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Forests to Faucets professional development for educators to be held June 4th- 5th at Fort Lewis College A free, professional development workshop for teachers and educators will be offered June 4th-5th, 2026 at Fort Lewis College. This workshop: Forests to Faucets: My Water Comes from the San Juan Mountains is offered in partnership by Mountain Studies Institute, San Juan Mountains Association, and Water Information Program. Participating teachers will have the opportunity to wear the “student hat” as they explore relevant topics in forest health and water ecology. Teachers will sample place-based field trips, will do hands-on activities, and learn from water professionals, all of which they can bring back to their students and classrooms next fall. All participants will receive free lunch, a shared drive of all teaching materials, a kit of classroom materials, and a certificate for 16 hours of professional development. Drought and water shortages are quickly becoming prominent issues facing our youth. Through this workshop, teachers will gain skills to help their students understand our water future through fun, interactive ways! Among the expert speakers presenting at the workshop will be staff from the City of Durango. Teachers will learn first-hand about current measures the city treats and manages our water supply. Registration is at https://www.mountainstudies.org/foreststofaucets and requires a $50 deposit, which will be refunded after completion of the workshop. Please direct all questions to jewell@mountainstudies.org. Registration closes May 22nd, 2026.

 La Plata County Humane Society Announces New Play Yards, Leadership Growth and Continued Community Impact La Plata County Humane Society is breaking ground on new play yards to improve safety, durability and year-round access in all weather conditions. These new play yards were made possible by a group of passionate supporters and we could not be more grateful for this investment in the well-being of the pets in our care. The La Plata County Humane Society (LPCHS), the only open-admission shelter serving La Plata County, is celebrating 55 years of service to La Plata County and a period of leadership growth and continued investment in animal care and community services. Durango, Colorado — The La Plata County Humane Society (LPCHS) is preparing to break ground on new outdoor play yards designed to improve safety, durability and enrichment for the hundreds of dogs in its care each year. Play Yards In 2022, LPCHS completed critical facility renovations including new flooring, LED lighting, kennels, roof and HVAC systems, all fully funded through donor support. Building on that momentum, a lead donor contributed $300,000 to address a longstanding issue with the shelter’s outdoor spaces. Additional donor support has since helped bring the project to the construction phase. The current play yards, used daily for group play, socialization and adoption meetings, suffer from poor drainage and often become muddy or icy. The new yards will be larger and designed for year-round access, improving both animal welfare and staff safety. “No matter the weather, the dogs in our care spend time in our play yards with our Behavior team every day for exercise and enrichment ,” said Tricia Simpson, LPCHS Board president. “The new play yards will be in a more visible location on the campus to better showcase dogs that are available for adoption for visitors and passers-by. And it’s just plain entertaining to watch the fun.” Leadership Growth and Opportunities LPCHS is celebrating its 55th year of service to La Plata County. We recently welcomed Executive Director Colleen Dunning and Development Manager Shaun Satterfield, both bringing extensive experience and a shared vision for advancing the organization’s mission. In addition, several new members have joined the Board of Directors, contributing expertise in veterinary operations, pet product manufacturing and wholesale operations and successful non-profit leadership to support strong governance and long-term sustainability. Since 2022, the organization has experienced approximately a 20 percent increase in expenses, driven by inflation and higher costs for staffing, pet food, medical care and cleaning supplies. “Projects like the play yards are made possible by donors who care deeply about specific improvements,” said Colleen Dunning, executive director of LPCHS. “But the day-to-day work of feeding animals, providing medical care and keeping our doors open to every animal in need requires consistent operational support from the community.” Community Impact As the county’s only open-admission shelter, LPCHS serves about 4,000 pets every year. LPCHS accepts all animals brought in by animal control, takes in owner surrenders and provides low-cost services including spay/neuter and vaccinations. Despite ongoing financial pressures, LPCHS remains committed to uninterrupted service. “No matter the circumstances, we are here for animals 24-hours a day, 365 days a year,” Dunning said. “Community support is what makes that possible.” As construction begins on the