2015-Earth Day Planting at Friends of the Haven

Start Date-End Date: 04/22/2015-04/22/2015 Land Manager Office: Grow Local Colorado Land Manager Contact: Barbara Masoner Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Show your green side this Earth Day and help a local non-profit to grow local, organically-produced foods. Description: ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP SITE Located at the historic site of Ft. Logan in Denver, Friends of the Haven provides rehabilitation services to women with addiction issues. The Haven's onsite gardenis just a few yards from parking. ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER PROJECT In partnership with Grow Local Colorado, volunteers will perform tasks to prep the garden and help Friends of the Haven clients get ahead of pervasive weeds that can easily take over. Last summer, this garden provided Friends of the Haven clients with more than 1,000 pounds of organic and fresh produce. The unused produce was shared with Denver Rescue Mission and Community Ministry's food pantry. By growing food locally, we reduce our carbon footprint (food isn't transported thousands of miles), minimize water use, decrease soil erosion, and develop a sustainable community. Volunteer work will include digging up weeds, mostly thistle and bindweed, and also spreading newspaper and mulch to prevent the weeds from returning. This work requires the ability to stoop, bend, lift, and haul. Plan on moving for two hours and using many muscle groups; what a great way to get fit for the summer! Latitude/Longitude: 39.639403, -105.035462 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy, Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 15 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 13 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 18 Total Volunteer Days: 31 Total Unique Volunteers: 31 Total Volunteer Hours: 77.5 Staff Hours: 8 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: On Wednesday, April 22nd (Earth Day), volunteers showed up in the rain to help prep and plant 3 garden beds at The Haven, a substance addiction center for women and their children. The volunteers thoroughly weeded the 3 beds. One bed was planted with a few onions, and it was prepped for more veggies by laying down newspaper and burlap to protect the soil. In another bed, the soil was turned and raked, and in the third bed, potatoes were planted. A few of the clients from The Haven came out to express their gratitude to the volunteers, and help plant. Chiptole burritos were donated, and enjoyed by the volunteers upon completion of the work. Successes and Challenges: There was some questionable weather at the beginning of the project, but volunteers came out in full force! We probably didn't need as high of numbers as we had, but all the volunteers had a good time, and we got all the work done without being totally drenched. Lessons Learned: Colorado Young Leaders (CYL) participants sign up at the last minute! Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: