CPRW & Partners Wrap Up 2022 Tree Planting Projects
Over the past two years, the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) and partners have been working to plan and implement reforestation projects in areas of the Cache la Poudre and Big Thompson watersheds that have been affected by high intensity wildfires. Working with private landowners, we have identified hundreds of acres that need replanting. Volunteers from the community have joined in these efforts, dedicating thousands of hours to restoring the land in the wake of historic fires.
Just in the past 6 months, CPRW, our partners, and volunteers have planted 6,220 ponderosa pine trees on 107 acres within the Cache la Poudre Watershed with the goal of regenerating forests and protecting water quality in our forested watersheds.
2022 tree planting locations - Cache la Poudre Watershed (click to enlarge map)
“We need these areas to remain forests because forested watersheds are highly important to our water system and water supply. And, if they’re not going to come back as forests on their own, that’s why we’re stepping in to assist.” – Daniel Bowker, Forester, CPRW
With a focus on speeding up forest recovery post-fire, The Nature Conservancy is helping our group target suitable areas where trees are expected to survive under different climate models. In the process, we hope to remove barriers to reforestation and increase the resilience of ponderosa pine forests to climate stressors.
In addition, CPRW has also published a tree planting guide for private landowners who would like to plant trees on their property. To download this guide for free click here.
To learn more about tree planting in the Poudre and Big Thompson watersheds please visit: www.poudrewatershed.org/reforestation
Photos by Summer Rae Photography.