2012-Students Today, Leaders Forever SWAT at Green Mountain - Lakewood

Start Date-End Date: 03/15/2012-03/15/2012 Land Manager Office: City of Lakewood Land Manager Contact: Erik Nilsen Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Students Teacher, Leaders Forever based in Minnesota doing a 9 day traveling tour made a 36 hour stop in Denver to do a VOC-SWAT project in partnership with the City of Lakewood at Hayden Green Mountain Park at the Florida Trailhead. 180 college students for four different states participated in trail construction, trail closures, revegatation, fencing, and trail maintenance. Description: 7:30-8:30am: Crew Leader Orientation 8:30am: STLF Arrives at Florida Trailhead 8:30-8:45am: Registration/Waivers 8:45-9:15 Orientation, Safety Talk, Split into Crews with Designated Crew Leaders 9:15-12:00: Trail Closures/Construction/Maintenance & Fencing 12:30-1:00: Clean/Load Tools, Thank Yous, Depart We will be closing one section of trail (in red), constructing brand new trail (in green), and putting up a new fencing in the parking lot. As time permits, we will be doing some trail maintenance further up the trail system. Crews will consist of about 15 people per crew leader. Trail Closure Trail Construction Trail Maintenance Fencing Trailhead Maintenance What Do I HAVE TO Bring? Lots of warm clothes and layers?including, hats, gloves, and raincoats. March weather, especially along the foothills of the Rockies, is very unpredictable. Water bottle or two Humidity is very low in Colorado. Hiking and using heavy tools, you will be breathing hard and losing a lot of hydration quickly. Your WAIVER! What Else Would Be a Good Idea? Small Backpack to carry spare layers of clothes and your water bottle(s) Snacks - grab fruit, granola bars, etc. if you tend to need a "second breakfast." Rules: Stay with your Crew and listen to your Crew Leader for instructions If you become injured or ill, inform your Crew Leader immediately Inform your Crew Leader if you are to separate from the group at any time (i.e. a restroom break). They must keep track of everyone to ensure everyone's safety. Use tools as advised. If there is inappropriate use of the tools, you will be asked to leave the site and no longer participate on the project. Inappropriate use of tools puts yourself and others at risk of serious injury. Safety (Potential Dangers): Dehydration Hypothermia Sun Exposure Falling Rocks Weather Tool Gashes Latitude/Longitude: 39.68, -105.16 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 211 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 191 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 191 Total Unique Volunteers: 191 Total Volunteer Hours: 810 Staff Hours: 27 Stipend Hours: 77 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: On March 7, 137 college students from Michigan State University helped remove mullein (an invasive weed) in South Valley Park as part of VOC’s Stewardship with a Team (SWAT) program. The students were participating on an alternative spring break through the organization, “Students Today Leaders Forever”. Students worked hard in the warm sunshine all morning to remove about 4 acres worth of mullein from this very popular park. Learn more about VOC’s SWAT program here: http://www.voc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=151