Description
Start Date-End Date: 06/17/2017-06/17/2017
Land Manager Office: High Plains Environmental Center
Land Manager Contact: Kelley Driscoll
Funding Partner: Colorado Youth Outdoors
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Take part in a unique and exciting outdoor stewardship program, designed exclusively for families with kids ages 6-12. This project has been rescheduled from May 20.
Description: About the Stewardship Site:
The High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) is a unique, urban environmental park located within Loveland's Centerra community. The nonprofit center, open to the public, shows how native plants can be incorporated into new development for the benefit of the environment. It features stunning views of Longs Peak, walking trails, a native plants nursery, a wetland ecology demonstration garden and lots of wildlife. Currently, HPEC is constructing a $1 million community learning space next to the center's gardens and along two reservoirs. When finished, they expect around 10,000 visitors annually.
About VOC's Young Stewards Program
This project is designed just for families with children ages 6-12! Participants will help with some native grass planting, learn about what it means to be a good steward, and go on a fun nature hike! This project will be a fantastic way to introduce your child to volunteering while enjoying fun outdoor activities and family bonding experiences. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
About the Overall Impact:
The High Plains Environmental Center will debut their new center just one week before this project! Families will have the opportunity to check this out, and help continue the Center's mission of displaying beautiful native species.
NOTE:MINORS ON VOC PROJECTS
Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older on single-day projects.
This project is exclusively for families with children ages 6-12. No other registrations will be allowed.
Rescheduled from 5/20/2017
Latitude/Longitude: 40.420470, -105.013301
Additional Information:
Camping Available: No
Physical Difficulty: Easy
High Altitude Project: No
Desired Number of Volunteers: 30
Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 14
Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 17
Total Volunteer Days: 31
Total Unique Volunteers: 31
Total Volunteer Hours: 124
Staff Hours: 15.5
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary: On Saturday, June 17th, 31 volunteers (10 families) came out to the High Plains Environmnental Center in Loveland, CO for VOC's Young Stewards Project. Families started the day with breakfast, name games, and a tour of the new HPEC facility. Everyone helped to transplant coneflower and milkweed plants that had outgrown their small seedling trays, into more spacious containers. These native species will be used for restoration projects that HPEC leads, and in their revenue-generating plant sales. The families whizzed through the work in record time, transplanting 400 individual plants! Everyone went for a nature walk around Equalizer Lake, and we saw swooping pelicans, graceful herons, and a host of goose goslings and ducklings! We ended the day with a few games of camouflage and some tasty lunch.
Successes and Challenges: The works only took about 30 minutes - make sure that land managers understand that even though there are young children coming out, they are prepared to help work! We could definitely have used another 30 minutes of work time. The hike around the lake was a little longer than planned, but everyone had a good time chatting, seeing wildlife, and running around.
Camouflage is ALWAYS a hit - such a fun and easy game!
Lessons Learned: Have more work for family project!
Special Notes:
Stewardship Education: Provided by HPEC staff about the property and plants, and VOC staff during nature walk.
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Description of Accidents/Incidents:
Description of Work Completed:
Details
| 6 and older |
