Montrose, CO – Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) has awarded an $18,000 grant to the City of Montrose to have the Western Colorado Conservation Corps complete invasive species removal work at Taviwach, Riverbottom, and Cerise parks next spring. 

“This project and similar projects around the state funded through this grant will help put young people to work on our public and protected lands that are in great need of labor,” said GOCO Executive Director Chris Castilian.

Invasive species removal projects provide more space, sunlight, nutrients, and water for native species like cottonwood and willow and help provide better habitat for a more diverse wildlife population. As with the city’s past invasive species removal efforts, the project will also improve wildlife viewing opportunities and access to the river along the length of the project area. A project schedule and any accompanying trail or park closures will be announced as the project start date approaches. 

The city will partner with Paul Zaenger, supervisory park ranger at Black Canyon National Park, Jon Horn, archaeologist and historian, Julie Jackson, recreation planner at the Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office, and Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk, education director at the Ute Indian Museum to provide an educational experience to the young adults who work on the project.

Funds for this project were awarded by GOCO, which receives a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds, to the Colorado Youth Corps Association for use by accredited youth corps. The goal of the program is to employ youth and young adults throughout the state on critical outdoor recreation and land conservation projects in partnership with local governments and open space agencies.

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