Alpine Wetland Restoration & Workshop - September 22nd and/or 23rd

Join MSI, Colorado Mountain Club, San Juan Citizens Alliance, and many other volunteers to restore a rare fen ecosystem at Ophir Pass, a wetland that is unique to the San Juan Mountains. Volunteers will meet at the MSI Mountain House in Silverton and travel to Ophir Pass. Bring mud boots, work clothes, and rain gear. Volunteers will help restore natural hydrology, revegetate denuded areas, and install erosion control.

Ophir Pass Fen is considered a rare type of “iron fen,” which is acidic (ph <4.5), accumulates metals, and hosts rare plants uniquely adapted to these conditions. This 10,000 year old wetland is one of thirteen iron fens in North America. This field trip is co-sponsored by the Colorado Mountain Club, San Juan National Forest, San Juan Citizens Alliance, and Durango Mountain Resort.

Volunteers who commit to volunteering for the entire weekend will stay Saturday night at the beautiful Opus Hut near the summit of Ophir Pass. To register for the weekend, register at www.cmc.org/ophirfen2. Space is limited, so register early.

If you have further questions, contact Lisa Cashel for details: LisaCashel@cmc.org.

OR, if you would like to register for Saturday and/or Sunday  (and not stay at Opus Hut), please click here.

Other volunteer dates throughout September may also be available! Please contact Emily Olson, MSI's Education Coordinator if interested - 970.382.6908 or eolson@fortlewis.edu.

For more information on San Juan Mountain fen project, please visit http://www.mountainstudies.org/index.php?q=content/fen-project.