It may be with some trepidation that we approach the seasons changing here in Steamboat Springs. As we move from our picture-perfect sunny days in the mountains to a bit cooler start in the morning and finish to the evening, it is easy to feel as though we are not quite ready for the first snowfall. However, this is the time during which we get to appreciate the last farmers markets of the season and turn our thoughts toward final harvests and readying our garden beds for winter.

It is also a time to enjoy some of the final warm days of the season and pack in some of those final bike rides, hikes and adventures we were so looking forward to during the end of last winter and that may have passed us by, as the summer always seems to fly in Steamboat. Often, we more fully appreciate these glorious days as they become fewer and we feel frost crunch beneath our feet on our morning runs and brisk winds on our evening commutes.

As the local environmental education organization, we here at Yampatika anticipate and celebrate this changing of seasons.Just as we look back fondly on our summer camp programs and the memories made across Routt County, we eagerly anticipate the exciting events coming up this fall.

Our naturalists are back in full swing at schools across Routt County, teaching a grant-funded Environmental Literacy Program with no cost to the schools, as well as a number of new and dynamic educational programs at the elementary and high school levels.

We will wrap up the summer season with the Windy Ridge Archaeology Hike Sept. 17, and we are very excited to announce our newest fall community event, the Fall Festival, on Oct. 15.

Partnering with Tread of Pioneers Museum and Colorado Mountain College, Yampatika will be facilitating a family-friendly festival for people of all ages to enjoy the last bits of this bountiful harvest season. For more information on these events, visit our website at yampatika.org, or call our office at 970-871-9151.

So now, the question is, what are you excited for this fall? Is it the cooler weather, the leaves changing to a sea of orange and red, the approach of winter?

Is it some final rides or runs, hikes and strolls and time to enjoy the ground under our feet? Perhaps it is the harvest season and the bounty that accompanies this time of year?

Whatever it may be, we hope you enjoy this time of change and transition, with all of its fleeting beauties.

Kellie Gorman is Yampatika program director.