2013-High Park Fire Restoration 5/11/2013

Start Date-End Date: 05/11/2013-05/11/2013 Land Manager Office: Land Manager Contact: Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: NOTE: This project was rescheduled from April 27th due to snow Help with fire restoration. Help protect the water supply in the area burned by the High Park Fire by seeding, mulching and stabilizing slopes. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE In June last year, the High Park fire burned over 87,000 acres and destoryed over 250 homes in the mountains west of Fort Collins.The fire's devastation has severely impacted thesurrounding water, plant, and wildlife resources. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Due to the fire, the soil in the project area remains loose and unable to efficiently soak up water. Run-offs loaded with sediments deposited into the water have affected major water systems in the area and mudslides caused additional post fire damage. Be part of this important effort to help minimize the damage to Colorado's precious water supply. This is a unique opportunity to be involved first-hand in efforts to help restore an area severely affected by wildfire in Colorado.We will be working in theDavis Rancharea near Fort Collins. Volunteers will work to re-seed, mulch and stabilize the soil on slopes in some badly burned areas.The project will take place on private land at the invitation and consent of the landowner. SPONSORS Colorado Garden Show, Inc. 2012 Colorado Fire Relief Fund OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Latitude/Longitude: 40.605612, -105.073242 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 60 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 27 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 2 Total Volunteer Days: 29 Total Unique Volunteers: 29 Total Volunteer Hours: 270 Staff Hours: 72 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: During the morning welcome and orientation Dan Williams educated the volunteers about the importance and impact the work was having. He discussed the affects fire had on the watershed and soil. The use of the log barriers was to prevent massive sediment runoff resulting in unstable soil and lack of new growth. The seeding was a specific blend of natural grasses that will grow quick and begin to develop healthy strong soils to rebuild the native forests. Many of the volunteers were from the local area or knew local people affected by the fires. They enjoyed learning about the positive effects the work would bring. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: The work to install the logs erosion barriers was hard physical labor. It worked extremely well to have a variety of other tasks for volunteers who did not enjoy installing the logs. I had those volunteers seed, and clear stash. It also helped to have the logs already in place so the volunteers only had to install them. Most memorable for me was the time spent with the Americorp group ahead of the project. We had to deal with some tough weather conditions (ie snow and rain) and the days/work was hard and dirty. But they all stayed positive and were fun to work with. Description of Accidents/Incidents: We called the day a few hours early due to heavy rainstorm and hail. This project took place on May 11, due to the heavy spring snow fall this project was rescheduled three times. The work was done on private property. Volunteer numbers were about half of the desired number, which was unfortunate because we had had a waitlist. Most cancelations were because of the rescheduling, twice. The volunteers still managed to get all the work done. I have found that volunteers really like helping with fire restoration. It has been something that affects them and more tangible than some trail restoration. Eve was an extremely grateful land owner and she made the volunteers understand how important their work was. Because it was a private property VOC had to do a lot of prep work. We had the Americorp crew and VOC staffs prep the area at least three full days prior to project day. This was a large time and resource commitment from VOC Description of Work Completed: On May 11, 2013, 29 volunteers installed 200 log erosion barriers, seeded approximately 2.5 acres and cleared many piles of slash. The work took place along a steep hillside in the Davis Ranch area affected by the 2012 High Park Fire. This was the second High Park restoration project of 2013 and due to late spring snow fall it had to be rescheduled twice before. We happily saw a large turnout even with the rescheduling conflicts. A special thanks to AmericCorps NCCC who spent two days prior to the project staging the area and preparing the logs so work could go quickly and efficiently on project day. Thanks to volunteer Crew Leaders Joe Chastain and Doug Stark for managing the volunteers in a safe and fun manner. Thanks to Starbucks, Einstein Brothers Bagel, Royal Crest Dairy, Cliff Bar and Raquelitas Tortillas for sponsoring the food items! Funding support for this project came from the Colorado Garden Show and The 2012 Colorado Releif Fund.