San Juan National Forest

Animals

Numerous streams, lakes, reservoirs, varied topography, climate, and vegetation of the San Juan National Forest are habitats for an abundance of native fish and wildlife.

Ecology

Learn about the ecology of forests and grasslands—ties between the land, water, plants, animals, fire, weather, and other resources and factors that occur together over time.

Geological Resources

Dinosaurs, igneous rocks, and gold, oh my! Find out about geological resources and processes—rocks, formations, caves, fossils, minerals, and energy sources—within our mountains, plateaus, and plains.

Geology of the Colorado Plateau (You will leave the San Juan NF web site.)

Heritage Resources

The San Juan National Forest is rich not only in natural history, but also in human history. Learn more about archaeological activities and the human history of the Forest.

Plants

Visit this site for information on local wildflowers, ferns, trees, and noxious weeds (you will leave the San Juan National Forest Web site).

Rangeland Management

Rangelands are valuable and extensive ecosystems within the San Juan National Forest and BLM Field Office, comprising about 50% of the public land in our area. They provide clean water, forage for grazing and browsing animals, cover for many wildlife species, and a variety of recreational opportunities for our visitors. Rangelands are also of vital economic importance to our local communities.

Research

The Rocky Mountain Research Station supports our natural resource programs through research and development of state-of-the-art management tools.

Water, Air, and Soil

The stewardship of water, soil, and air resources is an important part of San Juan National Forest management.

Four Corners Air Quality Task Force

The Four Corners Air Quality Task Force was created to work on the air quality issues and challenges facing the Four Corners region.

Four Corners Air Quality Task Force (You will leave the San Juan NF web site.)

Wild Horses

The Dolores Public Lands Office manages the Spring Creek Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area. Just north of Disappointment Creek, this 22,000-acre expanse is open to a variety of multiple uses. The principal management emphasis is on maintaining a healthy, viable population of wild horses that exist in natural ecological balance with other resources. We maintain a minimum of 35 adult horses and generally gather the excess when their numbers exceed 65.

According to local lore the horses are descendents of those brought to the Disappointment Creek area in the late 1800s by a horse rancher from Montana. The legend continues that he subsequently had to leave in a hurry, just ahead of the law, and some of his horses were left behind. DNA and blood testing have indicated that Thoroughbred and Morgan are the primary breed influences in this herd.

Travel in the area is restricted to existing roads. This is a remote area and none of the roads in the herd area are graveled; the roads can quickly become impassable when wet. For information on viewing opportunities and local management questions contact Bob Ball at (970) 882-7296.

If you are interested in adopting a wild horse or burro, a wide selection is generally available from the BLM wild horse facility in Canon City, Colorado. For more information call (719) 269-8500, or visit www.co.blm.gov/wildhb/wildhb.htm.