Poudre RiverFest restores, revitalizes corridor
In the wake of the 2012 fire season and the devastating floods in September, a group of local nonprofits have come together to restore, celebrate and promote our beloved Cache La Poudre River.
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, Sustainable Living Association, Save The Poudre, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers and the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery are partnering to host the first Poudre RiverFest on May 10 at Legacy and Lee Martinez Park.
This free festival is a chance for the community to learn about the role of the river as an important habitat for wildlife, a recreational treasure and a source of clean water for drinking and industry. The Poudre RiverFest is about celebrating and raising awareness for our river and its contribution to our lives.
The morning of the festival will start with a volunteer orientation and breakfast at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. The Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory will lead nature walks and provide opportunities to observe scientific research with wild birds at the bird banding station.
After orientation, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers will coordinate shrub planting and invasive plant removal along the southern bank of the Poudre River near Lee Martinez Park. Restoration activities will be focused on areas that would improve habitat for wildlife species. The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program will take charge on a volunteer cleanup effort along the River as well. The Museum of Discovery will have indoor and outdoor activities for children throughout the morning.
In the afternoon, the festival shifts to the north side of the river at Legacy Park. Local favorites, The Holler! and Finnders & Youngberg, will play music during the festival. New Belgium Brewery will provide a beer garden and a few local vendors will provide food.
Local businesses and organizations will host informational and activity booths for attendees, who will have fun while learning about the river’s vital functions, how our activities affect it and the important connections between human and natural communities. The event is free to the public.
To find out more about the Poudre RiverFest or to volunteer, please visit www.sustainable livingassociation.org/sla-events/ poudre-riverfest.
No Comments