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BLM Monticello Field Office host first Junior Ranger Day Event
May 9th, 2024, the BLM Monticello Field Office partnered with Monticello Elementary to host the office’s first-ever Junior Ranger Day event for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The local BLM team was able to reach approximately 300 participants — showing them what it is like to work for the BLM. Students learned about jobs in recreation, archeology, wildlife, fire and law enforcement.
Students from Monticello Elementary School spent the day learning about BLM careers, natural and cultural resources, and staying safe on public lands. Smokey Bear even made an appearance alongside Field Manager Jake Palma to share fire safety tips and encourage students to explore public lands responsibly.
Each student had their own checklist to complete — getting a stamp at seven different stations focused on various public land elements.
Wildlife: Diablo the Harris Hawk joined BLM’s wildlife biologist for a presentation on raptors.
Archeology: Archeologists led an arts and crafts activity to show the difference between petroglyphs and pictographs, while sharing how to responsibly visit archeological sites.
Leave No Trace: Students raced to each of the seven Leave No Trace Principles and learned about how they can use them while enjoying the outdoors.
Cave and Karst: Students learned about cave safety and then navigated through the BLM 30-foot by 20-foot inflatable cave, stopping to read cave facts along the way.
Law Enforcement: Law enforcement rangers spoke about their job, showed the participants some hi-tech gear, and then gave students the opportunity to explore their vehicles, both UTVs and their truck, while sharing ATV safety tips.
River: Rangers from the San Juan River taught students what they needed to pack a boat. By the end, students were sitting in a fully stocked boat, ready for a magic show performed by the BLM’s own River Ranger/Magician Rick Boretti.
Fire: The local fire team members showed students what is it is like to carry full firefighting gear and even challenged them to carry it up a hill. Students also got to test the hoses, sirens and lights in a real BLM fire truck.
By the end of the day, not only had each student experienced different BLM careers, they had also collected enough stamps that they were awarded their own Junior Ranger Badge.
We look forward to hosting Junior Ranger Day again and wish all San Juan County students a good (and safe) summer!
Jeff Grab, OHV Park Ranger, and Rachel Wootton, Assistant Field Manager for Recreation