Meandering 71 miles from Waterton Canyon to nearly Denver International Airport, the High Line Canal requires a lot of care. Thanks to our volunteers, we make a huge impact as we work together to protect and enhance this treasured resource.

We are fortunate to have many wonderful volunteers dedicate their time and energy to the Canal. We are thrilled to share about some of these fantastic people. One such person is Melissa Menard. Melissa has been volunteering with the Conservancy for four years and for countless hours. We can always count on Melissa to pick up shifts and support whenever and wherever it is needed. She also knows every inch of the trail after running and biking it multiple times! Learn more about Melissa:

What inspired you to volunteer to support the High Line Canal?

I have been running and biking along the Canal since about 2004, but it wasn’t until 2019, when I participated in a BioBlitz near Del Mar Park, that I learned more about the High Line Canal Conservancy. I had never participated in a BioBlitz before, and I wanted to try something new and it was a fun way to (finally) volunteer and do something for the Canal. After the event, I looked up the High Line Canal Conservancy, learned about other volunteer opportunities and realized, “Oh, wait, there’s even more I can do?!” 

What is your favorite thing about volunteering with the High Line Canal Conservancy?  

I have seen every (legally accessible) inch of the Canal between volunteering and becoming familiar enough with those areas to run and bike along these sections. Along the way, I’ve seen how people use the trail in every section. Some sections of the Canal need more TLC, but every section is important to someone who may live nearby and walk their dog, take their kids out on bikes, or walk with friends to catch up. I love that the Conservancy looks at the whole Canal from end to end so that everyone’s particular section is accessible and cared for.

What does the Canal mean to you? 

I didn’t grow up in Colorado, but when I am out on the Canal, it doesn’t matter because I’m part of the club of people who are sharing something unique to our area. Other people are out there getting their exercise, blowing off some stress, or spending time with family or friends – but then they also find a minute to point out to others the bull snake, the bald eagle, or the baby owls. This community even extends to the land and people along the trail. It’s the homeowner who places painted bird sculptures on a stump near the trail for runners and bikers to enjoy, it’s the person who places a Christmas tree near the path in winter for passers-by to write down their wishes, and it’s the artist who made the underpass in southeast Denver beautiful. The Canal continues to be a vital part of this area and the community even after more than 130 years.

What is your favorite memory of volunteering to support the Canal?

At a recent trash pickup event, I was talking with a woman and her young son, and the woman said they were really happy to take part in the event and that it felt good to be out and to do something. Of all the other things they could have done that Saturday morning, the mother and son had chosen this, a Canal trash pickup, and they were glad they did. That resonated with me because that’s how I felt after doing my first trash pickup – I felt like I had made a difference that day and I knew I wanted to keep volunteering.

Volunteers help build awareness, increase engagement and enhance the Canal’s ecological health. If you are already a volunteer, THANK YOU. If you’re interested in learning more about ways you can get involved visit https://highlinecanal.org/volunteer/.

See you on the Canal!