Restoration in Progress on the Uncompahgre River
RiversEdge West partners with City of Montrose, Western Colorado Conservation Corps, and Friends of the River Uncompahgre to restore riverside (riparian) lands along the Uncompahgre River. Funding for this work is provided in part by City of Montrose, Colorado River District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, El Pomar Foundation and Western Colorado Community Foundation.
Riverside (riparian) ecosystems are a “ribbon of life” and are tremendously important to fish, wildlife, and us!
At the site where you scanned this QR code, invasive tamarisk and Russian olive are being removed to help restore the riverside habitat.
Invasive species can:
- Reduce plant and wildlife diversity and change the soil
- Block river access for recreation and create hazards in the river
- Change the river channel, decreasing fish habitat and impacting the ability to handle flood waters
- Increase the frequency and severity of wildfires
Restoration is a long process and can look messy!
You might see:
- Crews with chainsaws cutting down trees
- Piles of branches and trees that are waiting to be chipped
- Loud and noisy equipment
- Volunteers planting and watering native species
- Native plants beginning to grow back in
- A clearer view of the river and more diversity of wildlife
Learn more about RiversEdge West here.
Want to get involved? Learn about our native plant watering program and other volunteering opportunities here. You can also email foru.montrose@gmail.com.