Restore

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Explore the links below to learn more about our programs and projects.

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Events

We work hard to mitigate threats to water quality, improve damaged riparian and aquatic ecosystems and coordinate projects that protect the natural values that give this region its identity.

 

We are proud to work with community and regional partners on projects that range from extremely low-cost to multi-million-dollar projects. Check out some of our project spotlights below, as well as the focuses of our restoration projects and the challenges and threats our work addresses.

 

 

Edwards Tire Removal Effort

For decades, tires have been present in an area of the Eagle River just downstream of Edwards, visible from river-users who enjoy the stretch for paddling and angling. Tires don’t belong in the river – they can leach chemicals into waterways and lead to water quality issues, damage sensitive riparian areas, and threaten wildlife.

Despite regular cleanup efforts through the decades and as recently as 2019, the tires continue to appear from the depths of the river, evidence of a long-gone tire and mechanic shop that was suspected to be the source.

Read more about the tire removal efforts here.

Local river-lover and Realtor Brad Ernest has noted the pile near the bank steadily growing once more, and this spring, approached the Eagle River Coalition team to propose a collaborative project with his office, Re/Max Elevate Vail Valley. We are thrilled to join forces to address the issue together.

What’s the plan?
As the local organization committed solely to protecting rivers in the Eagle River Watershed, the Eagle River Coalition will be coordinating the project, currently envisioned as a volunteer-driven effort to remove tires and debris from the banks and river bottom. The tires will then be collected and recycled.

When will the project take place?
The tire removal will take place later in summer or fall, after flows have declined.

Can I get more information about volunteering for this? 
We will post volunteer and work-day information on our events calendar. Registration will be required.

Who is involved? 
Brad Ernest is spearheading the fundraising effort for the project. He is a Realtor with Re/Max Elevate Vail Valley, and his team has already committed to supporting the effort with a donation. Josh Rumble, Watershed Restoration Director at the Eagle River Coalition, is heading up the project coordination. We are actively seeking additional project sponsors and supporters.

How much will it cost? Can I donate?
We are seeking $10,000 to cover project coordination, supplies, pick-up and hauling, and other costs. Funds raised beyond $10,000 will support other restoration work and programs of the Eagle River Coalition. You can learn more and make a gift to support the project here.

 

 

Spotlight: Wearyman Creek

Project Goals:

  • Improve watershed health
  • Promote ecosystem resiliency
  • Provide sustainable future access & recreation
  • Reduce instream sedimentation that is negatively impacting both stream habitat and municipal water supply

We are seeking your input for our stakeholder engagement process and encourage you to make your voice heard by filling out the survey below and attending any of the stakeholder or public meetings being held from now through October.

Spotlight: Restore the Gore

Series Goals:

  • Improve the quality/quantity of riparian vegetation along Gore Creek
    • In 2012, Gore Creek was listed as a 303d impaired waterway for low aquatic (macroinvertebrate) life, which is due in part to a loss of riparian vegetation
    • Riparian vegetation stabilizes streambanks, shades waterways, supplies nutrients for aquatic life and filters out pollutants
  • Educate community volunteers on the importance of healthy riparian areas and create stewardship opportunities

Restoration Focuses

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Collaboration

Collaboration

Climate change, population growth, urbanization, resource and recreational overuse and more lead to complicated issues within our local waterways and beyond. To identify and mitigate these concerns, we collaborate with local municipalities, businesses, state and federal agencies, land management representatives, other nonprofits and local community members. Some of the efforts and group we regularly collaborate with are:

Colorado Basin Roundtable

Upper Colorado Wild & Scenic Alternative Management Plan

Eagle County Wildfire Collaborative

Eagle Valley Outdoor Stewardship

Climate Action Collaborative

Habitat Improvement

Habitat Improvement

The Eagle River watershed is home to numerous trout species, including cutthroat, which have access to only 1% of their native range. Due to competition from non-native fish, such as brown, rainbow and brook trout, as well as rising water temperatures, caused by climate change and reduced stream flows, the health of these trout is threatened in many areas of our rivers and streams. Additionally, more than 80% of Colorado’s wildlife species rely on riparian habitats at some point in their life cycles. Many of our restoration efforts focus on improving habitat and ecosystem health, including projects involving high alpine streams, where non-native trout access is blocked.

Stormwater Mitigation

Stormwater Mitigation

Do you know where rain goes after it falls onto pavement and roofs? Much of it flows down into storm drains, which lead to the river. Often, chemicals, trash and other waste is carried directly into our rivers and streams through these storm drains. Our stormwater mitigation efforts include improved infrastructure, such as in-ground vaults, bioswales and rain gardens, or the creation of barriers, such as healthy, native riparian zones, where water can be filtered by plants and soils before flowing into the river, thus protecting water quality and habitat for wildlife, such as fish, bugs and mammals, that depend on the river.

Revegetation

Revegetation

Damaged riparian habitats, whether through erosion, human-caused trampling, flooding or forest fire, can lead to a variety of river health concerns. We improve these damaged areas by laying native seed, planting native shrubs and trees and protecting fragile environments with signage, trail closures and erosion control methods.

Noxious Weed Removal

Noxious Weed Removal

Noxious weeds harm our environment in many ways, from overtaking native plant species, damaging the soil chemistry and composition and harming wildlife with toxins and habitat loss, to absorbing massive amounts of water. Removing noxious plants, such as tamarisk, Russian olive and many types of thistles, protects the watershed and water quantity of our rivers and streams.

Check out our noxious weeds page to access resources and to learn more about the programs and projects we are doing to tackle weeds along our rivers and streams.

Community Cleanups

Community Cleanups

Trash accumulates throughout our landscape and removing it before it can enter our streams and rivers helps ensure clean water for all that depend on it, people and wildlife! Through our two longest running events, the Community Pride Highway Cleanup and Eagle River Cleanup, hundreds of people come together every year to remove thousands of pounds of trash from our roadways and river banks.

Check out our events page for upcoming cleanups and please email cleanup@eagleriverco.org for more details.

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