Wild Connections

Wild Connections works to establish a landscape-wide wildlands network across south-central Colorado.

This benefits animal and plant communities, clean air and water sources, quiet recreation, cultural locations, scenic vistas and spiritual values. We are...
-- Saving Central Colorado’s wild places by defending wildlands that provide refuge for wildlife and biodiversity as the climate changes.
-- Influencing decision-making about public lands that brings protection to hundreds of thousands of acr

es.
-- Ensuring that future generations can enjoy wildlife and natural wonders in our region.
-- Leading hikes that teach about our public lands and how everyone can protect those lands..

06/03/2026

🌲☀️ Summer is here, and Wild Connections has a full season of hikes, volunteer projects, conservation updates, and ways to make a difference for Colorado's wildlife and public lands!

📅 Upcoming Events:
🥾 June 6: Colorado Get Outdoors Day (Colorado Springs)
🦫 June 13: Kenosha Pass Beaver Ponds Hike
🌄 June 27: Wildcat Canyon Monitoring Hike
🔧 July 11–12: Chubb Park Fence-Removal Project

💚 Plus: • A recap of our Celebration of Life honoring founder Jean Smith • The latest public lands news • Opportunities to get involved and take action

📬 Read our June Wild News and subscribe: 👉 wildconnections.org/about-us/get-involved

🌄🦅

05/20/2026

We had a great day celebrating Colorado Public Lands Day at Browns Canyon National Monument! 🌄💚

Participants learned about the history of CPLD, BCNM, and the work of the hosting organizations: Friends of Browns Canyon and Wild Connections.

We also discussed the growing threats facing our public lands, including attacks on National Monuments, the rescission of the BLM Public Lands Rule, efforts to roll back the Forest Service Roadless Rule, public lands sell-off proposals, and ongoing cuts to local Forest Service and BLM staffing and resources. ⚠️🌲

These impacts are already being felt locally. Last year, BCNM lost both its longtime BLM and Forest Service managers, along with decades of institutional knowledge.

Despite these challenges, participants left inspired and motivated to stand up for our shared public lands. 🙌🏔️

Learn more — and take action — at keepitpublic.co

05/14/2026

🌿🙌 Huge thanks to the 20 amazing volunteers and our partners at the Forest Service South Park Ranger District for making our April 25 restoration project a success!

🌱 Together, we helped rewild part of the 8,800-acre Puma Hills Roadless Area by restoring an illegal 1.5-mile motorized route, reseeding impacted areas, and installing wildlife-friendly fencing and barriers. 🦅🌲

🐾 This work helps protect American peregrine falcon nesting habitat while improving habitat for elk, pronghorn, mule deer, wild turkey, and more. 🦌🦃

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to protect Colorado’s wild public lands! 💚

05/12/2026

🥾🌄 Celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day with us and Friends of Browns Canyon!

Only a couple of spots remain - Join us this Saturday, May 16 (9 AM–3 PM) for a scenic 4-mile hike in Browns Canyon National Monument to historic Chloride Camp and Quartz Mountain in the Aspen Ridge Roadless Area. Enjoy sweeping views of the Sawatch Range, Collegiate Peaks, and the iconic “Old Man in the Canyon” rock formation! 🏔️✨

Along the way, we’ll explore the history, wildlife, climate resilience, and importance of protecting Colorado’s public lands. 🌿🦅

🚗 Meet in Salida to carpool/caravan to the trailhead.
📩 To register or learn more: John Sztukowski📞 (817) 939-4239 ✉️[email protected]

05/06/2026

❄️🌿 Snow in May?! We’ll take it! 🌿❄️

We’re already seeing more snow this month than we did all winter—better late than never! Enjoy it while it lasts… it’ll melt just in time for a full lineup of events ☀️

📅 Upcoming Events:
May 9: 💚 Jean Smith Celebration of Life
May 14–17: 🐦 Pikes Peak Birding & Nature Festival
May 16: 🌲 Colorado Public Lands Day Hike (Browns Canyon)
June 6: 🌄 Colorado Get Outdoors Day (Colorado Springs)
🛠️ Plus: Check out a recap of our successful April 25 restoration project!

📬 Read more & subscribe to our May Wild News:�👉 wildconnections.org/about-us/get-involved

🌄

04/27/2026

Join us on May 9 (10 AM–2 PM) as we come together to celebrate the life and legacy of Jean Smith, founder of Wild Connections. 💚🌿�(Doors open at 1:30 PM)

Jean dedicated over 30 years to protecting Colorado’s wild places—founding Wild Connections at 62 and leading it until her passing at 92. Her vision helped protect 2.78 million acres of public lands and inspired a passionate community of advocates. 🏔️✨

Come share stories, memories, and celebrate a life devoted to wildlands and wildlife. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided. 🥂

RSVP: https://forms.gle/L2NpLdSCGognPqht7

🌲

04/22/2026

🌎🌿 Happy Earth Day from Wild Connections! 🌿🌎
Celebrate with us today on an Urban Corridors Hike in Colorado Springs! 🚶‍♀️🌳

📅 Today | 4–7 PM�
📍 Sondermann Park & Mesa Springs Greenway

🌆 Our urban parks and trails are vital “wild connections”—supporting both people and wildlife:
🐦 Sondermann Park (97 acres) offers incredible wildlife habitat & birdwatching
🚶 Mesa Springs Greenway links key trails across the city
🦊 These corridors help wildlife thrive—even in urban spaces
⚠️ These special places face growing pressure from development—making their protection more important than ever.

💚 Join us to explore, learn, and celebrate the power of connected landscapes!

📩 Register: Jim Lockhart | 719-385-0045 | [email protected]�
🔗 More info: wildconnections.org/events

🌄

04/20/2026

We hope you’ll join us this Wednesday for an Earth Day hike—or connect with us at one of our many upcoming events! 🌎✨

We’re especially looking forward to gathering on May 9 for the Jean Smith Celebration of Life, honoring the founder of Wild Connections. 💚

Upcoming Events:
🌎 April 22: Earth Day Urban Corridors Hike (Colorado Springs)
🛠️ April 25: Puma Hills Phase II Volunteer Restoration Project
🧹 May 2: Great American Cleanup at Fountain Creek Watershed
💚 May 9: Jean Smith Celebration of Life
🐦 May 14–17: Pikes Peak Birding & Nature Festival
🥾 May 16: Colorado Public Lands Day Hike at Browns Canyon National Monument
📢 June 6 Colorado Get Outdoors Day in Colorado Springs

Learn more and get involved: wildconnections.org/about-us/get-involved

🌲

04/07/2026

We’ve got an exciting lineup of upcoming events you won’t want to miss! 🎉

🌿 From hands-on restoration to community gatherings, there’s something for everyone—highlighted by our Jean Smith Celebration of Life on May 9 and our volunteer restoration project on April 25.

In this edition of Wild News, explore what’s ahead 👇
🌎 April 22: Earth Day Urban Corridors Hike (Colorado Springs)
🛠️ April 25: Puma Hills Phase II Volunteer Restoration Project (date TBD)
🧹 May 2: Great American Cleanup at Fountain Creek Watershed
💚 May 9: Jean Smith Celebration of Life
🐦 May 14–17: Pikes Peak Birding & Nature Festival
🥾 May 16: Colorado Public Lands Day Hike at Browns Canyon National Monument
📢 Plus: Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation Rule public comment period coming in April

Dive into the details on these meaningful events—and more—in our full April Wild News! 📬 Read the full newsletter & subscribe: 👉 wildconnections.org/about-us/get-involved

🌲

03/23/2026

📺🌿 Wild Connections Featured on Loving Living Local! 🌿📺

Wild Connections was thrilled to be interviewed last week on FOX21 News ’s Loving Living Local as part of Give Campaign Pikes Peak! 💚

👏 Co-Executive Director India West and President Jim Lockhart did a phenomenal job sharing:
🌲 The work we do to protect our public wildlands
🐾 Why conservation is critical for wildlife & biodiversity
🌎 The importance of safeguarding these places for future generations—especially as our state faces a changing climate, growing population, and increased recreation pressure

🎥 Take a few minutes to watch the 5-minute feature and learn more about our mission:�👉 fox21news.com/video/give-pikes-peak-wild-connections-inc/11618998

💚 Thank you for supporting us and local conservation through Give! Pikes Peak!

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Address

Colorado Springs, CO

Telephone

+18179394239

Website

http://www.WildConnections.org/

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