Videos by San Juan Mountains Association in Durango. SJMA empowers local residents and visitors to explore, learn about and protect lands of SW Colorado.
This squirrel hoards snacks like a pro! ๐ฟ๏ธโจ
Meet the southwestern red squirrel, also known as Fremont's squirrel, one of the coolest critters in the San Juan Mountains and the star of this week's #LittleLandscapeLesson!
Southwestern red squirrels are master hoarders, creating large food storage piles called middens. These middens, sometimes up to 12 meters wide, are crucial for their survival through the harsh winter months. They store seeds, cones, and other goodies to munch on when food is scarce. ๐๐ฐ
These squirrels are highly territorial and fiercely defend their precious food caches. If you spot one chasing another through the trees, it's likely protecting its stash! Their territorial nature ensures they have enough resources to make it through the winter. ๐ณโ๏ธ
Another fun fact is their unique partnership with fungi! Southwestern red squirrels consume a variety of mushrooms, including some that are toxic to humans. This diet helps them survive in their high-altitude habitats. ๐
Conservation is key for these squirrels as their specialized habitats are fragmented and vulnerable to climate change. Protecting their forest homes is crucial for their continued survival. ๐๐
That's all for today's #LittleLandscapeLesson! Keep an eye out for these adorable and industrious squirrels next time you're exploring the San Juans. ๐๏ธโจ
Fremont Squirrel Devours Pinecone
This squirrel hoards snacks like a pro! ๐ฟ๏ธโจ
Meet the southwestern red squirrel, also known as Fremont's squirrel, one of the coolest critters in the San Juan Mountains and the star of this week's #LittleLandscapeLesson!
Southwestern red squirrels are master hoarders, creating large food storage piles called middens. These middens, sometimes up to 12 meters wide, are crucial for their survival through the harsh winter months. They store seeds, cones, and other goodies to munch on when food is scarce. ๐๐ฐ
These squirrels are highly territorial and fiercely defend their precious food caches. If you spot one chasing another through the trees, it's likely protecting its stash! Their territorial nature ensures they have enough resources to make it through the winter. ๐ณโ๏ธ
Another fun fact is their unique partnership with fungi! Southwestern red squirrels consume a variety of mushrooms, including some that are toxic to humans. This diet helps them survive in their high-altitude habitats. ๐
Conservation is key for these squirrels as their specialized habitats are fragmented and vulnerable to climate change. Protecting their forest homes is crucial for their continued survival. ๐๐
That's all for today's #LittleLandscapeLesson! Keep an eye out for these adorable and industrious squirrels next time you're exploring the San Juans. ๐๏ธโจ
"Give me a sled, snow, and some sunshine and I will be fine..." โ๏ธโ๏ธ And sometimes we don't even need the sled! #SanJuanMountains #ExploreLearnProtect
๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฃ Bigfoot alert! ๐ฆ Have you heard the rumors about Danny, our furry friend, going wild at the Nature Center? Well, it's true! ๐๏ธ Danny's just out here, trying to fit in with all the cool critters and explore the wonders of our diverse ecosystems. ๐พ๐ณ Come visit our nature center with your kiddos, and you might get the chance to catch a glimpse of Danny roaming around. ๐คฃ He's the ultimate environmental enthusiast, and he's got some big feet to fill in the world of ecology. ๐ฆถ Our 140-acre outdoor laboratory is the perfect place for hands-on learning and family fun. From hiking trails to river play, interpretive walks, and even a nesting bird walk, we've got it all! ๐ฆ๐ So, if you're ready for some "squatch-tastic" adventures, join Danny on his escapades and discover the wild side of the San Juan Mountains. ๐๏ธ Interested in making your own memories here? Contact Rachael at [email protected] for more information on using the Nature Center for your group or program. ๐๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ #ExploreLearnProtect #BigfootAdventures #NatureCenter
๐ป๐ Give a Hoot, Donโt Pollute..your candy wrappers! Be like Woodsy and have a SP๐KTACULAR Halloween! ๐๐ป๐ธ๏ธ
๐ฟ Join us for a night of community, conversation, and conservation! ๐ We're thrilled to be hosting this month's Durango Green Drinks, alongside our friends from the Durango Chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby and Wildfire Adapted Partnership. ๐๏ธ Save the Date: Thursday, October 26th, from 5-7PM ๐ Location: 11th Street Station Let's come together to share ideas, build connections, and make a positive impact on our beautiful San Juan Mountains. See you there! ๐ฒ #GreenDrinks #CommunityEngagement #SanJuanMountains #Conservation" ๐ฟ๐๏ธ๐
๐ Drumroll, please! ๐ฅ Another AMAZING season of SJMA Nature Hikes led by our phenomenal Volunteer Naturalists has come to a close! ๐๏ธ๐ซ Their passion and San Juan expertise created memories we'll cherish forever! ๐ฟ๐A MASSIVE shoutout to the incredible Mary, Jim, Chris, Tom, Kim, Beverly, and Karen for their outstanding dedication! ๐๐ You've made this season UNFORGETTABLE! ๐๐Get ready, because we can't WAIT to do it all again NEXT YEAR! ๐ #ExploreLearnProtect #SJMANatureHikes #LoveWhatYouDo ๐ณ๐ฅ
If you leave enough garbage in your firepit for cows to graze, they won't be the only animal crashing your party. ๐ป๐ป Bears are stocking up for the winter! 20,000 calories per day. Pack out your trash! Keep your any items with a scent locked in your vehicle! Pack out your #ExploreLearnProtect #LeaveNoTrace #bearaware #packitout
SJMA Crew Removed 600 trees in 2 miles!
#WildnernessWedneday
"Friends who slay together, stay together" - Elliot, SJMA Wilderness Crew Member ๐๐
Our team removed 600 DOWNED TREES IN TWO MILES along a trail within the Weminuche Wildnerness, U.S. Forest Service-Rio Grande National Forest. They just keep kicking butt out there!
#ExploreLearnProtect #WeminucheWilderness
#WildernessWednesday SJMAโs Wilderness Crew cleared 200 DOWNED TREES IN FIRST 1/2 MILE of the South Archuleta Trail within the Weminuche!! They are a crosscut saw cutting machine!!! #weminuchewilderness #sanjuanmountains #ExploreLearnProtect
So many outdoor adventures wind down beside a campfire...just rememberโฆif it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave!
THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 1ST from 6-8pm at SJNF Headquarters (15 Burnett Ct, Durango) SJMA is honored to host Andrew Gulliford, professor of history at Fort Lewis College, award-winning author, and photographer. Andrews will present his latest work, "Bears Ears, Landscape of Refuge and Resistance". Afterwards, he will open the floor for discussion as well as leave time for a book-signing. Light refreshments will be served. For more information: https://sjma.org/event/andy-gulliford-talk/ #bearsearsnationalmonument #ExploreLearnProtect #lovewhereyoulive #durangoauthor #visitdurango
Find your antidote by stopping by SJMA's Visitor Center found throughout the San Juan Mountains. Talk to a specialist and browse our products to help connect you with nature. Mon- Fri- 8-4:30 San Juan National Forest *Durango - Headquarters *Bayfield - Columbine Ranger District Office *Pagosa Ranger District Office *Dolores Ranger District Office Rio Grande National Forest *Saguache District Office *Del Norte - Divide District Office #ExploreLearnProtect
TODAY, 12-6pm: Stop by our Christmas Trees for Conservation lot, find your tree, receive a gift, browse our pop up shop (4-6pm), then continue to enjoy your Noel Night! Keep in mindโฆ *You can reserve a tree and pick up later, andโฆ *Your purchase goes towards Durango Business Improvement Districts Holiday Rewards Program! SATURDAY: Visit Smokey the Bear between 12-2pm! Lot hours Sunday-Friday: 12-6pm Saturdays: 9am-6pm Corner of Camino del Rio and W College Local First Noel Night #durangoholidays #ExploreLearnProtect
Happy National TAKE A HIKE Day! Here at SJMA there is no place weโd rather be than exploring one of the 60,000 miles of trails within the National Trails System! We spend hours and weeks and months and years inspiring folks to #leavenotrace so we can all contribute to keeping our public lands wild and free! #nationaltakeahikeday #explorelearnprotect #sanjuanmountains #gooutsideandplay
THANK YOU to our beloved PATTI ON PATROL! She has been patrolling the Pagosa District for 22 years! Dedicated to SJMA, the forest and the public who grow to love her! โShe has a gift for interacting with visitors like Iโve never seen beforeโฆ each year as hunting season rolls around, there are camps that wait for Patti to show up so they can swap stories, make her some breakfast, and share their love of the forest.โ โWhether it was discovering a deteriorating road condition, signs in need of replacement, or a law enforcement issue that needed addressing, Patti has single handedly filled a large gap in the management of our local forest...โ- Paul Blackman, San Juan National Forest supervisor since 2007 @patti brady #ExploreLearnProtect Visit Pagosa Springs
#WildernessWednesday Did you know that the Weminuche spans both the San Juan and the U.S. Forest Service-Rio Grande National Forests? Thanks to both forests and YOU, our 2022 SJMA Wilderness Crew helped maintain the โwilderness qualityโ of this spectacular area by **clearing trails, picking up trash and monitoring** throughout the entire Weminuche! A special thanks to all of YOU who have helped fund this crew through your donations. Want to help? Donate today! www.SJMA.org/donate
High above Silverton on the Alpine Loop, SJMAโs Alpine Ambassador, John, helps protect this dramatic yet sensitive terrain! Thanks to the Yamaha Outdoors Access Initiative grant, we have been able to extend our visitor outreach past Labor Day this year! We are wildly greatly for you, Yamaha! And thank you, John! #ExploreLearnProtect #alpineloop #silvertoncolorado