Keeping the ‘wild’ in Colorado’s wilderness

What: Talk for Colorado parks and Wildlife senior biologist Scott Wait
Where: Center for Southwest Studies Lyceum, Fort Lewis College
When: Thurs., Aug. 28, at 7 p.m.

In honor of America’s Wilderness Act turning 50 in September, things are going to get a little wild at Fort Lewis College on Thursday night. That’s when Colorado Parks and Wildlife presents veteran biologist Scott Wait, who will talk about the importance of wilderness to wildlife. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. in the Lyceum at the Center for Southwest Studies at the Fort Lewis College.

The southwest corner of Colorado contains the largest concentration of designated wilderness in the state. These wilderness areas include: Weminuche, Lizard Head, South San Juan, Sangre de Cristo, Fossil Ridge, Uncompahgre, Raggeds, La Garita, Powderhorn, West Elk, and Escalante-Dominguez Canyon.

“Wilderness is incredibly important for wildlife populations,” said Wait, who is the senior terrestrial biologist for the southwest region of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “It provides a significant refuge and allows animals to live with a minimal amount of human disturbance.”

Wait has worked for more than 30 years as a wildlife biologist in Colorado. Originally from Missouri, he earned his undergraduate degree in wildlife biology from the University of Wyoming in 1980 and a Master’s Degree in the subject from Washington State University in 1983. He worked as the wildlife manager for the city of Boulder from 1985-87. Then he started his career with what was then the Colorado Division of Wildlife in 1988 as a district wildlife manager in Saguache in the San Luis Valley.

In 1994, he became the area wildlife biologist for the agency in Durango, and in 2006 was promoted to his current position, which is also based in Durango. The region extends from the Four Corners to Paonia, and includes the San Juans, Gunnison Basin, the Uncompahgre Plateau and the San Luis Valley.

On a daily basis, Wait works on a variety of wildlife resource issues, including: habitat restoration, big game, small game, and species conservation. He has also worked on numerous special wildlife projects, including reintroduction and monitoring of lynx, Columbia sharp-tailed grouse reintroduction, moose introduction and Gunnison-sage grouse issues.

For more information, go to: cpw.state.co.us.

Thursday28

Here to Hear: Office Hour with Councilor Dick White, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., City Hall, 949 E. 2nd Ave.
 
Drop-in Tennis, 6 p.m., Durango High tennis courts. 769-3772.
 
Lisa Blue Trio, 5-8 p.m., Animas River Café at the Doubletree. 259-6580.
 
La La Bones performs, part of the Burger and a Band series, 5-9 p.m., James Ranch, Highway 550.
 
Terry Hartzel performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
Rob Webster performs, 6 p.m., 6512’ Restaurant and Lounge, 152 E. College Dr.
 
Black Velvet performs, 6-9 p.m., St. Clair Winery & Bistro in Farmington.
 
Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.powsci.org.
 
Tim Guidotti performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
 
Wildlife in the Wilderness, celebrating 50 years of the Wilderness Act, 7 p.m., Center for Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College, Lyceum Room. cpw.state.co.us.
 
Salsa Night, 7 p.m., Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
 
Soul River Band performs, 7 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
 
Robin Davis performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 

Friday29

Pick-up basketball, noon - 2 p.m., Durango Recreation Center. 799-0173.
 
32nd Street Farm Stand, 3-6 p.m., 821 E. 32nd St.
 
FLC Fall Convocation, 4 p.m., Whalen Gym at Fort Lewis College.
 
Rally Street Party with Kirk James Blues Band, 4-9 p.m., 10th Street and Main Ave.
 
Sol’ Emporium performs, 5 p.m., Mancos Valley Distillery.
 
Jeff Solon Jazz Trio performs, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Café, DoubleTree Hotel.
 
Terry Hartzel performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
The Assortment performs, 6-9 p.m., Foxfire Farms in Ignacio.
 
Bootyconda performs, 7-10 p.m., Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
 
Alex Paul performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Black Velvet with special guest Ben Gibson, 8:30 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.

 

Saturday30

Durango Farmers Market, 8 a.m. - noon, First National Bank parking lot, 259 W. 9th St.
 
Drop-in Tennis, 9 a.m., Durango High tennis courts. 769-3772.
 
Durango Brew Train, 9:30 a.m., meet at Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Station, 479 Main Ave. http://www.durangotrain.com.
 
Fly Fishing Workshop, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Durango Nature Center. www.durangonaturestudies.org.
 
First Aid Class, 1-5 p.m., Community Room at the Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-9508.
 
Ballet Folklorico de Durango open house and registration, 2-3:30 p.m., Centro de Muchos Colores, Fort Lewis College. Classes begin Sept. 8. www.fortlewis.edu/elcentro
 
Comedian Josh Blue performs, fundraiser for Special Olympics Colorado, 5 p.m., Parque De Vida in Cortez. 565-3795 or 565-9249.
 
Jeff Solon Jazz Trio performs, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Café, DoubleTree Hotel.
 
Lacey Black performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
The Ben Gibson Band performs, 6 p.m., Balcony Bar and Grill, 600 Main Ave.
 
Pete Neds performs, 6 p.m., 6512’ Restaurant and Lounge, 152 E. College Dr.
 
Tim Telep performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
 
Greg Ryder performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Splatapus performs, 7-10 p.m., The Intelligents performs, 9 p.m. - close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
 
Trivia Night, 8 p.m., Bottom Shelf Brewery in Bayfield.
 
9Electric performs, 8 p.m., Sky Ute Casino and Resort, Ignacio.
 
Black Velvet perform, 8:30 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
 
DJ Kaztro, 9 p.m., Pongas, 121 W. 8th St. 382-8554.
 
Dave Mensch performs, 9 p.m., Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 
Black Market Research performs, 10 p.m., El Rancho Tavern.

 

Sunday31                              

Wine and Rails Train, 9:30 a.m., meet at Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Station, 479 Main Ave. www.durangotrain.com.
 
32nd Street Farm Stand, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., 821 E. 32nd St.
 
The Pete Giuliani Band performs, noon - 4 p.m., Durango Harley Davidson.
 
Traditional Irish Music Jam, 12:30-4 p.m., Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 
Travis and Alicia perform, part of the Music & Dinner series, 4-7 p.m., Wines of the San Juan in Turley, N.M. 505-632-0879.
 
Jeff Solon Jazz Trio, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Swing Restaurant at Dalton Ranch. 247-8774.
 
Tim Guidotti performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Blue Moon Ramblers perform, 7 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
Jazz Church, 7-10 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
 
Skull Theory, Morbid Justice and Incide perform, 8 p.m., Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.

 

Monday01

Storytime for Kids, 3 p.m., Fort Lewis Mesa Branch Library. 588-3331.
 
Free Acupuncture for veterans and families, 3-5 p.m., 635 E. 5th Ave. 403-4150.
 
Chad MacCluskey performs, 6-9 p.m., Cyprus Café, 725 E. 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
 
Pete Giuliani performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.

 

Tuesday02

“How Green is Your Business?” part of the Tuesday Talk series, 7:45 a.m., Carver Brewing Co., Main Ave. 247-0312.
 
The Assortment performs, 4:30-8:30 p.m., The Balcony, 600 Main Ave.
 
Drop-in Tennis, 6 p.m., Durango High tennis courts. 769-3772.
 
Lacey Black performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
Greg Ryder performs, 6 p.m., Pura Vida Café, 14810 CR 501, Vallecito. 884-2766.
 
Rotary Club of Durango meets, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. 385-7899.
 
The Jeff Solon Jazz Group featuring Alison Dance, 6-9 p.m., Cyprus Café, 725 East 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
 
The Entrepreneur Lounge, 6-7:30 p.m., back room of the Himalayan Kitchen, 10th and Main.
 
Pete Giuliani performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
 
Tim Sullivan performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Open Mic Night, 7 p.m. - close, Moe’s 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.

 

Wednesday03

Bird Walk, 8 a.m., meet at Rotary Park. 382-9396.
 
Storytime Kick-off Party, 10 a.m., Ignacio Community Library.
 
Weekly Wee Walk About, preschool nature walk, 10-11 a.m., Pavilion at Rotary Park. 769-1800.
 
Canning Class, 2-6 p.m., Pine River Public Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.
 
Storytime for Kids, 3 p.m., Fort Lewis Mesa Branch Library. 588-3331.
 
32nd St. Farm Stand, 3-6 p.m., 821 E. 32nd St.
 
One Roof Blues performs, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Rochester Hotel, 726 E. 2nd Ave. www.rochesterhotel.com.
 
Lacey Black performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
Group trail run, 6 p.m., meet at Twin Buttes trailhead, 1.5 miles west on HWY 160, next to Giant gas station. www.durangorunningclub.org or 206-856-1063.
 
Jose Villarreal performs, 6 p.m., 6512' Restaurant and Lounge, 152 E. College Dr.
 
The Jeff Solon Jazz Duo, 6-9 p.m., Cyprus Café, 725 E. 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
 
Tim Guidotti performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
 
Terry Rickard performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Pub Quiz Trivia, 8:30 p.m., Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 

Ongoing

The Wilderness Photography of Larry Carver, runs through Aug. 29, Pine River Valley Bank, 1701 Main Ave.
 
Call to Artists for “Art Takes Flight” exhibit, deadline Aug. 29-30, show opens Sept. 1, Mancos Town Gallery. 882-3130 or 533-7464.
 
“Gathered Spaces,” works by Leslie Madigan, through Aug. 30, Art Library, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
 
Durango Melodrama & Vaudeville, 7:45 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through Aug. 30, Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. henrystratertheatre.com.
 
Sacred Arts Festival submission deadlines: poetry and music - Sept. 2; art - Sept. 19. Artists’ reception 5-7 p.m., Sept. 26; poetry reading and reception, 7 p.m., Sept. 27; concert and reception, 2 p.m., Sept. 28. Exhibit runs through October; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 E. 3rd Ave. www.sacredartsfestival.com.
 
“Exhibit 970 – Generations,” runs through Sept. 13, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
 
Artist Ryan Doty, show runs thru Sept. 15, Raider Ridge Café.
 
Aztec Does Art, runs through Sept. 19, Feat of Clay Gallery in Aztec, N.M. 505-334-4335.
 
Photography of Jimmy Williams, through Oct. 8, Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave.
 
Call to Artists for “Exposure: International Juried Exhibit,” deadline Oct. 17, Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave. www.openshuttergallery.com.
 
“Behind the Scenes” Tours, 2 p.m., Thursdays thru Oct. 30, Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores. 882-5600 or www.co.blm.gov/ahc.
 
“Beauty and Necessity: The Rio Grande Collection,” through Dec. 17, Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College.
 
Meditation and Satsang, 7 p.m., first and third Sundays of each month, Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave., Room 10. www.craigholliday.com.
 
Four Corners Beekeeper’s Association “The Buzz Club,” 6 p.m., third Monday, Florida Baptist Church near Elmore’s Corner. 903-1877.
 
Peace and Justice Fellowship, 6-7:30 p.m., first and third Mondays, 111 Linda Court. 403-9309.
 
Evening Book Club, 6 p.m., third Thursday, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
 
Pub Science, 6 p.m. first Friday, Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.durangodiscovery.com.
 
BID Coffee & Conversation, 8:30-9:30 a.m., second Friday, City Hall Council Chambers. www.downtowndurango.org.
 
Heartbeat Durango, support group for individuals affected by suicide, 6-8 p.m., second and fourth Wednesday, Fire Station 1, 142 Sheppard Drive. 403-4103.
 
Diamond Belle Saloon Gunfights, 7 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave.
 
Karaoke, 8 p.m., Thurs. – Sun., 8th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8th Ave.
 

Upcoming

Freezing and Dehydrating class, 6 p.m., Sept. 4, Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.
 
“The Lost Pueblo Village” screening, 6 p.m., Sept. 4, Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College, Lyceum Room. swcenter.fortlewis.edu.
 
Animas Watershed Partnership meets, 6-8 p.m., Sept. 4, Farmington Civic Center. animaswatershedpartnership.org.
 
“Relationships in Durango: Can We All Get Along?” play, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 4-6, Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. www.henrystratertheatre.com.
 
“Art Takes Flight” artist’s reception, 5-7 p.m., Sept. 5, Mancos Town Gallery. 882-3130 or 533-7464.
 
“Spanish Experience,” series on Spanish and social issues in Latin America, 6 p.m., Sept. 5, Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.
 
Blues Jam with Alfie Harpo, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 5, Historic Aztec Theater in Aztec, N.M. 505-427-6748.
 
“Growing: Adventures in Food and Farming,” one-woman show with Sarah Syverson, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 5-6, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. 259-2606 or www.merelyplayers.us.
 
19th Anniversary Party and Brewer’s Invitational, The Skatalites, Pietasters and Rebel Set perform, 2:30-10:30 p.m., Sept. 6, Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.
 
Alfie Harpo & The Kirk James Blues Band perform, Sept. 6, Historic Aztec Theater in Aztec, N.M. 505-427-6748.
 
Meet the Author featuring Beth Baker, author of With a Little Help from Our Friends: Creating Community as We Grow Older, 4-5:30 p.m., Sept. 7, Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave. www.mariasbookshop.com.
 
Mushroom Walk, 1 p.m., Sept. 7, meet at Durango Natural Foods, 575 E. 8th Ave. www.durangonaturalfoods.coop.
 
“Cross Currents” opening reception, 4:30-6 p.m., show runs through Oct. 7, Fort Lewis College Art Gallery. 247-7167 or www.fortlewis.edu/art/ArtGallery.
 
Meet the Author featuring Martha McClellan, author of The Aging Athlete: What We Do to Stay in the Game, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Sept. 9, Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave. www.mariasbookshop.com.
 
3rd annual Art Auction, fundraiser for Wolfwood Refuge, 5:30-9 p.m., Sept. 12, Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. wolfwoodrefuge.org.
 
Boomtown, improvisational comedy troupe from Creede, 7 and 9:30 p.m., Sept. 12, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org or 259-2606.
 
59th annual Pancake Day, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sept. 18, La Plata County Fairgrounds. 247-5011.
 
Ralph Dinosaur performs, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m., Sept. 19, Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 
Heartfest 2014, Children’s Organ Transplant Association fundraiser for Liam Maddox, Sept. 20, family run/walk, 9 a.m., Animas River Trial; music and silent auction, 5-8 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.cotaforliamm.com.
 
“Paperback Picnic” program opening discussion, parent/child book club for grades 3-8, noon, Sept. 20, Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222 or prlibrary.org.
 
Shootout on the Hill golf tournament for Durango Area Youth Hockey, 12:30 p.m., Sept. 20, Hillcrest Golf Club. durangohockey.com.
 
Joe McMurrian performs, Sept. 20, Historic Aztec Theater in Aztec, N.M. 505-427-6748.
 
Robby Overfield performs, 9 p.m., Sept. 26, Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 
Mancos Valley Balloon and Art Fest, vendor booth deadline Sept. 27, event runs Sept. 28, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., in Mancos. 533-7434 or www.mancosvalley.com.
 
Blue Lotus Feet Kirtan, 7-9 p.m., Sept. 27, Inhabit-A Center for Learning, Growth & Transformation, 1970 E. 3rd Ave.
 
Dave Mensch performs, 9 p.m., Sept. 27, Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 
First Thursdays Art Walk, 5-7 p.m., Oct. 2, meet at Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
 
Free Legal Self-Help Clinic, 2-5 p.m., Oct. 10, Ignacio Library. 563-9287.
 
Durango Double, trail and road half marathons, Oct. 11-12. Durangodouble.com.
 
Three Springs Fall Festival, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 25, Three Springs Plaza. 764-6000.

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