Learn about local forest management, wildfires and natural resources at the inaugural Oktoberforest in Dolores on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Butler’s Corner and the Dolores River Campground.
The free event, sponsored by the Dolores Watershed Forest Collaborative and Dolores Chamber of Commerce, features a wide variety of informational activities, including a bark beetle workshop, community harvest potluck, a Plateau Fire scar tour and presentations on wildfire home defense, noxious weeds and managing water resources.
“It takes everyone to keep a forest watershed healthy,” said Rebecca Samulski, coordinator of the Forest Collaborative. “Find resources, or attend a short session on a topic of your interest.” The schedule of events and locations is as follows.
The Nature Center at Butler Corner, 20503 Road 31 Oct. 19, 10:30 a.m.: Children’s storytime, “The Charcoal Forest.”Oct. 20, 9 a.m.: Bark beetle identification and management workshop put on by Colorado State University Extension, and the Colorado State Forest Service.Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: The Forest Story Trail and birding trails are open to the public.Dolores River Campground, 18680 Colorado Highway 145Oct. 20, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: The Community Harvest Potluck at the Dolores River Campground. Bring a dish to share. There will be water tastings, family games and natural resource information booths.Oct. 20, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Plateau Fire Tour with San Juan National Forest officials. Caravan leaves from campground.Oct. 20, 1 p.m.: Wildfire Home Defense workshop by Wildfire Adapted Partnership.Oct. 20, 2 p.m.: Managing Water for the Future presentation by Dolores Water Conservancy District.Oct. 20, 3 p.m.: Healthy Forests Take Everyone presentation by DWRF Collaborative.Oct. 20, 4 p.m. Noxious Weeds Crawl presentation by Montezuma County Weed Department.Oct. 20, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Celebration at the Snaggletooth Saloon at the campground. Beer from Dolores River Brewery, WildEdge Brewing Collective, Mancos Brewing Co. and Outlier Cellars Cider. Yia Yia Gyro Stand will serve food. There will be a fireside jam session, weather permitting. Bring an instrument and join AmeriKeltic. Proceeds benefit the DWRF Collaborative.The Dolores River Campground is offering 30 percent off rentals for tents, RV spaces and cabins on Oct. 20.