News - Local
Garden of the Gods reforestation underway
Posted: Oct 6, 2009 9:22 AM by Bea Karnes
If you hike in Garden of the Gods this week, don't be surprised to see city workers cutting down elm trees or cleaning away dead wood.
The City of Colorado Springs Forestry Division is continuing a forest health & fuels mitigation it began in 2005.
Dead and dying Gambel oak, mountain mahogany, and sumac will be removed, and invasive Siberian elm will be cut down. The project will take 6-8 weeks.
"We remain focused on forest health restoration in attempting to recreate the blending of the two life zones that occur here; the Plains and Foothills Transition," said Dennis Will, staff forester. "This means lots of mosaics of woody vegetation with native grasses interspersed. The project increases the forest health and decreases the risk of fire."
The project cost is funded by donations from the Garden of the Gods Trading Post and a Colorado Community Forest Restoration grant from the Colorado State Forest Service.
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