Southern Plains Land Trust Safari Weekend

The Plains and Canyons of Southeast Colorado offer visitors unique historical, cultural, and natural wonders. A region of far-ranging contrasts with a rich heritage, this is one of the least changed areas of the state. Much of the terrain looks as it did centuries ago and wildlife are plentiful here.

Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT, pronounced split), founded in 1998, creates and protects a network of shortgrass prairie preserves, ensuring a future for grassland flora and fauna. By visiting the preserves at Southern Plains Land Trust, you can witness first-hand the impact of conservation efforts aimed at protecting this endangered habitat, which supports a variety of wildlife including bison, prairie dogs, coyotes, beavers, badgers, tarantulas, and numerous bird species.

 

This 2-day fundraising safari allows special access to SPLT’s preserves. We’ll travel in a custom American safari van with a conversion pop-top and spacious seating. It’s not the traditional passenger van you may have traveled in on past trips. This one-of-a-kind vehicle has been specially designed by two wildlife biologists to allow for optimal viewing. It makes a perfect ‘blind’ and there’s ample room for everyone to view at the same time. By joining us, you’ll help SPLT continue to gain ground for prairie wildlife.

ABOUT YOUR GUIDE: Sheridan Samano, Reefs to Rockies Co-Founder and Lead Biologist Guide, is thrilled to lead this fundraising safari to Colorado’s Southern Plains Land Trust. Timing for this trip is designed to place you in prairie hotspots during fall prime time. Sheridan is excited to share her enthusiasm for prairie wildlife and landscapes. This trip showcases Reefs to Rockies’ mission of conservation-based, sustainable tourism.

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Fri, Nov 1): Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT) ~ The mission of SPLT is to purchase and preserve land in Southeast Colorado for prairie wildlife. To date, more than 60,000 acres have been protected providing refuge for an array of grassland flora and fauna. Piece by piece, SPLT is restoring the American Serengeti. We’ll see the impacts of SPLT’s efforts firsthand today as we explore their preserve on our prairie safari.

We’ll learn from SPLT’s Assistant Director Judith Westveer about current and future conservation initiatives including reintroduction of black-footed ferrets, one of North America’s most endangered mammals, stream restoration for beavers, and fence removal to allow for free-ranging animals including bison, pronghorn, and elk.

This evening, we’ll enjoy a lively presentation about Oklahoma brown tarantulas from Cara Shillington before heading out to look for them on the prairie. Oklahoma browns are a common tarantula species in undisturbed grasslands of southeast Colorado. We’ll stay until after dark for a nocturnal experience at SPLT. Once prairie dogs go to sleep, other animals including badgers, swift foxes, and coyotes become more active. Today will be a wildlife experience to remember. Today’s tour begins at 1 pm in Lamar and ends with an estimated return to Lamar between 8:30-9 pm.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 (Sat, Nov 2): Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT) ~ We’ll depart Lamar soon after sunrise this morning so that we arrive to SPLT during prime time for morning wildlife viewing. We’ll explore a variety of wildlife-rich locations in the Roaming Bison and on foot. Our morning concludes with lunch at the preserve before heading back to Lamar. Today’s tour begins at 7:30 am in Lamar and ends with an estimated return to Lamar by 2 pm.

Meals: Lunch

DETAILS

Price: $1150* per person

Inclusions: transportation in “The Roaming Bison” Custom Safari Van from Lamar; driver/guide (Sheridan Samano); daily guided wildlife viewing with spotting scope available; two days of special access safaris at Southern Plains Land Trust; 1 lunch and 1 dinner; tarantula experience; conservation donation to Southern Plains Land Trust.

Exclusions: accommodations in Lamar; transportation to/from the meeting location in Lamar; activities not listed in the itinerary.

*Reflects payment by check. Credit card fees assessed at time of payment.

Group Size: Min 5 and Max 7 participants + Sheridan Samano

Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Ability to climb up and down from a passenger van that is lifted for 4WD (stool provided) is required. This trip involves multiple short daily walks on varied terrain with most walks between 1.5-2.5 miles in length and a total distance of up to 3-5 miles on a given day.

 

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