Getting Kids Outside with our
Land Education Programs
Every year, CCA staff, partners, and volunteers work with students 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.
Program OVerview
Colorado Canyons Association offers experiences for schools, homeschool groups, and youth organizations. We specialize in working with upper Elementary (ES), Middle (MS), and High School (HS) students. Our hands-on, experiential learning programs are designed to increase knowledge and skills in your chosen content area while instilling a connection to the outdoors and emphasizing the importance of stewardship.
Throughout the year, CCA partners with schools, clubs, and other organizations to spread our land education efforts to a wider audience. CCA works closely with partnering organizations including Ute Indian Museum, local county libraries, and Dinosaur Journey Museum. We also provide opportunities for at-risk youth by partnering with organizations such as Field Academy, Montrose Engagement Center and Riverside Educational Center.
Student surveys across all programs from 2024 demonstrate success in our chosen metrics — increased knowledge, Leave No Trace skills, intent to steward the environment, and connection to the outdoors.
Offerings include: guided hikes, station based field trips, and classroom visits. Regardless of the event, CCA ensures that all of our education events are inclusive, educational, and fun for all!
Signature District Events
Nature Knowledge Days
Nature Knowledge Days has been one of our keystone education events for over 12 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. Exploring the diverse resources of the NCAs including ecology, archaeology, geology, and more allows students to form a personal connection to their local public land! By applying classroom learning to hands-on activities outdoors, students turn abstract ideas into tangible memories; in 2025, 83% of participating students increased their knowledge and 96% expressed a desire to take care of the environment. Your donations to CCA help pay for the transportation to this event, so all students have free access to this field trip.
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. Student surveys from 2024 revealed that 98% of students increased their knowledge, 98% felt more connected to the outdoors, and 100% expressed a desire to take care of the environment. Through this field trip, CCA is inspiring the next generation of public land stewards.
CottonWood Days
Every October, 6th grade students from Delta, Olathe, and Montrose county schools join CCA, BLM and CPW biologists 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. Examining native and non-native fish, searching for aquatic bugs and exploring water-user groups make Cottonwood Days a memorable field trip for years to come. From this place-based learning experience, 97% of students reported increased environmental knowledge, Leave No Trace awareness, and the importance of taking care of the environment. Watch our educational Cottonwood Days documentary here!
Virtual Education
Can't make it to the NCAs with us? Our virtual educational resources include 15+ videos of field trip content. For more advanced learners, check out our YouTube channel to watch recorded lectures from experts across a variety of fields.
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.