Where You’ll Be:
Poncha Pass splits the Rio Grande River and Arkansas River Watersheds in the northern part of the San Luis Valley. From atop the summit of Poncha Pass, you can take in breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo and Sawatch mountains. The northern part of the San Luis Valley is well known for its access to crowd-less wild places, natural hot springs and of course, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
This project is hosted in partnership with the BLM San Luis Valley Field Office, and volunteers will camp on BLM land at the base of the stunning Sangre de Cristo mountains. This year, we will work in a new location outside of Villa Grove, building on the success of similar efforts in previous years.
Nearest town: Villa Grove, CO 81155
The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.
What You’ll Do:
Volunteers will construct Zeedyk structures (rock dams, zuni bowls, media lunas etc.) to improve habitat conditions and breeding grounds for the Gunnison sage-grouse population in the area. Zeedyk structures are low profile, hand-built treatments made of rock intended to restore hydrologic and ecological function of wet meadows and small streams impacted by head-cutting, gully erosion, and channel incision. The structures help to slow and disperse water, dissipate energy, capture sediment, and increase soil moisture, thereby promoting mesic and wetland plant species expansion that prevents further degradation and fosters channel recovery.
For those seeking less physically demanding tasks, there will be opportunities to tag fences with visibility markers to prevent wildlife collision and entanglement.
After the workday, BLM biologist Taylor, will share the history, biology and importance of Gunnison sage-grouse in Colorado during a campfire talk.
Food and Camping:
Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.
Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday.
Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper!
We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen!
View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.
Why It Matters:
The Gunnison sage-grouse is listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, meaning it is likely to become endanger in the foreseeable future. The Poncha Pass population of Gunnison sage-grouse is an isolated, satellite population, established in the 1970s through transplantation from the Gunnison Basin. These incredible, fascinating birds face growing threats from habitat fragmentation, climate change and increased off-highway vehicle activity on BLM lands. Population numbers have fluctuated and require intensive conservation efforts to support the protection of this population. This project contributes to that mission, aiming to restore and improve riparian and mesic habitat critical to the Gunnison sage-grouse.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 16+
For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered moderate to difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
Physical Considerations: The project work will include lifting, carrying, and placing heavy rocks, bending down and kneeling on the ground, digging in the dirt, carrying tools, and walking across steep terrain while carrying rocks. There will also be tasks like walking along wildlife fences and placing tags periodically on the fence.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: 2WD vehicles can access the campsite, but 4WD vehicles will be required for carpooling to the worksite.
Other Notes: Tent camping OK. Car and Van camping OK. Large vehicles or tow-behinds OK. This project will be at 8800 ft. elevation. Portable toilets and potable water will be available at camp.
