Description
Start Date-End Date: 06/26/2015-06/26/2015
Land Manager Office: Aurora Water
Land Manager Contact: Diana Denwood
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: On Friday, June 26th, 36 volunteers from the National Leadership Academy came out to the Aurora Water Xeriscape Garden to help remove one acre of invasive Canadian Thistle, bury an irrigation line, and put mulch around native plants. The group split into thirds to cover three different sections of the gardens.
Description: On Friday, June 26th, 36 volunteers from the National Leadership Academy came out to the Aurora Water Xeriscape Garden to help remove one acre of invasive Canadian Thistle, bury an irrigation line, and put mulch around native plants. The group split into thirds to cover three different sections of the gardens.
Latitude/Longitude: 39.708768, -104.814455
Additional Information:
Camping Available: No
Physical Difficulty: Easy
High Altitude Project: No
Desired Number of Volunteers: 36
Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 3
Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 33
Total Volunteer Days: 36
Total Unique Volunteers: 36
Total Volunteer Hours: 108
Staff Hours: 6
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary: On Friday, June 26th, 36 volunteers from the National Leadership Academy came out to the Aurora Water Xeriscape Garden to help remove one acre of invasive Canadian thistle, bury an irrigation line, and put mulch around native plants. The group split into thirds to cover three different sections of the gardens; one to weed, and two to begin by mulching and eventually join in on weeding.
Successes and Challenges: The group was able to succesfully mulch two sections of the gardens and make a significant dent in the thistle density along and in pathways, as well as in the fields.
The most challenging aspect came as the afternoon progressed, although most of the team stayed on task and active, some members trailed off closer to lunch. When one would slow and even stop, those around them would as well. The group was still pretty new as far as the conference went, so social influences were high.
Lessons Learned: Don't accept dropbox waivers! With kids that have been together such a short time, they were more interested in getting to know their peers. Encourage interaction and friendly competition.
Special Notes: The National Leadership Academy is a camp that takes place at the University of Denver, and attracts participants from all over the country.
Stewardship Education: Done on-site during the project and after lunch by both Aurora Water and VOC Staff.
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Description of Accidents/Incidents:
Description of Work Completed: Two sections of gardens mulched and irrigation lines burried beneath the mulch, pathways and fields weeded,primarily thistle and bindweed.
