Our source water is largely surrounded by forests, so what happens in the forest affects our water. The plants and soil act as living filters whose health directly affects water quality in the Upper South Platte Watershed. Restoring the forests within the watershed increases ecosystems’ resilience to disturbances such as wildfire, disease, and insect infestation, and improves the quality of water flowing from the forest to rivers and streams.
CUSP works to restore forests to historically healthy conditions and uses proven wildfire mitigation techniques to reduce wildfire risks for communities and vital resources. These proactive initiatives include:
- Maintaining the Divide Slash Site , Fairplay Sort Yard/Slash Site and Bailey Slash Site for community use
- Providing chipping services for communities
- Assisting with Community Wildfire Protection Plans
- Implementing ecological restoration & fuels mitigation projects on private and public lands
- Serving as a Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network Hub
- Responding when the fire starts with our Wildfire Suppression Team
- Working with communities on emergency response and recovery following a fire
Restoring our forests and reducing wildfire risks must be a community effort. Support work to improve the health of your forest by learning more below, assisting with forest health projects, and donating today!