As seen in a recent article in the Fort Collins Coloradoan, CNHP has joined forces with several other conservation organizations, government agencies, and concerned individuals to form the High Park Fire Restoration Coalition.
The purpose of the Coalition is to facilitate the environmental restoration of the watersheds most severely impacted by the recent High Park and Hewlett Gulch fires. An immediate focus will be reseeding and mulching high priority areas to mitigate erosion and impacts to water quality and local fish populations.
Coalition members include the Arapaho Roosevelt Pawnee Foundation, the Colorado Conservation Exchange, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State Forest Service, Mark Palke, Poudre Wilderness Volunteers, Rocky Mountain Fly Casters, Trees, Water & People, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, the Warner College of Natural Resources, and Wildlands Restoration Volunteers.
CNHP’s involvement in this Coalition means that the goals include protection and restoration of rare and imperiled species and sensitive habitats in the interest of retaining the biodiversity and health of the burned areas.
The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado has established the High Park Fire Restoration Fund for individuals or businesses who are interested in donating to the ecological restoration work of the Coalition.
Upcoming opportunities to get involved with the High Park Restoration Coalition’s efforts include an August 18 Hewlett Gulch trail restoration project and an August 28 community education event, hosted by the Colorado Conservation Exchange and the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins from 5-7 p.m. (for more information, contact patrick.flynn@colostate.edu, 970-491-4118).
