Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
MillerCoors Restores Watersheds on Friends of the Forest Day
Release Date: Sep 11, 2010
Contact(s): U.S Forest Service, 303.275.5354, Aimee Valder, 303.888.4219, aimee.valder@millercoors.com
MillerCoors Restores Watersheds on Friends of the Forest ® Day
Company launches its nationwide Water Stewardship Volunteer Month with event
DENVER, Colorado, September 11, 2010 – Today, MillerCoors employees and their friends and families volunteered for the Friends of the Forest Day restoring creeks and watersheds in Elk Park on the Arapaho National Forest. For the fourth straight year, MillerCoors, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the National Forest Foundation (NFF) have partnered to restore the Clear Creek Watershed to ensure that quality water will be available for the future.
“Colorado´s private and public forests provide water for 30 million Americans. A healthy forest is critical for maintaining a quality water supply,” said Glenn Casamassa, Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. “I want to thank MillerCoors for their continued partnership to improve the health of our forests.”
The Friends of the Forest Day capped off the first of 10 nationwide events that MillerCoors is sponsoring as part of its Water Stewardship Volunteer Month. Today, nearly 50 employees and their friends and families volunteered to make a difference by doing “hands–on” watershed restoration, dramatically improving the condition of the watershed that supplies water for the community of Golden
In the past several years, MillerCoors volunteers have built thousands of feet of buck and rail fence to help keep vehicles on the gravel road to reduce erosion and also substantially improved the riparian habitat for the endangered greenback cutthroat trout.
“For MillerCoors, protecting and conserving water is a priority for our business and for our communities.” said MillerCoors Chief Responsibility & Ethics Officer Cornell Boggs. “We celebrate Water Stewardship Volunteer Month each September to give employees a chance to get involved in our communities and we value our partnership in Colorado with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation.”
Today, volunteers restored the Elk Creek and the Elk Park Watershed between the Clear Creek and Boulder Ranger Districts. The area is an important wetland and headwaters of Elk Creek that has been heavily impacted and damaged from over and improper use. Volunteers built water bars, spread seed and mulch and restored stream banks and wetland pools for vernal toads and other aquatic organisms.
The work completed today will prevent further erosion and improve riparian habitat. An additional 550 feet of buck and rail fence were constructed and approximately 800 feet of old range barb wire fence were removed and recycled from the creek and the wetlands.
“MillerCoors is a company with deep roots in the forests and watersheds of the Rocky Mountains and throughout the country. This is the fourth year that the National Forest Foundation has partnered with MillerCoors and its employees to restore our public lands and watersheds. The National Forest Foundation greatly values MillerCoors´ leadership in corporate, outdoor stewardship and conservation.” said Bob Cole, National Forest Foundation Board member. “The dedication of these volunteer employees, evidenced by the arduous work they are accomplishing, will be aptly rewarded with significant, measurable improvements to forest and watershed health, enhanced wildlife habitat, and a bounty of memories of a day spent working in the forest.”
Founded by Congress in 1991, the National Forest Foundation works to conserve, restore, and enhance America´s 193 million acre National Forest System. Through community–based strategies and public–private partnerships, the National Forest Foundation enhances wildlife habitats, renews wildfire–damaged landscapes, restores watersheds, and improves recreational resources to benefit all Americans. Its Friends of the Forest® program helps build awareness of the issues and values surrounding national forests through volunteer and outreach opportunities. To learn more, visit www.nationalforests.org
MillerCoors restores watersheds on Friends of the Forest day.
Video 10.2MB, Video Download