If you have ever visited the Weed and Pest Department, San Juan Conservation District or the Colorado State University (CSU) Extension Office with questions on land management, stewardship, state or local programs, or services, you have likely been directed to one or both of the other offices. The purpose of this article is to educate the reader on what each office does or specializes in. While staff at any of the offices can give you a satisfactory answer on most topics, one will likely have a better answer.
The Archuleta County Weed and Pest Department was formed to maintain compliance on county-owned property with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act. This department, through the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners, also has enforcement authority. Weed and Pest also offers services to private landowners, though, ultimately, noxious weed control is the responsibility of the landowner.
The San Juan Conservation District is a special form of local government established to represent private landowners’ interest in best management practices for healthy soil, water, habitats and agricultural land. Our local conservation district can offer seed recommendations for both habitat and agricultural production, ditch maintenance, forage production and other services.
CSU Extension is exactly what it sounds like — an arm of CSU aimed at adult and youth education in rural areas. There is no shortage of knowledge to be found in this office and you can find information on canning, gardening, land stewardship, radon, first aid and nearly any other topic of interest. Our local Extension Office is very active in educational programming and classes that will help you adjust to rural life or to deepen your knowledge.
By familiarizing yourself with these three offices you will be getting the best possible information on how to manage your property in a way that is consistent with our local climate and your land use goals.
We cooperate on the Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Fund Grant to bring educational events, such as the Weed Tour and the Holistic Grazing Project, as well as the revegetation program that provides free native grass or wildflower seed to landowners who have purchased herbicide or contracted noxious weed control in the county.
These are not the only land management agencies in the area that provide services to private properties, but serve as a jumping-off point for your journey into land stewardship.
Archuleta County Weed and Pest is your local resource for managing noxious weed populations and controlling other pests.
Landowner Stewardship Series
Save the dates for Tuesday evenings in April at 6 p.m. for the Landowner Stewardship Series.
Do you own property in Archuleta County? Would you like to know more about your land and its resources?
The CSU Extension office and the San Juan Conservation District are hosting an in-depth Landowner Stewardship Series on best practices on your land:
• April 16: wildlife.
• April 23: fire mitigation and evacuation.
• April 30: range and soil health.
Go to the Extension Facebook page for information and registration. This is a free event, but registration is strongly suggested.
Lifelong Learning Lecture Series
On April 18 from 6 to 7:15 p.m., the Ruby Sisson Library’s Lifelong Learning Lecture Series will present “Water, Our Most Precious Resource.”
What can we do as individuals and a community to preserve what we have?
Chamber After Hours
Chamber After Hours will be on April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Extension office. The first 20 people will receive a free Colorado Blue Spruce in celebration of Arbor Day.
CPR and first aid classes
CPR and first aid certification classes are offered every other month at the CSU Extension office, generally on the second Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification. Call the Extension office at (970) 246-5931 to register.
Check out the online option on our website, https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/.
