2014-Waldo Canyon Fire Restoration - 9/13/2014

Start Date-End Date: 09/13/2014-09/13/2014 Land Manager Office: USFS - South Platte Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Robin Bay Funding Partner: Colorado Springs Utilities 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: STEWARDSHIP In 2012, the 18,500-acre Waldo Canyon Fire went down in history as the single most expensive wildfire in Colorado state history, only to be eclipsed by the Black Forest fire in 2013. 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- WHAT & WHY In response to the destruction wrought by the Waldo Canyon Fire, volunteers will help with flood mitigation and fire restoration.Volunteers will continue last year's efforts and seed and rake a new area of the Waldo Canyon burn scar. The worksite is about a mile hike from the parking area on steep terrain. These burn areas are now subject to severe erosion and mudslides. Volunteers will also help to minimize the loss of habitats already significantly harmed by the fire.Work will involve raking, mulching and reseeding the burn area in an effort to manage soil erosion. PARTNERS & SPONSORS Habitat Management Inc. Colorado Springs Utilities Xcel Energy REI ?Lockheed Martin The Boeing Company Oracle Clif Bar & Company Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation John G. Duncan Charitable Trust Latitude/Longitude: 38.917279, -104.8855 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 35 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 24 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 1 Total Volunteer Days: 25 Total Unique Volunteers: 25 Total Volunteer Hours: 200 Staff Hours: 22 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: Description of Work Completed: On 9/13, 25 volunteers came out to help seed and rake and area of the Northfield watershed on the Rampart Range that was affected by the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire. Volunteers were able to seed and rake of 10 acres of land. Their efforts will help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. This project is part of an ongoing effort through VOC to help rehab the Waldo Canyon burn scare and protect CO Springs water supply and downhill homes and structures from flooding. Governor Hickenlooper and lieutenant governor Joe Garcia came out and talked to volunteers in the morning before the start of the project.