By Josh Pike
Throughout the summer, the Riverwalk Naturalist Tours have entertained and educated residents and visitors by offering free guided naturalists tours of the Riverwalk Wetlands. Sponsored by Pagosa Wetland Partners, Weminuche Audubon Society, and the Springs Resort, the program aims to educate participants about the unique characteristics of the Riverwalk Wetlands. Over the last three months, we have introduced more than 125 people to the natural beauty and wildlife of the wetlands. Through the season, participants have enjoyed seeing waterbirds nest and their babies mature, seen the landscape of the wetlands change as the cattail and reed banks grow, and learned about the unique ecology of the area.
However, as fall approaches, the touring season is quickly coming to an end.
The program’s last tour will be offered tonight, Tuesday, September 28. This will be the last opportunity for interested people to join a tour this season. On the tour, participants will be able to see a wide variety of birds currently undergoing their fall migration as well as the beginnings of fall changes to the wetland vegetation, and an increasing number of bats in the cooling and darkening evening.
The final tour will be offered starting at 7pm this evening, Tuesday. No reservations are required, just show up if you want to join us. The tour will last between 1 and 1 1/2 hours and will involve an approximately 1 1/2 mile walk on a paved trail. People of all ages, abilities and identities are welcomed to join us. We will meet at the Habitat Hero Native Plant Garden in Centennial Park behind the court house near the Geothermal Greenhouse Domes. The tour will then follow the Riverwalk Trail through the wetlands, ending near City Hall. At the end of the tour, participants will have options for their walk back to their lodgings or vehicles.
Bringing binoculars and a water bottle is recommended, as many wetland animals, such as birds, are more easily seen with binoculars and there is not readily available drinking water on the trail. We ask that you leave your furry friends at home, as their presence will often disturb wildlife on the trail and reduce the amount of things we can see. However, service animals are always welcome.
This season of tours has been a delightful experience for our guides, who have enjoyed educating participants about the Riverwalk Wetlands. We are excited to share our passion for the wetlands with you this Tuesday! Contact us at pagosawetlands@gmail.com if you have questions. Otherwise, we will see you on the trail!