In the wake of severe wildfires this summer, a coalition of groups is beginning to plan restoration work in the Poudre Canyon. And they hope to enlist community membersto help decide what those efforts should entail.
Both the High Park and Hewlett Fires impacted residents’ lives in a number of areas - from air quality to drinking water to recreation opportunities. Rafting and fishing guide services were shut down for much of the summer - and some hiking trails through the Poudre Canyon are still closed.
Patrick Flynn is a program coordinator with the Center for Collaborative Conservation at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He says for those who want to help with restoration efforts, there’s plenty of opportunity.
"There’s going to be huge, long-term restoration needs both in the ecological and environmental side, and also on the human-community side of things. And we know we have great public agencies - federal, state, local and county - but that they also need help and support as well."
Some work has already begun in the Greyrock Trail area, as the Coloradoan reported earlier this month. The coalition of groups, which includes the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and the High Park Restoration Coalition, are hosting a free, public educational event Tuesday, Aug. 28 at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins.
