Desert Rivers Collaborative

Leading a Community Partnership

RiversEdge West formed the Desert Rivers Collaborative (DRC) in 2012 to cooperatively protect, restore, and maintain native river corridor habitat in Mesa & Delta counties through the development of community partnerships.

The DRC’s Vision is dynamic, ecologically diverse, and resilient river systems, supported and enjoyed by western Colorado communities, residents, and visitors. The geographic focus of the DRC is the Colorado River and its major tributaries in Mesa County and the Gunnison River from the Town of Delta to the confluence with the Colorado River.

Shared Goals & Plan

In 2013, the DRC developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that identifies shared goals, principles, and restoration priorities and methods among partners. In 2023 and 2024, the MOU was updated to reflect new knowledge and refined goals and priorities. The MOU was signed by 19 organizations including non-profits, local, state, and federal government entities, university groups, and more. View the 2024 MOU.

In 2015, the DRC completed a 5-Year Implementation Plan that focuses on developing a strategic, collaborative approach to riparian restoration, improving communication, and providing resources for effective restoration approaches. View the Restoration Plan.

Accomplishments

From 2014 through 2021, DRC partners achieved the following:

800 acres of initial tamarisk and Russian olive removal
795 acres of tamarisk and Russian olive retreatment
270 acres of revegetation with native plants
1,627 acres of secondary weed treatments (i.e., invasive species that are not tamarisk or Russian olive)

View the DRC brochure.

Monitoring our Progress

Project monitoring is key to preserving restoration successes, prioritizing future restoration actions, and learning from previous efforts. RiversEdge West often partners with the Western Colorado Conservation Corps to employ Riparian Monitoring Interns, also referred to as monitoring strike teams, to monitor DRC restoration sites.

A monitoring strike team includes two to three members who work together to scan and observe riparian areas for invasive species, while also looking for growth in native plant populations. To do this, the teams check areas that have been previously treated, and look for re-sprouts of invasive species and revegetation of native species. During this process, the crew records the locations of certain invasive plants as well as the plants with highest population numbers. This allows landowners to decide which areas are of highest priority and where to send future crews who will treat the invasive plants. Since there is a limited amount of time and funding for conservation efforts, this allows landowners to make informed and efficient decisions.