Eastern San Luis Valley Trails Coalition

07/18/2023

Are you interested in Elk management in the SLV? Head on over to the Great Sand Dunes on July 31st at 12 pm to hear Valerie Tafoya's presentation on the analysis of elk movements on local FWS and NPS lands! 🦌

10/14/2022

The GOATs (Great Outdoor Action Team) are in need of volunteers next week to help construct the Kiosk Connection! The GOATS and community volunteers will be constructing an approximately 0.25 mile crusher fine trail on Crestone Charter School and Baca Grande POA property from October 17th - October 19th.

This will be a non-motorized, public trail part of the larger Eastern San Luis Valley Trail Network, an initiative by the Eastern San Luis Valley Trails Coalition whose objective is to foster a culture of hiking, preserve and make accessible precious wildlife and native vegetation areas to serve the needs of residents and visitors alike.

The new trail, called the Kiosk Connection, will connect the future Safe Routes to School Trail (construction is slated for the spring of 2023), and the Kiosk. This trail will be a vital link between the Town of Crestone, Crestone Charter School and residential areas, to the Baca National Wildlife Refuge.

Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8iREZe8-1iz1SWS4ntkAtaXrpSh26RfiJVdb386y_PG6kWw/viewform?usp=sf_link to RSVP!

05/10/2022

Join the Eastern San Luis Valley Trails Coalition on Monday, May 16th at 3:30 pm at the Crestone Charter School to hear what our coalition has accomplished thus far, what is in the works, and what is planned! We also need community input and feedback on a proposed trail route that would connect the future Safe Routes to School Trail to the "Kiosk."

ESLVTC envisions a multi-modal trail system that connects vital destinations and accesses public lands recreation & education opportunities in the Crestone locale and Eastern San Luis Valley.
Through collaboration with local jurisdictions, public land managers, environmental non-profits, schools and community leaders, ESLVTC coordinates and facilitates the implementation of a Trails Master Plan, fosters a culture of stewardship, and strengthens the local services and hospitality economy.

For questions regarding the public forum, please contact Dani Robben with San Luis Valley Great Outdoors at [email protected]

04/12/2022

Join the Eastern San Luis Valley Trails Coalition tomorrow, April 13th at 6 pm at the Baca Grande POA Hall to hear what our coalition has accomplished thus far, what is in the works, and what is planned! We also need community input and feedback on a proposed trail route that would connect the future Safe Routes to School Trail to the "Kiosk."

ESLVTC envisions a multi-modal trail system that connects vital destinations and accesses public lands recreation & education opportunities in the Crestone locale and Eastern San Luis Valley.
Through collaboration with local jurisdictions, public land managers, environmental non-profits, schools and community leaders, ESLVTC coordinates and facilitates the implementation of a Trails Master Plan, fosters a culture of stewardship, and strengthens the local services and hospitality economy.

For questions regarding the public forum, please contact Dani Robben with San Luis Valley Great Outdoors at [email protected]

03/04/2022

02/07/2022

San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!) will be hosting two community information sessions about the proposed Sangre de Cristo Dark Sky Reserve and its requested amendments to Saguache County's outdoor lighting ordinances. The community information session invites Saguache County residents to learn more about the proposed International Dark Sky Reserve, the benefits of dark skies, and how dark sky regulations actually increase lighting on the ground in your community. This effort is to mitigate future effects of light pollution and will thus grandfather in existing lighting and apply to new construction and potentially lighting in need of replacement.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue with Sangre de Cristo Dark Sky Reserve Coalition partners that are working together to preserve dark skies in an effort to combat light pollution, increase energy efficiency, enhance astro and eco tourism in the region, improve health and safety, and to protect nocturnal wildlife and habitat.

Questions? Contact Dani Robben at [email protected].

08/12/2021

The Baca National Wildlife Refuge is hosting an Open House (free to the public!) this Saturday, August 14th, in conjunction with Eastern San Luis Valley Trails Coalition, Sangre de Cristo Dark Sky Coalition, The Town of Crestone, Colorado College, and the Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges.

Join us at 6:00pm for a welcome and Ribbon Cutting ceremony of the newly constructed Baca Nature and Heritage Trail.
Refuge staff will discuss the important new riparian habitat acquisition as well as other projects occurring on the refuge.
Refuge partners will be in attendance to talk about their priorities, current activities and plans for conservation, recreation, and education.

Beginning at 9:00pm, Colorado College Professor of Physics Dr. Shane Burns will provide a dark sky presentation and lead
a dark sky tour (also free!) along the newly constructed Baca Nature and Heritage Trail (packed gravel path). This tour will include an approximate 1-mile round-trip walk and will explore the night sky, with constellation interpretation and discussion of local dark sky preservation efforts.

Directions: Follow County Road T 10.5 miles to the East of Moffatt from CO-17. GPS Coordinates are (37.979074,-105.723080). There will be signs!

12/09/2020

It's Colorado Backcountry Winter Safety Awareness Week! Check out Colorado Parks and Wildlife's page throughout this week to learn life-saving tips for recreating in the backcountry this winter!

Get out in front of backcountry danger. Colorado's backcountry is vast and beautiful, but it can change in an instant. Visit https://www.Colorado.com/WinterB...

11/20/2020

Get to know ESLVTC!

Today’s highlighted initiative is Eastern San Luis Valley Trails Coalition (ESLVTC)!

ESLVTC is a coalition of public and private partners formed to create a non-motorized, multi-use trail system along the eastern San Luis Valley. They provide overall leadership and organizational support, as well as assistance with coordination and grant applications. Coalition partners meet monthly to review progress and discuss project needs.

The vision of ESLVTC is a non-motorized multi-use trail system connecting key destinations and linking Crestone and the Baca Subdivision to adjacent public lands and recreational assets.

Learn more about ESLVTC at www.slvgo.com!

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04/15/2020

It's common—and totally OK—to be feeling anxious in these uncertain times.

Remember, nature is still here for you! Just 20 minutes of outdoor time can significantly lower stress hormone levels.

Spend some time outside today!

Read about it here:

https://www.futurity.org/nature-stress-hormones-2333762/

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Just 20 minutes in nature can reduce your stress levels, research shows. That could mean gardening or just sitting outside and enjoying the sun.

04/14/2020

"Our childish desire to explore every blade of grass, find every hidden bug, and carefully examine every rock is more than a passing interest. Strong attachment to nature has a high evolutionary value because people who carefully monitor their natural environments have always had an advantage in hunting and survival. No wonder the sight of flowers, lush landscapes, and hundred-year-old trees still calms our nerves, even today."

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/importance-of-deeply-reconnecting-with-nature/

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Humans seems to be programmed to seek out forests, meadows, and mountains in any form, even as digital images. Children also prefer to play in parks whenever possible and improvise their playgrounds with all available resources. My name is Brent Lott, and I've been a nature lover my whole life.