Colorado is the first state in the nation to celebrate the abundant public lands within its borders, and Saturday, May 19 is the first Colorado Public Lands Day — not to be confused with U.S. Public Lands Day in fall. Click here for a list of events, which include group events, stewardship and clean-up projects, runs and rides, entertainment, crafts sales, family fun and more around the state. Here’s a sampling of activities in our area:
Roxborough State Park: Volunteer at the Garden on Colorado Public Lands Day
Join us for Public Lands Day. Help us beautify Roxborough’s native garden on the patio in front of the Visitor Center. We will pull weeds and hand turn the dirt so that there is room for native plantings. Bring a plant from this list and you can plant it yourself! The entrance fee is waived for volunteers. No pets allowed in the park.
Roxborough State Park: Volunteer at Roxborough, Mullein Pull on Colorado Public Lands Day
Roxborough urgently needs your help to wage the war on weeds. Work with trained crew leaders to pull, snip, and collect mullein, a noxious weeds that crowd out native plants and harms wildlife. All ages 13 and older can participate, 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult. Please carpool, we have limited parking.
Barr Lake State Park: Clean up and tree planting on Colorado Public Lands Day
Bring your family, friends and coworkers for a day of outdoor fun, stewardship and community at Willow Bay. Activities include clean up and tree planting, free lunch and other fun goings-on.
Colorado Public Lands Day at Cherry Creek Reservoir
Come alone or bring a group! This is a great opportunity to do a service project with a scout troop or to teach your kids about keeping our outdoor spaces clean. Join in cleaning up the east shoreline of Cherry Creek Reservoir.
Volunteer in Evergreen: Build a Sustainable Trail in Dedisse Park
Celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day by building a sustainable trail in Evergreen’s Dedisse Park! On this 100-person project, volunteers ages 14+ will work in small groups of 8-10 people to create a new section of trail that will direct users away from the many “social trails” in the park, which lead people off designated trails and damage the environment. In addition to building the trail, volunteers will also work to close these social trails by laying down woodstraw mulch and native seeds in order to bring the area back to its natural state. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Photo Scavenger Hunt and Hike
Enjoy a ½ mile guided nature tour along our grasslands trail at Boyd Lake State Park. On this tour, we will use our photography skills to capture wildlife and ecology found in Colorado.