Natural Climate Solutions: Actionable Science Programs for the Colorado Front Range

Why is this ‘actionable science’? Well, it only is IF we monitor and measure our actions, but the point is that almost any landscape modification is ‘an experiment’ under our changing environmental conditions. While we think we know what we’ll get…it’s unacceptable not to follow through on our management expectations. The science literature gives us high hopes for these actions. We exist in a semiarid landscape which means that precipitation often limits plant growth and diversity, the factors that are key to our natural climate solutions programs. Accordingly, restoration activities designed to enhance the benefits of the precipitation we receive are key to many of these actions.

We emphasize that we’re in the ‘decade of ecosystem restoration’ Yes, this is a global program, but restoration has always been a local activity (unless, of course you can invest the resources seen in some other countries. While we may not be starting from a totally degraded landscapes as can be found elsewhere, we certainly have our local action spots. And, you will discover there’s plenty to do out there that attempt our three concurrent goals: Reduction of catastrophic wildfire impacts, removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, and the maintenance and enhancement of biological diversity on the Colorado Front Range.

There are a huge number of ways to accomplish this. Starting with your own landscapes, at home, schools, etc., are a fine start. In terms of restoring and enhancing natural or seminatural landscapes, the science is clear: wetlands and riparian zones are the ‘sweet spots’ and programs to enhance these are underway by agencies listed below. Of great need for this program are collections of native plant seeds, which are essential to restoring disturbed habitats. Next, the repairing of watersheds damaged by fire and flood can address both the essential need to stop erosion that further desiccates landscapes, but also to improve the environmental conditions that address our three main concerns. Even in those areas not excessively damaged by fire and flood, management legacies have created drainages that can be modified to achieve natural climate solution goals. These are discussed in more detail in the ‘rewetting landscapes’ section.

Volunteer programs to ‘help the environment’ have been created by non-profit groups and are also available through city and county programs.

The following non-profit organizations are known for doing projects that have contributed to natural climate solutions. If your favorite non-profit is involved in this type of work but not listed, please contact us.

The Watershed Center

The Boulder Watershed Collective

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

For those looking for some neat volunteer projects involved in regenerative agriculture, a local group is: Drylands Agricultural Research. See their web page here.

Also note that WRV partners with Olin Farms on a number of regenerative agriculture volunteer activities. The WRV volunteer pages lists a variety of habitats/activities that can contribute to climate mitigation. Want to get a class or a community group involved in climate mitigation? We enjoy doing these in conjunction with WRV, and it’s that group that organizes these events, but CU also participates in these activities (e.g., events and more). For CU students, there is a special chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration that provides special learning and training activities for those interested in climate mitigation.