Where You’ll Be:
You’ll be working at 1st Ave Pond, a quiet, behind the scenes natural area in the southernmost part of the City of Greeley. This site borders a small stretch of the South Platte River corridor and is currently closed to public access, allowing it to function as an important refuge for wildlife. With no formal trails or recreational use, the area provides undisturbed habitat for birds, small mammals, and other species that rely on intact riparian and wetland ecosystems.
What You’ll Do:
Volunteers will help remove 10 to 15 foot Russian olive trees, an invasive species that threatens native vegetation and wildlife habitat along the South Platte River corridor. This project includes roles for both chainsaw certified volunteers and general volunteers. Chainsaw certified volunteers will cut Russian olive trees into manageable sections. Other volunteers will assist by moving cut material to a chipper staging area operated by the Forestry Division.
Only certified sawyers are permitted to operate chainsaws.
- This project requires five B certified Chainsaw Sawyers.
- A certified Sawyers may participate under the supervision of B Sawyers.
If you are certified, please note this in the comments section during registration and email your certificate to the project manager.
All sawyers must hold a current First Aid and CPR certification in order to operate a chainsaw.
Interested in getting certified? Visit our Training Calendar to view upcoming training opportunities.
Why It Matters:
Russian olive is designated as a List B species under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, requiring active management to prevent its spread. These invasive trees displace native plants and wildlife and can consume up to 75 gallons of water per day, water that is critical for sustaining wetlands and the species that depend on them. Removing Russian olive at 1st Ave Pond helps restore native habitat, protect limited water resources, and strengthen the health of the South Platte River corridor.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 18+
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
Physical Considerations:
Expect physically demanding work, including moving heavy plant materials and working on uneven terrain. For volunteers not operating chainsaws, there may be lifting cut plant debris overhead at times, carrying logs, piling plant debris in one place, and using loppers.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible
If you enjoy chainsaw projects, either as a certified sawyer or a support volunteer, you can view similar projects here.
