2014-Colorado River Habitat Restoration & Canoe Trip Stewardship Adventure

Start Date-End Date: 09/11/2014-09/14/2014 Land Manager Office: BLM - Grand Junction Field Office Land Manager Contact: Troy Schnurr Funding Partner: Centennial Canoe Outfitters, Inc Programmatic Partner: Summary: Join us on the Colorado River for 4-days of canoeing, tamarisk removal, and great fun! Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE This project follows the Colorado River through the Bureau of Land Management's McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. The surrounding area is part of BLM's National Landscape Conservation System and offers spectacular canyon and river scenery of shiny granite sculpted by water through the ages. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Need a vacation? Eager to make a difference? Do both on Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado's Stewardship Adventure on the Colorado River. 2014 marks the sixth year VOC, the Grand Junction Bureau of Land Management, and Centennial Canoe team up to remove drought-causing tamarisk trees while enjoying a four-day river trip down the extraordinary Colorado River through the BLM's McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. We'll paddle the peaceful waters of Horsethief and Ruby Canyons of the Colorado River past remnants of ancient metamorphic Black Rock in canoes furnished by Centennial Canoe Outfitters. No canoe experience necessary! In addition to rewarding stewardship work, you'll also be able to enjoy canyon hikes into the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Area, discussions with naturalists and BLM park rangers, camping along the river's banks, and great food. IMPORTANT:There is a $250 non-refundable fee. Registrants' spots are not reserved until payment is made in full. PARTNERS & SPONSORS Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Centennial Canoe Outfitters, Inc. The Boeing Company Oracle Xcel Energy REI ?Lockheed Martin Clif Bar & Company Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: Provided for the duration of the project. Camping: Thursday through Saturday nights. Volunteers must find their own accommodations on Wednesday night before launch Thursday morning. Activities: Receive a free t-shirt in celebration of National Public Lands Day! Latitude/Longitude: 39.22790145874023, -108.81490325927734 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 22 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 18 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 18 Total Unique Volunteers: 18 Total Volunteer Hours: 846 Staff Hours: 57 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: On Thursday night, we met with the BLM employees. They told us about the area, species native to the area and why they want tamarisk removed, and what the BLM employees do on a regular basis. The BLM gave volunteers National Public Lands Day t-shirts, work gloves, and really nice med kits to reward them for their hard work/ Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Bring a cooler of beer!!! Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: Volunteers came with VOC and Centennial Canoe for a 4-day river adventure. We left on Thursday morning from the Colorado River put-in in Loma, CO. We paddled 10.5 miles to get to the Fault Line Campground. We worked Friday morning piling up tamarisk into giant piles that the BLM employees could come back to burn in winter. We went for a nice hike Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning, we packed up camp and paddled 6 miles to Black Rock Canyon. We made camp, and went for another hike that afternoon. On Sunday morning, we packed up yet again, and paddled 9.5 miles into UT to the West Water take-out.