2012-Eagle River Habitat Restoration and Tree Planting

Start Date-End Date: 05/09/2012-05/09/2012 Land Manager Office: Eagle River Watershed Council Land Manager Contact: Annelies Leland Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Join us to restore this river habitat by planting willow stakes, transplanting cottonwood trees, and more. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE The Eagle River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 60.5 miles, in west central Colorado. Research by Colorado State University identified the segment running through Edwards/Lake Creek as a high priority for restoration due to substantially degraded riparian (river) habitat. Excessive sedimentation in this section of river has caused channel widening which decreases habitat value. The deposits of silt have also reduced insect populations and trout hiding cover. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Be part of this inspiring effort to help restore this river habitat that has been negatively affected by years of agricultural use, increasing development, and pollution. Our goal will be to stabilize the stream bank with willow wattles and erosion control fabric. Volunteer work will include planting willow stakes, seeding river vegetation, and transplanting cottonwood trees. Much of the work will be somewhat strenuous and involves digging trenches along the stream, as well as digging up and moving cottonwood trees. There will be some easier work available related to willow staking. PARTNERS Eagle River Watershed Council OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: light breakfast; lunch will be generously provided by Vail Resorts After the project: Head on over to Crazy Mountain Brewery and try the locally crafted Lava Lake Wit Beer and do a littlesocializing. Latitude/Longitude: 39.53690719604492, -106.62301635742187 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 40 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 39 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 39 Total Unique Volunteers: 39 Total Volunteer Hours: 366 Staff Hours: 86 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Provided by ERWC on the restoration of the Edwards segment of the Eagle River. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: See post project evaluation in project folder. Description of Accidents/Incidents: None Description of Work Completed: Volunteers harvested and planted over 2,000 willow stakes along a mile stretch of the Eagle River in the town of Edwards in the Vail Valley. Additionally, they transplanted 10 cottonwood trees from the upland area so that they can thrive along the banks of the river. They checked and secured tree protection cages on over 100 trees and shrubs so that they have a chance to survive the beavers that might gnaw on them. Volunteers also had the opportunity to help prepare the soil for the installation of Waterboxx which are the first of its kind in Colorado. Eagle River Watershed Council is experimentally installing Waterboxx which is a plant cultivation technique for growing plants in arid-desert conditions. We had local business volunteers from Vail Resorts Reservation and Travel Services team and Sheraton Mountain Vista. Volunteers enjoyed a breakfast of bagels donated by Einsteins and coffee donated by ERWC. Lunch was a delicious and healthy meal provided by Vail Resorts. Volunteers were thankful for the hearty lunch that gave them the energy for all the work. ERWC thanked volunteers with a raffle of t-shirts and reusable bags.