Description
Start Date-End Date: 07/13/2013-07/13/2013
Land Manager Office: USFS - Boulder Ranger District
Land Manager Contact: Beverly Baker
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Help in the effort to eliminate the aggressive and damaging spotted knapweed from this beautiful, rugged area, near Boulder.
Description:
STEWARDSHIP SITE
Spruce Gulch is a rugged area of National Forest land close to Boulder but with a remote feel. Unfortunately, the invasive weed Spotted Knapweed has established itself within the area. Knapweed outcompetes native plants through a relentless strategy consisting of three components: 1) a tap root that takes up water faster than its neighbors; 2) high seed production for quick spread; and 3) low palatability to discourage herbivores. Help preserve Spruce Gulch's native Colorado ecosystem by helping to eliminate this invasive weed.
VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY
For the fifth consecutive year, VOC volunteers will dig and pull spotted knapweed to eradicate this aggressive invasive weed that is a priority to eradicate in Boulder County and most of Colorado. To access the site, volunteers will hike up to two miles each way, gaining about 600 feet on the way in. Poison ivy and rattlesnakes are present at the site and much of area is rocky, so volunteers will be required to wear long pants and sturdy footwear with closed toes. Everyone is encouraged to wear long sleeves. Participants will have a chance to learn about University of Colorado research with biological control insects at the site. Please make sure to bring plenty of water (at least 2 liters)!
Join us on 2 other dates as well: May 31 and June 15
PARTNERS
USFS - Boulder Ranger District
National Forest Foundation
OTHER FUN STUFF
Meal: Snacks; NO lunch provided - please bring your own sack lunch.
Latitude/Longitude: 40.04970169067383, -105.21430206298828
Additional Information:
Camping Available: No
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
High Altitude Project: No
Desired Number of Volunteers: 40
Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 13
Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0
Total Volunteer Days: 13
Total Unique Volunteers: 13
Total Volunteer Hours: 107.5
Staff Hours: 2.5
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary:
Successes and Challenges:
Lessons Learned:
Special Notes:
Stewardship Education:
This will help reduce the aggressive non-native weed, making space for native plant species.
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
In the future, based on feed back from project surveys, it would be worth making these projects half-day projects since people get pretty tired/bored of pulling weeds all day in the hot sun.
From the recruitment point of view, it is hard to recruit for this project in July because of Independence day and people going on vacation, and the heat.
Description of Accidents/Incidents:
No major accidents/incidents. It was a hot day, so we stopped working slightly earlier. There was a snake sighting but no harm done.
Description of Work Completed:
13 volunteers covered 17 acres.
Details
| 16 and older |
