2013-The FlyFisher Group Youth SWAT at The Urban Farm: Part 3

Start Date-End Date: 07/24/2013-07/24/2013 Land Manager Office: The Urban Farm Land Manager Contact: Rick Garcia Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Part 3 of a 4 Part SWAT Series at The Urban Farm Part 3: Invasive weed removal and site maintenance. Description: Part 3 of a 4 Part SWAT Series at The Urban Farm Part 3: Invasive weed removal and site maintenance. SPONSORS Roundup Riders of the Rockies Heritage & Trails Foundation Starbucks Latitude/Longitude: 39.767182, -104.872014 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 30 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 5 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 25 Total Volunteer Days: 30 Total Unique Volunteers: 30 Total Volunteer Hours: 150 Staff Hours: 7 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: National Park Service Mile High Youth Corps Tour of the Urban Farm Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: This was a "back-up" project, as we were supposed to be installing bird boxes along the greenway - however, the FlyFisher Group did not get the materials required to finish building the bird boxes and the Urban Farm gracious hosted us last minute for this highly successful SWAT opportunity. Description of Accidents/Incidents: None. Description of Work Completed: The FlyFisher Group consisting of 25 youth and 5 mentors arrived the Urban Farm in Stapleton to be welcomed by a couple representatives from Mile High Youth Corps to talk about natural resource careers. After this brief talk, the group split up into 3 teams - one for invasive weed removal, one for spreading soil near the fruit tree orchard that VOC helped plant in the past, and another to work with the horses mucking and watering. The group was able to remove about 1 acre of curly dock weeds, muck 2 horse stalls, and spread about .5 acres of soil. In the afternoon, work continued, but was preceded by a Q&A session with a representative from the National Parks Service to learn about how to get involved in public land work and law enforcement. Overall, the day was highly educational, with the group learning about various career opportunities in natural resources and productive, helping the Urban Farm protect their community gardens and maintain their site which contributes so greatly to the surrounding communities and youth. Their experience was so great, they are already planning on working with the Urban Farm again in the near future.