2015-PRA Youth SWAT: Invasive Weed Pulling at Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Start Date-End Date: 05/22/2015-05/22/2015 Land Manager Office: USFWS - Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR Land Manager Contact: Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Students came out to pull mullein and scotch thistle. Description: Students came out to pull mullein and scotch thistle. Latitude/Longitude: 39.815228, -104.880509 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 100 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 8 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 92 Total Volunteer Days: 100 Total Unique Volunteers: 100 Total Volunteer Hours: 500 Staff Hours: 12 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: On Friday, May 22nd, 92 eighth graders and 8 adults came out to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge to pull invasive weeds. When the kids arrived, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees got on the buses to go on a guided wildlife drive with the students. The park employees talked about the history of the park, and the animals that were present. The kids saw bison, mule deer, white tailed deer, and several bird species. After the wildlife drive, the kids got to work, pulling out mullein and scotch thistle. They were able to cover 4 acres all together. Successes and Challenges: This project was supposed to be with Boulder County Open Space, doing trails, but they canceled the day before due to muddy trail conditions. I had to make several phone calls yesterday to try and accommodate such a large group on short notice. The Arsenal was really great, and the kids had a wonderful time. Lessons Learned: Have a back-up plan, especially in Spring! Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Provided by park employees during the wildlife drive, and before work started. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: