Volunteers are needed to help clean up the Uncompahgre River Gorge above Ouray, where the Ouray Ice Park is located, on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon with a free picnic event to follow. 

We plan to remove log jams at the bottom of the gorge and pick up construction debris along the edge of the gorge. Please be prepared for rough terrain and some steep hiking up and down.

Who can come: everyone of all ages (as long as parents accompany children), but please leave your furry friends at home

What to bring: proper clothing for mid-September weather in Ouray (layers, pants and layers on top), closed-toed shoes, gloves, and a water bottle. Optional: sunscreen, insect repellent, and depending on weather rain gear.

Register: Please sign up below so we can keep track of volunteer numbers!

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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.

Lunch donated by Ouray Grocery. 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. Tour provided of the Ice Park after lunch.

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 will follow public health orders and COVID-19 safety best practices. Please bring your face mask and be prepared to wear it when we meet in the morning and on the tour. We will also be separating volunteers in smaller groups for increased safety. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms during the weekend of Love Your Gorge, please refrain from coming to the event.

Minors (12 and up) are welcome and encouraged to join our event, but must be accompanied by an adult or provide a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.

A free guided field trip to view and learn about watershed conditions in south Ouray and along Camp Bird Road. Funded by the CDPHE Non-Point Source Program.

Please join UWP from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. to learn about watershed ecology, UWP’s projects, and watershed restoration. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed with scientists and UWP leaders, in a special, high-elevation wetlands area impacted by legacy mining.

We plan to carpool up to field trip destinations. Please plan to either take additional passengers in your vehicle or to ride with other trip participants to the field trip sites. The meeting location at 1:30 p.m. will be shared after signup.

Questions? Contact Tanya Ishikawa at info@uncompahgrewatershed.org.

Registration is closed now.

Join UWP and the Ouray Ice Park in beautifying and maintaining the watershed around the Uncompahgre River Gorge. This volunteer event, recognized by American Rivers and the International Coastal Cleanup, starts with three hours of work around the park and gorge, and ends with lunch, beer, giveaways, and a tour of the park.

For 2023, we will again be removing litter, debris, and invasive plant species from the park. We will also be refurbishing a picnic table and making improvements at the kid’s climbing wall.

Thank you to the City of Ouray and Alpine Bank for sponsorship of this year’s event, as well as to the Ouray Grocery and the Ouray Brewery for food and beer!

Information: info@uncompahgrewatershed.org

Registration is closed.