Cottonwood tree planting at Plains Conservation Center
Plant 200 cottonwood trees along creek and wetland areas near Aurora to restore riparian habitat, support nesting eagles, and stabilize creek banks.
Why we picked this
You'll plant 200 cottonwood trees along an actual creek — the kind of project where you can walk the finished work before you leave, and it'll look different in ten years because of this Saturday morning.
Volunteers will plant approximately 200 cottonwood saplings along creek and wetland areas at Plains Conservation Center, building on restoration work started in 2025. Tasks include removing saplings from pots, digging, planting, and installing protective wire cages. The site recently had a beaver dam analog installed to restore water levels — the new trees support that work by stabilizing creek banks and expanding habitat for breeding birds, including nesting eagles.
The work is physical: plan on digging, moderate lifting, and a few hours on your feet. Bring water, snacks, layers for the morning, and work gloves if you have them. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended — the terrain near creek edges can be uneven. VOC provides tools and guidance.
Plains Conservation Center sits east of Aurora on the shortgrass prairie, one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America. Riparian corridors like this one support an outsized share of local wildlife. The work done here will be visible for decades.