Kathie Butler, owner of the Nature Center at Butler Corner, plans to open a visitors center and weaving shop in Dolores to make her property more guest-friendly.

Butler has operated the Nature Center on her family ranch since 2016, when she retired from a career in teaching and library work. Her property has about six miles of nature trails that are open to the public, and she said she gets weekly visits from families and children on field trips. On June 9, she plans to unveil a visitors center and library, as well as a studio for weaving classes and wool sales.

The visitors center is a converted barn with indoor paneling made from beetle-kill wood. Half of it is taken up by a meeting room, which Butler plans to rent out when she’s not using it for events.

But the part of the building Butler is most excited to reveal is the other half – a lending library about nature for all ages. Most of the books are from Butler’s collection.

“I’ve been a teacher and a children’s librarian, so this is my dream come true,” she said.

She already regularly teaches weaving classes, often using wool from her alpacas. The weaving studio will allow her to take on more students, she said, as well as collect some money by selling wool and weaving equipment.

The day-long grand opening will start at 9 a.m. June 9. Visitors will be able to tour the buildings and the hiking trails, and T-shirts and yearly memberships will be available for purchase.

Butler is looking for volunteers to help manage the new buildings. She said the welcome center’s operating hours will depend on staff availability. Currently, visits to the Nature Center must be scheduled in advance.

If you go

What:

Grand opening for Nature Center at Butler Corner

When:

9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 9

Where:

Nature Center at Butler Corner, 20503 County Road 31, Dolores

Cost:

Free

More information:

Go to

thenaturecenteratbutlercorner.org

or contact Kathie Butler at 970-882-4593 or naturecenteratbutlercorner@gmail.com.