RMANWR

Just outside Denver is one of the coolest urban-area wildlife refuges I’ve ever seen. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge had a pretty rough start, what with the military chemical plant, mixing rocket fuel, and general toxic wasteland situation. Thanks to an important act called CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act), areas that have experienced heavy contamination would receive funding for cleanup through the Superfund program. RMANWR, thanks to this act and the Superfund Program, went from a literal disaster to a gorgeous prairie full of wildlife. Now, most of this land has been handed to the Department of Interior for ongoing management. It’s free to visit, and the 11 mile wildlife drive is WELL worth the time.

Go visit and look at what some good restoration and conservation can do.