2017-Kapost SWAT in Estes Park

Start Date-End Date: 08/24/2017-08/24/2017 Land Manager Office: Land Manager Contact: Molly Mills Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Estes Valley Watershed Coalition Summary: The primary work task will be constructing elk fencing to protect plants that will be going into the ground later in the fall. Additional work tasks will include flood debris clean up and invasive species removal. Description: 75 Kapost volunteers will assist the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition in their restoration efforts on Fish Creek, as part of the federally-funded NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Implementation Projects in the Estes Valley. Latitude/Longitude: 40.348374, -105.501752 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy, Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 75 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 64 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 64 Total Unique Volunteers: 64 Total Volunteer Hours: 193 Staff Hours: 24 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Roughly 75 volunteers arrived early in the morning in Estes Park eager to make an impact on the riparian restoration efforts that were underway along Fish Creek. After the floods of 2013, the city of Estes Park and the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition began to restore the affected areas along the stream banks. Erosion control matting, rock structures, native plants, new bridges, and a fresh walking area were all part of the improvements. Over time five different enclosures were set up to protect the new shrubs and trees from deer and elk browse. Volunteers worked tirelessly to remove the invasive plants that have begun to colonate the enclosures. The main focus was Canada thistle and Common mullein, but other non-native plants were also removed.At the end of the day, volunteers were able to say that they had successfully cleared invasive plantsfrom 3.33 acres of recently improved riparian habitat. Their efforts are a great start in a long process of rehabilitation. Successes and Challenges: Successes: Working with Molly Mills from the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition on important habitat conservation work, engaging a large corporate group in meaningful work. Challenges: None Lessons Learned: Having the knowledge to identify invasive plants and inform volunteers about the plant and its physiology is beneficial on these types of projects. Special Notes: Potential for more work with the Coalition and Molly Mills in the future Stewardship Education: Native and non-native plant discussion. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: No concerns or comments. Description of Accidents/Incidents: No accidents or incidents Description of Work Completed: Removed Canada Thistle and Common Mullein from 6 different wildlife exclosures - an totol area of 3.33 acres.