Durango Nature Studies - Environmental Education in Durango, Southwest Colorado, and the Four Corners

FEBRUARY 28 - Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Visit this link to view films that are showing.
On February 28th, DNS will join with the Great Old Broads for Wilderness to co-host the Patagonia Wild and Scenic Film Festival. The Festival will be held at the Smiley Building. A children's matinee will start at 1:00, including a craft fair and a raffle. A reception with live music, beer and food will strat at 6:00, with the adult portion of the film festival starting at 7:00.

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival is in it's seventh year and it is the largest environmental film festival in the United States. At the festival, we are hoping to bring awareness to local issues in the southwest region, but also to inspire children and adults to look outside and become involved in preserving the environment.

Adult tickets are $12.
Student tickets are $5.
Kids are $3.
Tickets can be purchased at Maria's Bookstore, Nature's Oasis, and Durango Natural Foods.

MARCH 28 - Permaculture 101 with the Culture Brothers
In this unique half-day course on March 28, we will explore permaculture principles and methods of design using the Nature Center as a classroom. Located at the mouth of the Florida River Valley near Bondad, the Center winds along 140 acres on the Florida River. Trails wander through a wide variety of habitats - riparian, meadows, oak woodlands, piñon-juniper forests, and desert arroyos. Culture Brothers will present information to help attendees succeed in their daily endeavors and prepare for extremes of weather, food and culture. We will also have time for one or two hands-on activities, which may include a survivalist plant walk, sheet mulching, or constructing simple wind and sun breaks.
The class is from 10:00 - 3:00. Please bring your own lunch.
The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.
Visit the Culture Brothers Website.

APRIL 6 - Introduction to Flyfishing with Will Blanchard
If you've ever wanted to learn to fly fish, this class is for you. Will Blanchard, owner of Animas Valley Anglers and one of the most experienced guides in the region, will teach you everything you need to know to get started. The class will focus on what is behind the sport of flyfishing, entemology, gear, and casting techniques. The morning class is for adults only, and the afternoon class is open to kids nine and up accompanied by a parent. Both classes will take place at the Nature Center along the Florida River. Space is limited to 6 per class.
Morning class is from 10:30 - 1:00, Afternoon class from 2:00 - 4:30
Cost is $30 for members and $40 for nonmemeber. Kids are $15.
Visit the Animas Valley Anglers Website

MAY 9 - Ephemeral Environmental Sculpture with Shan Wells
Join Shan Wells for a relaxing, interesting day learning about the roots of environmental art, including the opportunity to get your hands dirty and make some of your own. Meet at 10:15 at the Albertson's parking lot. The morning will be spent viewing the works of many different artists and discussing their genesis and relationship to contemporary art at Pueblo Community College's Art Lab. . After lunch, the group will travel south to the Durango Nature Studies campus and engage in building individual or group works until 5pm. A campfire wine sip and weenie, (or veggie burger), roast will follow for those that care to stay. Shan Wells is a North american Sculptor and political illustrator. He currently teaches at Pueblo Community College and is the Durango Telegraph's political cartoonist.
Email Sally or call 970-769-1800 to register.

MAY 16 - Nature Journaling with Sandy Bielenberg
Nature Journaling will be taught at the Nature Center on May 16 by Sandy Bielenberg. In this workshop, participants will create a simple formatting system for layout of journal pages. While this system gives borders and boundaries to a page, at the same time it gives wings to creativity. Then participants will explore DNS with journals, paints, pens and pencils playing with formatted pages. Sandy taught art at Needham and Animas Valley Elementary Schools. She loves using this journal technique while traveling abroad or exploring our own big backyard!
A supply list will be sent to participants before the workshop.
To register, Email Sally or call 970-769-1800.

JULY 12 - Wildflower Walk with Candice Carson
“I believe we receive a sense of well being when we cultivate our relationships with plants and animals of our world. One of the ways to relate to our natural environment is to learn the names of the flowers. It is a joy for me to share the pleasure I get from these jewels of wonder and beauty.” Come join author, Candice Carson for a meander through the woods to admire and talk about the wildflowers.
To register, Email Sally or call 970-769-1800

AUGUST 1 - Edible Plant Hike with Calida May
Calida became passionate about herbology while growing up in germany and began learning about native plants during treks and explorations into the magicla San Juan Mountains. Her deep appreciation of this region's natural wonder has compelled her to share her knowledge with others. You'll learn what to eat, and not eat, on a hike through the mountains.
To register, Email Sally or call 970-769-1800

August 29 - Designing a Personal Garden Refuge with Susan Tweitt
Place: Native Roots Nursury
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: $20 members, $40 nonmembers
Give yourself the gift of serenity and inspiration at home by creating a garden refuge at home. The restful, healing, and uplifting qualities of nature have given rise to some of this country's greatest garden and park designs, from the grand expanses of New York's iconic Central Park to the intimate rock gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens. Learn how to draw on the palettes and panoramas of Colorado's native landscapes and bring nature's serenity and restoration into your daily life. Award-winning writer, naturalist and garden designer Susan J. Tweit will show you how to "read" wild landscapes, how to determine the best color and texture palettes for your garden, how to choose a personal plant list, and how to create your own refuge in even the smallest garden space.

Susan Tweit is the author of many articles and books, including her recently released memior, "Walking Nature Home." Learn more about her at http://susanjtweit.com.