Local Communities Take Action

As wildfire season expands across the Southwest, our rivers and their tributaries face a growing challenge. With rising temperatures and extreme weather, there’s no better time than now to take action.

Standing on the banks of the Escalante or Verde River, you would likely see invasive trees and shrubs choking the shoreline, their thirsty roots sucking precious water. You’d feel the heat of the sun and recognize that these non-native species increase the risk of out-of-control wildfires. But look closer and you’ll also see hope—in the form of dedicated communities ready to make a difference.

That’s why we are pleased to award $138,300 in funding to two local community organizations for their efforts to protect these vital rivers. Thanks to our growing group of supporters, we’re partnering with Friends of the Verde River in Arizona and the Grand Staircase Escalante Partners in Utah to restore 3,400 acres of land along these rivers and their tributaries.

The consequences of inaction paint a stark picture: rivers choked with invasives are unable to support diverse wildlife, like butterflies, eagles, trout and elk. Fire risk increases and there’s less clean water for the region’s health and well-being.

These organizations, along with community members and the Southwest Conservation Corps of Colorado, will carefully remove invasive, water-guzzling plants like tamarisk, Russian olive and Arundo. With each plant removed, native species like cottonwood and willows get a fighting chance, and the risk of uncontrollable wildfires diminishes. It’s a labor of love that protects not just the rivers, but the communities that depend on them.

“Removing invasive plants is a bit like a chess game,” said Jackie Grant, the Partners’ executive director. “It teaches patience and is a lesson in strategy. You learn patience because the long-term results are worth the wait. Strategy comes into play when determining where your efforts will have the biggest impact. Plus, it feels good to know that you are not only improving water quality directly where you are treating invasives but downstream as well.”

This year, the Partners are tackling Harris Wash, a critical tributary to the Escalante, and a popular overnight hike past sheer cliffs and small overhangs. With both cattle and people moving through the wash, it is imperative that invasive plants and their seeds are not dispersed by foot and hoof traffic. Our grant will help eradicate these plants and remove the threat of their seeds being distributed throughout the watershed. Similar tales of restoration will play out along the Verde River.

So far, Forever Our Rivers has distributed grants to restore 13,000 acres of wildlife habitat along rivers that flow into the Colorado. These efforts are made possible through the generosity of people like you. Plus, our commitment doesn’t end when the last invasive plant is removed. We will return to the site time and again to ensure that the project was effective and that every dollar invested translates into real, lasting benefits.

Looking ahead, we plan to give out three times as many grants as we have before. This is a big goal, but it’s important because our rivers face so many challenges. With the support of people like you, it’s within reach. We’re not just helping the rivers, we’re creating a better future for communities in the Southwest. Together, let’s write a new chapter for rivers—one full of water, life and hope.

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This is What River Conservation Looks Like

By Brian Riepe • June 19, 2025

In the West, our rivers are more than just waterways—they’re the lifeblood of our wild landscapes. Whether you’re running cattle, growing peaches, casting a fly, navigating a rapid or simply soaking in a riverside sunset, you’ve felt the power and the serenity of these waters. But how do we know if our rivers are healthy? That’s where restoration, monitoring—and you—come in. At Forever Our Rivers, we improve water quality and restore wildlife along rivers and streams throughout the Southwest including the Gunnison, Verde, South Platte, Dolores, Escalante—even the mighty Colorado. But rivers aren’t static. Once a project is finished, active, skilled monitoring is key to ensure the restoration remains effective. Volunteers are needed now more than ever. And volunteering can take many forms. If you’re not excited about spending the day removing tamarisk with a chain saw, a less arduous way to contribute is by learning to monitor water and habitat health on your local river. It’s easier than you might think—and it’s fascinating. Through research that began in 2018, Western Colorado University students and volunteers led by Associate Professor of Wildlife and Conservation Biology Pat Magee helped shape local policy by monitoring great blue heron nesting sites. Their data led to community outreach and new habitat protections along the Slate River near Crested Butte, Colorado. The volunteers, people like you and me, are helping baby chicks survive. Across the Southwest, groups we collaborate with also rely on volunteers to protect and restore river ecosystems. Running now through May 3, Friends of the Verde is seeking volunteers to help with the third annual Bio Blitz , a community-driven event inviting volunteers to help identify as many living species as possible within the Verde Watershed. Rivers Edge West currently lists sixteen volunteer or educational events taking place in the Grand Valley over the next twelve months. The Roaring Fork Conservancy is seeking volunteers April 25 – 29 for the annual Watershed Cleanup on the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork rivers near Carbondale, Colorado. Sometimes you can even get paid to help, Conservation Legacy’s youth crews collect essential water quality data while building job skills and deepening their connection to nature. You can read more about these success stories in the links below. Whether you’re a student, retiree or weekend warrior, there’s a place for you. You don’t need a science degree—just a love for rivers and a willingness to learn. Together, we can keep our waterways clean, our habitats healthy and our communities strong. Want to help? Reply to this email or visit Forever Our Rivers to find a conservation group near you. See you on the water, Brian Riepe Grant Program Lead

Rivers Need You: Why Now is the Time to Volunteer

By Brian Riepe • June 19, 2025

Nature Is Calling (no, not like that)

By Brian Riepe • June 19, 2025

The warmer, sunny weather in Crested Butte this week makes me smile as I know spring isn’t far behind. Soon the Sandhill cranes will begin their migration, and flowers will ever so slowly peek out from the forest floor. But we are in no hurry here at the headwaters of the Colorado River. A long and snowy winter in the northern Rockies has left high elevations north of the Colorado and Utah Borders buried deep under several feet of snow. Even so, nature is calling us all to step outside and enjoy the longer days. And now, like never before, is the time when people need nature—and nature needs us. At Forever Our Rivers, January blew in with encouraging momentum. Heading into our tenth year, with strong partnerships across the four corners region, strategies to improve wildlife habitat for moose, otters, fish and songbirds were in place, and in the southern reaches of the Colorado River basin boots were already on the ground. Communities large and small were behind an extraordinary push to save our state’s rivers, ramp up habitat restoration and care, and assist communities with water quality and quantity. In fact, as we started out this year, it looked like we would be able to accelerate the pace of local river conservation and also work on wildfire mitigation. But now, I’m sorry to report that we and other local conservation organizations are facing major challenges. The current freeze and imminent loss of federal conservation funds will significantly impact our efforts and those of our partners. Many are still trying to assess and predict what’s coming next. Forever Our Rivers is working diligently to keep programs going through other forms of funding. Thankfully, people like you care. That’s why I’m asking for your help given the unprecedented nature of this year’s financial uncertainty. If you or someone you know is interested in stepping in to empower healthy rivers there are many cash-free and tax savvy giving options. Please visit our Ways to Give page for more information. Gifts from donor-advised funds, gifts of stock and minimum required distributions from an IRA are all excellent ways to make a gift and potentially reduce your income taxes. If we can close the shortfall of the sudden and unexpected loss of conservation funding, we can continue to save critical waterways in Colorado. Please know there is no better way to make a local difference than conserving the rivers and streams you treasure. You can improve the outlook for rivers today and into the future. Feel free to email myself or our grant program lead Brian Riepe , anytime with questions, comments, rivers news, or your favorite book recommendations. Ann Johnston Executive Director Forever Our Rivers Foundation

Local Communities Take Action