Industry News
Since 2018, Monarch Mountain, CO, has been working diligently to remove trees affected by the spruce beetle endemic. Each summer they have coordinated with timber professionals to harvest and remove these hazardous trees.
These ongoing timber operations have involved both ground-based and helicopter removal tactics. This effort has helped to mitigate fire hazards, improve stream health and add acres of quality gladed skiing and riding at Monarch Mountain.
Since 2018, Monarch has removed more than 300 semi-truck loads of timber. The timber has been transported to local mills to be used in construction, snow fences at the mountain, or sold as firewood at commercial outlets. In addition to removing dead-standing timber, Monarch has implemented erosion control and reforestation strategies. Erosion control measures in areas affected by ground-based operations have stabilized soils and encouraged vegetation growth and improved conditions for seedlings to take root.
On August 2nd, 2022, Monarch Staff joined efforts with GARNA and their volunteers and planted 1,400 saplings that are comprised of Engelmann Spruce and Lodgepole Pine. These species were chosen to their native status and ability to grow at this elevation and latitude.
“Thanks in part to GARNA and about 15 volunteers, Monarch Mountain staff was able to plant 1,400 saplings in one day! These trees will not only be enjoyed by future generations but will add to the health of the forest at Monarch Mountain.”
– Monarch Marketing Director Dan Bender
Beetle outbreaks are a symptom of poor forest management.
The USFS has been so aggressive putting wild fires for the last 100 years we now have a problem with too much fuel and too many dead trees.
Fuel management is the only way to prevent wild fires.