ARAPAHO NWR, WALDEN, COLORADO

We arrived at Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge on June 22. This 23,000 acre Refuge is located in an intermountain glacial basin south of Walden, Colorado. This high desert basin, situated at 8400 feet, is approximately 35 miles wide and 45 miles long. From our site, we can see mountains in all directions. The primary focus of the Refuge is providing environment for nesting and migratory birds.


REFUGE HEADQUARTERS OVERLOOK

During our first two weeks we made repairs to the boardwalk on the half mile nature loop. Over the winter boards become loose and the boardwalk was in general need of sprucing up. We also learned and have begun to help with the annual vegetative sampling. This project is performed in June and July of each year. The task involves locating transect monuments placed randomly about the refuge using a Trimble GPS running TerraSync. We then record the type and size of vegetation found within a 30 meter tape.

LUPIN

Walden is the moose capital of Colorado. We visited the Moose Viewing Visitor Center located within State Forest State Park.

COLUMBINE - COLORADO STATE FLOWER

Fish Creek Falls just outside of Steamboat Springs.

Alpine Visitor Center at the top of Rocky Mountain National Park.