Over the last century, the short grass prairie ecosystem that once dominated our Colorado Front Range has declined to less than one-fifth of its original area. Alongside this, we’ve witnessed a massive loss in important plant and animal species, integral ecosystem processes, and availability of nature essential to human health!

Through core training in restoration principles and techniques, native ecosystems, crew leadership, and interpretation and community outreach, you can help counteract the effects of this loss by becoming a Restoration Master Volunteer.

Restoration Master Volunteers have the opportunity and the choice to participate in hands-on restoration (planting projects, weed mitigation, seed collection, etc.), monitoring and data collection (surrounding pollinators, plants, burrowing owls, soil quality, and more!), or outreach in the community (attending fairs, writing articles putting on nature walks, etc.!) – OR all of the above!

No experience is necessary to participate! Everyone is welcome. There are opportunities year-round, with trainings running three times a year: Spring, Summer and Fall.

Summer Sessions

Intro to UPP/Restoration 101 – July 14^th 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

This session will introduce prospective volunteers to the Urban Prairies Project and how to get involved in restoring and caring for our local open spaces. Learn basic restoration techniques that improve the ecological health of space, including setting restoration goals and priorities and understanding balanced ecosystems. Time will be spent on invasive weed management and approaches to sustainable revegetation.

Native Ecosystems – July 21^st 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Get into the field and find out what makes our prairies so beautiful and resilient! Restoration Master Volunteers will learn about the ecological factors and common native plants and wildlife found on local open spaces, then practice observing and collecting
data surrounding them. Explore various protocols involved in community science.

Interpretation and Crew Leadership – July 28^th 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

A successful restoration project depends on thoughtful leadership and an ability to engage with others. This session will introduce skills and protocols that Restoration Master Volunteers will need in order to engage the public about habitat restoration, and lead
crews in carrying out quality work. This class will also cover topics such as group expectations, technical skills, safety, team building, and disaster prevention.

Fall Sessions

Intro to UPP/Restoration 101 – September 22nd 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Native Ecosystems – September 29th 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Interpretation and Crew Leadership – October 6th 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

How to participate?

• Submit a Volunteer Sign-Up Form
• Attend a Restoration Master Volunteer training session (in-person when possible, run in Spring, Summer, and Fall).
• Receive updates about upcoming projects and monitoring programs and supplemental training throughout the year – sign up for what interests you the most.
• Begin participating in planting projects, invasive plant removal, seed collection, plant and animal monitoring, and outreach in the community!

Sign Up To Become A Volunteer!

Access volunteer events & resources below!

Volunteer Resources!

Butterfly Pavilion is pleased to share we are the recipient of a prestigious 2023 Biodiversity Conservation Grant: Enhancing Pollinator Habitats on America’s Public Lands to support the groundbreaking Urban Prairies Project (UPP), a dynamic community science initiative designed to engage local communities in enhancing the quality, quantity, and interconnectedness of pollinator habitats within public open spaces. This grant has been generously provided by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), with support from Toyota Motor North America