Watershed Health Projects

The health of our forests, streams, and watersheds is deeply interconnected. Forests naturally filter water from snowmelt and storms, with trees, soil, and shade retaining moisture and gradually releasing it to sustain wildlife, plants, and communities. However, overstocked, dying, or fire-damaged forests disrupt this balance, leading to erosion, degraded water quality, and reduced resilience across the landscape.

Beyond forest health, watershed restoration also involves addressing the impacts of past mining activities and stream degradation. Abandoned mines can leave behind harmful waste that contaminates rivers and soils, while altered streams can disrupt natural flow patterns, harming aquatic life and increasing flood risks. By restoring streams and reclaiming mine-impacted lands, we help reestablish the natural processes that sustain healthy watersheds.

At ARWC, we tackle these challenges through targeted forestry work, stream restoration, mine reclamation efforts, and more. By thinning forests, removing excess or diseased trees, and opening up the canopy, we create more resilient ecosystems that are better equipped to withstand disease, fire, and erosion. Our stream restoration projects aim to reconnect waterways with their floodplains, improve habitat for aquatic species, and reduce the risk of flooding. Mine reclamation efforts focus on stabilizing soils and minimizing future contamination following fires.

Together, these efforts ensure that our watersheds can continue to provide clean water, healthy habitats, and beautiful landscapes for generations to come.