Post-fire restoration to keep Colorado’s communities safe
The meandering path of a river or stream, the density of a forest, a healthy and biodiverse wetland—all of these contribute to the beauty and uniqueness of a landscape. But they are much more than just landscape features. Restoration ecologists know that the services provided by these ecosystems protect communities from flooding and wildfire, help filter water, and ensure we have clean air to breathe.
According to Colorado State University, almost half of the state’s population lives in an area with a moderate to high risk of wildfires. Wildfires have always occurred naturally in the area, and for millennia were part of the natural regeneration process of the State’s forests. But the frequency of fires is increasing, 20 of the 20 biggest fires have occurred in the last 24 years, and so are the risks, as forests increasingly border heavily populated areas.
Colorado’s conifer forests have undergone a transformation over the centuries due to logging and land-use changes, with forest density today often dominated by smaller, less fire-resistant trees. Restoring a forest after a wildfire is complex. Experts aim to balance ecological restoration that supports essential functions, while mitigating the threat of future fires, in addition to ensuring the area’s millions of inhabitants continue to have clean drinking water.
Clouds of smoke rising off the front range of the Rocky Mountains, the Cal-Wood Fire, near Boulder, CO on 17 October. Photo by Mark Ries.
Participants at SER2025 can choose between multiple field trips to learn about post-fire restoration techniques in the Denver area. This includes an opportunity to visit the mountains of Colorado with the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute and the Colorado State Forest Service. With an overnight stay near the base of the famous Pikes Peak, participants will study the state’s fire-adapted conifer forests and learn from restoration techniques employed in this stunning landscape. A field trip to the Cal-Wood Education Center offers the opportunity to engage in active restoration and learn techniques employed following the 2020 fire that burned over 10,000 acres. And a visit to the Jefferson Conservation District will highlight techniques being employed to help control the spread of wildfires and reduce the potential impact on local communities.
Too little water, or too much? Protecting the state’s water supply and preventing floods.
Maintaining Colorado’s watersheds is essential for the State’s fresh water supply and that of 18 other states whose water also comes from Colorado’s water basin. A project at the Cache la Poudre River outside of Fort Collins aims to restore the river’s flow and function to ensure the health of the watershed. A field trip to this breathtaking waterway will examine the progress of this initiative and review early results from the River Health Assessment Framework (RHAF).
Cache la Poudre River at Little Narrows west of Fort Collins, Colorado
In addition to depleting groundwater, 20 years of persistent regional drought have dried soils and reduced their capacity to absorb water, increasing flood risk during heavy rainfall or spring run-off. The Casto Creek project implements low-tech process-based techniques to restore sediment and restore the natural functions of the floodplain habitat.
Boulder Colorado flooded home, standing on Highway 52 in Boulder County, a home and other buildings are surrounded by the massive flood waters from Boulder Creek after days of heavy mid-September rains.
A record 22 Field Trips will be offered at the 11th World Conference on Ecological Restoration, providing opportunities to connect with Denver’s rich culture and witness its iconic bison herds. Or to learn about important successes in restoring habitats for key species including big game like mule deer and elk, as well as prairie dogs, burrowing owls and bald eagles. If you’re lucky, you may even spot North America’s most endangered mammal, the black-footed ferret, which is starting to make a comeback in the region thanks to the efforts of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Field trips will also showcase Colorado’s history and importance as a mining center, and its leadership in mine site restoration. A multi-day field trip visiting several mine sites on Colorado’s Western Slopes will offer attendees the chance to learn from five decades of reclamation to revive wildlife habitats for a wide range of species.
From alpine tundra to conifer forests, wetlands, prairies and urban landscapes. Ecological restoration is helping to preserve and enrich Colorado’s astounding natural beauty. SER2025 offers a unique opportunity to witness and enjoy these awe-inspiring landscapes for yourself!
For more information about the field trips available, click the button below.