2012-Hayman Fire 10-Year Anniversary Trail Creek Restoration - 8/4/2012

Start Date-End Date: 08/04/2012-08/04/2012 Land Manager Office: USFS - Pike & San Isabel National Forests Land Manager Contact: Lisa Patton Funding Partner: Coalition for the Upper South Platte Programmatic Partner: National Forest Foundation Summary: Help fight erosion in the area burned by the 2002 Hayman Fire, the largest fire in Colorado's history. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the Hayman Fire, the largest fire in Colorado's history that burned 138,000 acres and 133 homes in 20 days. Most of the fire (72%) stayed on the Pike National Forest south and west of Denver and northwest of Colorado Springs. While the land is slowly healing, the fire's devastation continues to negatively impact surrounding water, plant, and wildlife resources. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Due to the fire, the soil in the Trail Creek area remains loose and unable to efficiently soak up water. Run-offs loaded with sediments deposited into the South Platte River have affected major water reservoirs that provide over 75% of Colorado's water for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses. Be part of this important effort to help minimize the damage to Colorado's precious water supply. This is also a unique opportunity to experience first-hand changes on the land 10 years after Colorado's largest fire on record. Volunteer will establishing erosion control and complete stream restoration work which may include planting willows, re-vegetating areas of erosion, and installing protective log fencing. Volunteers will hike less than a mile to the project area, and work will be on uneven terrain, off trails, on hillsides with slight slope, loose soil, and in or along creek beds. Due to vegetation and tool and equipment use, long pants and long sleeves are necessary for protection. All volunteers will need to wear protective eyewear on site. Sunglasses are fine, though we will also have extra safety goggles available. PARTNERS Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP) U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Pike Ranger District National Forest Foundation OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: light breakfast; lunch Latitude/Longitude: 38.99689865112305, -105.06230163574219 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 35 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 36 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 3 Total Volunteer Days: 39 Total Unique Volunteers: 39 Total Volunteer Hours: 468.5 Staff Hours: 59.5 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Stewardship Advisor Lee Conveney and CUSP staff Jeff Tienken did a presentation on fire impacts and recovery efforts with every crew on the project. This was done during each crew's water break. The volunteers really enjoyed that aspect of the project and there were numerous engaging Q&A interactions during the presentation. Many positive comments from volunteers given to Project Manager for this element of the project. There were several volunteers who had property in the High Park Fire. They welcomed the opportunity to engage with the technical experts on the grounds and were able to take information to apply to their property. Cecily gave them the flexibility to work on more than one task during the day. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Great project and partnership with CUSP. We worked more efficiently on this project and didn't have to discuss as many details in planning. The earlier project this season showed each organization how the other operated and their levels of goals and expectations. We were better able to predict each other in our responsibilities and needs. Description of Accidents/Incidents: none Description of Work Completed: On August 4, 33 volunteers helped seed and lay out erosion control mat on 2,400 sq feet of steep hillside at the 2002 Hayman Fire burn site. This was the second VOC Hayman Fire Restoration project and we were happy to see several return volunteers who were at the June 23 project from earlier this season. Volunteers removed hundreds of noxious weeds over several acres and stopped potential seeds from spreading. They also planted 2,167 willow stakes, of which 95 percent were harvested by volunteers that same day. Thanks to volunteer Crew Chef, Rose Beyer and volunteer Crew Chef Helper, Dave Riter for preparing the delicious lunch, and thanks to Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Einstein Brothers Bagel, Royal Crest Dairy, Grant Family Farms, and Raquelitas Tortillas for sponsoring the food items! Funding support for this project came from the National Forest Foundation. Interested in volunteering on a VOC project? Sign up here: www.voc.org/projects