2012-Mike O'Brien Memorial Project: Dolores River Interpretive Trail Construction and Habitat Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 10/13/2012-10/14/2012 Land Manager Office: Gateway Canyons Resort Land Manager Contact: Alan Sisson Funding Partner: Gateway Canyons Resort Programmatic Partner: Summary: Help build an interpretive trail along the Dolores River at Gateway Canyons Resort, in spectacular Southwest Colorado. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE Experience one of Colorado's best-kept secrets - the pristine wilderness area surrounding Gateway, Colorado, southwest of Grand Junction, boasting stunning views of Western Colorado landscape. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY VOC will be returning to this picturesque location for a third year to continue efforts to build a crusher fine gravel interpretive trail at the Gateway Canyons Resort, in collaboration with the Dolores River Restoration Partnership (DRRP). The ADA interpretive trail and signage will help educate the public about the DRRP's efforts to remove invasive species and restore habitat along the Dolores River. This public-private collaboration, consisting of nonprofit groups, government, foundations, and private landowners, has been working since 2008 toward its vision of a watershed that is dominated by native vegetation, naturally functioning, self-sustaining, diverse, and resilient. Volunteer work will involve trail construction, fence repair, gate installation, removal of tamarisk with hand saws,and wrapping cottonwoods. The project work site terrain is mostly flat. PARTNERS Dolores River Restoration Partnership(DRRP) Gateway Canyons Resort OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch (catered by the four star resort!) Camping: available Friday and Saturday nights Other accommodations: Volunteers who wish to stay at Gateway Canyons Resort, a luxurious retreat in the middle of the wilderness, will be offered a discount rate. Activities: Volunteers will also have access to special discounts on activities and free access to the pool during designated hours. Latitude/Longitude: 38.91510009765625, -108.79129791259765 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 50 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 89 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 89 Total Unique Volunteers: 46 Total Volunteer Hours: 1131.5 Staff Hours: 107.5 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Mike Wight from DRRP gave a presentation on the mission of the DRRP and information on tamarisk. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Had some difficulties getting the final agreement on amenities (including meals) to provide to the volunteers. This was not acquired until the 2nd week prior to the project. This eventually worked out. See project evaluation in the project folder. Description of Accidents/Incidents: None Description of Work Completed: Volunteers built a 3,940 ft interpretive trail along the Dolores River, install 7 interpretive sign posts, 2 gates, 32 ft of buck and rack fences, repaired 100 ft of wire fence, caged and protected 73 cottonwood trees from beaver damage, and cut down 2 acres of tamarisk. Volunteers enjoyed amenities provided by Gateway Canyons Resort: Meals, Discounted rooms, Access to Casitas, Discounted outdoor activities, Discovery Series movies and lecturers Project was supported by the Mike O'Brien Memorial Fund.