A Night of Habitat Restoration Work Became a Tribute to Chelsea’s Time at Cottonwood. Written by New Vista CAP Instructor Lori Powell.
Cottonwood staff, instructors, board members, Changemaker students, and Alumni recently gathered on an unseasonably warm November evening to take action for local habitat restoration—and to share a heartfelt farewell to Associate Director Chelsea Tossing on her last day with Cottonwood Institute.
With support from City of Longmont Parks, Open Space & Trails, participants spent the night preparing native seeds for future restoration projects. A huge thank-you to Avid4Adventure for their flexibility and generosity in offering their warehouse at the last minute when we needed a venue change. Once everyone had found their seats (and were enjoying some delicious food and mocktails), the tables buzzed with conversation and seed cleaning.
Each group tackled a different seed type, and each required its own kind of care—some delicate, some stubborn, all unique. The work was joyful, meaningful, and essential: properly prepared seeds have a much higher chance of thriving once planted. The room was filled with the same care, patience, and generosity that define our programs—people showing up for one another, learning together, and contributing to something larger. Preparing the seeds became a fitting reflection of who we are: a community that nurtures growth with intention and kindness.
As the final seeds were cleaned and packed away, the group turned to the most emotional part of the evening—celebrating Chelsea’s nearly six years of leadership, heart, and dedication. She was honored with thoughtful gifts: solar string lights for future camping adventures, resin jewelry containing tiny cottonwood leaves (crafted by Erin Angel) and a copy of the book Take Me With You, written by Colorado’s late Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson. Laughter, stories, and tears flowed freely as we reflected on Chelsea’s impact not only on the organization but on all of us as individuals.
As the evening wrapped up, it felt especially fitting that Chelsea’s final day with Cottonwood brought together everything she helped cultivate: purposeful environmental action, meaningful community connections, and a whole lot of heart. We hope to enjoy many future gatherings that continue in this spirit—pairing hands-on restoration with the sense of belonging and joy that Chelsea championed so well.
While we will miss her presence in Colorado, we know her door will always be open if we find ourselves in Portland. Chelsea’s contributions to Cottonwood Institute—and to the Changemaker program in particular—run deep. Her legacy here will truly be lasting.
