Description
Start Date-End Date: 05/13/2015-05/13/2015
Land Manager Office: CPW - Chatfield State Park
Land Manager Contact: Steve Rericha
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Students will be camping overnight with Colorado Young Leaders, and then pulling weeds in the morning with VOC. The original plan was to finish a crusher fine trail, but the park is experiencing heavy flooding, and the trail is underwater. Students will pull scotch thistle.
Description: Students will be camping overnight with Colorado Young Leaders, and then pulling weeds in the morning with VOC. The original plan was to finish a crusher fine trail, but the park is experiencing heavy flooding, and the trail is underwater. Students will pull scotch thistle.
Latitude/Longitude: 39.530227, -105.054436
Additional Information:
Camping Available: Yes
Physical Difficulty: Easy
High Altitude Project: No
Desired Number of Volunteers: 50
Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 2
Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 29
Total Volunteer Days: 31
Total Unique Volunteers: 31
Total Volunteer Hours: 124
Staff Hours: 10
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary: On Wednesday, May 13th, XX sixth and seventh graders from STEM-Highlands Ranch came out to Chatfield State Park to pull invasive Scotch Thistle. The original plan had been to finish a crusher fine trail near the Gravel Pond, however, due to recent heavy rains that trail is under 3 feet of water. The kids had great attitudes about switching gears, and were able to accomplish a lot! Most of them had camped overnight with Colorado Young Leaders, and they were ready to get to work in the morning. The kids worked diligently on a THICK patch of thistle, and covered about 1 acre. The park manager came over to thank them for their hard work, and then the group walked back to the campsite for some lunch.
Successes and Challenges: The teachers were not super excited about pulling weeds, but we made it into a challenge for the kids to see who could pull the most. The Scotch Thistle is pretty prickly, so thicker gloves would have been ideal.
Lessons Learned: If pulling Scotch Thistle, warn group to wear long sleeves/pants, and bring thick gloves.
Special Notes: The teachers from the STEM school said that these kids never get outside, and that they barely even have a P.E. class. Partnering with more STEM schools in the future would be a good idea.
Stewardship Education: Provided by myself and the Park Resource Technician.
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Description of Accidents/Incidents:
Description of Work Completed:
