Projects and Activities
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Let It Snow
Upcoming:
2026
More to come in the new year!
Restoration:
08/10/24
Public Lands Day
ForU celebrated National Public Lands Day with volunteers by at Chipeta Lake Park by teaching about native and invasive plants, biodiversity, drought resiliency along the Uncompahgre. Together we planted native along the corridor and enjoyed lunch in the shade of the Cottonwoods.
Video credit to Greg Cairns – Cairns Film
04/24/24
Earth Week: Trail Maintenance
Two non-profits and 36 volunteers came together for earth week to restore and re-route paths used for walking and biking along the Uncompahgre. Thank you to MUT (Montrose Uncompahgre Trails), COPMOBA (Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association) and all the volunteers for coming out to help maintain these beautiful trails behind Rio Grande Ave.
04/26/24
Earth Week: Willow Planting
Willows, a plant native to our riparian area, had overgrown sections of riverside trails. We rooted cuttings and, with the help of Audubon volunteers, planted them along a stream bank at the new Marine Road Wildlife Park. The willows provide valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife, and will stabilize the streambank.
11/18/23
Caging Cottonwoods
Building on work conducted by RiversEdge West, ForU board members conducted a caging project along the Uncompahgre River, between the North Trailhead and 9th Street Trailhead on the Montrose Riverway Trail. 25 cages were installed, which will protect over 30 cottonwood trees from beavers, which are very active in the area. In October 2023 conservation crews from RiversEdge West removed invasive species in this area. This work will ensure that native species are able to recover and fill in the areas where invasives were removed.
09/30/23
Chipeta Lake Riparian Restoration
ForU, in partnership with the City of Montrose and RiversEdge West in Grand Junction, organized a restoration event at the Chipeta Lakes boat launch in Montrose. We welcomed over 25 volunteers who spent the morning planting native shrubs and caging cottonwoods in an area of the park that has suffered from invasive species and severe beaver use. We look forward to seeing this area transformed over the years into a more natural and healthy riparian habitat!
Outreach:
08/10/24
FUNC Fest
With our friends and volunteers, ForU worked at Riverbottom Park to reach out to our community to help build knowledge and appreciation of the beautiful Uncompahgre River. We hosted a booth, served breakfast burritos, and cheered on the competitors (including our own board member, Torie, who raced!) It was a great way to connect to our wonderful river and make new friends.
05/05/24
MADA – Cinco de Mayo
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on the river at Secret Creek with a fun run, a block party, and a duck race! Event hosted by MADA (Mexican American Development Association.) ForU will have a booth to visit on the riverside.
Friends of the River Uncompahgre (ForU)
foru.montrose@gmail.com
Friends of the River Uncompahgre 