2013-Waldo Canyon Fire Restoration - 6/8/2013

Start Date-End Date: 06/08/2013-06/08/2013 Land Manager Office: Coalition for the Upper South Platte Land Manager Contact: Jonathan Bruno Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Help with habitat restoration and flood mitigation as part of the Waldo Canyon Fire restoration effort. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE The 2012 18,500-acre Waldo Canyon Fire has already gone down in history as the single most expensive wildfire in Colorado state history. Of those 18,500 acres, 20% were burned so intensely that they were likened to moonscape by the Burned Area Emergency Response team. The severity of the damage will both dramatically slow the recovery of the ecosystem and present near-constant flood risks-risks which experts say may threaten the area for the next decade. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY In response to the destruction wrought by the Waldo Canyon Fire, volunteers will help with flood mitigation and fire restoration. These burn areas are now subject to severe erosion and mudslides which threaten Colorado Springs' municipal water supply, Highway 24, and public and private infrastructure.Volunteers will also help to minimize the loss of habitats already significantly harmed by the fire. Due to the severity of the damage, there is extensive and varied work to be done, such as: removal and chipping of burned hazard trees, re-shaping the ground surface, sand-bagging, re-seeding, tree and seedling plantings, mulching, and construction of erosion control structures to stabilize drainages prone to flooding. Sign up for one or both of our 2013 Waldo Canyon Fire Restoration projects. PARTNERS Coalition for the Upper South Platte SPONSORS Colorado Garden Show, Inc. Chick-fil-A - Garden of the Gods OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Latitude/Longitude: 38.917279, -104.8855 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 100 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 48 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 3 Total Volunteer Days: 51 Total Unique Volunteers: 51 Total Volunteer Hours: 336 Staff Hours: 15 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Volunteers were educated about how the fire affects the land and why our work is important to help mitigate with flooding and erosion. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: 58 volunteers joined VOC and CUSP on Saturday June 8 to help with flood mitigation and fire restoration in response to the damage caused by the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire. The project was originally scheduled for May 11th and had to be rescheduled due to threat of mudslides. The original project was full with a waitlist, but the rescheduled date resulted in reduced volunteer numbers. Volunteers seeded and mulched 10 acres, and planted an impressive 65 trees in an area at high risk for erosion and mudslides. The project was a high priority because this specific area was directly above a school for children with autism. Unfortunately the project was cut short and we were only able to work for 4 hours due to high winds and unsafe working conditions. The shortened project resulted in the completion of less work, but the volunteers still made a substantial impact on the land.