Planting Memorial Trees and Celebration Trees in Colorado

Planting Trees in National Forests in Colorado

Colorado’s National Forests have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, with several large-scale wildfires leaving scars across the landscape. From the devastating Hayman Fire of 2002 in Pike National Forest to more recent fires like the Spring Creek Fire, Troublesome Fire, and Cameron Peak Fire, millions of trees and vast areas of critical habitat have been lost. These events have impacted wildlife, water quality, and the natural beauty that draws millions of visitors to the state each year. By planting a tree in memory or celebration, you are supporting our efforts to rebuild Colorado’s forests.

Restoring Colorado’s National Forests: A Unified Reforestation Effort

Planting trees is about more than just reforestation—it’s about restoring ecosystems, protecting water quality, and creating a sustainable future. Reintroducing native species such as Ponderosa Pine, Limber Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, Engelmann’s Spruce, and Douglas Fir supports a thriving recovery. Additional benefits to the region include:

• Biodiversity Recovery: Rebuilding habitats for wildlife, including threatened and endangered species.
• Water Quality Protection: Reducing sedimentation in riparian areas to safeguard vital water sources.
• Climate Resilience: Sequestering carbon, stabilizing soil, and creating healthier, more resilient forests.

Through these combined efforts, Colorado’s National Forests can recover from past devastation and thrive for generations to come. By supporting reforestation initiatives, you can play a vital role in restoring these iconic landscapes and ensuring their future health and sustainability.

Addressing Colorado’s Recent Fires, Multiple Fire Restoration

Our planting partners are working on a large-scale reforestation effort to address restoration of three of the largest forest fires in the history of Colorado – the Spring Creek Fire, the Troublesome Fire, and the Cameron Peak Fire. In total, these fires consumed over 200,000 hectares of forests in Colorado. Multiple fires devastated biodiversity, released massive amounts of carbon, and caused extensive erosion in both forests and riparian areas.

To address this crisis, the largest conservation-based reforestation effort in Colorado’s history is underway. This project aims to replant 2 million trees across affected areas, with an initial phase beginning in August 2023 to plant 300,000 trees. The reforestation effort prioritizes collaboration with local and indigenous communities, including sourcing seedlings from Apache Nation Nurseries in New Mexico and Arizona.