Forests and Wilderness

Local News

Columbine Ranger District has a new arrival in charge

Glidden was drawn to Southwest Colorado for its recreational amenities

December 22, 2022

Regional News

With CORE Act stalled, supporters want Biden to use executive action

lands bill has been unable to advance past the Senate for years because of Republican opposition

August 17, 2022

Local News

How citizen scientists are testing our streams and rivers for contamination

Mountain Studies Institute, Fort Lewis College partner to measure E. coli in San Juan National Forest’s waterways

July 6, 2022

Local News

Public land agencies remove fire restrictions ahead of July 4

prompt San Juan National Forest, BLM to rescind Stage 1 measures

July 1, 2022

Local News

Local governments and land agencies upgrade fire restrictions

2 bans campfires in San Juan National Forest, among other activities

June 15, 2022

Local News

San Juan National Forest inches forward on maintenance projects

American Outdoors Act money will help improve roads, trails and recreation sites

June 8, 2022

Local News

Can we replace fire with mechanical thinning in Southwest Colorado?

ecologists argue prescribed burns are necessary even as they have caused blazes this spring

June 4, 2022

Local News

Rep. Lauren Boebert criticizes Forest Service chief for pausing prescribed burns

Federal agency says decision will have minimal impact

May 31, 2022

Local News

Firefighters aided by cool, cloudy weather in battle against Plumtaw Fire near Pagosa Springs

was 721 acres with 33% containment as of Monday

May 23, 2022

Local News

Wildfire near Pagosa Springs slows, but red flag warning issued for Thursday

Plumtaw Fire grows slightly as crews battle the blaze into Wednesday

May 18, 2022

Local News

Why hunting groups are leading the charge on wildlife conservation in Southwest Colorado

Hunters are fundraising, sharing knowledge and doing restoration projects to protect wildlands

May 9, 2022

Local News

For cheap, healthful meals, try foraging

is an ideal time to learn about nature’s bounty

May 6, 2022

Local News

Animas City Mountain prescribed burn delayed

and windy weather will likely postpone the preventive measures until at least fall

May 3, 2022

Regional News

CORE Act inches closer to Senate floor vote

Colorado public lands bill expected to be voted out of committee on Tuesday

May 2, 2022

Local News

Earth Day offers a platform for environmental education in Durango

Educators, nonprofits highlight successes, raise awareness about challenges

April 22, 2022

Local News

Prescribed burn planned for Animas City Mountain

Preparations will begin mid-April and trails will close during the wildfire operations just north of Durango

April 14, 2022

Local News

Forest Service prepares to welcome e-bikes

Following national guidance, San Juan National Forest can allow the bikes for first time

April 3, 2022

Local News

Forest Service to burn 1,500 acres near Vallecito Reservoir

Operations will depend on weather and firefighters, but could start as soon as April

April 2, 2022

Southwest Life

Citizen scientists play key role in tracking bighorn sheep

Mountain Studies Institute’s project supports work of public land and wildlife agencies

March 31, 2022

Local News

Drought amplifies beetle damage to Colorado’s forests

Forest Service report highlights trees’ fragility as insects spread

March 17, 2022

Local News

Human-bear conflicts down in 2021 in Southwest Colorado

Abundant food and bear-proof trash cans helped limit interactions

March 3, 2022

Local News

San Juan Mountains Association expands ambassador program to winter

Interpretive tours and winter education at Andrews Lake have been popular with plans to expand

February 18, 2022

Local News

San Juan National Forest’s Wood for Life program uses forest health projects to help communities

Dolores Ranger District delivers first load of firewood to the Chinle Chapter House of the Navajo Nation

February 13, 2022

Local News

Colorado State Forest Service hires new forester for Durango’s field office

Estevan Vega joins agency which aims to educate and assist residents with management projects

January 19, 2022