The City of Wheat Ridge is pleased to announce that the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt has been chosen as a 2023 Leave No Trace Spotlight! Leave No Trace launched their Spotlight program this year, to strengthen stewardship efforts and partnerships by empowering stakeholders, land managers, volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts from across the country.
Wheat Ridge is home to 300 acres of open space land comprised primarily of the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt situated along Clear Creek. This preserved open space runs through the heart of Wheat Ridge and is one of the city’s greatest attractions. This stretch of the Greenbelt supports an abundance of native plants and wildlife and provides numerous recreation activities. These front-country areas are a gift to pass on to future generations, and we all play a critical role in protecting this gift.
From June 15 to 17, the City of Wheat Ridge will be joined by a Leave No Trace Traveling Team to bring attention to the challenges the Greenbelt is facing and to shine a spotlight on how the community is rising to meet them. The multi-day event located at Prospect and Anderson Park will include Leave No Trace education, outreach, and stewardship with the goal to build momentum and inspire involvement for the future.
During the pandemic many folks embraced their time in nature. Like other parks and open spaces, the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt has seen an increase in the number of visitors. The Leave No Trace Spotlight gives us an opportunity to educate our visitors on methods to minimize their impact while enjoying the Greenbelt. We are excited to partner with Leave No Trace on this endeavor.
Leave No Trace is an international nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, education, stewardship and simple guidelines to support and protect nature. Although Leave No Trace has its roots in backcountry settings, the seven principles have been adapted so that they can be applied to local parks and even your own backyard!
The seven principles of Leave No Trace are:
1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of others
Part of the Parks, Forestry and Open Space Division’s mission outlined in the draft Open Space Management Plan update is to educate, inform and inspire all user groups to practice trail etiquette, respect the natural environment, and obey regulations through an understanding of management practices. This mission goes hand in hand with the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.
Find event information and sign-up to volunteer on the Leave No Trace website: https://lnt.org/event/leave-no-trace-spotlight-wheat-ridge-greenbelt/
Contact Wheat Ridge Mayor Bud Starker at bstarker@ci.wheatridge.co.us or 303-235-2800.
