Get Involved: Cherry Creek State Park - Cottonwood Nursery Assistance

Cottonwood Nursery Assistance

Description:

Cottonwood trees are an important native species that provide wildlife habitat, prevent erosion, and filter sediments in riparian areas. At Cherry Creek State Park, a large cottonwood grove upstream of the reservoir is in decline. To address this issue, park staff and volunteers have built a large plant nursery focused on growing cottonwood trees from cuttings that will be transplanted and monitored in the cottonwood grove. 

Volunteer duties in the cottonwood nursery assistance group include:

• watering saplings (between 100 to 200) in the nursery
• sorting and preparing trees for transplanting
• during the Fall/Winter, moving younger plants to inside the greenhouse
• General maintenance needs related to the nursery

Time Commitment:

Two to four hours per week

Volunteer Benefits:

Assist with a large-scale ecological restoration project. After 48 hours of volunteer time, you receive a free Colorado State Parks Pass!

Accessibility:

This position involves walking across uneven terrain and lifting/carrying objects in the nursery (plastic pots, water hoses, etc.).

Interests:

Maintenance and Construction - Maintenance and Construction, Habitat and Trail Work - Habitat Improvement/Restoration, Maintenance and Construction - Landscaping, Outdoors and Community Science - Botany, Outdoors and Community Science - Native Plants

Skills:

Equipment Operation, Maintenance or Repair, Carpentry or Construction, Botany, Habitat Restoration, Plant ID, Gardening/Agriculture/Landscaping, Research

Places:

Cherry Creek State Park