The Riverwalk in downtown Pagosa Springs is a popular place to take a walk, bicycle, jog or exercise the dog. We walk it while on the phone, chatting with friends, listening with headphones on or deep in thought. How often do we take the opportunity to pay attention to the natural areas that the Riverwalk traverses?
Sandwiched between the San Juan River and the Riverwalk are the town-owned conservation wetlands, an important and diverse habitat that you may have overlooked.
Eighty percent of all wildlife species use wetland or riparian habitats during some part of their life. Wetlands provide areas to hide for raising young and homes for birds like the small Virginia rails who spend their lives in wetlands and use the thick, nearly impenetrable wetland vegetation as an escape from predators. Wetlands provide food in the form of insects, invertebrates and plants. There’s always something happening in the wetlands.
Volunteers with Pagosa Wetland Partners would love to share with you their appreciation for and knowledge of this special habitat.
We invite you to take a free tour of discovery through the Riverwalk wetlands conservation area with our trained naturalists. Learn about the resources and services this habitat provides, and the forces at play that make them special.
Tours last approximately 1-1.5 hours. The paved trail is wheel-chair accessible. Please bring water, sunglasses, a hat and your curiosity. Cameras and binoculars are a plus, but no pets, please.
Tours are offered through August on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 8 a.m., weather dependent. Advance registration is not required. Meet your guides at the Native Plants Garden at the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership site in Centennial Park.
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