2022-SWAT: Pivot and Tonic @Staunton State Park

Start Date-End Date: 09/13/2022-09/13/2022 Land Manager Office: CPW - Staunton State Park Land Manager Contact: Jessica King Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Help the native/non-invasive flora thrive! Join your colleagues in this important task to improve the overall health of the forest by removing the invasive Musk Thistle. Description: Where You'll Be: In 2013, Staunton State Park became the newest place to earn Colorado State Park designation. Frances Hornbrook Staunton donated the first 1,720-acre parcel of land in 1986, and subsequent acquisitions allowed Colorado Parks & Wildlife to create the park that exists today just 40 miles southeast of Denver. With an area of 3,828 acres, Staunton boasts geologic features including soaring granite cliffs, unique soil composition and impressive water features, setting the backdrop for a range of recreational opportunities. What You'll Do: Help the native/non-invasiveflora thrive! Join your colleagues in this important task to improve the overall health of the forest by removing the invasive musk thistle. We will also take some time to learn about native plant identification strategies and, afterward, we'll gather at the Ranch Hand Picnic area for an opportunity to network, relax, and have lunch! Why It Matters: Invasive plants have a negative impact on water quality, biodiversity, fish and wildlife habitat, fire risk and costs. By removing them from this ecosystem, we reduce competitivity between plants and increase the available area for native/non-invasive flora to grow and thrive! Latitude/Longitude: 39.6332466, 105.4657354 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 30 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 36 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 36 Total Unique Volunteers: 36 Total Volunteer Hours: 144 Staff Hours: 10 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Pivot and Tonic recruited 36 volunteers and most of them rode together in a bus. Volunteers were welcomed by VOC and park staff. The park staff explained the importance of the work and dedicated 15 minutes to teach volunteers how to identify Musk thistle and how to remove it. Half of the volunteers took a shovel and the other half hand pruners. They spent about 3 hours mechanically removing Thistle and socializing while working. All volunteers got to enjoy and happy hour after the project. VOC staff had coordinated with the park in advance to reserve the park's pavilion for the volunteer group. Successes and Challenges: Successes: Volunteers learned about thistle and it's treatment The type of work allowed volunteers to socialize and have conversations while working The volunteer group was able to use the pavilion free of cost for a happy hour after the project Challenges: Many volunteers did not use VOC's system to register Lessons Learned: If coordinated in advance, volunteer groups might be able to use the park's pavilion free of cost for happy hour Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: