Science Uncorked: Tackling Tamarisk with RiversEdge West

Friday, April 10th, 2026 from 6 pm to 8 pm

Science Uncorked: Tackling Tamarisk: How We’re Fighting Invasive Plants Along Our Rivers

Presented By: Christa Brown, Private Lands Biologist, RiversEdge West and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Nicole Cook, Education and Outreach Coordinator, RiversEdge West

What does it take to outsmart one of the West’s most stubborn invaders? This talk dives into the wild world of tamarisk: how it grows, why it spreads so successfully along our rivers, and the very real impacts it has on water, wildlife, and riverside habitat. Then we get into the good stuff: how land managers are fighting back using a full toolbox of strategies.

From chainsaws and herbicide to hungry goats and sheep, curious camels, and one very small but mighty ally, the tamarisk beetle, you’ll hear how integrated pest management works on the ground and why no single method does the job alone. Along the way, we’ll share lessons learned from years of restoration work and how biocontrol is helping us rethink how we manage other invasive plants, too.

Christa Brown, Private Lands Biologist

Christa (she/her) grew up here in the Grand Valley and received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Technology from Colorado Mesa University in 2020. She previously had a part-time position conducting environmental research in the energy and mining fields and then worked as a middle school science teacher for District 51. She has always had an interest in hands-on science and understanding the changing world around her.

At RiversEdge West, Christa’s position is held in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Grand Junction Field Office. She assists private landowners with restoration efforts in riparian areas. She is passionate about managing and restoring the land that she grew up in and being part of the solution. While not at work, you might run into her hiking on the local trails, snowboarding in the cold winters, or wandering through antique shops and thrift stores. She loves spending time with her daughter and exploring the paths life takes them on.

Nicole Cook, Education and Outreach Coordinator

Nicole (she/her) grew up in the Southeast and attended the University of North Carolina Asheville, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. During her undergraduate studies she conducted independent research on bird behavior while studying abroad in Panama, and on small mammal populations, endangered frog species, and water quality in South Africa.

She then served with AmeriCorps providing environmental education and outreach to Title I schools and underserved communities in western North Carolina. She received her Master of Science in Biology at Western Carolina University where she researched song sparrow personality and behavior.

Nicole is passionate about conservation and connecting people with nature. She loves birding and hiking with her rescue hound dog, Sadie.

In her role as Education and Outreach Coordinator, Nicole manages RiversEdge West’s (REW) River Education and Stewardship programs providing educational programs and experiences for youth and adults and managing volunteer events along our rivers. She also plans our biennial conferences and workshop series bringing together stakeholders across river systems in the West. Nicole leads our efforts to engage with underserved and underrepresented communities.

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