Enhancing Wetlands, Increasing Groundwater, 
and Revitalizing Keystone Species 
in the Fountain Creek Watershed
Webinar with Jerry Mallet

Wetlands provide a rich habitat for water loving species, including beavers, muskrats, and many bog-loving plants such as wild iris. Photos Jean C Smith

Fountain Creek Project Proposal

Go here to download KEI's detailed proposal for the Fountain Creek watershed project.

View the webinar on YouTube. 
Jerry Mallett, a partner in the Keystone Ecosystems Initiative (KEI), outlined the ways the Initiative is addressing current problems with nature-based solutions in the Fountain Creek Watershed.  He discussed the role of beavers, how beaver dam analogs are constructed and shared the on going restoration of Sand Creek on the May Ranch near Lamar. Along with the collaboration of local volunteers and collaborating green organizations, the Initiative has “special” hard workers, beavers.   

North American Beaver. Photo CPW

McIntyre Hills Day Hike, a BLM Wildlands Outing
Saturday, April 8
10:00 AM -3:00 PM (trailhead to trailhead times)

WC 2018 McIntyre Hills Hike.
Photo Misi Ballard

Join Wild Connections, and Central Colorado Wilderness Coalition for a moderate hike in the McIntyre Hills Wilderness Study Area, a low-elevation area along the Arkansas River west of Royal Gorge that is filled with rocky canyons and teeming with wildlife.  Learn how areas such as this serve as connecting links for wildlife.  

This five-mile moderate hike along a dry canyon bottom will involve elevation gain of approximately 600 feet.  Bring lunch, water, footwear suitable for off-trail hiking, and clothing suitable for the weather conditions.  Snow is possible this time of the year and may make some change of route or location necessary.  A carpool or caravan from Colorado Springs will meet at 8:30 a.m. 
For more information and to register, contact Jim Lockhart at (719) 385-0045 or jlock@datawest.net no later than Friday evening, April 7th. 
This hike is posted on multiple forums so you must contact Jim directly to register. 

Looking at April

More details will be available soon, but here are some teasers

April 21 8-9:45 pm - View the stars at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, a registered Dark Sky Park 
April 22 - Earth Day - Google for local events

Hikers, please read this!
Gear and Safety

If your plans change and you will not attend, please notify the hike leader as soon as possilbe.
Participants should bring lunch, plenty of water and snacks, clothing suitable for the weather conditions, including rain gear, and good footwear. Note any special instructions in the hike or camping announcement.
Keep your fellow hikers and yourself safe. Wild Connections practices coronavirus precautions. We ask participants to be fully vacinated and  wear masks if traveling to the trailhead with those who are not members of their household. 
Leave your dogs at home. Registered Service dogs are OK. 
Leave no trace, pack out your trash, take no souveniers.

Events