Heart-J Center at Sylvan Dale Ranch
…where learning comes naturally
Welcome to the Heart-J Community
Heart-J Center offers the chance to get outside and explore. Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, Sylvan Dale Ranch and the Heart-J Center backcountry lands are a 3,000-acre biodiversity hot spot, making this an incredible outdoor classroom and living laboratory!
For individuals and families:
Offering fun, informative, and memorable classes, field trips, and experiences for people of all ages
For schools, organizations, and agencies:
We value partnership to amplify the impact of the Heart-J experience ~ contact us to join forces
Alexander Mountain Fire
In July 2024, a human-caused fire resulted in the destruction of nearly 10,000 acres of wild forest
west of Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch.
28 of our neighbors lost their homes and the fire burned Heart-J Center’s 960 acres of wildlife habitat and the historic homestead at Cow Camp.
In the months since the fire, the Heart-J Team (staff, board, donors, partner organizations, and volunteers) have responded with strength, creativity, generosity, and an enduring commitment to community service to turn this devastation into a force for good.
Check out current Heart-J Center Programs and Initiatives below and get in touch to learn more
The gray polygon shows the extent of the burn area of the Alexander Mountain Fire . Nearly 10,000 acres were burned including 960 acres of conservation land owned by Heart-J Center. The yellow dot is the location of Cow Camp, about six miles northwest of the main ranch at Sylvan Dale.
Programs and Initiatives
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Watershed Resilience & Wildfire Mitigation
Working with Big Thompson Watershed Coalition, soil scientists from Colorado State University, the wildland fire team at Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, and water quality experts from the City of Loveland, Heart-J Center is taking part in multiple projects to help the landscape recover from the fire; to support research that will further understanding of fire impacts and recovery processes; to mitigate potential damage from future wildfires by improving forest health; and to protect Northern Colorado’s drinking water supplies from soot-filled runoff. We will share these stories of impact over the coming months and get in touch if you have questions or suggestions for more ways to make a difference.
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Backcountry Sawyers
In partnership with Combat Recovery Foundation and NoCo Sawyers, the Backcountry Sawyers initiative provides veterans with training in wildfire recovery and mitigation, including chainsaw skills, horse logging, forest restoration, trail building, and more. Based in the Cedar Park burn area, this project blends conservation and technical training, while providing veterans with meaningful projects and a growing community. Send an email if you would like to get involved.
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ELEVATE: Mental Health
Funded by a multi-year grant from The Colorado Trust, ELEVATE is Heart-J Center’s new nature-based mental health program. We are seeking community partners interested in serving their clients and staff with this program, as well as therapists, yoga/mindfulness instructors, and volunteers who want to help make this program incredible.
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Nature School
Three days a week during the school year, Heart-J Center provides an outdoor school for homeschool students from 3rd to 8th grades. With a rich and varied curriculum, exploring the ecosystems, wildlife, and history of Sylvan Dale, the students earn science credit and PE credit (for all that hiking!) This wonderful program is filled to capacity for the 2025/2026 school year but we are keeping a waiting list, so please send an email if you would like more information.
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Outdoor Education
Since 2014, Heart-J Center has partnered with more than 50 schools from six local school districts to offer outdoor education field trips for K-12 students. Making use of inspiring outdoor classroom spaces, our knowledgable instructors provide an unforgettable day for students, teachers, and parents alike, with topics including wildlife, river ecology, connecting with horses, challenge course, hiking, geology and. so much more. Now planning outdoor ed field trips for Fall 2025. Learn More
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Current Programs for You!
Heart-J Center offers classes and field trips for the community. Join us for watercolor, hiking, Qi Gong/Gong Bath, connecting with horses, astronomy, and more. Registration for most programs is “choose-your-own price.” We add to our upcoming program list regularly.
Sign up for our monthly program e-newsletter so you don’t miss the fun!

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
— John Muir