Reconnecting Rivers, Restoring Life:

A Closer Look at AloTerra’s Fort Collins Floodplain Project

In the heart of Fort Collins, Colorado, AloTerra Restoration Services took on a meaningful and multifaceted restoration project aimed at reconnecting river systems, restoring native habitats, and helping protect the Environmental Learning Center's (ELC) water rights. With construction launching in the fall of 2022 and revegetation efforts extending through 2023, the project offered a unique opportunity to blend ecological science with hands-on land stewardship, right in AloTerra’s own backyard.

View of the willow trenches in action at the Environmental Learning Center post-construction and during peak flows.

A Mission Rooted in Ecology and Water Rights

The main objective was clear: restore and maintain instream flows through a side channel to help protect the Environmental Learning Center's (ELC) water rights.

But AloTerra took it further. “Our goals were also to improve habitat for native species, restore willow and cottonwood stands to slow overflow waters, and increase species biodiversity,” explained Lyz Bender, Project Supervisor/Wildlife Technician at AloTerra.

By reactivating six acres of disconnected floodplain, the team created dynamic new habitat zones while increasing the area’s ecological resilience.

Hands in the Soil: What It Took to Get There

One of the key restoration tactics involved digging willow trenches: channels excavated down to the groundwater level and filled with large willow and cottonwood cuttings to help jumpstart new riparian growth. AloTerra also completed large-scale reseeding efforts and organized a community volunteer event to help install native vegetation.

While the construction phase began with much of the river redesign already in place, Lyz and her team had to navigate some logistical bumps, especially around timing. “Scheduling hydroseeding and getting the decompaction rates we wanted was a bit of a challenge,” she recalls.

Key Takeaways: Adaptability and Teamwork

As with many ecological restoration efforts, success was built on collaboration. “Working in tandem with the previous construction crews and the clients was critical,” says Lyz. “So was always asking questions.”

Another valuable lesson? “Always decompact thoroughly! That was a big ‘aha’ moment. It’s always worth it for the success of seeding and plant establishment.”

Flexibility in the field was also essential. Lyz emphasized the importance of working closely with engineers and partners to make real-time adjustments, a process known as “field fitting”, to better align designs with what the land needed.

Beyond the Blueprint: Local Roots, Long-Term Impact

This restoration project wasn’t just ecologically important, it was personally rewarding. Located within the Fort Collins area, it allowed AloTerra’s team to stay closely involved and monitor progress. “Having a project close to home that we can visit often is a great motivator,” says Lyz.

And because the site is publicly accessible, the team took extra care to make sure everything met the highest standards, knowing it would serve not only wildlife and water systems, but also as an example of what thoughtful restoration can look like.

Conclusion

The Fort Collins floodplain reconnection project showcases how targeted ecological restoration can protect water rights, restore habitat, and reweave a more biodiverse landscape.

Thanks to a clear vision, collaborative effort, and field-smart adjustments, AloTerra helped breathe new life into an overlooked stretch of river and gave native plants, animals, and the local community a thriving space to grow.