Life Lessons from Nature: Cherry Creek State Park Flood 2023

Wetlands are not only critical to our ecosystem, but they support high levels of biodiversity. Science has estimated that 40% of all species on earth live, breed or nest in wetlands. There has been significant loss to our wetlands due in part to climate change, pollution, and human encroachment. 

Nature has a way to reset and balance the scales. Her powerful thunder roars and rain comes pouring down, saturating the ground, lakes, and streams, eventually flooding dry land. New wetlands are created and new habitats form. The winner of course are the animals who now have more space to live and enjoy their home. 

What is the message to us as humans, do we continue to fight nature and try to control the outcome? If we continue to view disastrous weather as a nature problem, we will never find a resolution. We need to pause and reflect, so we can see that these powerful weather patterns are of our own making. 

We are living through the choices of previous generations as well as the choices we have made during our lifetime. We all have a choice to make today. We can continue to fight for control and destroy what nature is naturally trying to do to restore balance. Or we can become conscious of the fact that we need more wetlands, natural areas, and habitats for animals. These precious resources are critical to our ecosystem and our survival. 

We can do our part as individuals to help conserve our natural resources through sustainable development practices. We only have this lifetime and this opportunity to help those who will be occupying this planet after we are gone. As humans we are designed to use the power of our minds to create and solve problems. We are ingenious in this way. 

When we come together, we can find creative solutions that allow our human population to live and grow while nurturing nature as well as all plant and animal species. We can support wetland restoration and well as use sustainable erosion control practices. We can work together so our wetlands and natural resources grow and flourish. We are here to peacefully coexist with each other, with nature, and with our animal friends. Working together as one.

It is a humbling experience to bear witness to the destruction nature can cause. In May 2023, we had the torrential rain and floods, and the Cherry Creek Reservoir rose 10’. The devastation to the area I was frequenting was heartbreaking. I was so concerned about the animals and how they would survive this. At that time, I was looking at this through the eyes of loss instead of through the eyes of rebirth. 

As the weeks went on, I continued to visit this area as this was the only place I could physically get to at the time. What began to emerge before my eyes was astonishing. New habitats, and new wetlands were being established resulting from the excess water. New birds, fish, and insects started to emerge that I hadn’t seen here before. Nature was transforming. 

As the months went by the water began to recede and even larger wetland areas emerged. More animals started to come and make this their home. Nature was reborn. There are still a few of these areas at Cherry Creek State Park from the rain which has created an abundance of animals who thrive in this environment. Nature restored balance.

Nature has many lessons to teach us. In the physical sense, nature’s powerful destruction is a message to us as humans that we cannot continue our current path. Not if we want our beautiful planet Earth to sustain life for generations to come. As individuals, we each have the power of choice, and we can do our part to help the planet. 

We can conserve water, reduce pollution, use organic fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides. We can recycle our plastics, bottles and cardboard and even compost trash. We can also be the voice for change and advocate for stronger environmental practices and protect and conserve wetlands in our area. In Colorado, wetlands support up to 80% of all wildlife species at some time during their life. We can do our part to help wetlands thrive.

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