Colorado Parks & Wildlife Awards GARNA Outdoor Equity Grant
December 17, 2024
The Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) announces it was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Outdoor Equity Grant Board
Community Programs
CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY
Connecting People & Place
GARNA’s community programs are designed to engage and educate community members with diverse interests, connecting them with the natural landscape of our area. Popular programs include interpretive hikes, Ski With A Naturalist, fire ecology and geology programs, naturalist trainings, and the annual Headwaters Institute.
We’re always looking for volunteer naturalists and experts to help lead our community programs. Have a special skill you’d like to share? Let’s Talk!
GARNA Clubs
GARNA members can participate in different nature-based clubs, some seasonal and others year-round.
Hiking Club: meets weekly during the summer and fall for hikes of varying difficulty, and for some snowshoeing excursions in the winter.
Birding Club: meets January-October for bird-watching excursions
Photography Club: hosts occasional community photography classes, and puts on the annual GARNA photo contest in the fall, which is also used to create an annual calendar and cards.
Community Education
In addition to its clubs, GARNA hosts regular community educational events. View the program calendar for upcoming dates.
Ski With A Naturalist: meets on Fridays during ski season at Monarch for an educational session on the ecology of the ski slopes.
Naturalist Series: local subject experts teaching the community about their area of expertise
Environmental Book Study: meets quarterly to discuss a diverse array of books exploring environmental themes
Community Bike Co-op
The Chaffee Mobile Gear Library hosts various events related to its community bike co-op.
Donations: have a bike you want to donate? Reach out to the gear library at gearlibrary@garna.org
Repairs: regular bike repair and maintenance classes are held through the Chaffee Mobile Gear Library. Check out the GARNA’s Program Calendar for more details
Community Roots: A Learning Collective
Community Roots is a new initiative by GARNA, beginning in 2025, that will seek to bring people together through community learning, discovery, and discussion. As a central hub for all of GARNA’s community education programs, this initiative offers monthly gatherings at the Valley View Schoolhouse Nature Learning Centerdesigned to inspire curiosity and collaboration. Participants engage in diverse learning experiences—such as book and podcast discussions, presentations, and interactive activities—while exploring topics like environmental stewardship, the connection of people and place, and the history of the Upper Arkansas Valley. By fostering understanding and a sense of belonging, Community Roots invites individuals to grow together, deepen their connection to the natural and cultural resources of our region, and build a stronger, more inclusive community.
Latest GARNA News
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Throughout the Arkansas River Valley sagging mine shafts offer a glimpse into a bygone era of mining, but these sites
Photo Contest Winners and Photo Products
November 26, 2024
Thanks to everyone who entered our annual photo contest and those who voted! The photo contest is one of our
