Weeds to Watch For; What’s New at CDA; NPDES Permits; Downy Brome Biology and Mangement; Aquatic Weeds; How to Use Weed ID Tools; Dryland Acreage Management; How to Reduce Weed Pressure with Dense, Healthy Turf; and Herbicide Resistance. The cost of the class is $25.

To preregister or for more information, call 382-6463 or visit the La Plata County Extension Office.

Buddhist study group to meet Thursday

A Buddhist study group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Rocky Mountain Retreat, 848 East Third Ave., to discuss and reflect on the teachings presented by Khenpo Lobzang during his March 13 visit.

This is an opportunity to engage with others in the understanding of The Four Dharmas of Gampopa and the Buddhist spiritual path. A source book is available for download at www.rinpoche.com/teachings/4dharmas.pdf.

For more information, call 259-0063.

Botanical society seeks gardens for tour

Durango Botanical Society is organizing its annual garden tour.

People who know of a garden or have a garden that should be in the tour are asked to contact the society.

The tour will take place June 21. The society provides everything except the garden.

For more information, call 749-5642, email [email protected] or visit durangobotanicalsociety.com.

Life-Long Learning series continues

The Life-Long Learning Lecture Series at Fort Lewis College will present “Uncovering the Mystery, Myths, and Power of Hypnosis” at 7 p.m. Thursday in Noble Hall, Room 130 at Fort Lewis College.

Hypnosis is an ancient modality to access the subconscious. Participants will learn the history and current uses of hypnosis/hypnotherapy from practitioner Barb Horn.

For a schedule of lectures, visit www.fortlewis.edu/professionalassociates.

Herald Staff