The United Nations declared 2021-30 the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.  CU Boulder’s Restoration Ecology Experiential Learning Program, initiated in 2018, amplifies the value of ecological restoration in addressing issues associated with the climate crisis. This program teaches concepts related to restoration, ecosystem services and human well-being to middle and high school students through ‘knowing and doing’ activities. Activities address subjects such as enhancing fuel reduction, increasing carbon drawdown and enhancing biological diversity.

CU Boulder faculty, staff,  graduate students and STEM instructors partner with the nonprofit Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV). WRV’s youth program helps participants build a relationship with nature through service-learning and education. Other partners include schools such as Boulder Preparatory High School, youth organizations like the Nature Kids/Jovenes de la Naturaleza program, and WRV’s Youth Leadership Development (WYLD) program. Over 75% of participants are youth placed at risk and/or come from low-income or historically excluded populations. As a result, underserved youth are able to experience a connection to nature, explore potential careers in environmental sciences and recognize their own capacity to make a positive impact.

This project engages youth and families through public-facing restoration projects and through WRV youth leadership programming. CU instructors  facilitate summer projects with participants from Nature Kids/Jovenes de la Naturaleza (NKJN) and the City of Boulder’s Youth Services Initiative. The CU team develops, refines and reviews educational and assessment pieces and teaches crew-leader techniques that best engage the students. Projects include a range of age-appropriate activities including post-fire restoration actions and wetlands restoration. Each project has learning goals related to the specific restoration effort.

In fall 2023 and spring 2024, programs will involve participants from Nature Kids/Jovenes de la Naturaleza, Boulder Preparatory High School, Grandview High School, Promotores Verdes and others. CU graduate students will also attend programs, present their assessments and evaluate activities at a regional Youth Exploring Stewardship Conference. In 2022 and 2023, we participated in restoration efforts with the Denver Black to Nature group and are planning events for spring of 2024. Through these efforts, CU instructors will connect with over 400 youth and their families.

Find additional information on youth restoration project programs as well as a photo gallery from past projects.

• Planting projects

  Additional Info

  Spring planting projects are conducted with multiple groups in multiple locations. Activities in April-June of 2023 involved working with the WYLD, Black to Nature, YSI, Lafayette Youth Corps, and Camp Kind. Sites included Lone Hawk Farm, Barr Lake, and Coal Creek in Lafayette.

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  Location

  in colorado

  Lafayette

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program

• Youth Exploring Stewardship Conference

  Additional Info

  The Youth Exploring Stewardship Conference is an opportunity for teens from across the Front Range to come together for a weekend of leadership, service, and fun. Youth spend the night at Cal-Wood, learn about fire ecology, and participate in service-learning. In 2023 CU SMART student Asia Kaiser (EBIO PhD student) attended the conference with WYLD students. https://youthexploringstewardship.com/

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  Location

  in colorado

  Jamestown

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program

• Boulder Youth Services Initiative

  Additional Info

  Youth from the Youth Services Initiative, which serves youth who live in low-income housing in Boulder, will come out to Lone Hawk Farm and Cal-Wood Education center for multiple day of service, education, and exploration. Participants will participate in a variety of activities such as collecting native seed, removing weeds, planting, and more.

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  Location

  in colorado

  Longmont

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program

• Wildlands Youth Leadership Development

  Additional Info

  The WRV Youth Leadership Development (WYLD) Program meets monthly during the school year. Participants engage in stewardship activities, outdoor recreation, career development, and environmental education, including visits to the CU Alpine Research Station. The program culminates with a youth-directed restoration project.

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  Location

  in colorado

  Boulder

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program

• Lafayette Youth Corps

  Additional Info

  The Lafayette Youth Corps meets weekly during the school year. Interns complete various stewardship activities for the City of Lafayette while also learning about leadership, local ecology, restoration, and more.

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  Location

  in colorado

  Lafayette

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program

• High School community service activities

  Additional Info

  We work with Dawson HS, Boulder Prep, and Grandview HS, on planting, invasive plant removal, and fuel reduction projects. In 2023, Dawson projects involved planting at Coal Creek in Lafayette. Boulder Prep worked at County Open Space to remove fine fuels from a thinned forest. Grandview HS partnered with Denver Parks in doing a tree removal/fuel reduction project in Evergreen, CO.

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  Location

  in colorado

  Lafayette

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program