Call for Volunteers!

Volunteers are needed to help clean up Rollans Park in Ridgway for the Adopt-a-Park Program on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to noon. UWP has adopted this important park that protects and provides access to the Uncompahgre River. We make an annual effort to pick up litter and branches, and do other maintenance around the park. This event is supported by the Town of Ridgway, American Rivers, and the National River Cleanup.

Who can come: everyone of all ages, as long as parents accompany children; we are limiting the volunteer number to 9 people to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We ask that all volunteers wear masks at the start when we discuss tasks for the day. Then, while working, we can separate into smaller groups and stay 6 feet away from each other so we can take off our masks. We encourage family members to join us so you can volunteer together.

What to bring: work gloves, rakes and clippers (we have extras if needed); appropriate clothing to keep you comfy and happy while you work on the riverbanks and in the park (even in the rain if weather turns wet); sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle, friends, kids, but please leave your furry friends at home; depending on public health orders at that time, we may ask you to wear a mask as well.

What we’ll bring: snacks and drinking water

Register: Please sign up so we can keep track of volunteer numbers, by sending your name(s), phone number and email address to Tanya at uwpcommunications@gmail.com. You can also send questions to Tanya.

Are you aware that many plants have been historically used for medicinal, cultural, or nutritional purposes? Do you recognize the relationship between native plants and animals? Do you have questions about specific plants found in the San Juan Mountains?

Walk among the native plants of the subalpine vegetation zone with guide Mary Menz. Mary will identify wildflowers, share historical uses of native plants, and talk about the role native plants play in the ecosystem—including areas with acid mine runoff.

Appropriate footwear, clothing layers, rain gear, and sun screen are suggested. Feel free to bring cameras and notebooks.  A maximum of 20 participants will carpool from a site to be determined mid-July, based on best flower viewing potential. This is a high elevation walk, but the distance will be less than two miles.

Mary Menz is co-author of Common Wildflowers of the San Juan Mountains. She is also managing editor of Aquilegia, the quarterly publication of the Colorado Native Plant Society. Mary is a Colorado Native Plant Master® and teaches the course on the Western Slope for Colorado State University Extension. She lives in Ridgway with her husband of 30+ years.

Mary’s book will be available at the walk. All profits from books sold that day will be donated to UWP.

Reservations Required: Please contact Tanya at uwpcommunications@gmail.com or 970-325-3010, and provide your name(s), mobile phone number and email address. A donation fo $30 per person ($15 per child) is requested to support UWP’s activities. Mary is generously donating her time for this event.

Join organizers from the Ouray Ice Park and Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership to help restore the natural resources in the Uncompahgre River Gorge. Historic use by the early settlers left mining, railroad and other industrial debris, while more recent gorge visitors left construction debris scattered around – much of which was cleaned up during the 2018 Love Your Gorge event. In 2019, we are continued to remove debris, as well as addressing erosion issues around the top of the gorge. For 2020, we will be planting some trees, picking up litter and doing other important work.

This event is partially funded by the Frank L. Massard Trust, and affiliated with American Rivers National River Cleanup and Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup.

You’ll want to join us this year – we’re a fun group! Please wear layers as the morning and shadowy canyon (all day) can be cold but the sun is intense. Wear sturdy shoes (hiking boots would be great), sunscreen, gloves, and a hat and/or sunglasses.

This event is open to ages 12 and up. Minors (under 18) must be accompanied by an adult or provide a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.

Please sign up so we can track how many volunteers are joining us. Give your name(s), phone number and email address to Tanya at uwpcommunications@gmail.com or 970-325-3010.