This article was prepared by Robbie Rettmer, based on project documentation
and ecological design materials provided by the Larimer Conservation District.

High in the Rocky Mountains at Drala Mountain Center, a new wave of restoration is taking shape along the stream that winds through the valley below the Great Stupa. Partnering with the Larimer Conservation District, Drala is embarking on a Riparian Restoration Project that will bring life back to fire-scarred wetlands and meadows. This initiative, beginning in 2026, aims to restore natural hydrology, support native vegetation and wildlife, and set the stage for the long-term return of native beavers — nature’s original ecosystem engineers.

When the Cameron Peak Fire swept across Drala in 2020, it left a mark that is still visible on the landscape today. Though areas previously treated through forest restoration fared well, the delicate riparian corridor, a lush band of life that follows the stream through our valley, was severely impacted. What was once a living ribbon of willows, sedges, and flowing water became incised and eroded, its banks bare and vulnerable.

Now, with the support of the Larimer Conservation District (LCD) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), we are preparing to restore the corridor through a Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR) project. This approach combines traditional ecological wisdom with modern conservation science by using simple materials like wood, rock, and willow to restore natural processes that have been disrupted.

A Partnership for the Land

The Larimer Conservation District has worked alongside DMC since 2017, first helping develop a conservation plan and later implementing mechanical forest restoration on 165 acres of land. Our joint restoration efforts have continued after the fire. Teams from Wildlands Restoration Volunteers have begun to plant willow cuttings and stabilize eroded sections of the stream. The combination of these early interventions are helping the landscape begin to heal. But this is the beginning of the work and more is needed to bring back the vibrant wetlands and wildlife habitat that once thrived here.

The new Riparian Restoration Project, scheduled to begin in summer/fall 2026, focuses on nearly three-quarters of a mile of stream corridor on DMC land. The vision is to restore this area as a wet meadow complex to a mosaic of native vegetation, flowing water, and healthy soil that supports birds, amphibians, and mammals alike.

 Low-Tech, High Impact

The restoration will use beaver dam analogs (BDAs), hand-built, post-and-willow structures that mimic natural beaver dams, to slow the flow of water, trap sediment, and reconnect the stream to its floodplain. Over time, these small interventions encourage the stream to spread out, soak into the ground, and create the conditions where willows, sedges, and rushes can flourish.

Complementing the BDAs will be Zeedyk structures, small rock features that redirect water and reduce erosion in wet meadow areas. Together, these techniques build resilience from the ground up, helping water stay on the land longer, a crucial adaptation in an era of increasing drought and fire.

One key goal for this project is the reintroduction of native beaver populations. Before the fire this was good beaver habitat, but they haven’t returned in the years since the fire. Once the habitat is ready, these animals could naturally maintain and expand upon the restoration work, ensuring the stream and surrounding ecosystem’s vitality for decades to come.

Protecting What Grows

To protect young vegetation from browsing elk, moose, and nearby cattle, a temporary wildlife exclusion fence will be installed for 5–10 years. The fence will help protect returning vegetation during its most vulnerable stage. Once the ecosystem has had time to reestablish and reach equilibrium, removing the fence will allow elk, moose, and deer fresh access to some of their favorite foods. In the meantime, fencing reduces the risk that over browsing herbivores will eliminate the needed flora. Hand-pulling and selective herbicide treatments will reduce invasive weeds, allowing native grasses and flora to re-establish. 

Over time, the valley floor will once again host a diverse community of species—from mule deer and raptors to the boreal toad, northern leopard frog, and tiger salamanders—all of which depend on healthy riparian systems.

A Long-Term Commitment to Healing

The project will unfold over multiple years, beginning with site preparation and structure installation in 2026, and continuing with adaptive management in 2027–2028 as the land responds. 

Like meditation practice itself, ecological restoration is a process of patience, observation, and compassion — guided by the understanding that true healing takes time.

This work reflects Drala Mountain Center’s deep commitment to land stewardship — to living in harmony with nature, not just as caretakers but as participants in an evolving ecosystem. By restoring the riparian corridor, we’re not only repairing damage from the fire — we’re cultivating a living classroom for ecological mindfulness, resilience, and renewal.

How You Can Support

DMC’s Riparian Restoration Project is a community endeavor. You can support this work through your donations or by volunteering during the planting phases, or simply spreading awareness about the importance of riparian restoration in mountain ecosystems. Every gesture of support helps nurture the life that flows through this sacred land.

Together, we are restoring more than a stream — we are restoring relationship, vitality, and natural balance.