sphagnum photo taken by Megan Gaspari in Ouray County, Colorado

Local Students & Residents Learn from Wetlands Scientists

On July 27, the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership (UWP) hosted a public field trip to the Ironton Park area of Red Mountain Pass. Dr. Rod Chimner of Michigan Technological University and Dr. Jake Kurzweil of Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) shared information about the ecology of the wetlands and fens that are a unique and important part of the Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed. Kurzweil and Chimner are involved in fen restoration efforts in the San Juan Mountains.

The nonprofit Friends of Youth and Nature provided funding for the bus transportation that was kindly provided by the Ridgway School District. Youth involved in the Peace Jam organization of Ouray County joined the field trip.

In addition to feedback from participants about how fun the trip was, UWP Board Member Carl Mackey reported, “Thanks for providing a very informative field trip. So much to learn. I appreciate the important research work our guides are conducting. Also, total respect for the education you provide forour future scientists, as well as current leadership willing to listen.”

Cody Cline, an 8th grader from Ouray, wrote of the trip, “The watershed group was very interesting. I learned that specific plants grow in swamps and bogs. These plants take air from down through the stems to the roots. Only certain plants can live in this environment because they are adapted to it.”

Seth Cole, another 8th grader from Ouray, added, “Today I learned of the negative effects of draining water from wetland areas like in Indonesia.”

He explained that the wetlands need the water to survive, and the recent draining of Crystal Reservoir could make the area more susceptible to wildfires.

From Ridgway, 8th grader Meghan Gaspari listed what she learned: what peat is, the importance of carbon storage in wetlands, the categories of wetlands (wetlands, bogs, swamps, fens, etc.), how water, geology and flora connect, and the sustainability (or lack of sustainability) of shrimp harvesting (Chimner said that eating one meal of shrimp releases as much carbon into the atmosphere as driving from New York to Los Angeles!)

Gaspari concluded, “I’m glad this opportunity was available to learn a bit during the summer. At some times, being away from teaching and my summer brain make me completely lose focus.”

UWP’s other 2024 field trip is on August 8 and will be along the Uncompahgre River Corridor in Ridgway. People can sign up for that trip until Aug. 6.