2014-Lake Estes Bird Sanctuary Flood & Habitat Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 05/10/2014-05/10/2014 Land Manager Office: Land Manager Contact: Mary Davis Funding Partner: Estes Valley Recreation and Park District Programmatic Partner: Summary: NOTE: Registration for this opportunity is full. If you register, you will be placed on the wait list. See the Volunteer Calendar for other flood restoration projects that you can help with. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE A section of the 3.8 mile Lake Estes Trail was designated as the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuaryby the Estes Park Bird Club and Estes Valley Recreation and Park District in 1997. Its location between the Big Thompson River and Lake Estes, with its abundant and diverse plant life, makes it an exceptionally attractive area for migratory and resident birds. The project site is along the confluence of Big Thompson River with Lake Estes and provides scenic views of the Estes Valley and neighboring Rocky Mountain National Park. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY The September 2013 flood ripped through this unique area, destroying protective fencing, uprooting native vegetation, and tearing away and destabilizing much of the area where water and land meet. Work will include fence repair, bank stabilization and sediment removal of the intermittent stream, spreading top soil, planting trees and willows, as well as spreading a native seed mix with wildflowers. PARTNERS & SPONSORS Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District Xcel Energy The Boeing Company Oracle Clif Bar & Company The Anschutz Foundation Anadarko Fund to Restore Colorado Trails, Waterways and Parks Poppy's Pizza Dave's BBQ MORE FUN STUFF Meals: Light breakfast and lunch provided Latitude/Longitude: 40.377206, -105.521665 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy, Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 50 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 49 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 4 Total Volunteer Days: 53 Total Unique Volunteers: 53 Total Volunteer Hours: 416 Staff Hours: 37 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Gary Matthews and Alice Knox were at the project representing the Estes Park Bird Club. Gary gave a talk about the importance of the sanctuary, and what species of birds are found there. Alice added some moving remarks about the 2013 flood's effect on the local community, thanking volunteers for their help. Crew Leader Cecily Mui offered some great stewardship education! In addtion to how and where to plant, she informed volunteers why the willows and trees were ecologically important to the sanctuary. She also taught volunteers how to identify invasive weeds. There were a number of Estes Park locals on the project. They shared their personal expreience from the flood with their crews throughout the day. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: 53 volunteers (49 adult, 4 youth) accomplished the following at Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary in Estes Park Strung 3,160 feet of barbless wire fencing to help keep Estes Park's Elk out of the sanctuary Planted 300 willows Planted 180 trees and shrubs Spread 10 yds of new top soil Spread 75 pounds of native grass and wildflower seed Removed flood debris from the 3.16 acre sanctuary for about 6 cubic yards Removed invasive mullein and thistle over 3.16 acres These efforts will help to restore and maintain bird habitat that was damaged during the 2013 floods.