It’s essential to protect the place you love, but sometimes it is confusing where to find the proper rules and regulations to follow. Being a good steward of the land involves practicing principles such as sustainability and Leave No Trace(LNT). There are several sources to find reliable information, such as Forest Service offices, visitor centers, and this website, Visit Durango. By utilizing these informational resources and educating yourself, you can help preserve the beauty of Durango for decades to come.
Stay up to date on sustainability and Leave No Trace practices by checking out these local resources in and around Durango.
What is Leave No Trace?
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a set of outdoor ethics that emphasizes enjoying the outdoors without leaving a lasting impact. Practicing Leave No Trace involves seven principles: planning and being prepared, camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find, minimizing your impact on wildlife, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of others. By doing these things, you help preserve nature’s wildness and beauty while also ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Visit Durango is passionate about protecting the places you love to explore. Through its “Care for Durango” initiative, Visit Durango encourages visitors to travel responsibly, support local communities, and leave the area better than they found it. The core of this initiative is to do your part so that Durango’s 300-plus miles of trails, gorgeous forests, and rivers stay amazing for everyone.
Where to Get Sustainability and LNT Information Around Durango
Durango Farmers Market (Saturdays, Summer Season)
A significant component of sustainability in Durango is the Durango Farmers Market, which occurs every Saturday morning from May 10th until October 25th at TBK Bank. Visitors can access valuable information on both sustainability and Leave No Trace (LNT) principles. Community booths, hosted by organizations such as Local First and the La Plata Open Space Conservancy (LPOSC), guide responsible outdoor practices and promote environmental stewardship.
Additionally, the market’s “Trash Talk & Sustainability Crew” plays a huge role in promoting eco-friendly habits at the market. These volunteers manage waste stations, educate attendees, and encourage the use of composting and recycling to minimize landfill contributions. Volunteering at the Durango Farmers Market is a great way to learn about sustainability solutions.
Columbine Ranger District Office
To learn more about LNT, sustainability, and San Juan National Forest tips, check out the Columbine Ranger District Office in Bayfield, Colorado. The office serves as a gateway to information about the San Juan National Forest.
The office is open on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can provide items such as trail maps that guide you through popular locations, including Hermosa Creek Wilderness. They also have information on fire restrictions, campgrounds, and Leave No Trace principles, which ensure responsible enjoyment of the forest.
San Juan National Forest Supervisor’s Office
Another excellent resource is the San Juan National Forest Supervisor’s Office west of Durango. The administrative headquarters for the forest is open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This central office is a great place to stop if you are looking for visitor information, maps, recreation permits, and guidance on forest regulations. Rangers can provide information on Leave No Trace practices in Durango and how to be polite land stewards when adventuring in the San Juan National Forest.
Chimney Rock National Monument Visitor Center
If you are visiting Durango, looking for ways to make your trip a more eco-friendly visit to Colorado, stops such as the Chimney Rock National Monument Visitor Center are a good resource. This center serves as a gateway to the monument’s Ancestral Puebloan heritage, offering both guided and self-guided tours of the sites.
Not only can you get Chimney Rock National Monument visitor information here, you can also get info about the San Juan National Forest. Forest officers and staff from the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association can help you learn more about LNT principles and sustainability both in the national forest and at the historic national monument.
Trail Ambassadors
In Durango, stewards like trail ambassadors play a vital role in promoting responsible recreation and preserving the area’s natural beauty. Outdoor organizations like Durango Trails and the San Juan Mountain Association (SJMA) have ambassador programs that educate trail users on Leave No Trace principles, provide trail information, and assist in maintaining the trails you use and love.
Keep an eye out for both Durango Trails and the San Juan Mountain Association’s socials for community events, guided hikes, and more. Attending both organizations’ events or simply interacting with volunteer ambassadors on the trail can teach you more about Leave No Trace (LNT) and sustainability in Durango.
Conclusion
There are so many resources in and around Durango that can provide you with proper information about Leave No Trace and sustainability. Whether you’re looking for ways to travel green in Durango or just want to go out and enjoy public lands, there are resources everywhere. Local forest service offices, community organizations, and Visit Durangocan help you know before you go.
By taking the time to educate yourself on land stewardship practices, such as Leave No Trace (LNT) and sustainability, you are helping to protect public land for future generations. Be a good neighbor and help preserve the place you love.
