Volunteers Plant 29 Trees at Colorado's Clifton Nature Park

When invasive species take over a park, removing them is only half the battle. At Clifton Nature Park in Colorado, volunteers are now putting the right plants back where they belong.

Sixteen community members joined forces with Mesa County Noxious Weed and Pest on April 23 to plant nine native trees and about 20 shrubs throughout the park. Members from the Grand Valley Disc Golf Club and River's Edge West spent the day planting box elders and Fremont cottonwoods alongside county staff.

The planting party marks a new phase in the park's restoration journey. After years of work removing invasive plants that choked out native species, the team is finally reintroducing vegetation that naturally thrives in Colorado's climate.

River's Edge West, a local nonprofit dedicated to river corridor restoration, has become a key partner in Mesa County's green spaces. The organization works with county officials and volunteers to not just remove problem plants, but restore entire habitats along local waterways.

The Ripple Effect

The 29 new plants will do more than look pretty. Native trees provide critical habitat for local wildlife, from birds to pollinators that depend on regional plant species. Their deep root systems also help prevent erosion along the park's water edges.

Park visitors will notice the difference too. The new trees will eventually provide shade canopies over the disc golf course and walking trails, making summer visits more comfortable for families and athletes alike.

The success of restoration projects like this one depends entirely on ongoing community support. Volunteers return throughout the year to water young plants, monitor for invasive species trying to creep back in, and support the long-term health of restored areas.

Anyone interested in joining future planting days can connect with River's Edge West to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities throughout Mesa County.

Nature doesn't restore itself overnight, but with community hands willing to dig in the dirt, Clifton Nature Park is growing back stronger than ever.