
Join us in supporting the 2025 - 2026 Cairn Program Final Project with Jefferson County Parks & Open Space at Centennial Cone Park in Golden, CO!
Friends and family of Cairn students, and mentors, are invited to attend their Final Project that is selected, planned, and led by Cairn high school students.
- Students and mentors will be arriving at 8:30am to set up for the project
- All other volunteers may arrive at 9am when the project starts.
Where You'll Be:
Nestled between Clear Creek Canyon and Golden Gate Canyon, Centennial Cone Park offers miles of recreation for hikers, bikers, hunters, and equestrian users just outside of Golden, CO. The park's wide landscape provides sweeping views and the opportunity to see elk and other wildlife.
What You'll Do:
Volunteers will assist in removing approximately 2,000 feet of old barbed wire fence on the north end of Centennial Cone Park adjacent to the Guy Gulch Study Area, both managed by Jefferson County Parks & Open Space.
Volunteers will hike to different locations of the fence line (easier or steep terrain options available) carrying tools to cut the fence and roll the wire for disposal. There is an optional pruning activity near the parking lot available for volunteers who do not want to hike.
Lunch will be provided for all volunteers and students and will need to be hiked out to your work site!
There will be a small graduation ceremony after the project work to celebrate Cairn student and mentor accomplishments from this past school year!
Why It Matters:
The old barbed wire fence line no longer serves a purpose and poses a safety risk to the local wildlife. Hundreds of animals are harmed by fencing each year, resulting in wildlife injuries and disrupting migration patterns. The fence removal supports animal migration, contributing to the health of the big horn sheep and elk populations in the area. Join us in allowing wildlife to move freely across this diverse landscape again.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 16+
If you are bringing any youth that are not part of the Cairn Program, please indicate:
- how many youth,
- their name,
- and their age
in the 'Response Notes' when you are registering.
Physical Difficulty:
This project is considered moderate; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
General physical considerations for participating on this project (Some or all may apply): moderate lifting and tool use; repetitive bending, lifting, and hiking; will require hiking on moderate to steep slopes and uneven terrain to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, carry tools, and handle barbed wire (with provided safety equipment). Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are required.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible. There is limited parking on-site so we encourage carpooling with other volunteers!
Other Notes: There is a pit toilet available near the parking location. There are 3 potential work locations: Depending on your difficulty preference, work will start either 300 feet, 0.5 mile, or 0.75 mile from the parking lot. Volunteers may hike over a mile over steep terrain to reach the furthest point.