High Desert Conservation District

10/21/2026

It's raining—what better way to spend the next couple of days than learning something new?

Join us October 22 and 23 for two days of workshops with Glenn and Caryl Elzinga of Alderspring Ranch!

Thursday, October 22 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Yellow Jacket Livestock Auction

Glenn will cover regenerative ranching, grazing management, ranch economics, virtual fencing, and practical strategies for building a resilient, profitable ranching operation.

Lunch is provided at the Cattle Call Cafe!

Friday, October 23 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lewis Arriola Community Center

Caryl will share practical strategies for direct marketing, connecting with customers, and building a successful ranch business. We'll also have a peer-to-peer discussion with local producers about their experiences with soil health, alternative forages, and regenerative practices.

There's still time to sign up! Come learn, ask questions, and connect with fellow producers.

$20.00 at the door! We hope to see you there!

10/20/2026

We're hiring!
The High Desert Conservation District is looking for a motivated individual to join our team! This is an opportunity to work alongside local landowners, agricultural producers, and conservation partners to support natural resource conservation in Montezuma County.

Learn more and apply:

High Desert Conservation District

10/19/2026

There is still time to sign up! Join High Desert Conservation District October 22–23 for two days with Glenn and Caryl Elzinga of Alderspring Ranch!

From regenerative grazing, soil health, and virtual fencing to direct-to-consumer beef marketing, there's something for every livestock producer. Come learn from their real-world experiences, ask questions, and connect with fellow ranchers.

Just $20 to register, including lunch from the Cattle Call Café on Thursday!

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from two experienced ranchers who have built a successful operation by working with the land.

Register today: https://bit.ly/4yOfWt9

We hope to see you there!

10/16/2026

One week until we get to work along the Mancos River!

Join us and Montezuma Land Conservancy on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to plant native species within the riparian zone, helping enhance habitat and support the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe's Traditional Harvest Project.

Mountain Studies Institute will lead a hydrology education session at noon, followed by swag and gear giveaways.

Learn more and sign up: https://montezumaland.org/event/planting-day-at-road-39-2026/

10/15/2026

One of our HDCD Board members making a difference in Montezuma County! ♥️

At our field trip last week, David Temple with Trees of Trail Canyon generously donated a number of trees to our school and students, including this very special Dawn Redwood. Not only did he give us his time, professional expertise, and free rein of the land he supports and maintains... but also his beautiful trees! We are so grateful for this gift! Thank you, David, for 10 years of 8th grade field trips to Trail Canyon Ranch!

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

Coming up soon! Join High Desert Conservation District on October 22 and 23 for two great workshops with Glenn and Caryl Elzinga of Alderspring Ranch.

October 22 – Grazing Management & Ranching Practices
Learn about grazing strategies, pasture and soil health, stockmanship, electric and virtual fencing, and practical approaches to improving forage productivity.

October 23 – Direct Marketing Your Livestock
Explore how to build a successful direct-to-consumer livestock business, including marketing, branding, pricing, packaging, and reaching your customers.

Glenn and Caryl bring more than 30 years of experience building a successful regenerative ranching and direct-marketing operation.

Join us for one or both days! See the flyer for locations and details.
Register here: bit.ly/4yOfWt9

10/02/2026

Tomorrow! Join us at the Cortez Rec Center for Beyond the Gravel: Lose the Lawn, Not the Landscape!

Hear from Ric Plese of Cliffrose Nursery on drought-tolerant landscaping, Noah Peterson with the City of Cortez on the Turf Replacement Program, and Roman Jefferson on the new Cortez Tree People program.

Saturday, October 3 | 10 a.m.–Noon
Cortez Recreation Center

And don’t forget—we’ll have free xeric plants for some lucky participants!

10/01/2026

FREE PLANTS! BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES! LESS WATER!
Think xeriscaping means a yard full of gravel and plastic? Think again!

Join us THIS SATURDAY for Beyond the Gravel: Lose the Lawn, Not the Landscape! and discover how to create a colorful, beautiful landscape that thrives in Southwest Colorado without using a ton of water!
* Learn which plants thrive in our climate with Ric Plese of Cliffrose Nursery
* Hear about the City of Cortez Turf Replacement Program
* Get practical tips for replacing thirsty lawns
*PLUS—FREE plants for some lucky participants!
📅 Saturday, October 3 | 10 a.m.–Noon
📍 Cortez Recreation Center
Whether you're ready to tear out your lawn or just looking for a few ideas to spruce up your yard, this workshop is for you!
Come for the inspiration, leave with some great ideas—and maybe a new plant!

09/28/2026

This should be a great workshop! Xeriscaping doesn't have to mean gravel and plastic!
Join us for Beyond the Gravel: Lose the Lawn, Not the Landscape! and learn how to create a beautiful, colorful landscape that uses less water and thrives in Southwest Colorado.
--Learn about water-wise plants and landscaping techniques
--Hear about the City of Cortez Turf Replacement Program
--FREE xeric plants for some lucky participants!
--Saturday, October 3 | 10 a.m.–Noon
--Cortez Recreation Center