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..

06/16/2026

☀️ Happy early Summer Solstice from Wild Connections! 🌿

Join us for our biggest volunteer project of the summer and help improve wildlife movement across the landscape! 🦌🦌

Working with the Colorado State Land Board, local ranchers, and fellow volunteers, we'll remove approximately 4.5 miles of obsolete barbed-wire fence at Chubb Park near Trout Creek Pass. This hands-on conservation project will help elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and other wildlife move more safely through this important public lands area. 🐾

🛠️ No experience necessary—we'll provide tools, gloves, snacks, drinks, and all the training you need.

🏕️ Volunteer for one or both days, with reserved camping available on Saturday night, July 11.

Whether you're a longtime volunteer or joining us for the first time, we'd love to have you on the team!

📧 [email protected] 📞 (817) 939-4239

🌄🦅

06/15/2026

🦫🌿 We had a beautiful day on Saturday for our Kenosha Creek Beaver Ponds Hike!

Seven participants joined Wild Connections to explore the Kenosha Creek watershed near the Lost Creek Wilderness, searching for signs of beaver activity and learning about the important role beavers play in restoring healthy streams and wetlands.

One highlight of the hike was discovering a freshly gnawed tree near a Beaver Dam Analog project—a clear sign that beavers may be active in the area! 🪵💧

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a great day of wildlife tracking, education, and enjoying Colorado's beautiful backcountry. 🥾🏔️

🦫🌲💙

06/10/2026

🦫🥾 Join Wild Connections for an easy 4-mile family-friendly hike to revisit a unique habitat restoration project along Kenosha Creek!

We'll explore a series of beaver dam analogs—human-built structures designed to mimic natural beaver dams, restore wetlands, improve wildlife habitat, and encourage native beavers to return. 🏞️💧

Along the way, we'll look for signs of beaver activity and see how these ecosystem engineers are helping bring the landscape back to life. 🌿🐾

Please bring rain gear, sturdy footwear, water, a sack lunch, and an extra layer. A carpool from the Denver area will be available. 🚗

📅 For more information or to register, contact Claude Neumann at [email protected] or (720) 231-3039.

06/09/2026

🌲🦅 We had a fantastic time tabling at Get Outdoors Day in Colorado Springs this past Saturday!

It was inspiring to meet so many young wildlife lovers and hear about their favorite places to explore, hike, camp, and connect with nature across the Wild Connections region. 💚

Check out this map featuring all of the outdoor spots our young adventurers shared with us! 🗺️✨

06/05/2026

💚 We were grateful to see such a wonderful turnout at the Town of Palmer Lake for the Celebration of Life honoring Wild Connections founder Jean Smith.

For more than 30 years, Jean was the foundation of this organization, dedicating her passion, leadership, and vision to its success. It was heartwarming to gather with her family, friends and colleagues to celebrate her remarkable life and legacy.

✨ The event was filled with touching tributes, cherished memories, and inspiring stories that reflected the profound impact Jean had on so many people. We are thankful to everyone who joined us in honoring her and sharing in this special remembrance.

📸 Photo: Wild Connections President Jim Lockhart hosts the Celebration of Life for Jean Smith. Photo by Claude Neumann.

💚🌲🦅

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

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Address

Colorado Springs, CO

Telephone

+18179394239

Website

http://www.WildConnections.org/

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