Blair Hurst
I was in the mountains this weekend, cruising through the first few yellow aspen leaves on my mountain bike. It seems that the seasons have definitely shifted since the passage of Labor Day. Now there is a cool breeze in the air at night, students are back at school, and you can see signs of animals getting ready for winter. For all of us who are involved in conservation, restoration or management of our natural systems, this is the time of year that thoughts also start turning to conferences and the opportunity to share news of riparian efforts undertaken over the previous year.
The articles featured in this issue of the green line provide a sampling of these current efforts that contribute to riparian improvements and protection from a variety of angles: Mark Beardsley offers his in-depth knowledge of stream systems mediated by beaver activity, and proposes a new classification for such systems. Curtis Hartenstine provides insightful guidance on monitoring stream projects. An exciting account of ecological restoration perspectives on the international scale is relayed by Carolyn Browning. Closer to home, we learn of efforts within the Roaring Fork and Saint Vrain watersheds from Sharon Clarke and Cathy Tate. John McArthur describes a technology-fusion approach for addressing fine sediments for ecosystem protection and restoration.
As editors, we would like to thank our contributing writers who facilitate this learning and sharing of knowledge, which furthers our understanding and awareness of important riparian issues. If you have a topic that you would like to share as an article in upcoming green line issues, please contact our editorial staff. With over 100 copies of the green line being mailed out with each issue, and online availability of both past and present issues, contributions are bound to reach a wide and diverse readership. We are looking forward to the exciting ideas that will be discovered and shared over the coming year!