Description
Start Date-End Date: 08/15/2020-08/16/2020
Land Manager Office: USFS - Divide Ranger District
Land Manager Contact: Jody Fairchild
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Registration is currently on hold. Clear fallen trees from trails using crosscut saws.
Description: Due to COVID-19, we expect significant changes to our 2020 volunteer projects including possible changes to dates, type of work, and project sizes. We are diligently working with our land management partners to address the logistical challenges posted by COVID-19 and provide safe volunteer opportunities. Please stay tuned and visitwww.voc.org/covid19for the most up-to-date information on VOC's response.
Where You'll Be:
Spanning nearly 500,000 acres in southwest Colorado, the Weminuche Wilderness isthree-quarters the size of Rhode Island andthe state's largest Wilderness area. On this project, you'll be camped out in the frontcountry of the Rio Grande National Forest near the Rio Grande Reservoir, and hike into the neighboring Wilderness each day to complete project work.
What You'll Do:
This project of approximately 30 volunteers is a great way to learn new skills and escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Each day will begin with a 2-4 hour hike up trails in the Weminuche Wilderness; you'll then clear the trail and saw out logs on your way back to basecamp. If all log clearing is completed, you'll have the chance to do some basic trail surface and drainage maintenance.
Why crosscut saws? These are a traditional tool that carry a long history of work on the land in our country, and have made a modern resurgence as the tool of choice for clearing fallen trees on trails in federally designated Wilderness areas, where workers are required to use the minimum possible tool. But it's not just about policy: using traditional tools allows us the opportunity to experience the quiet, solitude and characteristics of more remote areas, as well as become attuned to the characteristics of trees themselves. Crosscut sawyers often talk about how they enjoy the experience of hearing the fibers of trees pop and crack as cuts are made.
We welcome you to give crosscut sawing a try, not only to experience for yourself the use of a fun and powerful traditional tool, but to also allow yourself to spend time in nature in a way that perhaps you have not before. No experience is necessary to attend this project as a volunteer, but certified sawyers are required to lead sawing operations. If you would like to learn more about becoming certified as a Crosscut Sawyer, visit voc.org/training or contact Dan Williams by email or at 303-715-1010 ext. 117.Learn more about crosscut sawing atgo.nps.gov/lavocast.
Why It Matters:
Wilderness trails on the Rio Grande National Forest are becoming increasingly inaccessible (and dangerous) to hikers and equestrians due to the falling dead Engelmann spruce trees in the area. The U.S. Forest Service cannot keep up with the demand for keeping the trails clear, making volunteers an increasingly critical asset to assist the Forest Service in keeping these Wilderness trails open and accessible to the public.
Need-to-Know Details:
Volunteers must be 18 years or olderto participate on this project.
Volunteers are responsible for providing their own camping gear. VOC will provide all equipmentincluding tools and work gloves.
Cancellation:Our partners rely on VOC volunteers to accomplish critical stewardship needs, and our projects often have wait lists. If you need to cancel, pleaseemailKendall Coxor call 303-715-1010 ext. 116 as soon as possible so we can free your spot for another volunteer and have a full workforce.
About Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is the state's oldest, largest, and leading outdoor stewardship nonprofit organization. Founded in 1984 to motivate and enable people to become active stewards of Colorado's natural resources, VOC has engaged nearly 125,000 people in more than 1,000 volunteer projects for a donated labor value of $25 million. Through award-winning youth and volunteer programs, leadership training, capacity-building programs, and collaborative efforts with nonprofits and land management agencies, VOC is an invaluable resource in Colorado, especially as our outdoor stewardship needs are approaching near-crisis levels. For more information, visitwww.voc.orgor call 303-715-1010.
Latitude/Longitude: 37.721417, -107.260520
Additional Information:
Camping Available: Yes
Physical Difficulty: Difficult
High Altitude Project: Yes
Desired Number of Volunteers: 30
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Total Volunteer Hours: 0
Staff Hours: 0
Stipend Hours: 0
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Details
| 18 and older |
