In 2016, the Gunnison Climate Working Group Project Team (GCWG) completed its fifth year of restoring riparian areas and wet meadows in the Upper Gunnison River Basin to help the Gunnison sage-grouse, other species and ranchers maintain their livelihoods in the face of a changing climate. Sage-grouse brood-rearing habitats, already impacted by erosion and lowered water tables, are likely be further degraded by increasing drought and intense precipitation events, decreasing available food supplies and potentially chick survival. To address these challenges, the team built 385 structures to restore 50 acres over 8.2 stream miles, benefiting approximately 400 acres of Gunnison sage-grouse brood-rearing habitat in six watersheds in 2016. The 2016 work contributes to the team's five-year accomplishments of restoring 140 acres along 21 stream miles, enhancing approximately 1,000 acres of brood-rearing habitat. The restoration structures, e.g., one rock dams, are improving hydrologic/ecological function of riparian areas and wet meadows. Wetland plant cover increased an average of 160% (ranging from 28-245%) at four treated sites, compared to a 15% increase at untreated sites (four years' post-treatment). This project serves as an important demonstration of simple yet effective tools that have high potential to increase resilience of wet meadow and riparian systems across the region.
