Garna

Creating generations of stewardship on the Upper Arkansas River ecosystem

Photo Credit: William Helms

Who We Are

Legacy Creators

GARNA, through community collaboration, inspires a conservation ethic by providing educational opportunities and experiences for those who live, work and play in the Upper Arkansas Valley.

We subscribe to a generational approach — that investments in learning and opportunities for public participation build on themselves and help ensure the long-term health of our public lands and waters.

Garna Greater Arkansas River Nature Association - Education, stewardship, volunteering Salida - Nature Camp group posing by a large boulder

Our Impact

Miles of land managed
0
People reached each year through programs
1000
Volunteers, the largest in the region
0
Members supporting our mission
0

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Our Programs

Public Land Stewardship

GARNA collaborates with public land agency partners to leave a legacy of responsible use of our natural environment, making it the largest group of volunteers in the Upper Arkansas River valley.

Environmental Programs

GARNA inspires a conservation ethic by providing educational opportunities and experiences through youth programming and environmental-focused clubs.

Garna Greater Arkansas River Nature Association - Education, stewardship, volunteering Salida - Smokey the bear with youth group
Garna - Sustainability programs

Sustainability

GARNA takes action to develop a plan for a systems approach to countywide Solid Materials Management solutions in the areas of zero waste, renewable energy, & overall environmental health. Photo by Brian McCabe.

Heritage Area Program

Chaffee County Heritage Advisory Board was created to provide advice and assistance on matters associated with planning an implementation of the Heritage Area Program and revisits the stories of the land and the people who once stood where we stand.
Garna - 3rd Historic Maxwell Park Schoolhouse by William Helms

Chaffee Mobile Gear Library

GARNA is committed to improving access to the outdoors for everybody. GARNA is partnering with a coalition of local organizations and the nationally based Outdoors Empowered Network to help outfit youth and adults for outdoor based programming in Chaffee County.

Latest GARNA News

What comes after wildfire?

NOTE: This article is part of our Environmental Series for the Mountain Mail. Published Oct 4, 2024 By Rose Nadelhoffer If 19 years of wildfire...

Annual Photo Contest

We’re excited to launch GARNA’s 10th annual photo contest! Through this fundraiser, GARNA celebrates extraordinary images that capture the...

Your Foaming Questions

Note: This article is part of our new monthly environmental series in the Mountain Mail.   If you have ever explored the Arkansas River or one of...
Garna Greater Arkansas River Nature Association - Education, stewardship, volunteering Salida - Plants alonside the riverbank
Gone to Seed by Kari Vanderburg
Our members make a huge difference each year, funding 55% of GARNA's work. We cannot do what we do without these vital community members.
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