The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Water supplies for people, wildlife and businesses remain threatened ten years after the Hayman Fire scorched nearly 140,000 acres and destroyed 600 structures including homes and cabins in the Pike National Forest, southwest of Denver. As the ten-year anniversary of the state’s worst wildfire approaches, a volunteer restoration project is scheduled on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. near the West Creek community. Volunteers from the Coalition for the Upper South Platte and The Nature Conservancy of Colorado will roll up their sleeves to improve forest conditions, which can help protect water supplies.    

The volunteers will plant trees and lay logs to rebuild streams in the Trail Creek area near the community of Westcreek in Douglas County. Because the fire was so intense around this community, and the soil is still loose and easily eroded following rain, runoff frequently turns into huge floods, damaging roads and filling reservoirs with sediment that costs money and creates a hazard.    

“Water is the common thread that sustains us – whether it’s coming from our faucet or connected to activities we love such as rafting and fishing – we need to have healthy clean water ways for generations to come,” says Tim Sullivan, the Conservancy’s Colorado state director. “This project is tied to the critical work we do in protecting lands and waters.” 

The work on this volunteer day is part of a major restoration effort spearheaded by the Coalition for the Upper South Platte. “Through the years we’ve relied on over 15,000 volunteers to do this intense work,” says Carol Ekarius, Executive Director of the Coalition for Upper South Platte. “They’re amazing people and when you give them the right tools and knowledge they do tremendous work that protects people and wildlife.” 

To learn more about the Upper South Platte, visit www.uppersouthplatte.org.

To learn more about The Nature Conservancy, visit www.nature.org/Colorado. 

The Coalition for the Upper South Platte works to protect the water quality and ecological health of the Upper South Platte Watershed, through the cooperative efforts of stakeholders, with emphasis on community values and economic sustainability. Learn more at www.uppersouthplatte.org.