RiversEdge West

06/02/2026

Our 2025 Annual Report is here!

In the past year, RiversEdge West brought people together to restore riverside habitats, engage volunteers in hands-on stewardship, inspire future river stewards through education, and connect restoration practitioners through training and collaboration.

None of this would have been possible without the support of our partners, volunteers, donors, and community members.

Check out our 2025 Annual Report to see the impact we made together and learn what’s ahead for the coming year:https://www.riversedgewest.org/sites/default/files/digital-2025-annual-report_compressed.pdf

05/13/2026

Help restore and care for one of our community’s treasured riverfront spaces! 🌿💧

Join RiversEdge West and Colorado Parks and Wildlife for a volunteer stewardship event at James M. Robb Colorado River State Park - Connected Lakes Section on Thursday, May 21 from 8:30–10:30 AM.

Volunteers will help:
🌱 Pull invasive weeds like kochia and Russian knapweed
🌳 Adjust protective cages around young trees
🚶 Mark trails and close social trails to help protect sensitive habitat

Coffee and light snacks will be provided! Please bring:
☀️ Sun protection
💧 Water
👟 Close-toed shoes and outdoor work attire

Specialized tools will be available, but feel free to bring your own gloves or tools if preferred.

Every volunteer makes a difference in keeping Connected Lakes healthy, accessible, and thriving for wildlife and the community alike.

RSVP here: https://riversedgewest.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/riversedgewest/eventRegistration.jsp?event=1199&

05/06/2026

Join us on May 16 at 3 PM for our Rubber Ducky Scramble at Butterfly Pond in Las Colonias Park during Grand Valley River Fest! You could paddle away with an incredible prize!

🎉 Grand Prize: A Gnarwhal whitewater packraft from Alpacka Raft!
Perfect for beginner to intermediate paddlers, this versatile packraft is built for fun on everything from calm stretches to whitewater.

Here’s how it works:
• Purchase a numbered rubber duck (or a whole flock!) in advance online or in-person at River Fest!
• Then watch your duck float across the pond while two Labrador retrievers, River and Millie, race to fetch the winning ducks.
• If they grab yours first, you win!

Prizes will also be awarded for 2nd and 3rd place. You don’t need to be present to win; we’ll contact you after the event! All proceeds support RiversEdge West’s education and river stewardship programs, helping protect and restore the rivers we all depend on.

🎟️ Admission to the festival is free.
🕒 Duck sales close at 2:30 PM on event day (or online by midnight May 15).

Grab your ducks, cheer them on, and enjoy a memorable moment as Millie and River make their big splash! 🐶💦

*Please note that dogs are not typically permitted in Butterfly Pond. We have received permission from the City of GJ for this one-time event.

04/28/2026

Join the Water Center at Colorado Mesa University for a Panel Discussion with Aspen Journalism on May 6th!

The panel, Confronting Scarcity on the Colorado River, will bring together local voices from across key water-use sectors to discuss the management and conservation of water during a period of increased scarcity along the Colorado River.

The event is free, but RSVPs are required!
Date: May 6th, 2026
Time: 5:15 PM - 7 PM
Location: Colorado Mesa University Center

Learn more or RSVP here: https://www.coloradomesa.edu/water-center/events/panel_discussion_confronting_scarcity_on_the_colorado_river.html

04/09/2026

🌎🌱 Celebrate Earth Day by giving back to our rivers!

Join RiversEdge West and the City of Grand Junction Parks and Recreation for a hands-on volunteer planting event at Watson Island on Saturday, April 18 from 8 am–12 pm.

Spend the morning planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses to help restore vital riverside habitat while enhancing the experience for disc golfers and all who enjoy this special community space.

This is a free event, and all are welcome! RSVP is encouraged to help us plan.

What to expect:
• Meaningful, hands-on restoration work
• Light snacks and coffee provided
• Some tools available (bring your own gloves and shovel if you have them)
• Wear sturdy, weather-appropriate clothing (long sleeves, pants, close-toed shoes), and bring water and sun protection.

📍 Meet at the parking lot next to the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens (639 Struthers Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501).

Make this Earth Day count! Join us in growing a healthier river and stronger community! 💧🌿

Learn more or rsvp here: https://www.riversedgewest.org/get-involved/events/earth-day-volunteer-planting-event-city-grand-junction

04/08/2026

04/07/2026

Volunteers needed for a planting event at Clifton Nature Park on April 14th!

Join RiversEdge West and Mesa County Noxious W**d and Pest Management as we roll up our sleeves to plant native species and protect young plants with cages, simple actions that make a big difference for our riverside habitats. These efforts not only support wildlife and restore ecological balance, but also enhance the experience for disc golfers and everyone who enjoys this riverside space.

We’ll provide light snacks and coffee to keep you fueled while you work outdoors alongside fellow community members. Come prepared with water, sun protection, and comfortable work attire (think pants, closed-toe shoes, and long sleeves). Tools will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own

This event is free, but registration is required.

Learn more or sign-up here: https://www.riversedgewest.org/get-involved/events/volunteer-planting-event-clifton-nature-park-mesa-county

04/01/2026

Happy April Fool’s Day!

But here’s something that’s no joke: healthy rivers don’t restore themselves! That’s where we come in.

This April, we’re teaming up with the Hot Tomato Pizzeria as their nonprofit of the month, so you can enjoy pizza while supporting our rivers! Every bite helps support real, on-the-ground work restoring riverside habitats, removing invasive species, and bringing life back to the places that need it most.

1% of the Hot Tomato's April sales will be donated to RiversEdge West. Plus, Basecamp Beer Works has donated a keg of their Scuba Shack Lager. All sales of the beer at the Hot Tomato will be donated to us!

03/30/2026

Applications for the Wellspring Project 2026 are OPEN!

This free, 4-day summer program invites middle school students to dive into the story of the Colorado River through hands-on field experiences, a river trip, and creative art-making. From exploring river health to meeting local experts, students will build a deeper connection to the waterways that shape our region.

Open to students entering 6th or 7th grade, this unforgettable adventure takes place across the Grand Valley. Give your student the chance to learn, explore, and create along the river this summer!

Applications are due by May 15. Learn more or apply here: https://www.riversedgewest.org/education-stewardship/wellspring-project

12/17/2025

Each summer, through the Wellspring Project, middle school students experience the Colorado River in a powerful, hands-on way, combining science, rafting, and art to explore river health, water systems, and their own connection to this vital resource. Best of all, this multi-day summer program is completely free, ensuring every student has the opportunity to participate, learn, and create.

Programs like Wellspring spark curiosity, build confidence, and help young people see themselves as caretakers of the rivers that sustain our communities, but they’re only possible with community support.

💙 Now is the perfect time to give.
Thanks to our year-end matching fund, every donation will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling your impact for programs like the Wellspring Project. That means twice the hands-on learning, twice the access, and twice the inspiration for students across the Grand Valley.

👉 Make your year-end gift today and help keep river education accessible, creative, and impactful for the next generation: https://riversedgewest.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate