With our spring snow and rains, forests are coming alive with a diverse array of plants. Plants that provide food or medicine and incredible beauty, and some to admire only from a distance. Join us for a fun and educational ramble through the forest, as we discover edible and medicinal native plants. The walks are free of charge!

Weminuche Audubon Society and Audubon Rockies are excited to sponsor three summer plant walks with certified herbalist, Lake McCullough.  The first walk on Monday, June 9,  will explore early summer herbs, wildflowers and medicinal plants in the Ponderosa Pine Ecozone in the Turkey Springs area.

In order to handle increased popularity and demand for information about our local ecosystems, we will be conducting two back-to-back plant walks at this location. The first tour will begin at 9:30 and run until 11:30. The second tour will begin at 11:45 and go until 1:45. There is a 15-person maximum on each walk. Please call McCullough ahead to reserve a space at 970-398-0923 and indicate which time slot you choose. This walk is about 1.5 miles roundtrip. Please be prepared for rugged trails and unpredictable weather, and leave dogs at home.

We will meet on Turkey Springs Road. From Highway 160, take Piedra Road (CR 600) 6.3 miles north to Turkey Springs Road (Forest Service Road 629). Turn left onto Turkey Springs Road and continue 4.5 miles, keeping straight at the Brockover Road (FS 919) intersection. Continue another .1 mile. Parking is along the side of the road. 

 McCullough’s knowledge and fun sense of humor have made these walks very popular and spaces fill quickly. We are fortunate that she shares her expertise with us.  Give her a call to add your name to the list.  Future walks will be held in July and August.

Make sure to visit Lake and Carolyn at Earthsense Herbals for a variety of handcrafted salves, soaps, lotions and bodycare items, as well as medicinal teas and tinctures, art and more.  They are open from Tuesday through Saturday at 144 Pagosa St. in downtown Pagosa Springs.  You may also shop their online store at https://www.earthsensepagosa.com/