Trees benefit our watershed in numerous ways. They provide shade and beauty, help control air pollution and are beneficial to wildlife. Did you know that tree roots can help absorb stormwater runoff, reducing flash flooding risks? Trees and roots also lessen erosion and pollution carried into our waterways by heavy rains. The right trees planted in the right place will greatly benefit the Fountain Creek Watershed!

As we get ready to celebrate the City of Colorado Springs’ 150^th anniversary, it’s exciting to reflect on the wonderful gifts that our city’s founder, General William Jackson Palmer, bestowed on us. This includes more than 2,000 acres of incredible parkland which, 148 years later, still includes some of the most sweeping, majestic views in the world. Examples of parkland gifts from Palmer include Alamo, Acacia, Antlers, Monument Valley and Palmer Park.

Another of Palmer’s amazing legacies to our community is our tree-lined city. When he founded our city in 1871, it was a nearly treeless, arid plain. Palmer changed that by planting thousands of trees throughout the city. To celebrate the 150^th anniversary in 2021 and carry on Palmer’s vision of a tree-lined city, the City of Colorado Springs is challenging the community to help plant 18, 071 new trees over the next two years. To learn how you can participate, click here: https://coloradosprings.gov/tree150