The Greater Arkansas River Nature Association will accept entries from May 22-July 1 for its seventh annual photo contest for Upper Arkansas River Valley nature photos, celebrating the groupâs 25 years of nature education and stewardship.
Photos must be from within the Upper Arkansas Valley watershed, from Leadville to Cañon City, a press release stated.
Categories for photo entries are: landscape; wildlife/birds; wildflowers; sunrise/sunset; and heritage â images of sites that have been nominated for state or national historic register, or scenic viewsheds from the Collegiate Peaks Scenic and Historic Byway.
This yearâs contest also features youth-specific entry options for each category for those younger than 18.
Posted by Brooke Gilmore | May 13, 2021
May 15 marks the fifth annual Colorado Public Lands Day. In May of 2016, Colorado became the first state in the nation to establish a state holiday for our public lands. Colorado Public Lands Day is an opportunity to celebrate public lands, which are central to our economy and our quality of life.
Colorado Public Lands Day logo courtesy of Colorado Public Lands website
The COVID-19 crisis highlights the importance of nature and open spaces to Coloradans. The past year emphasized more than ever before that investments in Colorado’s lands, waters, and wildlife are critical pieces of a recovery that builds back better by creating family-supporting jobs and protecting public health.
Join Greater Arkansas River Nature Association executive director Dominique Naccarato for a fun, experiential introduction to birding in the Upper Arkansas Valley from 8:30-10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 8, at Sands Lake in Salida.
Because you can engage in birding from the car, while hiking or biking, or even alongside serious birders who keep a birding life list, itâs the ideal hobby for nature-lovers of all ages and abilities.
Naccarato will uncover the basics of birding, including how to identify flight patterns, body and beak shape and function and bird sounds. Out in the field you will also get instruction and practice using binoculars and discovering how bird behavior can provide insight into whatâs going on in our neighborhood or ecosystem.
Posted by Hannah Harn | May 3, 2021
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) and the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) have announced they will be celebrating Colorado Public Lands Day on Saturday, May 15, with the Annual Arkansas River Cleanup-Greenup.
Starting at 8:30 A.M. May 15, more than 200 volunteers will clean trash and debris from the banks of the Arkansas River from Leadville to Cañon City and beyond, preparing for a busy summer. The cleanup also coincides with the start of the spring snowmelt and run-off.
The AHRA started the annual cleanup in 1992 in partnership with American Rivers and the National River Cleanup, The first-ever cleanup-greenup, held May 9, 1992, earned an Honorary Proclamation by then-Governor Roy Romer as “Arkansas River Cleanup Day.”
âToday was fantastic,â Greater Arkansas River Nature Association Executive Director Dominique Naccarato said, estimating they had about 400 cars as of noon for their recycling program Saturday.
GARNA supplied a 30-yard dumpster, which was nearly full from the 60 registered recyclers, where they could drop off glass, cardboard, plastics and other recyclable items.
3R Technology Solutions from Pueblo was also on hand to recycle larger electronic items. Microwaves, televisions, washer and dryers, refrigerators and hot water heaters were just some of the items turned in Saturday.
3R was sponsored by Sustainable Salida, Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce, Salida Business Alliance and the City of Salida.