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GARNA Seminars
2010 Programs
Birding Basics with Andrew Mackie
May 27, June 2 and June 5, 2010
Have you looked out your window and wondered what is that bird? At least 465 species of birds have been seen in Colorado. Do you want to learn to tell them apart? Interested in knowing more about what birds are found in the Upper Arkansas Valley and how they survive? If so, join this GARNA program to explore the world of birds in more detail. Through two classes and one field trip we will discuss topics in bird identification, birding equipment, local birding sites, natural history of local bird species, and recent conservation initiatives. There are two options for attending this series. Participants may choose to attend both classes and the field trip or just attend just the two classes. See costs below.
Birding Class: Thursday, May 27, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Salida Cafe downstairs (formally Bongo Billy's)
Birding Class: Wednesday, June 2, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Sangre De Cristo Elec Assoc Meeting Room in Buena Vista
Bird Watching Fieldtrip: Saturday, June 5, 8:00 AM, location TBD
Cost:
Option 1 - two classes and fieldtrip: $45 GARNA members; $55 non-members
Option 2 - two classes only: $30 GARNA members; $40 non-members
Pre-registration required and space is limited. Please print and mail this registration form with your payment.
OUR SENSE OF PLACE - SEASON THREE DOWNLOAD THE FULL "OUR SENSE OF PLACE" BROCHURE HERE
Season Three of GARNA’s year-long program continues the exploration of our place in respect to the Arkansas River bio-region through seminars and outdoor activities. On a monthly basis there will be an evening program and a field trip. Several of the evening programs are open to the public, but the outdoor exploration field trips, in which we examine first hand the natural wonders of our area, are open to registered Sense of Place participants only. Cost to register for the entire series: $45 GARNA members, $55 non-members
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Medicinal Plants and Their Uses - Part One Fieldtrip Medicinal Plants and Their Uses - Part Two Workshop Open only to SOP participants. In the second part of the Medicinal Plants and Their Uses seminar, Lindsay Lund, Certified Clinical Herbalist, will instruct the Sense of Place participants in making plant medicines from the plants harvested on the Sunday medicinal herb hike. |
The Sub-Alpine Ecosystem – What’s Up There? – Public Lecture The sub-alpine ecosystem, dominated by Engelmann spruce and sub-alpine fir forests, is characterized by long, cold winters, brief, cool summers and high annual precipitation. US Forest Service Wildlife Biologist Mike Wrigley will talk about the common and rare plants and animals found in this challenging high-altitude environment and discuss some of the past, present and future management issues and threats to this fragile ecosystem. The Sub-Alpine Ecosystem – What’s Up There? – Fieldtrip Open only to SOP participants. On a leisurely hike to Lost Lake, led by Marilyn Moore and Sara Ward, Sense of Place participants will look at the plants of the sub-alpine forests, meadows, rock falls and riparian areas and learn about their adaptations to these unique environments. Half of the group will hike on Saturday, the other half on Sunday. |
Indigenous People – Public Lecture Join GARNA, SOP members, and Becky Donlan, for a program on "Ceremonial Areas of South Park and the San Luis Valley". This is a program about the various tribes who have inhabited the area and the stone structures being documented and researched. The program is presented by Native American Research and Preservation, Inc. It is a 50(c)3, Colorado-based, non-profit corporation. Their mission is to preserve, interpret and document Native American prehistoric and historic sites. Indigenous People – Fieldtrip Open only to SOP participants. Becky Donlon will lead a high-altitude hike for SOP registrants to the Monarch Game Drive location. This area was originally documented as a high altitude hunting area. Further research is being done to explore other possible uses such as archaeoastronomy and ceremonies. |
Headwaters Institute
Monday, June 7, 2010
Join first year rafting guides and others for a fun, interactive full day workshop on all things Arkansas River. The event will be held on Monday, June 7 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Riverside Park and the Scout Hut in Salida. This is a great overview for new residents or those who just want to learn more about the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Lectures and break-out sessions will be presented by numerous local and regional experts. Topics will include the history of the Arkansas, the geology of the Arkansas Valley, stream water quality and the water cycle, wildlife living around the Arkansas, the effects of global climate change on the Arkansas Valley and local issues such as “Over theRiver”, Browns Canyon Wilderness Proposal, Nestle Waters, and Right to Float legislation. Some time will also be spent on methods of interpreting what can be seen along and near the river. Registration fee of $20 includes a light breakfast, picnic lunch and an evening film presentation.
Pre-registration required by June 2 and space is limited. Please print and mail this registration form with your payment.
Fourmile Area Guided Hike
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Join GARNA’s chapter Friends of Fourmile for a moderate 3-4 mile cross country hike near Kaufman Ridge south of Hwy 285 (FR 188A). Experience an old cabin, meadows, rocks and adventure. Meet at the parking area west of Gunsmoke service station in Johnson Village on Hwy 285/24 at 9:30 am to carpool to the trailhead with those with high clearance vehicles. Bring water, jacket, sunscreen, hat, good hiking shoes and a positive attitude! Hike should end 3-4 pm. The hike is free but donations to Friends of Fourmile brochure publication fund appreciated. Please pre-register by printing and mailing this registration form.
USGS Map Reading / GPS Workshop
Friday, July 9, 2010
GARNA is pleased to sponsor a USGS (US Geological Survey) Map Reading and GPS (Global Positioning System). This workshop is ideal for anyone involved in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, biking, four-wheeling, skiing, etc. It will be led by Steve Reiter, an expert in map and GPS use from the USGS Earth Science Information Center in Lakewood. The workshop will be held on Friday, July 9, 2010 at the Masonic Lodge at 3rd and G Streets in Salida and will begin at 9:00 am and end at 5:00 pm, with an hour break for lunch.
The morning focus will be on Map Reading and Compass use. Participants will learn how to read a topographic map, how to take a compass bearing and adjust for magnetic declination, how to triangulate position on a map using compass bearings, and several other useful skills.
In the afternoon, the class will cover how to use a GPS with a topographic map. In the classroom, we'll discuss waypoints, datums, plot coordinates on a map, and show how to set up your GPS. Then we'll head outside and put your new GPS navigational skills to work.
Note: This class will NOT address loading digital maps into a GPS receiver or using a GPS for automobile navigation or as an exercise companion. The focus will be on using a GPS with a published map for outdoor activities.
The cost of the class is $45 for GARNA members or $55 for non-association members.
Compasses and GPSs will be available for those who do not have them. If you do bring your own GPS be sure you are familiar with your device’s basic operation.
Please pre-register by printing and mailing this registration form. The class is limited to 30, so early enrollment is encouraged.
More information is available through these links:
- Typical Questions (pdf)
- GPS Tips (pdf)
- What do I need to know to get my GPS (pdf)
- GPS Related Websites (pdf)
- How to use a Compass (pdf)
- Latitude & Longitude Information (pdf)
- UTM Grid Fact Sheet (pdf)
- UTM Zones (pdf)
- Map Margin Information (pdf)
- Topographic Map Symbols
FOR KIDS!
River fun: What lives there?
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Arkansas River is a tremendous life-giving force that supports large numbers of terrestrial and aquatic organisms alike. Play in and around the river while taking a close-up look at the creatures that live there with Ed Eberle, Trout Unlimited and Dibby Olson, GARNA Board member and environmental educator. It’s amazing what lives under rocks in the river and under leaf litter in the Bosque forest alongside the river. Microscopes, pitfall traps, science journals and field guides will be our equipment for this interesting and fun morning.
Ages: 8-11 (parent/guardian must accompany)
Instructors: Ed Eberle, Trout Unlimited and Dibby Olson, GARNA Board/environ educator
Times: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: to be determined but a quiet stretch of river near Salida
Bring: comfy shoes that can get wet, water & snack
Cost: $5 GARNA members, $10 non-members—or join GARNA at an individual or family level and class is free!
Please print and mail this registration form with your payment.
Wildflower Day Hike
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Join GARNA and wildflower expert Ruth Runge-Barnes for a hike to see and identify our summer wildflowers. Ruth will select a Chaffee County location that offers the best wildflower viewing at the time of the hike. Be prepared to hike several miles in order to view a wide variety of flowers.
Time: 9:00 am; plan on most of the day
Location: Meeting place TBD
Equipment: Water, sack lunch
Cost: $8 GARNA members, $12 non-members
Pre-registration required. Limit 12 participants. Please print and mail this registration form with your payment.
San Luis Valley Bat Mine Trip
Monday, August 2, 2010
We’re planning a trip to the San Luis Valley to watch the colony of bachelor Mexican free-tail bats flight from the Orient Mine at dusk. The mine entrance is a moderately-strenuous 1.7 mile hike from the parking area. Wear good footwear, and bring a jacket, water, and a flashlight or headlamp with working batteries. The plan is to have a picnic dinner prior at Valley View Hot Springs entrance.
Time/Location: 4:30 pm meet at Poncha Springs Visitor Ctr
Cost (includes donation to OLT): $10 GARNA members, $15 non-members.
Pre-registration required. Limit 25 participants. Please print and mail this registration form with your payment.
Three Glaciers Lake and its Catastrophic Flood
Saturday, August 7, 2010
GARNA and geologist Jim McCalpin will take a field trip to explore the geologic evidence for paleoglaciers and moraines that dammed the Arkansas River 20,000 years ago, then later melted releasing a catastrophic flood. Jim will bring a 4WD army troop carrier that seats 8-10 but participants with 4WD vehicles are encouraged to bring them for carpooling. Be prepared to walk less than ¼ mile.
Time: 8:30 am-approx 2:00 pm
Location: to carpool meet at 8:30 at parking west of Salida Safeway or 9:00 at parking behind K’s in BV
Equipment: Lunch, water and dress appropriately
Cost: $20 GARNA members, $30 non-members
Pre-registration required. Limit 20 participants. Please print and mail this registration form with your payment.
GARNA Social
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Join the GARNA Board and other members for a casual get together. Meet the Board and other friends and learn more about GARNA activities. Let’s catch up on summer adventures!
Time/Location: Salida Café 4-7:00 pm
FOR KIDS!
Plants: Where would we be without them?
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Would we even be alive if it weren’t for plants? Plants are critical for all life on earth and they adapt to every different habitat there is in so many different ways. Let’s go for a hike, see some neat plant adaptations, make a fossil necklace, and make some cool designs in nature like the artist Andrew Goldsworthy does!
Ages: 8-11 (parent/guardian must accompany)
Instructor: Maggie Gaddis, environmental educator
Times: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: TBD
Bring: comfy shoes that can get wet, water & snack
Cost: $5 GARNA members, $10 non-members—or join GARNA at an individual or family level and class is free!
Pre-registration required. Please print and mail this registration form with your payment.
Medicinal Herbal Garden Talk
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Learn to grow a culinary and medicinal garden, learn the benefits of plants, how and when to harvest and how to dry and store.
Instructor Himani Ellis, Medicinal Herbalist
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm.
Location: Salida Community Garden, 2nd & I Streets
Bring: hat, water, gloves and a smile!
Cost: $10 GARNA members, $15 non-members
Pre-registration required. Minimum of 5, max of 20. Please print and mail this registration form with your payment.
Trip along the Leadville Stage Road
Saturday, August 28, 2010
In anticipation of upcoming study of the Leadville Stage Road and Midland RR as a possible hiking/biking trail, join GARNA’s Project leaders to hike a several-mile section of the LSR south of Granite. This is one of the best preserved and historically rich sections of the LSR, which operated from the late 1860s through 1887. The route is rocky and narrow in spots, with occasional steeper grades and washed out gullies. Meet at parking area at the end of East Main in Buena Vista at 9:30am for orientation and carpooling. Bring water, jacket, sunscreen, hat, good hiking shoes and desire for historical edification. Hike should end 3-4 pm. Cost is free but donations to this GARNA project would be welcome.
Please pre-register by printing and mailing this registration form.
"GARNA Member Only" Monthly Hiking Group
Thursdays May 27, June 24, July 22, Aug 26, & Sept 23
The hikes will be of moderate difficulty for those who want to share the fun of being outdoors. Coordinator is Pat Clark, call for specifics: 539-2628.
"GARNA Member Only" Calling All Birdwatchers
There is a saying that to be a really good birder one should try to identify every bird one sees. Let's try! A new bird watching group is forming and planning when and where to meet for the next several months. If you would like to join us on an outing please call coordinator, Denny Arter, 539-0787. Any level of experience is welcome.
"GARNA Member Only" Earth Friendly Book Club
New members are welcome! Club meets monthly to discuss a book decided upon by the group. Coordinator is Suzanne Ward, call for more information: at 539-8523 or email suzanneward17@hotmail.com.
There is no charge.
