Where you'll be:
Volunteers will be about 20 miles up the Poudre Canyon/Hwy 14 just west of Fort Collins, in an area affected by the Cameron Peak Fire.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Cameron Peak Fire and its impact on the land, feel free to click here for video resources created by the National Forest Service.
The fire burnt 208,663 acres through Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, becoming the largest wildfire in Colorado history.
What you'll do:
Volunteers will plant native Ponderosa pine saplings in the Cameron Peak burn scar. These saplings, grown locally at the Colorado State Forest Service tree nursery in Fort Collins using local seed sources, will help restore the area's vegetation. Ponderosa pines are chosen for their fire-resistant characteristics, including thick bark and deep root systems. Volunteers will play a vital role in reforesting areas devastated by the wildfire.
Why it's important:
Reforestation is crucial for restoring ecosystems after wildfires. The Cameron Peak Fire destroyed vegetation and degraded the land and soil, leading to significant loss of trees and increased erosion risk. Planting Ponderosa pines will help improve water quality and create habitat for wildlife. Also, these trees' deep root systems will aid in erosion control, reducing the risk of flooding in the Upper Poudre River Watershed.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Ages 14+
All youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older.
If you are a parent looking to sign your child up for this opportunity, please create a separate account on their behalf, and then register them through that account.
Please click here for comprehensive instructions on how to do this.
This process is intended to be as easy for you as possible while helping to ensure that the necessary paperwork and information is completed. Thank you for taking these steps, and for your understanding.
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered moderate to difficult, please check our difficulty rating criteria, here, for more details.
