2015-James Peak Invasive Weed Removal

Start Date-End Date: 07/25/2015-07/25/2015 Land Manager Office: USFS - Boulder Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Beverly Baker Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Help eliminate noxious oxeye daisy flowers at the entrance to the stunning James Peak Wilderness. Bring the family! Description: ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP SITE Valued for its remote feel and breathtaking beauty, James Peak Wilderness encompasses 14,000 acres on the east side of the Continental Divide. It is home to high alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and most notoriously, James Peak - the area's 13,294-ft. namesake. ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER WORK For the past ten years, VOC volunteers have worked together to eliminate hundreds of thousands of oxeye daisy flowers and seeds at the East Portal access point to the James Peak Wilderness. These efforts have kept this aggressive and highly destructive weed from advancing into the Wilderness Area. As a result, diverse ecosystems in the area are much healthier, and a variety of native plants are making a stunning comeback. Volunteers this year will continue the effort and pull and dig oxeye daisy at the trailhead and nearby areas, using gloves and hand tools. Join us on this family-friendly project to help eradicate this noxious weed and maintain the natural integrity of this incredible landscape. A free light lunch will be provided. PARTNERS U.S. Forest Service - Boulder Ranger District Latitude/Longitude: 39.903253, -105.643800 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 40 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 25 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 7 Total Volunteer Days: 32 Total Unique Volunteers: 32 Total Volunteer Hours: 166 Staff Hours: 9 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Volunteers returned to James Peak to continue critical invasive weed removal near the entrance to the popular wilderness area. Progress over the years has been immense, as the area that once looked like a field of snow due to the high concentration of white ox-eye daisies, now only has them in a a few isolated spots. 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: