Local nonprofit organization restores native plant species to the Grand Valley [Video]

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Volunteers have been hard at work restoring native plant species all over the western slope. The Monument Stewards program, a collaborative effort led by Colorado West Land Trust and the City of Grand Junction, took to the popular hike-and-bike Lunch Loop trailhead this Wednesday to harvest seeds from native plants. Their goal is simple: remove invasive species and replace them with native ones.

“The idea is that we engage youth programming as well as adult volunteers in planting these. Our weekly volunteer program works to maintain these plants,” says Libby Collins, Senior Regional Program Manager at Colorado West Land Trust.

“The restoration process started with Bookcliff Middle School students planting about 20 native plants in an area right around here at the Lunch Loop trailhead,” Collins explained. “Eureka Science kids then followed that with another 20 plants.”

Plant seeds at the trailhead include spike dropseed grass, rabbit brush, …