National Public Lands Day projects planned for BLM Colorado Southwest District

MONTROSE, Colo. — A number of volunteer opportunities will be happening across the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado Southwest District over the coming weeks in celebration of National Public Lands Day (NPLD), which officially falls on September 28 this year. Please visit the individual webpage for each project to learn more about time, location, contact information, and project details, as well as to register if necessary.

• Aug. 31-Sept. 2 - Gunnison Sage-Grouse Habitat Restoration, Gunnison Basin: In the sixth year of their partnership, the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District will construct rock structures to restore riparian and wet meadow habitat for the Gunnison sage-grouse north of Gunnison, CO. https://wlrv.volunteerhub.com/vv2/event/9356af60-39f2-45f8-90d1-1404ad2334ba
• Sept. 14 - Phil’s World Trailhead Cleanup, Tres Rios Field Office: The BLM is partnering with Leave No Trace and Ramble Campgrounds to pick up trash and debris at the Simon Draw Trailhead on the Phil’s World trail system south of Dolores, CO. https://www.neefusa.org/npld/phils-world/phils-world-cleanup-simon-draw
• Sept. 14 - Signal Peak Trail Construction, Gunnison Field Office: The BLM and Gunnison Trails will work alongside volunteers to construct the newest trail segment in the Signal Peak Trail System northeast of Gunnison, CO. https://www.neefusa.org/npld/signal-peak-trail-system/signal-peak-trail-construction-0
• Sept. 21 - Gunnison Sage Grouse Habitat Restoration, Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area: Volunteers will assist BLM staff in lopping and scattering small pinyons and junipers that could serve as perches for predators of the threatened Gunnison sage-grouse on BLM lands west of Maher, CO. https://www.coloradocanyonsassociation.org/events/2024/9/21/national-public-lands-day-in-gunnison-gorge-nca-rtbkx-bkhj9-zw6ze-s25gw
• Sept. 28 - McElmo Canyon Roadside Cleanup, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument: Volunteers will pick up roadside trash along the southern boundary of the Monument from the Sand Canyon Trailhead to Ismay Trading Post. https://www.neefusa.org/npld/canyons-ancients-naional-monument/mcelmo-canyon-roadside-clean
• Sept. 28 - Bakers Park Trail Construction, Gunnison Field Office: Volunteers will join crew leaders from the BLM and Silverton Singletrack Society for an afternoon of trail construction and fence building at Bakers Park Trailhead on County Road 110 north of Silverton, CO. https://www.neefusa.org/npld/bakers-park-trail-system-silverton-colorado/bakers-park-trail-construction
• EVENT POSTPONED! Sept. 28 - Blue Moon Trail Reroute, Uncompahgre Field Office: Volunteers will assist the BLM and Uncompahgre Valley Trail Riders in rerouting two sections of the Blue Moon Trail in the Dry Creek Recreation Area southwest of Montrose, CO.
• Sept. 29 - San Miguel River Clean-Up, Uncompahgre Field Office: The BLM is partnering with San Miguel Watershed Coalition to conduct a river clean-up along the San Miguel River, focusing on campgrounds adjacent to the river and the popular walk-wade fishing pull-outs along Highway 145 between Norwood and Placerville, CO. https://www.neefusa.org/npld/san-miguel-river-uncompahgre-field-office/san-miguel-river-clean
• Oct. 5 - Hartman Rocks Kill Hill Headcut Stabilization, Gunnison Field Office: The BLM and partners will build low-tech erosion control structures, including Zuni Bowls and One Rock Dams, to improve sagebrush habitat at Hartman Rocks Special Recreation Management Area. https://www.neefusa.org/npld/hartman-rocks-special-recreation-management-area/hartman-rocks-kill-hill-headcut-stabilization
• Oct. 10 - North Delta OHV Open Area Cleanup, Uncompahgre Field Office: The BLM is partnering with Delta County to clean up this popular OHV open area northeast of Delta, CO.

“The BLM Southwest District always appreciates the fantastic turnout for National Public Lands Day projects,” said Southwest District Manager Stephanie McCormick. “Every year our partners and volunteers come together to help us accomplish critical work on our public lands that we could not do alone.”

NPLD events are coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation. This year’s theme is “Together for Tomorrow.” From trail maintenance to roadside cleanups to habitat restoration, volunteers of all ages and abilities across the country will join forces in a common goal—stewarding America’s natural resources for future generations to enjoy.

Visit the BLM’s national website to learn more about NPLD 2024: https://www.blm.gov/national-public-lands-day.