Joint POSAC-OSBT Field Trip

 10/27/2023  |  10:00 AM - 12:45 PM
  Near Niwot  |  Registration Required

Open Space Management - Ages 13 & Older

The Boulder County Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) and the City of Boulder Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) will hold a joint field trip. Attendees will meet at the Niwot Park-n-Ride, located at Hwy. 287 and Niwot Rd., at 10 a.m. to ride in a county van to the sites. The van will leave at 10:15 a.m. and return to the Park-n-Ride by 12:45 p.m. Attendees should wear walking shoes and bring rain gear and bottled water. SITE #1: Lower Boulder Creek Boulder County staff will highlight the Lower Boulder Creek Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project which was a joint endeavor of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Boulder County Parks & Open Space to restore an approximately 1.0-mile degraded stretch of Boulder Creek on the county’s Alexander Dawson open space property between N 109th Street and Kenosha Road. The natural stream design created alternating meanders, in-stream habitat enhancements, and a broad floodplain that will support native riparian habitat. Staff will provide an overview of the history and objectives of the project, information about the creek restoration design and implementation, and lessons learned for future restoration projects. SITE #2: ERTL Property The Boulder Creek floodplain on Open Space and Mountain Parks properties has been heavily modified through establishment of irrigation infrastructure, agricultural uses and especially aggregate (gravel) mining. Beginning in 2022, Open Space and Mountain Parks undertook a large-scale restoration of the Boulder Creek floodplain on the South side of the Boulder Creek on our ERTL property. Prior to OSMP acquisition of the property, it was extensively mined, and the floodplain was characterized by a series of deep, permanent ponds, mounded upland areas and non-native vegetation resulting from the mining activity and mining reclamation. Because this series of ponds and piles of dirt and material was not a natural state for the floodplain, the restoration strives to re-establish natural topography, hydrology, and vegetation on the site to support a variety of wetland types typical of natural floodplains along Boulder Creek. The restoration site and resulting habitats will support valuable areas for native plants and animals to flourish, and re-establishes resilience to natural disasters and disturbances characteristic of natural floodplains but absent in reclaimed gravel mining areas. This increased resilience will help protect and maintain the natural values associated with the floodplain and creek corridor in the face of changing climate and likely potential increase in natural disturbances and disasters. The tour is informational only and will not provide an opportunity for formal public comment.

Registration is required for this activity.

Boulder County wants to ensure that everyone has equal access to our programs, activities, and services. To request an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accommodation, please email [email protected], or call 303-441-1386. Submit your request as early as possible, and no later than three business days before the event.

If you need help in another language, please email [email protected], or call 303-678-6277. Contact us as early as possible, and no later than three business days before the event.