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Events

HIKES and STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS
N Farnum Volunteer Stewardship DaySaturday, October 7 9:00 AM - 3:00 PMPlanting native grasses Register now
Help scatter and rake in the seeds. Photo John Sztukowski
The routes behind the fence and campsites in the trees have been ripped in preparation. Photo USFS
Thanks to the South Park Ranger District and Focus on the Forest, the eroded routes, bare campsites, and trash piles behind the fence and up into the forest are now ready for the final step: Wild Connections Volunteers are needed to scatter and rake in native grass seeds on the prepared soils at the northern portion of the USFS Farnum Roadless Area, just west of the Tarryall Reservoir in South Park. Fall rains and winter snows will encourage the "High Altitude Grass Mix," which Wild Connections purchases from Western Native Seed in Coaldale, to sprout and thrive next spring. Registration required. Contact John Sztukowski at 817-939-4239 or john@wildconnections.org. Wild Connections needs $2,000 to cover the cost of seed and other expenses. Make a donation today!
Hikers, please read this! Gear and Safety
  • If your plans change and you will not attend, please notify the hike leader as soon as possilbe.
  • Participants should bring lunch, plenty of water and snacks, clothing suitable for the weather conditions, including rain gear, and good footwear suitable for hiking off trai. Note any special instructions in the hike or camping announcement.
  • Keep your fellow hikers and yourself safe. Wild Connections practices coronavirus precautions. We Recommend participants to be fully vacinated and wear masks if traveling to the trailhead with those who are not members of their household.
  • Please leave your dogs at home. Registered Service dogs are OK.
  • Leave no trace, pack out your trash, take no souveniers.
PRESENTATIONS
Climate Change with Rocky Mountain Biological Lab View it on YouTube
"The Experiment" film image, by the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
View the video, "The Experiment," filmed at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory with David Inouye and Paul Erhlich. These scientists have up to 50 years of monitoring data on snowpack melt, phenology of wildflower blooms, arrival of hummingbirds and pollinators out of synch. The film shows 20+ years of artificial climate change plots' response to heating, presented by these engaging scientists. Karl Ford previewed his new book Colorado Mountain Ecosystems in Crisis, A Field Report from the Colorado Trail. And Alison Gallensky updated us on Wild Connections Climate Change Resiliency Project.
Enhancing Wetlands, Increasing Groundwater, and Revitalizing Keystone Species in the Fountain Creek Watershed With Jerry Mallet: view it on YouTube
Wetlands provide a rich habitat for water loving species, including beavers, muskrats, and many bog-loving plants. Photo Jean C Smith
View the presentation on YouTube. Jerry Mallett, a partner in the Keystone Ecosystems Initiative (KEI), outlined the ways the Initiative is addressing current problems with nature-based solutions in the Fountain Creek Watershed. He discussed the role of beavers, how beaver dam analogs are constructed and shared the on going restoration of Sand Creek on the May Ranch near Lamar. Along with the collaboration of local volunteers and collaborating green organizations, the Initiative has “special” hard workers, beavers.
North American Beaver. Photo CPW
Fountain Creek Project Proposal
Rewilding with Beavers with Heartland Rewilding and Superior Bio-Conservancy View it on YouTube
This presentation will have you believing in the power of beavers as ecosystem enginers!
Wild Connections is a science-based conservation organization that works to identify, protect and restore lands of the Upper Arkansas and South Platte watersheds to ensure the survival of native species and ecological richness. We acknowledge that the Arkansas and South Platte watersheds are the ancestral lands of the Ute, Cheyenne, Jicarilla Apache, Arapaho and other indigenous peoples.
Salida Program office info@wildconnections.org 817-939-4239 Colorado Springs administrative office 2168 Pheasant Pl. Colorado Springs CO 80909