Climate change, population growth, urbanization, resource and recreational overuse and more lead to complicated issues within our local waterways and beyond.  To identify and mitigate these concerns, we collaborate with local municipalities, businesses, state and federal agencies, land management representatives, other nonprofits and local community members.

The Eagle River watershed is home to numerous trout species, including cutthroat, which have access to only 1% of their native range. Due to competition from non-native fish, such as brown, rainbow and brook trout, as well as rising water temperatures, caused by climate change and reduced stream flows, the health of these trout is threatened in many areas of our rivers and streams. Additionally, 98% of Colorado’s wildlife species rely on riparian habitats at some point in their life cycles. Many of our restoration efforts focus on improving habitat and ecosystem health, including projects involving high alpine streams, where non-native trout access is blocked.

Do you know where rain goes after it falls onto pavement and roofs? Much of it flows down into storm drains, which lead to the river. Often, chemicals, trash and other waste is carried directly into our rivers and streams through these storm drains. Our stormwater mitigation efforts include improved infrastructure, such as in-ground vaults, bioswales and rain gardens, or the creation of barriers, such as healthy, native riparian zones, where water can be filtered by plants and soils before flowing into the river, thus protecting water quality and habitat for wildlife, such as fish, bugs and mammals, that depend on the river.

Damaged riparian habitats, whether through erosion, human-caused trampling, flooding or forest fire, can lead to a variety of river health concerns. We improve these damaged areas by laying native seed, planting native shrubs and trees and protecting fragile environments with signage, trail closures and erosion control methods.

Noxious weeds harm our environment in many ways, from overtaking native plant species, damaging the soil chemistry and composition and harming wildlife with toxins and habitat loss, to absorbing massive amounts of water. Removing noxious plants, such as tamarisk, Russian olive and many types of thistles, protects the watershed and water quantity of our rivers and streams.

Weed Warriors of Eagle River Valley is a collaborative noxious weed mitigation and education program designed to share resources and tools for neighborhoods and communities to tackle weed problems. Learn more here.