CalTrout joined Vail Resort’s Epic Promise Day 2017, leading restoration activities in the Kirkwood Mountain meadows. Over 100 hard-working volunteers showed up, and formed teams to take on tasks, including stream back stabilization in 6 different locations, trail restoration and maintenance, cleaning up barbed wire, old fence posts, and trash (3 truckloads full!) left over from historic cattle and equestrian operations.
High sierra meadows like Kirkwood are a critically important component of a functioning ecosystem, serving as important habitat for fish and lots of other wildlife, but can become degraded easily from human misconduct. Protecting these cold water habitats is not only crucial for animals, but for downstream water users as well. Healthy meadows promote water security for our state, working as natural water reservoirs. (Restoring Sierra headwater meadows is one of CalTrout’s Key Initiatives. Visit our site to learn more about our meadows work, including the plan to restore 30,000 acres by 2030.)
We are very thankful for all of the volunteers and organizers who accomplished this great work, and to Vail Resorts and Kirkwood Mountain Resort for being good stewards of their watershed.
Check out the before and after shots of restoration activities:
Photos and video by Mike Wier.