2015-Black Forest Fire Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 07/11/2015-07/11/2015 Land Manager Office: El Paso County Parks Land Manager Contact: Jason Meyer 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: ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP SITE The 385-acre Black Forest Regional Park is located in the Black Forest area of El Paso County, just north of Colorado Springs. The park's beautiful rolling hills and open Ponderosa pine forests adorned with wildflowers make it a popular family-friendly destination for hikers, bikers, equestrians, and picnickers. It is also a wonderful place to enjoy pristine views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range. ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER WORK Surpassing the Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012, the 2013 Black Forest Fire is the state's most destructive wildfire on record having burned 14,000 acres, destroyed 486 homes, and caused $85 million in damages.Black Forest Regional Park was not spared from the destruction and the fireshut down a VOC trail construction project. This forced the Park to shift gears from planning new trails to fire restoration after post-fire rains washed away significant amounts of sediment, sending it downhill towards the athletic fields, playground, and other structures. On this project, volunteers will help the park recover by installing log erosion barriers and other erosion control structures to slow water and erosion flows, protecting the park assets downhill of the burn site, in addition to removing invasive weeds that are now appearing in the burn scar. A free light breakfast and lunch will be provided. OTHER WAYS TO HELP It's not all sweat and toil! There are lots of ways you can participate on project days, including as an assistant crew chef. Assistant crew chefs have a fun, vital, and very appreciated role on the project team - keeping volunteers happy and well-fed! Please emailSteve Wallfor more information. PARTNERS El Paso County Parks Latitude/Longitude: 39.017000, -104.737022 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 80 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 66 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 4 Total Volunteer Days: 70 Total Unique Volunteers: 70 Total Volunteer Hours: 560 Staff Hours: 56 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: On July 11th VOC returned to Black Forest Regional Park in El Paso County for the third consecutive year to help restore the land from the 2013 fire. 60 volunteers came out to: installed log erosion barriers to help prevent the flow of material downhill during heavy rain events, plant native seed to help stabilize the soil and remove invasive weeds that have flourished in the post fire environment. The volunteers were able to install 50 erosion barriers, seed and rake 2 acres of land, and remove invasive weeds from 11 acres of land. Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Weed removal on Pulling for Colorado Day Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: