Online Conservation Resources

The Red Mountain Project

The goal of the Red Mountain Project is the acquisition and return to public ownership of approximately 10,500 acres of private mining claims situated in three of the most scenic valleys in Colorado's San Juan Mountains. Once seriously considered for elevation to National Park status in recognition of unquestioned natural beauty, the area was ultimately rejected in light of extensive mineralization and mining potential. This web site lists successes of the project as well as historical information about the Red Mountain region.

The Nature Conservancy

Since 1951, The Nature conservancy has been working with communities, businesses and individuals to protect more than 92 million acres around the world. Their mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.

Nature Conservancy projects in the San Juan Mountains include:

The South Fork Preserve on the San Miguel River
Perhaps the most striking of the three Conservancy-protected preserves along the San Miguel, the South Fork Preserve lies below the towering 14,000-foot Wilson Peak of the western San Juan Mountains.

San Miguel Canyon
The San Miguel, one of the few remaining naturally functioning rivers of the West, supports some of the best riparian (streamside) habitat in the Upper Colorado Basin.

Tabeguache Preserve
A 7-mile stretch of the San Miguel meanders through the preserve, occupying a broad floodplain. Unlike areas upstream, the waters flowing through this site are tame and peaceful.

Animas River Stakeholders Group

The Animas River Stake Holders Group has a mission of improving water quality and aquatic habitats in the Animas watershed through a collaborative community based process. The group meets monthly in Silverton, Colorado and is focused on water quality problems originating from historical mining and natural mineralization. Extensive water quality monitoring & some mine site reclamation has been done to date.

San Juan Citizens Alliance

The San Juan Citizens Alliance organizes for the land and people of the San Juan Basin. Major projects are protecting the Wild San Juans and advocating greater corporate and governmental responsibility in development of oil and gas resources in the San Juan Basin.

Western Colorado Congress

Western Colorado Congress is a grassroots alliance that empowers people to protect our communities and environment. Western Colorado Congress organizes local community groups which tackle local issues. By pooling their experience and resources, members of these local groups build strength, credibility and comraderie, and are better able to win on their issues.

Colorado River Watch

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) developed an exciting and far-reaching program that involves volunteers in protecting the quality of Colorado rivers. Called "Rivers of Colorado Water Watch Network" (ROCWWN), or "River Watch", the program links environmental protection with education in a meaningful, hands-on project for Colorado residents. Participants currently are made up of middle and high school students, their teachers, watershed management groups and stakeholders. Search to find water quality data on San Juan Mountain Rivers.

Conservation Education - San Juan National Forest

This page, sponsored by the San Juan National Forest, list numerous educational resources for teachers relating to the outdoors including workshops, fieldtrips, special activites and check-out resources.

The Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project

The Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project (SREP) seeks to identify, protect and restore areas critical to the maintenance of biological diversity and ecological richness in the Southern Rockies bioregion. SREP is a non-profit, grassroots organization established in 1992 to join the science of conservation biology with citizen activism to develop ecosystem protection plans in the Southern Rockies. SREP's regional affiliates span from Southern Wyoming to Northern New Mexico.

Sierra Club - Rocky Mountain Chapter

Colorado Environmental Coalition

The Colorado Environmental Coalition (CEC) is the largest state-based citizens' group committed to protecting Colorado's unique natural heritage. As the grassroots action arm of Colorado's environmental movement, the Coalition works to protect the state's wild lands, wildlife and quality of life.

Southern Rockies Forest Network

The Southern Rockies Forest Network's mission is to save the last unprotected wildlands in the Southern Rockies, and to preserve and restore native biodiversity through advocacy, education, and legal action.

The Wilderness Society

Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society works to protect America's wilderness and to develop a nation-wide network of wild lands through public education, scientific analysis and advocacy. Their goal is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and water, wildlife, beauty and opportunities for recreation and renewal that pristine forests, rivers, deserts and mountains provide.

Wilderness Watch

Wilderness Watch is a national, citizens' organization dedicated solely to the protection of our nation's Wildernesses and Wild Rivers. Since 1989, Wilderness Watch has been at the forefront of the battle to secure the long-term preservation of our country's most incomparable places: those public lands that are included in the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.