Wildlife Habitat Restoration in Rocky Mountain National Park

archived

This task agreement will allow Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to collaborate with Wildland Restoration Volunteers (WRV) on ecological restoration projects in areas of high quality wildlife habitat that also provide a robust visitor experience. Focal areas include Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park and Upper Beaver Meadows. These areas are degraded due to decades of over browsing by what was once the most concentrated elk population ever recorded. The park¿s Elk and Vegetation Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement provides tools for reestablishing a healthy balance between elk and the habitat they depend on, with a focus on aspen and willow habitat. These riparian vegetation communities are critical for a wide array of plant and animal species. These areas are also highly visible to the public and are among the most popular areas in the park for visitors to view elk during the rut, view migratory songbirds and to partake in recreational fly fishing opportunities. WRV will be able to involve volunteers from the community to engage in restoring these areas with the National Park. WRV will help with the project planning and will do pre-work site visits to work with the park to develop project logistics and needs. Youth and local volunteers from the Front Range will learn skills in restoration techniques while engaging with their National Park. Projects will be completed in three phases, as funding becomes available. B. Project Objectives ¿ This project will result in the planting of willow stakes and willow nursery stock in key restoration areas outlined in the park¿s Elk and Vegetation Management Plan. Without this active restoration, areas that have been damaged by over 100 years of human impacts and elk over browsing will not recover, negatively impacting the ecosystem and the visitor experience. The project will result in much more rapid vegetation recovery, ultimately increasing willow height, cover and improving species composition in these areas. The project also will engage over 80 volunteers from the communities, spreading a sense of shared resource stewardship and conservation.

High