2017-Cairn Final Project 2017: Fire Restoration at Green Mountain

Start Date-End Date: 04/15/2017-04/15/2017 Land Manager Office: City of Lakewood Land Manager Contact: Erik Nilsen Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Cairn students will lead community members and their peers in a fire restoration project on Green Mountain as the culmination of the Cairn program. Description: Green Mountain is a popular area for hiking, trail running and mountain biking, with more than 20 miles of trail just off Alameda Parkway. In November 2016, a small wildfire broke out on the urban mountain, burning around 100 acres. Volunteers on the Cairn Final Project will be the among the first to help with the fire restoration effort. Crews will close down the numerous social trails that have developed through the burn scar, and re-seed native grasses to keep invasive species at bay. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided! Latitude/Longitude: 39.696234, -105.191749 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy, Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 70 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 35 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 39 Total Volunteer Days: 74 Total Unique Volunteers: 74 Total Volunteer Hours: 584 Staff Hours: 23 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: On Saturday, April 15th, 38 members of the Cairn Youth Program and 36 community volunteers came out to Green Mountain in Lakewood, Colorado for the Cairn Final project. In November 2016, a small wildfire burned about 110 acres at the popular recreation area. Volunteers with Cairn were the first to help out with the restoration effort!Many social trails had been created through the burn scar. Volunteers worked to close nearly 5,000 feet of unsanctioned trails, and re-seed 4 acres with native grasses. The Cairn members did all the welcome talks, stewardship education talks, and safety/tool talks! They did a really great job at displaying their knowledge, and helped to ensure a successful day for everyone. Green Mountain sees around 500,000 annual users between mountain bikers, trail runners, and hikers. City of Lakewood Natural Resources Manger, Erik Nielsen, was thrilled to have the Cairn program and volunteers out at the park to help with the restoration effort! Green Mountain has about 15 miles of designated trail, and 15+ miles of social trail, so there is no shortage of work! Successes and Challenges: The biggest challenge of the day was the logistics. The worksite was up a very steep maintenance road, and the worksites were not very close to one another. Shuttles were needed to take volunteers up and down the road, and mentors had radios, but they didn't always work. The mentors were absolutely necessary in making sure that everyone knew where to go. The volunteers really enjoyed the work, and the land manager was thrilled with everything that got done during the day. Lessons Learned: If shuttles are needed, don't let people leave early! Many people needed to be driven down at lunch time, which was a burden. Make it clear in communications that it is expected that volunteers stay the whole day. Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Provided by the Cairn students! The stewardship educator planning team gave a talk to the whole crowd at the beginning. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: Fire restoration work - 5,000 feet of social trail closed with rocks and duff, and 4 acres re-seeded with native grasses.