2012-Pine Beetle Forest Restoration: Tree Planting at St. Louis Creek Campground

Start Date-End Date: 06/16/2012-06/16/2012 Land Manager Office: USFS - Sulphur Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Dan Matthews Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: This project is full. Please register to be added to the waitlist. We are often able to accommodate more volunteers closer to the date! Youth, Families, and Individuals from around the state (and out of State!) arrived to restore a beautiful campground in Frisco. 90 trees were planted by the volunteers, through digging the holes, mulching, and watering. It was a successful day with generous donation made by Elevation Pizza to sustain everyone for a productive day of stewardship. Description: This project is full. Please register to be added to the waitlist. We are often able to accommodate more volunteers closer to the date! STEWARDSHIP SITE St. Louis Creek Campground is situated within the Arapahoe National Forest along St. Louis Creek near Fraser, Colorado. The campground is owned by the U.S. Forest Service and operated by the Lion's Club which uses revenues to finance various charitable projects in the area. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Help with continuing efforts to reforest areas of Colorado hit by the mountain pine beetle epidemic. At this particular campground, many of the mature lodgepole pines were removed several years ago after pine beetle destruction. We'll be working to plant new 3-foot trees which will eventually provide shade and wind protection as well as improve the campground's appearance.Volunteer work will involve digging holes, moving trees, shoveling soil, mixing water into the soil, and spreading mulch. PARTNERS U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Sulphur Ranger District National Forest Foundation Elevation Pizza OTHER FUN STUFF Meals:light breakfast; lunch will be generously provided by Elevation Pizza in Fraser Latitude/Longitude: 39.94233322143555, -105.87976837158203 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy, Moderate High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 25 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 16 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 13 Total Volunteer Days: 29 Total Unique Volunteers: 29 Total Volunteer Hours: 232 Staff Hours: 24 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: approximately 30 volunteers planted just over 90 Lodge Pole Pine trees. The volunteers dug holes, mixed in soil, built a brim, and watered each tree to help insure their survival. On June 16, about 30 volunteers arrived to the St. Louis Creek campground in Fraser in partnership with the United States Forest Service to plant approximately 90 3-foot lodge pole pine trees. Volunteer efforts were appreciated, as it helped restore the forest within the surrounding St. Louis Creek Campground. As part of the restoration effort, volunteers mixed top soil, water, brimmed, and mulched the trees to help ensure their survival. The campground is located about three miles west of Fraser at an elevation of 8,900 feet and is owned by USFS and operated by the Lion’s Club of Winter Park in the Sulphur Ranger District. Most of the site were once well wooded, offering ample shade, but may mature lodgepole trees had to be removed several years ago due to the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The project was a great partnership between VOC, USFS, and the ranger district. Local firefighters, despite having a very busy summer, also contributed to the success of the project by bringing a water truck to help facilitate efficient planting. The volunteer pool ranged from local residents to one volunteer from Kansas. Campers also joined in on the fun after witnessing the good work and organization of the project. Elevation Pizza donated lunch to our hungry volunteers which was complimented by salad and desserts. Highlights of the project were having many youth on the project from 8-18 years old, with Cairn Youth Program participants coming on a project outside their usual academic year commitment, as well as a boy scout troop, and young campers that joined in part way through the morning with their families.