The Watershed Center, a Longmont-based organization that works to protect and restore watersheds, will host two free events for community members in September that will explore forestry treatments on U.S. Forest Service lands and riverfront restoration projects. The aim of the events is to bring community members together to learn about the natural environment and projects spearheaded by The Watershed Center.
On Saturday, September 6, the center will host a Coulson Gulch Forestry and Fire Resilience Field Tour from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning at the Coulson Gulch Trailhead. The tour is an approximately-two-mile walking tour led by members of the St. Vrain Forest Health Partnership.
Participants will learn about upcoming forestry treatments on U.S. Forest Service lands around Coulson Gulch and learn from City of Longmont officials about projects happening around Button Rock Preserve. On the tour, citizens will see firsthand how public land managers are strengthening the resilience of communities and ecosystems to wildfire. They will also learn how to identify different tree species and about local forest management. Lunch will be provided for free by Cemex.
On Saturday, September 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the center will host a walking and biking river restoration tour called Seeds & Scones at Bohn Park. A shuttle is also available for those who are unable to bike and/or walk. The tour is a beginner-friendly, five-mile bike ride that explores the riverfront and a recently-restored river site, and free coffee and local baked goods will be provided by Cemex.
On the tour, participants will learn about two complementary river restoration projects upstream of Lyons, which are located downstream of a recent wildfire and were greatly impacted by the 2013 flood. According to the center, the projects are helping prepare human communities for fire, improving wildlife habitat, and reconnecting rivers to dynamic floodplains.
“Engaging our community in hands-on experiences with our local water systems is at the heart of what we do,” said Chiara Forrester, Forest Program Director at The Watershed Center. “These events are a chance for people of all ages to connect with the rivers that sustain us and learn how we can all play a role in protecting them. Similarly, our wildfire and forest ecology events empower community members to better understand forest health and see how public land managers are improving wildfire resilience in their own backyards.”
Although the events are free, registration is required online beforehand. Participants are encouraged to bring water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, appropriate clothing and footwear, layers for multiple weather conditions, and a bicycle and helmet if participating in the bike tour.
