2015-May Queen Campground Fence Rebuild

Start Date-End Date: 08/08/2015-08/09/2015 Land Manager Office: USFS - Leadville Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Michelle Mueggler Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Rebuild a new fence throughout the May Queen Campground, which hugs the western shores of Leadville's Turquoise Lake. Description: ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP SITE The May Queen Campground is a well-used site on the far western end of Turquoise Lake, a recreation area in the San Isabel National Forest just outside of Leadville. This gorgeous lake is a popular spot for boating, fishing, as well as hiking and biking. ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER WORK An old fence used to prevent resource damage and define the May Queen campsites is deteriorated and decayed.Volunteers are needed to help remove the old stakes and fence as well as redesign a new fence in the same area to prevent campers from trampling across the vegetation. The fence will allow natural vegetation to flourish and improve the aesthetics of the campground in which thousands of people visit each year. Free meals and camping will be provided. PARTNERS USFS - Leadville Ranger District Latitude/Longitude: 39.278783, -106.431169 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 30 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 40 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 4 Total Volunteer Days: 42 Total Unique Volunteers: 26 Total Volunteer Hours: 376 Staff Hours: 63 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Volunteers demolished the 40-year old fence in the May Queen campground and transported logs, split stumps, hauled, placed, and drilled/nailed spikes into the new worm fence that was built as a replacement. Successes and Challenges: Many were first time VOC volunteers - it was a large group of new volunteers, but highly successful. It was great to have amazing contacts (Rick Bertilson, SCA intern) with the Leadville Ranger District who coordinated the felling and staging of logs in advance. Volunteers were safe and the proejct was highly rewarding. One challenge/concern was that 2 volunteers (ages 13 and 16 I believe) were dropped off on the project by their parents, who didn't stay for the project. I don't know if VOC has established protocol about this. Lessons Learned: Having cones and flagging tape in advance helped to make sure we had space to turn around a trailer, haul out the old rails, etc. Flagging and putting signs up in advance helped to keep other campers from taking the rails to use for personalfirewood, etc. Highly recommended to think about this for future fence building projects too. Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: 2 youth showed up on the project, and their parents didn't stay to volunteer or camp with them - do we have protocol about this? Description of Accidents/Incidents: Long sleeves may be recommended for hauling the logs, as scratches are likely to occur on bare skin. Volunteers stayed safe working with drills, sledge hammers, and nailing spikes into the fence. Gloves were crucial of course. Description of Work Completed: