Durango isn’t just a stunning place to explore; it is a place people call home, where wild rivers, mountain trails, and cultures come together. As more folks experience the magic of this mountain town, they might find themselves wanting to give back to the community and land.
That is where regenerative tourism comes in. Regenerative tourism is a way for you to show your appreciation and love for Durango while you explore its beauty. That means you might pitch in on a trail project, clean up trash on the trail, support local farmers, or be mindful of when you are visiting. In Durango, it’s possible to have an unforgettable adventure and leave the town even better than when you arrived.
What is Regenerative Tourism?
Regenerative tourism is a mindful way of traveling that focuses on giving back more than you take. It goes beyond minimizing impact and instead works to actively restore and improve the places you visit.
In Durango, this means supporting local farms, listening to Indigenous voices, working on trails with Durango Trails, and helping maintain a sustainable Durango. Visitors can play an active part in the solution by helping out with river clean-up, shopping at the Durango Farmers Market, and practicing Leave No Trace. It’s through the help of locals and visitors alike that Durango can become a better, more beautiful town for everyone.
Regenerative Tourism Ideas
Volunteering
Durango is full of so many volunteer options. You can help keep the trails everyone loves great by helping out at a trail maintenance day with Durango Trails. Maybe you are into gardening? Manna is always looking for volunteers to help out in their garden, which is a sustainable way they provide food to those in need. They also offer volunteer positions in their hot kitchen, which helps provide daily meals. If none of this sounds like your jam, check out the GetConnected for other volunteer options in Durango.
By volunteering, you get to meet and chat with locals, learn about the community, and leave a positive mark. Regenerative tourism isn’t just about pitching in; it's about being a part of the amazing Durango community.
Shop Local
Durango has so many different stores; shopping local is a breeze. When you buy from local farmers, artists, and shop owners, your dollars stay in the community. By spending money at local businesses, you help them thrive and continue to do their work.
You are also helping keep Durango sustainable by reducing the environmental footprint tied to shipping and packaging. Whether it's handmade crafts from Sticks and Stones Handmade or fresh produce from the Durango Farmers Market, every local purchase helps Durango grow in a way that is rooted, resilient, and sustainable.
Leave No Trace
One of the easiest and best tourism practices is Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace means when you are hiking in the gorgeous San Juans or walking the Animas River Trail, you take out what you brought. It means not just leaving trash but also picking up trash that you see.
When you are out biking at local open spaces like Overend Mountain Park, be mindful of trail conditions and follow the rules posted on any signage. The principles of LNT include staying on trails, minimizing impacts at a campsite, and respecting wildlife. By following LNT, you help protect the forests, rivers, and mountains that make Durango so special.
Don’t Feed the Wildlife
Another important regenerative tourism practice is to respect the native wildlife and keep your distance. This means not approaching them to pet them or feed them. When animals get used to human food, it changes their natural behaviors, making them dependent and sometimes aggressive.
Feeding the wildlife puts both the animals, others, and yourself at risk. Regenerative tourism encourages visitors to appreciate wildlife from a distance and let it be. If you want to feed an animal, check out the Durango Fish Hatchery, which provides fish food for you to give to the trout.
By not feeding animals, you help keep Durango's wild spaces balanced and healthy.
Donate
When you are visiting or on vacation, it can be hard to make room for volunteering. Another great way to give back to Durango is by donating to local organizations. By helping fund local conservation and community projects, you help improve the lives of so many people, animals, and plants.
Contributions can go toward trail maintenance, habitat restoration, education programs, or Indigenous-led initiatives, all of which keep Durango vibrant. Visitors who donate to local foundations, community organizations, and non-profits become a bigger part of an effort to give back.
Your donation helps ensure that Durango remains a thriving place for every being who calls it home. You also help keep Durango a thriving place where incredible beauty meets community spirit.
Avoid Peak Season
Choosing to visit Durango outside of peak season is a simple way to travel more thoughtfully. When fewer people are around, trails and parks get a break, and wildlife can roam without extra stress. Plus, local spots like Steamworks Brewing Co. are less likely to get overwhelmed and can provide you with the best experience.
Visiting Durango in the off-season helps spread out tourism’s impact and supports the community all year long. It’s a simple way to be a better guest and enjoy the quiet mountain town vibes of Durango.
Conclusion
During your next visit to Durango, you can make your mark on the town by trying out these regenerative tourism ideas. By practicing regenerative tourism wherever you visit, you give back to the community and place that you and so many others love. Giving your time, talent, and treasures sustains Durango and keeps it beautiful for everyone who comes after you.
Being a regenerative tourist means checking out local volunteer events, picking up trash that you see, practicing LNT principles, and just being a caring visitor. Durango is a special place for visitors and locals alike, and you can help keep it that way.
