Starting in May, some residents will have their property cleared of invasive Russian olive and tamarisk plants, which have aggressively spread in the region.

The plants, which were introduced into the area by the federal government to help prevent erosion, have destroyed the habitats of native plants and animals while guzzling millions of gallons of water.

Karelia Ver Eecke, the Dolores County Gunnison sage grouse habitat coordinator, is leading the charge to implement the Restore Colorado grant awarded in 2021. The grant will be used to aid in the removal of the Russian olive and tamarisk, and was awarded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

“We have finally reached a point where we are getting ready to get some boots on the ground,” Ver Eecke said.

The grant was awarded to the group to help restore the habitat of sage grouse, but Ver Eecke pointed out that the removal of these invasive plants was helpful to all animal species in the area.

“Although this grant was awarded because of the sage grouse being upgraded, it’s also an improvement for all the wildlife – turkey, deer, elk, rabbits and migrating songbirds,” Ver Eecke said.

“Working toward water, keeping more water on the landscape and then habitat improvement for all wildlife,” she added.

The plants have also contributed to effects of the area’s prolonged drought, using millions of gallons of water each year.

In May, Ver Eecke and her team plan to removed about 2.5 acres of the invasive species and planting around 30 Zeedyk. Zeedyk structures, made of rock or wood, help to restore small streams by protecting against erosion, something the Russian olive and tamarisk were originally thought to do, as well as helping with “water retention long-term on the landscape.”

Two landowners have allowed those working with Restore to do work on their property. On May 16, a team of volunteers from Osprey Packs, Montezuma Land Conservancy and others will pitch in their time to help with the removal on private property in Dolores.

“We will be installing a minimum of 18 Zeedyk structures along an eroded waterway on their property,” Ver Eecke said.

Another team from the Southwest Conservation Corps out of Durango has removed more than 2 acres of Russian olives and tamarisk from a private property.

“John (Black) is thrilled to have this work done on his property to promote improved wildlife and big game habitat, as well as improved hydrology,” Ver Eecke said. “He is excited to have this work highlighted so that other landowners may learn about it and the benefits of invasive species removal and that grants like these exist.”

“Both of these projects are paid for and supported by the Restore Colorado grant,” Ver Eecke added.

And more and more people are beginning to seek out Ver Eecke to try to get help with removing the plants from their property.

“There’s no arm twisting involved,” she said. “It’s voluntary. People are inviting me to come out, check out their property and talk to them about what’s going on and what their property goals are. It’s a very collaborative process.”

She also noted that they were able to get an extension of the grant through October 2023.