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Volunteers to Restore Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

by Kimberly Kosmenko

Since 2004, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers has been working with the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to gather and plant willow cuttings in a variety of ways along the banks of the Illinois River as part of a research effort to determine the most effective willow planting techniques. The gorgeous 25,000 acre Wildlife Refuge, located near Walden, Colorado, provides critical habitat to numerous species. The high mountain willow riparian community is very important for neotropical migrating songbirds. However, much of the willow community was removed by previous ranching practices. Our efforts will help identify the most effective willow planting techniques that can be applied on a massive scale in the coming years to restore many miles of the Illinois River.

No special experience or tools are required from volunteers -- we'll teach the techniques on site and provide tools. You'll have the opportunity to camp by the refuge headquarters, and will enjoy excellent food prepared by our volunteer cooks. We'll need a total of 60 volunteers, and the minimum age for children participating is 12 with an adult. For more information or to register for the project, check out our website at www.wlrv.org or contact Kimberly Kosmenko at kimberly@wlrv.org or 303.543.1411. Say that you're with CRA.

We look forward to meeting you in Walden!