2018-Anadarko SWAT: Windsor

Start Date-End Date: 08/30/2018-08/30/2018 Land Manager Office: Windsor, Town of Land Manager Contact: Wade Willis Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: The Kyger Reservoir is a newly acquired Town of Windsor Open Space parcel featuring stunning views of Long's Peak and the northern Colorado Front Range, a diverse array of birds and wildlife including Coyotes. The Town plans to open the site to the public for hiking and fishing in the near future, but first needs to accomplish a number of restoration, clean up and open space management tasks. Description: Volunteers are needed to accomplish several different tasks to help get the site ready for the public. Work will include: Many small, dead trees scattered throughout the south eastern edge of the property. Volunteers will cut these down using hand tools and use the slash to create wildlife habitat, creating space for critters to nest and hide. Depending on ultimate plan, some of this may be rigged to create fish habitat in the lake as well. Volunteers will repair fencing along the property boundary, stringing up smooth wire strands between existing posts. Volunteers will perform some general clean up, hauling and stacking equipment from an old pumping station. Additional tasks may include assisting with noxious Russian olive removal. Latitude/Longitude: 40.479339, -104.901391 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 30 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 21 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 21 Total Unique Volunteers: 21 Total Volunteer Hours: 115.5 Staff Hours: 15 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Anadarko volunteers were eager on Project Day, as most had arrived 15 minutes early. I could feel the anticipation and restlessness to get started, so we got going a little bit early. Wade from the Town of Windsor orientated volunteers on 4 main tasks: Gate Painting, Fence Repair, Russian Olive Removal, and Trash Pick Up. Volunteers were able to self-select based on their preferences. It was a hot day and there was no shade. Several volunteers did not bring ample water bottles, so I made several laps around the project site with a water jug. Most of the volunteers were engaged the entire time and enjoyed a company-catered lunch from Jimmy Johns. Those on the trash pickup crew lost steam after lunch and many headed out early. Successes and Challenges: Successes: -Enthusiastic group. Almost all the volunteers were there before the stated registration time. -Several project goals were met -Good relationship building with Town of Windsor, they asked if there was an opportunity to work with each other again. -Locals stopped by to eagerly ask if the reservoir was open, showing volunteers the community interest. Challenges: -The weather. It was an extremely hot day and there was no shade. Some volunteers also did not bring appropriate water bottles. Suggest bringing a pop-up tent for future projects at this site. -Unsurprisingly, volunteers on the trash crew lost interest after lunch and most in this group left early. Lessons Learned: Kaladi Coffee did not give me any cups or extras (sugars, creamers, etc) like Starbucks does for coffee donations. Had I known, I would have grabbed supplies from Ops, as we have a ton, but I didn't so I was unprepared for registration. Luckily, the Town Of Windsor got cups for me. (Some volunteers did mention that I had said to bring a coffee thermos in the email) Budget extra time for traveling on I-25 in the morning on a weekday. I would also anticipate a few volunteers showing up late who have been caught in this traffic. I stayed at the entrance for an extra half hour to funnel volunteers to tasks. Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: