Salida CitizenGARNA

Bats will be the topic of GARNA’s annual meeting program

GARNA — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:58:57 +0000

courtesy of Bat Conservation Int'l

On Wednesday, February 8, the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) will host a program on bats following their annual association meeting. This year’s program will be led by GARNA Board Member Dr. Paul Robertson. The fact that 2011-12 has been declared the European and International Year of the Bat by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, an affiliate of the United Nations, may come as a surprise to many people. The fact is that the more than 1,000 species of bats are immensely important both ecologically and economically to most of the world’s peoples via the control of crop pests and the pollination and seed dispersal of economically and ecologically important plant species. Bats also play a critical role in the natural restoration of ecosystems particularly in tropical forests and savannas. Dr. Robertson will introduce the audience to the world of bats both locally and in exotic locales, their value to humans and the world’s ecosystems, conservation challenges faced by their champions, and the story of how Bram Stoker, the original Dracula author, came up with a story that has fascinated many for over a hundred years. The program will be set against a back-drop of some of the best bat photography ever taken. Dr. Robertson is currently The Nature Conservancy’s San Luis Valley Project Director. He received his undergraduate degree in zoology at Louisiana State University, his master’s degree in evolution and his Ph.D. in ecology at the University of Kansas, and for several years was the Executive Director for Bat Conservation International in Austin, Texas.

The event will be held at the Salida SteamPlant annex. The public is welcome to attend beginning at 7:00 p.m. for dessert and refreshments. The Bat program will begin at 7:30 p.m. and last about an hour. The event is free and people of all ages are encouraged to attend. For more information please call GARNA at 539-5106.

Free ‘Ski with a naturalist tour’ available Sundays at Monarch Mountain

GARNA — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:23:50 +0000

Sunday, Dec. 18, marks the first Ski with a Naturalist tour of the season at Monarch Mountain. The tour is free and lasts for approximately 45 minutes. The group meets every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. next to the sign in front of Ski Patrol headquarters across from Pioneer Lift and the tour follows beginner runs. Locals and guests of all ages and abilities are welcome.

Led by GARNA volunteer and former Alaskan National Parks Service Ranger Karen Fortier, the tour is a multi-agency effort to educate skiers and snowboarders about the land they are recreating on. GARNA executive director Alison Ramsey said, “a lot of skiers don’t even realize they’re on public land.” The tour features instruction about forest ecology, wildlife in the winter, the history of recreation on Monarch Pass, the ski area-USFS partnership, Monarch Mountain’s green mission and more.

This free tour will be offered every Sunday except for Christmas Day. “Next time you’re enjoying skiing or boarding at Monarch Mountain, enhance your experience by attending a ski with a naturalist tour,” Ramsey said.

For more information about GARNA or the Ski with a Naturalist Program, please visit www.garna.org or call 539-5106.

Presenting the 2011 Living Green Home Event

GARNA — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:00:23 +0000

Mark your calendar for GARNA’s Living Green Home fundraising event, Friday and Saturday, Oct., 21st and 22nd.

See…a home sculpted into a hillside; a home heated using geothermal water; a production home modified to be a Net-Zero energy home…and more.

A self-guided environmentally friendly home tour will be held on Saturday, October 22. This is GARNA’s 5th home tour of this kind and we are pleased to showcase 10 outstanding homes. The homes incorporate a wide variety of green building strategies to reduce the impact of home construction on the environment and future use of energy. Some of the green technologies that will be featured are high-energy efficient designs, passive, PV and thermal solar energy, sustainable materials, efficient windows and more. Homes in the Buena Vista and Nathrop area will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and homes in the Salida area will be open from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The Friday evening before the home tour, GARNA is also hosting an Expert Forum: Living Green in 2011. A panel made up of local experts will discuss current opportunities, issues, trends and certifications to help homeowners understand today’s green industry. The event will be held on Friday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Salida Community Center, 305 F St.

The Living Green Home Event is a GARNA fundraiser. Tickets are $20 for GARNA members and $25 for non-GARNA members. Ticket price includes tour of all 10 homes and entrance to the Expert Forum. Tickets for the Expert Forum only will be available at the door for $5.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.garna.org or by sending a check made out to “GARNA” to PO Box 1522, Salida, CO 81201. Tickets will also be available on Friday, Oct. 21 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Expert Forum; on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8-10:30 a.m. at Mother’s Bistro, 414 E. Main St. in Buena Vista; and on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Café Dawn, 203 W. 1st St. in Salida.

Please call GARNA at 539-5106 or email info@garna.org for more information.

Small mountain owls of Colorado

GARNA — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:31:59 +0000

On Thursday, September 8, GARNA will present a program on small mountain owls. The presentation will be led by author, artist, bird rehabilitator and bird bander Scott Rashid. Scott has been working with birds such as hawks, falcons, owls, hummingbirds and a variety of songbirds for the past 20 years. He the author of numerous books including Small Mountain Owls published in 2009 and runs a permanent bird banding station near Estes Park. He will present on some of the small owls that live in the mountains around the Arkansas River Valley. The program will be held from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. at the Salida Community Center, 3^rd and F Streets in Salida. The cost is $6 for GARNA members, $8 for non-members at the door and kids under 15 are free. For more information please contact GARNA at 539-5106 or info@garna.org.

Finding fault in the San Luis Valley

GARNA — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:50:56 +0000

On Saturday, September 10 geologist Jim McCalpin will lead a driving loop field trip at the north end of the San Luis Valley. The group will stop to look at evidence of the geologically-recent creation of the Rio Grande Rift and the San Luis Valley by down-dropping along the Sangre de Cristo fault. This is Colorado’s most active fault and is responsible for the creation of the valley’s hot springs. The field trip will be followed by an optional soak at Joyful Journey Hot Springs (entrance fee is $12). Carpooling will be available from the Salida area at 8:30 a.m. at the Poncha Springs Welcome/Visitor center and from Buena Vista at 8:00 a.m. at the public parking behind K’s Dairy Delite. The fieldtrip will commence at 9:00 a.m. at the Villa Grove Trading Post. The day will end at approximately 4:00 p.m. Participants are asked to dress appropriately for weather conditions and to bring water and a sack lunch. The cost of the program is $25 for GARNA members and $35 for non-members. Because of the popularity of this trip and because the group size is limited, registration is confirmed when payment is received. Please contact GARNA at 539-5106 or info@garna.org for registration information.

Prepare for winter with preserving and canning class

GARNA — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:01:11 +0000

On Wednesday, August 24, join GARNA, Central Colorado Foodshed Alliance and CSU extension personnel to learn how to prepare for the upcoming winter months by canning fresh produce. Instructions for preserving food will be covered and participants will learn to cook and can food items. The class will be held from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds, CSU Extension classrooms. The cost is $10 for GARNA members, $15 for non-members. Pre-registration is required by contacting GARNA at 539-5106 or info@garna.org.

Digital photography workshop to be offered

GARNA — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:24:00 +0000

On Saturday, August 7, Ed Berg, local photographer, will teach the basic rules of composition and lighting in photography while focusing on discovering and observing imagery that pleases the eye. The group will experiment with ways to capture and communicate observations of the natural world. The workshop will take place from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and the group will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Salida Café. Participants are required to bring a digital camera with a removable memory card (preferable SD) or the camera’s USB cable for transferring images to a laptop. Bring water and a snack or lunch to eat outdoors during the outdoor portion of the session. Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a hat are recommended. The cost of the workshop is $25 for GARNA members or $35 for non-members. Pre-registration is required by contacting the association at 539-5106 or info@garna.org.

Identifying alpine wildflowers

GARNA — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:28:08 +0000

On Saturday, July 16 join Marilyn Moore on Cottonwood Pass to identify flowers of the alpine tundra and learn how these exquisite jewels of the plant world survive and thrive in one of the harshest environments on Earth. To carpool from Salida meet at 8:30 a.m. at the public parking west of Safeway or from Buena Vista meet at 9:00 a.m. at the public parking behind K’s Dairy Delite and plan to return by 4:00 p.m. Participants should dress for changeable alpine weather, and bring water, lunch, a hand lens, and a copy of The Alpine Flower Finder by Wingate and Yeatts (available at the GARNA outlets at AHRA and the U.S. Forest Service offices in Salida). The cost for the program is $7 for GARNA members and $15 for non-members. Pre-registration is required and the class size is limited. For more information, please contact the association at 539-5106 or info@garna.org.

Darn weeds!

GARNA — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:26:16 +0000

On Monday, July 11, GARNA will sponsor a weed and invasive plant class taught by Larry Walker, Chaffee County Weed Specialist. The class will be held at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds community building from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Larry will identify weeds using a slide presentation followed by a walk in the fairgrounds area. He will also discuss effective means of weed eradication. Participants may bring a weed that they want to identify. The program is free for GARNA members and $5 for non-members at the door. Pre-registration is not required. For additional information and a list of other GARNA programs, please visit www.garna.org or call 539-5106.

Salida Starlets will join Dr Colorado!

GARNA — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:32:40 +0000

UPDATE: The beautiful Salida Starlets will be on hand to take tickets and drink orders during the “High on the Arkansas: A Liquid History” event on Friday, July 8 at the SteamPlant Theater.

This presentation and slide show on the colorful social history of the local saloons in the Arkansas River Valley will be led by noted historian Dr. Tom Noel AKA Dr. Colorado. A barfly himself, Dr. Colorado will share the stories and legends found under the bar stools of Colorado taverns. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Salida SteamPlant Theater.

Tickets are $10 or $12 at the door. Cabaret seating is also available for $25 which includes a bottle of “vino Rosso di Salida” from Vino Salida Wine Cellars. All ticket holders will be included in a drawing to win one of eight spots on a historic downtown Salida bar tour led by Dr. Colorado following the presentation. The bar tour will feature the Victoria Tavern, the Fritz, the Tenderfoot Tavern, Currents and the Reigning Wine Bar & Microbrews.

Tickets can be purchased in Salida at the SteamPlant box office, the Mixing Bowl, and at the Salida Chamber. In Buena Vista tickets are available at the Trailhead and at the Buena Vista Chamber. For more information, please contact GARNA at 539-5106.

Dr. Colorado presents “High on the Arkansas: a Liquid History”

GARNA — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:29:59 +0000

Join Chaffee County Heritage the evening before the Colorado Brewer’s Rendezvous on Friday, July 8 for “High on the Arkansas: a Liquid History.” A presentation and slide show on the colorful social history of the local saloons in the Arkansas River Valley will be led by noted historian Dr. Tom Noel. A barfly himself, Dr. Noel will share the stories and legends found under the bar stools of Colorado taverns. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Salida SteamPlant Theater.

Dr. Tom Noel, a Professor of History at the University of Colorado in Denver, is also known as “Dr. Colorado” from Channel 9’s popular program “Colorado & Co.” He writes a history column for the Denver Post and has published 39 books including “Colorado: A Liquid History & Tavern Guide to the Highest State.” Dr. Noel’s books will be available for sale at the event thanks to The Book Haven.

In addition to the businesses mentioned above, other silver sponsors of the event include the San Isabel Bed & Breakfast, Mother’s Bistro and the Eddyline Restaurant & Brewery. All proceeds from the event will provide assistance to the volunteer-run Chaffee County Heritage Area Advisory Board to help with grant match requirements and other funding needs for this local group working to protect and preserve the historic, cultural, natural, and economic resources of Chaffee County and management of the Collegiate Peaks Scenic and Historic Byway. Tickets can be purchased in Salida at the SteamPlant box office, the Mixing Bowl, and at the Salida Chamber. In Buena Vista tickets are available at the Trailhead and at the Buena Vista Chamber. For more information, please contact GARNA at 539-5106.

Bird outing in Buena Vista

GARNA — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:07:05 +0000

On Sunday, June 26, the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) is holding a bird watching outing. Explore the pond, park, and nearby neighborhoods in Buena Vista to identify birds that live in the area. The group leader is Andrew Mackie, experienced birder and director of the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas. The depth of the program will depend upon the knowledge and interest of participants, but no birding experience is necessary. Focus will be on the keys of identification and some of the natural history of local birds. To carpool from Salida meet at 7:00 a.m. at the public parking west of Safeway. At 7:30 a.m. all participants should meet on the west side of McPhelemy Park in downtown Buena Vista. The outing will end at 9:30 a.m. Participants are asked to bring binoculars, water, a snack, and their favorite bird book for a fun and educational morning. The program cost is $5 GARNA members, $10 non-members or join GARNA and the program is free. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.garna.org/seminars.htm or call GARNA at 539-5106.