River Restoration Adventures For Tomorrow

RRAFT is a non-profit organization focused on riparian restoration, community engagement, environmental education, and habitat preservation along river corridors in Colorado. Our field work consists primarily of multi-day river trips during which, with the help of volunteers, we assist with river restoration projects such as invasive species eradication or campsite/trail maintenance, contribute to scientific data gathering and monitoring projects, and engage in conversations regarding environmental education and awareness. By working closely with institutions that are already in place such as land management agencies and volunteer restoration projects, we aim to fill in gaps in conservation work that exist because of insufficient funds, staff, or accessibility.

Projects are coordinated with the help of these organizations, and carried out by our team of raft guides, educators and volunteers. With the ability to reach areas by raft that are otherwise un-accessible, we believe that we are not only able to carry out important conservation and research work, but to also foster a greater sense of environmental stewardship and accessibility for volunteers. In addition, we hope to eventually have the means to fund such trips through grants and other fund-raising efforts, so that each trip would be available for volunteers at zero or a limited cost!

Potential projects include:
-Invasive species removal and monitoring along the Yampa, Green, and Colorado Rivers
-Campsite and trail maintenance
-Scientific research and data gathering
-General river cleanup
-Clearing of debris after floods
-Working with private landowners to meet important land management goals and to establish better access to rivers for boaters
-Riparian restoration work
-Bank stabilization and erosion control