The Watershed Center

The Watershed Center Learn, get involved, and donate using the links in our about info! We used sound science to monitor, assess, and manage our watersheds.

We are a small nonprofit based in Longmont, dedicated to protecting and restoring watersheds for people and the environment through a collaborative, science-based approach. We are a stakeholder driven, non-profit organization located in Boulder County, Colorado that values science and community. We use data to plan and implement on-the-ground forest and river restoration projects. We aim to build

a strong stewardship ethic in our community through place-based and participatory learning. At its core, the Watershed Center strives for…

• Adaptively-Managed Watersheds: We use collaborative and science-based adaptive management to monitor and manage watershed health from the upland forests to the urban corridor.

• Community Engagement: We are building a community-wide stewardship ethic rooted in watershed science through place-based and participatory learning.

• Forest Restoration: We are leading a diverse partnership to address post-fire recovery and restoration, as well as landscape-scale forest health planning.

• River Restoration: We plan and implement on-the-ground projects that advance watershed restoration practices and incorporate climate change scenarios.

Can Aspen groves help mitigate wildfire?Aspen stands have the potential to slow a running crown fire or cause it to chan...
08/31/2026

Can Aspen groves help mitigate wildfire?

Aspen stands have the potential to slow a running crown fire or cause it to change direction. Increasing the size of an aspen stand may reduce the rate of spread.

Aspen trees have more moisture, and do not contain the highly flammable resins that conifers do (such as, lodgepole, ponderosa, and Douglas fir).

This means that promoting aspen growth can bolster wildfire mitigation efforts.

We do this by thinning the canopy around aspen stands so there is less competition and to allow more light to reach the soil. Warm soil helps new aspen trees grow. Additionally, disturbance (like felling trees) can help aspen roots produce growth hormones.

How do communities take on the daunting task of preparing for wildfire? Together, of course! In early July, Allenspark c...
08/17/2026

How do communities take on the daunting task of preparing for wildfire?

Together, of course!

In early July, Allenspark community members came together with The Watershed Center, Allenspark Fire Protection District, and Boulder County Wildfire Partners to lend a helping hand.

We paired volunteers with area households that had a growing list of fire mitigation tasks they needed help with, and the results were encouraging. Together, we:

Helped 10 households with wildfire mitigation work
Filled more than 38 yard-waste bags with flammable vegetation cleared from within 30 feet of homes
Removed more than 6 pickup-truck loads of flammable material from around homes
Filled three 30-yard dumpsters with flammable household and yard materials
Filled one 30-yard organics dumpster with vegetation and other yard waste
..and, most importantly, we showed what can happen when neighbors come together to reduce wildfire risk.

THANK YOU to all the volunteers, partner organizations, firefighters, and more who helped make this possible.

We're leaping towards conservation goals!The Northern Leopard Frog is a species of concern in Colorado, and we're helpin...
08/10/2026

We're leaping towards conservation goals!

The Northern Leopard Frog is a species of concern in Colorado, and we're helping to support populations through our ongoing partnerships.
Each year, students at the Innovation Center rear and release a new batch of Northern Leopard Frog tadpoles to join our thriving wild population in Left Hand Creek!

Mature frogs will even venture out to mate before returning to our restored pond where they overwinter. This increases genetic diversity and contributes to a healthy and more resilient local population!

We are proud to report that we've had a thriving population since 2023!

Thank you to our project partners:
Boulder County Parks and Open Space
City of Boulder
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Innovation Center of SVSSE
Oceans First Institute
and local landowners

Do you love your local grasslands - and goats? Join us for an evening on the prairie! 🐐Goat grazing🌾Grasslands explorati...
08/06/2026

Do you love your local grasslands - and goats? Join us for an evening on the prairie!

🐐Goat grazing
🌾Grasslands exploration
🔍Local researchers
🍴Snack provided

We'd love to see you there!

Register now at tinyurl.com/grass-lands.

Join Women’s Wilderness and The Watershed Center for a morning of hiking, hands-on science, and connection THIS FRIDAY. ...
07/29/2026

Join Women’s Wilderness and The Watershed Center for a morning of hiking, hands-on science, and connection THIS FRIDAY. Together, we’ll explore what it means for a community to be “rooted in water,” from the ponderosa pines that have adapted to fire, to the tiny creek-dwelling creatures who tell us so much about watershed quality and health. 
 
We’d love to see you there! Register now at tinyurl.com/WW_hike

07/27/2026

What’s growing in your garden?

Showy milkweed provides food and habitat for many insects, including monarch butterflies. Monarchs only lay their eggs on milkweed because it's the only plant their caterpillars eat.

As the caterpillars feed on the leaves, they take in the plant’s natural toxins, making them less appealing to predators. This makes milkweed plants a great addition to any garden!

Curious about public forests?Join us for a guided hike to learn about current, and future conditions in local forests. W...
07/23/2026

Curious about public forests?

Join us for a guided hike to learn about current, and future conditions in local forests. We can't wait to see you there!

Use the link in our bio to sign up and learn more, or visit:
tinyurl.com/public-forests

Thank you to our partners: U.S. Forest Service, St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District, National Forest Foundation

Double, double, Mountain pine beetle trouble!Here is a behind the scenes look at how The Watershed Center has been prepa...
07/20/2026

Double, double, Mountain pine beetle trouble!

Here is a behind the scenes look at how The Watershed Center has been preparing for Mountain Pine Beetle this summer right here in your backyard!

Mountain Pine Beetles are native to Colorado, and an important part of the ecosystem. However, their population is increasing, and expected to continue to increase over the coming years.

What's in our bag?
Staple gun
Verbenone packets
Ice pack

What is it, and how is it used?
Verbenone is essentially a giant flashing NO VACANCY sign! This pheromone is emitted by beetles once they have fully occupied a tree. By attaching packets of verbenone to trees, it can trick beetles into thinking it is already infected and to find somewhere else to go.

Each tree is carefully selected based on characteristics such as; the species of tree, width of the trunk, location, and proximity to other trees. Then, a staple gun is used to tack verbenone packets onto the north side of the tree (this does not hurt the tree).

Optionally, an ice pack can be added to the bag to help keep verbenone packets cool while foresters hike from one tree to the next. Keeping verbenone frozen prior to application is important to help prolong it's effects.

Mooove over, these cows are reducing wildfire risk!Working alongside the City of Boulder, we recently completed a cattle...
07/10/2026

Mooove over, these cows are reducing wildfire risk!

Working alongside the City of Boulder, we recently completed a cattle grazing pilot in Boulder’s Shanahan Ridge neighborhood across seven different HOAs.

By eating tall, dry grasses near homes, the cattle helped reduce vegetation that can carry wildfire while supporting healthy grasslands. The project also brought neighbors together, giving residents a chance to see wildfire resilience in action and connect with one another. As one resident said, “independent of the reduction in fire risk and improvements to the ecosystem, having the cows in the neighborhood was a special treat to have such a close connection to the animals for those of us in the suburbs. They were entertaining and provided a gathering point for the neighborhood. I saw many people watching them and connecting in ways that felt like it undid some of the isolation left from the pandemic.”

Building wildfire resilience is about more than vegetation. It’s about stronger, more connected communities.

Address

P. O. Box 1074
Niwot, CO
80544

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13037467937

Website

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