Getting Kids Outside with our
Land Education Programs
Every year, CCA staff, Partners, and volunteers work with K-12 schools in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties to introduce Thousands of students to their public lands through environmental education field trips that are specifically aligned with state curriculum standards.
Nature Knowledge Days
Nature Knowledge Days has been one of our keystone education events for over 10 years. Every Spring, hundreds of 3rd grade students convene at the Devil’s Canyon Trailhead in McInnis Canyons NCA for a day full of learning in their wild backyard. This interactive and engaging event provides students the opportunity to experience their public lands in a unique and authentic way. Students travel from station to station, learning about the diverse resources of the NCAs including ecology, archaeology, ranching, and more! What is most powerful about this standards-based event is that kids are able to bring the abstract ideas they learn in the classroom to life in the outdoors. Your donations to CCA help pay for the transportation to this event, so all students have free access to this field trip.
Virtual Education
With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the normal school year, CCA leapt into action to create a virtual library of resources for anyone to enjoy. Students can now learn all about our NCAs from 15+ educational videos and interactive, online programs. Check out all of our educational resources here!
Dias del Agua y Tierra
We kicked off a new annual program, Dias del Agua y Tierra, in 2022. Working with the Bureau of Land Management, we take 5th graders from Dual Immersion Academy to Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. Learning in both Spanish and English, 5th graders can explore the ecology, watershed, agriculture, and history of the landscape. Students get to spend one day on the land and one day on the river to gain the full experience of the landscape. With future funding opportunities, we hope to expand this program to even more learners!
CottonWood Days
Every October, 6th grade students from Delta, Olathe, and Montrose county schools join the BLM, CCA, and other volunteers in Gunnison Gorge NCA to learn about the importance of the Gunnison River during Cottonwood Days. Kids rotate through a series of stations focused on the ecology of the river as well as human relationships to our waterways. Tying flies, examining native and non-native fish, and searching for aquatic bugs make Cottonwood Days fun, hands-on, and memorable! This place-based learning experience gives 6th graders the opportunity to explore their abundant backyard and see how their life is connected to our western waterways. Watch our educational Cottonwood Days documentary here!
Other Events
Throughout the year, CCA partners with schools, clubs, and other organizations to spread our land education efforts to a wider audience. CCA often works with at-risk youth, partnering with organizations including Hilltop Residential Youth Services, Mesa County Partners, and Riverside Educational Center to provide meaningful education experiences allowing them to look at the land with a powerful new perspective. Regardless of the event, CCA ensures that all of our education events are inclusive, educational, and fun for all!
Our land education events would not be possible without the invaluable support from volunteers, donors, and our partner organizations. Thank you!
Questions? Contact our Education Programs Manager, Annie Carter, via annie@canyonsassociation.org or call (970)263-7902.