2015-Cairn Final Project at Roxborough State Park

Start Date-End Date: 04/25/2015-04/25/2015 Land Manager Office: Land Manager Contact: Amy Knopp Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Volunteer work at Roxborough Description: Volunteer work at Roxborough Latitude/Longitude: 39.421626, 105.063525 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 50 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 14 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 38 Total Volunteer Days: 52 Total Unique Volunteers: 52 Total Volunteer Hours: 344 Staff Hours: 24 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: 25 Cairn Students, 4 Mentors, and 22 volunteers recruited by Cairn students came out for a day of volunteering at Roxborough State Park. The group had a huge impact on the South Rim Trail! Volunteers restored approximately 650 feet of trail, correcting drainage and erosion issues by de-berming the tread, installing rock steps and drainage dips, and finishing fill work on timber steps from another VOC project earlier in April. Volunteers also improved two scenic overlooks on the trail by trimming back overgrown vegetation and closing adjacent social trails. Finally, volunteers removed 2 acres of invasive mullien and thistle. Successes and Challenges: Overall a very succesful day. Volunteer turnout was improved over the 2014 Cairn Final by a more intentional effort from staff to engage the students in recruitment, and by reaching out to our partner organization, Colorado Young Leaders. Food donation was a challenge, as the Cairn group tasked with this responsibility was not succesful. Staff was able to secure a discounted lunch donation and purchased some additional food for snacks. Lessons Learned: Our approach to recruitment was better this year by combining having some of the kids work on casting a wide net through a facebook event page and flyers to hand out at school while still allowing them to invite family and friends if they wished. The last two years we relied only on family and friend invites with good results in 2013, but poor results in 2014. The food team's responsibilities will need a hard look going into next year. In three year, only the 2014 group has been succesful in getting food donated. Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Many of the Cairn students came prepared with info about the ecology and natural history of the park. About half of this group was able to present info about the geological formations and invasive weeds in the park. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: