Colorado Parks and Wildlife is coordinating large scale reseeding projects to restore habitat and watersheds damaged by the 2025 wildfire season. Drought conditions contributed to fires that burned more than 265,000 acres across the Western Slope, including important mule deer and elk winter range.
While fires were still active last summer, the agency’s Habitat Conservation Team worked with partners to secure seed supplies and stage them for future use. More than 341,000 pounds of seed have been delivered to the Escalante State Wildlife Area Seed Warehouse near Delta and placed in climate controlled storage until conditions allow for application.
Some restoration work has already begun. Crews completed seeding and soil preparation on 860 acres at the Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area. Plans call for treatment of an additional 200 acres this spring.
In February, the agency will support federal efforts to apply approximately 300,000 pounds of seed by aircraft across 24,000 acres in the Lee Fire burn area. That acreage includes nearly 7,000 acres of mule deer winter range and habitat for greater sage grouse, a species of concern in Colorado.
Officials say timely seeding helps stabilize soil, reduce erosion and reestablish vegetation needed for wildlife and watershed recovery. Early planning and seed availability are expected to improve the effectiveness of restoration efforts across burned landscapes.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife