2014-Mother's Day Native Planting at High Plains Environmental Center

Start Date-End Date: 05/03/2014-05/03/2014 Land Manager Office: High Plains Environmental Center Land Manager Contact: Jim Tolstrup Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: NOTE: Registration for this opportunity is full. If you register, you will be placed on the wait list. As space becomes available, we will move individuals off the wait list. Description: 30th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE PROJECT This year Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado turns 30! This project is one of nine 30th Anniversary Commemorative Projects we are hosting to highlight VOC's long-standing history caring for Colorado's outdoors. STEWARDSHIP SITE Located just east of Loveland off of Interstate 25 in Centerra, the High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) is a unique place where natural and built habitats coexist in a sustainable fashion-a suburbitat, if you will. HPEC has long been a tranquil refuge for wildlife and area residents alike. HPEC also serves as a community learning center, a place for ecological restoration, and a natural reminder of the high plains ecosystem that once existed all along the Front Range. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Volunteers will be working to enhance and prepare HPEC's demonstration gardens. The demonstration area will promote the use of native xeric plants (plants that require little moisture) in gardens and landscaping by educating the public on the benefits to urban wildlife and water conservation. Over the course of the day, tasks will include planting native vegetation, spreading mulch and gravel, assembling garden beds and low-water irrigation, and transplanting from HPEC's nursery. PARTNERS & SPONSORS High Plains Environmental Center Xcel Energy The Boeing Company Oracle Clif Bar & Company OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Latitude/Longitude: 40.411013, -105.016547 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 50 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 27 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 22 Total Volunteer Days: 49 Total Unique Volunteers: 49 Total Volunteer Hours: 300 Staff Hours: 28 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: VOC staff Jennifer Almstead got compost caught under her eyelid after a strong gust of wind blew it up into her face. VOC volunteer Crew Leader Wes Go, a certified EMT, was the first responder. Wes attempted to flush out the compost, but was unsuccesful. Jennifer lives nearby and was driven home, where she was succesful in flushing out the compost from her eye. I followed up with her shortly thereafter, she said she was doing fine. Description of Work Completed: On May 3rd, 28 adult and 22 youth volunteers came out for VOC's first 30th anniversary commemorative project of 2014 at the High Plains Environmental Center in Loveland. Volunteers accomplished a ton of work! -Transplanted 2426 seedlings which will be used in post-fire restoration efforts -Planted 17 Rocky Mountain Junipers -Covered a 1/2 acre of garden and xeriscape space with 90 yds of mulch -Placed 24 raised beds and filled them with 16 yds of soil Removed weeds from 10,000 sq. ft of Xeriscape -Installed 500 ft. of drip line for irrigation -Installed 100 ft of fence posting These improvements will help HPEC maintain a quality open space and garden facility as nearby home construction ramps up.