Description
Start Date-End Date: 09/30/2023-10/01/2023
Land Manager Office: San Luis Valley Great Outdoors - SLVGO
Land Manager Contact: David Tronquet
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Join this opportunity to become a steward of your public lands! Fast paced, hard work rewarded with beautiful views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and a fun and social volunteer setting.
Description: *Insert description from Golden
Latitude/Longitude: 37.55152, -105.72457
Additional Information: Are you a certified sawyer? Level A, B or C
Camping Available: Yes
Physical Difficulty: Difficult
High Altitude Project: No
Desired Number of Volunteers: 20
Total Adult Volunteers Attended:
Total Youth Volunteers Attended:
Total Volunteer Days:
Total Unique Volunteers:
Total Volunteer Hours: 0
Staff Hours: 39
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary: The project was ran smoothly in coordination with the BLM representative as safety was our main concern with sawyer work being done. The campsite was in the perfect spot, with plenty of room for parking, activities, and VOC/ BLM truck space. There was no running water but there was a nice clean bathroom in the parking lot. There was limited service, but some people had full internet capabilities and access to the campsite was fairly simple as it was a couple turns on dirt roads- it would have been nice to have more signage earlier on the road to make it more clear where to go. It might be worth mentioning to volunteers that the dust and wind is bad there and to bring face or eye protection. Having a BLM representative give a speech on the historical ecological significance of the area was very helpful and insightful to everyone.
Successes and Challenges: Communication between VOC and the BLM, ease of access to the project site, room for parking and camping, accessibility to down town and nearby health facilities/gas stations, and safety protocols were amongst the standouts for successes. Major challenges were communication amongst BLM members as for what to do specifically with fallen trees, the difficulty of the work for loppers as they avoid the thorns on the branches, and erratic weather.
Lessons Learned: Ensure that the BLM representatives have a hard plan amongst themselves as for the exact processes of removal, so that there are no disagreements or miscommunications in front of the volunteers. BLM's rules are strict and the only ones that VOC members should abide by. Experience is key amongst VOC crew leaders and sawyers, putting in more time beforehand to ensure that the sawyers are comfortable and have updated certifications will ensure this.
Special Notes:
Stewardship Education:
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Description of Accidents/Incidents: A tool manager was removing Russian Olive branches and a thorn went through her glove and into her finger. To be precautious, crew leaders and the project managers decided it was smart to take her to the hospital to get it cleaned and removed by a professional. Once removed, the tool manager was fine enough to continue to pack away the tools into the van as well as unload them at ops. All paperwork was handled and submitted to HR.
Description of Work Completed:
Details
| 18 and older |
