Metro DNA: Regional Vision Demonstration Projects

Open Space Restoration at The Urban Farm

The Urban Farm is a nonprofit farm promoting youth and community education in Denver, Colorado. The Urban Farm strives to provide opportunities for urban youth to engage and participate in local food and agricultural systems by removing barriers to entry such as land access, time, location and finances.   

With the help of Metro DNA, The Urban Farm plans to ecologically restore nine acres of degraded soil and agricultural land. This project will integrate silvo pasture, the restoration of riparian buffers through woodlot plantings, and the restoration of degraded soil through permanent vegetation cover. The restoration of this land will enable further activation of the land as it is currently unsuitable due to severe soil erosion and weed encroachment. The revitalized open space and soil will continue to be stewarded through holistic management practices and support the cultivation and production of vegetable crops, perennials, and rotational livestock grazing. 

Bluff Lake Nature Center Northwest Access Entrance

 Bluff Lake Nature Center  owns and manages a unique urban wildlife refuge and outdoor classroom in Denver. The refuge is home to various animals and plant species with a variety of habitats. Through extensive community engagement, access to nature has been highlighted as high priority for neighboring communities.  Bluff Lake Nature Center  plans to build a new official access point on the Northwest side of their property to provide an entrance point for neighbors in Central Park and Montbello. This entrance provides greater access to neighbors and adjacent communities with less access to nature and who would have to travel more than a mile to the existing entrance. This access point will include entry signage, bike racks, and a vehicle access gate for staff and emergency vehicles.

The new access point addresses unofficial entrance usage problems. High demand of the park has resulted in hopping fences and social trails. These social trails have resulted in significant habitat damage. Implementing a Northwest access entrance will provide vital community engagement and habitat restoration.

Ecological Factors for Tree Success

Urban trees provide essential environmental, health, social, and biodiversity benefits for our cities. However, intensifying drought, rapidly changing climate, and other various limiting factors decreases tree establishment and survival.  

In partnership with  Highline Canal Conservancy ,  Denver Botanic Gardens ’ research scientist, PhD Christina Alba is investigating what ecological factors determine tree planting success along an urban greenway. Christina and her team are factoring in several variables that may shape the survival and performance of planted trees along Denver’s High Line Canal. Over the last three years, trees have been planted in yearly cohorts. Each cohort roughly consisting of 100-150 trees. Trees planted range in species and drought tolerances. All trees are monitored on an annual basis to assess health. 

Healthy Water, Healthy Communities

Lower Bear Creek spans 8.2 miles across Lakewood, Denver, and Sheridan. It's a popular spot where residents love to recreate and enjoy the outdoors.

In 2010, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment listed Lower Bear Creek as impaired due to elevated levels of E.coli. Presence of E.coli indicates fecal contamination and can pose a serious health risk if water is ingested or enters the body through open cuts or wounds.

 Groundwork Denver 's Healthy Water, Healthy Communities program is driving significant improvements in water quality. Their goal is to continue water quality sampling, partnership building, and community education and stewardship.

Daniels Park Demonstration Garden

Daniels Park attracts nearly 250,000 visitors annually. It offers beautiful views from Pikes Peak to the Snowy Range in Wyoming. The majority of the park is dedicated to its buffalo herd. Due to this, the park is largely fenced off for the safety of the herd and visitors.

Daniels Park wants to offer unique learning opportunities through a demonstration garden. A demonstration garden will allow visitors to get a closer look of Colorado's grasslands and cultivate relationship with these undervalued ecosystems. Through the collaboration of various departments and tribal partners, the garden will showcase various ecological and culturally significant plants.