Western Slope Conservation Center

Western Slope Conservation Center We build an informed community to protect and enhance the lands and waters of the Western Slope

https://linktr.ee/westernslopecenter

Our public lands have had a little bit of a rough year. The myriad of assaults they have suffered has been overwhelming,...
09/02/2026

Our public lands have had a little bit of a rough year. The myriad of assaults they have suffered has been overwhelming, to say the least.

🙌 However, we still have SO much to celebrate, and this National Public Lands, September 26, we invite you to get out, explore, and actively enjoy these shared treasures that make western Colorado so special!

Join us, along with our partners at Wilderness Workshop, for a hike along the rim of Roubideau Canyons followed by a trailhead picnic. 🍉🍇🥖

This unique area is a proposed area of critical environmental concern in our region's BLM land management plan that is rich in biodiversity with massive canyons and dramatic mesas stretching across the landscape. 🌄

Space is limited, and we'd love for you to join us! Learn more or register at: https://bit.ly/PublicLandsPicnic

Thanks to everyone who came out to see us at our GORP Act Community Social at Horse Ranch Park Trailhead this past Frida...
08/28/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to see us at our GORP Act Community Social at Horse Ranch Park Trailhead this past Friday, August 21!

It was a gorgeous day in the high country, and we were able to connect with several diverse user groups including hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians plus many visitors from far afield, here enjoying their public lands. 🏇🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️

If you missed this event, we'll be hosting another trailhead social during peak fall colors 🍂 —stay posted by signing up for our newsletter at www.westernslopeconservation.org 👀

🌿🦋 Lots of exciting events are coming up! Here’s what’s on the WSCC calendar:**Mon, Aug 31 | Public Lands Committee**5–6...
08/28/2026

🌿🦋 Lots of exciting events are coming up! Here’s what’s on the WSCC calendar:

**Mon, Aug 31 | Public Lands Committee**
5–6:30pm | WSCC Conference Room, Paonia

**Wed, Sep 9 | Pints & Public Lands**
5–6:30pm | Big B’s Delicious Orchards, Hotchkiss
Get the latest updates on YOUR public lands from Public Lands Advocacy Coordinator: Melissa Newell—and save $1 on your drink!

**Thurs, Sep 10 | Watershed Committee**
4–5:30pm | WSCC Conference Room, Paonia

**Sun, Sep 13 | Microhabitat & Planting Workshop** 🌱
10am–12pm | Birdstory Nursery, Paonia
At this free, no-experience-needed hands-on workshop, you'll learn about creating a thriving, ecologically sound garden, from site prep and soil to plant selection and maintenance. Free snacks and beverages too! - Bring a shovel or hand trowel if you have one, water, and sunscreen ☀️

**Wed, Sep 16 | CSU WCRC Rogers Mesa Field Day**
3–6pm | CSU WCRC, Hotchkiss
Come see what’s happening at the research center and learn about local watershed monitoring with River Watch!

**Tues, Sep 22 | Microhabitat Garden Design Workshop** 🦋
6–7:30pm | Paonia Public Library
Bring your garden ideas and get help from local experts creating a resilient, beautiful space that supports pollinators. **Free!**
👉 Details & sign up: https://wsers.earth/upcoming

**Sat, Sep 26 | National Public Lands Day Mike’s Hike & Picnic** 🥾
8am–3pm | Roubideau Canyon
👉 Details & sign up: https://westernslopeconservation.org/mikes_hikes/
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Help us table for an hour, chat with community members, and learn more about WSCC. No experience necessary—we’ll give you everything you need! Two tabling events available:

**Sun, Sep 27 | Tabling at Mountain Harvest Festival** 🍂
9am–5pm @ Paonia Town Park

**Sat, Oct 3 & Sun, Oct 4 | Tabling at Applefest** 🍎
9am-5pm & 9am-4pm @ Cedaredge

👉 Find the volunteer sign-up here: https://bit.ly/FallFestTableVolunteer
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For more details, visit westernslopeconservation.org or email [email protected]

WSCC's Microhabitat Committee is excited to join our friends, Birdstory Nursery, for a really cool hands-on workshop - F...
08/27/2026

WSCC's Microhabitat Committee is excited to join our friends, Birdstory Nursery, for a really cool hands-on workshop - Free and no experience needed!

🌿Gardening with Native Plants: Planting a Microhabitat🌿

🌱 Want to grow native plants to support pollinators, birds, and wildlife but don’t know where to start? In this hands-on workshop, Bart and Rachel Exposito of Birdstory Nursery will walk you through the basics of planning and planting for maximum beauty, ecological value, and ease of maintenance.

Topics covered include: elements of a successful microhabitat, site prep, recommended plant species for our area, soil amendments, planting in the ground and in containers, irrigation, and ecologically sound maintenance practices.

Then roll up your sleeves and help create a new microhabitat garden for pollinators and birds that you can return to and watch grow for years to come. 🦋

📆 When: Sunday, September 13, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
📍 Where: Birdstory Nursery @ 17440 Farmers Mine Rd., Paonia, CO

Bring a shovel, hand shovel, or garden trowel if you are able. Also consider bringing water and wearing sunscreen. Snacks and cold drinks provided!

Rachel and Bart Exposito are long-time gardeners who are passionate about stewardship of land and the creatures that depend on healthy ecosystems. They own and operate Birdstory Nursery, a native plant nursery that offers native plants and woodcraft items for habitat, pollinators, and restoration.

This is a great time of year for fall planting! Come get some tips and tricks, and learn about ways that you can make a little haven for wildlife in your own yard!

- For questions, please email [email protected]

🐾 It’s International Dog Day! 🐾So here’s a doggy model repping our Western Slope Conservation Center bandana! 🐶If you ca...
08/27/2026

🐾 It’s International Dog Day! 🐾

So here’s a doggy model repping our Western Slope Conservation Center bandana! 🐶

If you catch us tabling at community events, make sure to come say hi and check out our merch! You, your dog, or both of you can pick up something to show your support for WSCC and the lands and waters we advocate for.

And if you want to support our work year-round, become a monthly giver and we’ll send you a WSCC bandana when you sign up! ☺️

👉 Sign up here: https://westernslopeconservation.org/membership-and-giving/

A big shoutout to local artist Nita Hull-Carlson for creating our two awesome bandana designs! 🧡

08/26/2026

If you missed the premieres in Gunnison, Paonia, and Crested Butte, we invite you to enjoy this beautiful film created by Cody Perry of Rig to Flip productions: "Our Lands, Our Future: The GORP Act".

In voices from across the Gunnison Basin, this short film tells the story of the scenic and working lands, wildlife and waters, and people of this unique and extraordinary region. Discover how this historic legislation supports existing agricultural and recreation uses while preserving intact landscapes, as they are now, for generations to come.

If you haven’t yet viewed the film, now's your chance—learn why the GORP Act truly is "Homegrown Conservation for the Gunnison Basin."

Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vQu6f5Lot4

Join WSCC and High Country Conservation Advocates this Friday, August 21, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM for a GORP Act Com...
08/19/2026

Join WSCC and High Country Conservation Advocates this Friday, August 21, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM for a GORP Act Community Social at the Horse Ranch Park Trailhead off Kebler Pass Road.

This is an opportunity to get your GORP Act questions answered, pick up complimentary Support the GORP Act merchandise, and get out on a GORP Act landscape.

As part of this event, WSCC Public Lands Committee chairperson Mike Burkley will be leading a short, all levels hike on Dark Canyon Trail starting at 10:30 AM.

We'll have cold refreshments and GORP mix waiting—we hope to see you there!

To learn more about the GORP Act, visit: https://westernslopeconservation.org/public-lands/gorpact/

In June, the administration announced its plan to rollback the BLM's Oil and Gas Rule.The proposed rule would:💲 Stick t...
08/19/2026

In June, the administration announced its plan to rollback the BLM's Oil and Gas Rule.

The proposed rule would:

💲 Stick taxpayers with the bill for industry's cleanup: By rolling back bonding requirements to levels first set in the 1950s and 60s, the administration is putting taxpayers on the hook for cleaning up and capping abandoned wells when drillers leave town – a massive giveaway to the oil and gas industry at taxpayers’ expense.

🗣️ Silence the public’s voice: The rule eliminates long-standing opportunities for local input and slashes the sole remaining public engagement period to a mere 10 days.

🚫 Eliminate commonsense leasing standards that help prevent drilling in sensitive wildlife habitat, cultural sites, and treasured recreation areas.

Time is running out—submit your comment in opposition to this rollback NOW! The deadline to comment is August 24: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/24/2026-12734/oil-and-gas-leasing

Western Slope Conservation Center will be tabling again at Pickin' in the Park this Thursday, August 20, in the Paonia t...
08/17/2026

Western Slope Conservation Center will be tabling again at Pickin' in the Park this Thursday, August 20, in the Paonia town park! 🎶🌿🎸

We’re looking for volunteers to join one of our staff members at the table for just one hour. Volunteers will help engage with community members, answer questions about WSCC, and help sell some of our merch.

Don’t worry if you feel like you don't know enough! Our staff member will walk you through some of the most frequently asked questions and share information about what WSCC is currently working on. We’ll also have information sheets available for reference.

This is a great opportunity to volunteer with WSCC, learn more about our work, and have some friendly conversations with community members who care about our lands and waters. 💚

Interested in helping out? Email [email protected] to sign up!
* Time slots include: 5-6pm, 6-7pm, 7-8pm, and 8-9pm - to help with tear-down.

Address

204 Poplar Avenue
Paonia, CO
81428

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19705275307

Website

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