Description
Start Date-End Date: 07/15/2023-07/16/2023
Land Manager Office: USFS - Rio Grande National Forest
Land Manager Contact: Rachel Sanchez
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Join this opportunity to become a steward of your public lands! No experience required, just the desire to be outside and care for Colorado in a fun, social setting.
Description: *insert description from Golden
Latitude/Longitude: 38.14089, -106.56354
Additional Information:
Camping Available: Yes
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
High Altitude Project: Yes
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: 42
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary: The Windy Point project was selected to be the 4th annual women's only project. It was slated to be pretty small, about 20 volunteers but with the recruitment/ no show issues we ended up with 11 volunteers (2 were crew chefs and 2 tool managers). There were 5 cancellations the week of the project with no time to try and fill those spots though we tried to promote it on social media that week. That being said, camping at the guard station was really neat and the group of volunteer that attended were able to form a bond very quickly and the numbers didn't take away from the experience of the project for those who attended.
The work wasn't the most exciting, fence removal and invasive weed work but we were supporting 2 female led programs on the RGNF (Timber and Range) and the employees attended the project and I think that created a sense of pride in working together and completing work that was a big help to these staff members. The temperatures were really hot that weekend and with numbers less than anticipated, we were only able to get the fence work done. It was really hard work in the heat and took longer than I has anticipated during the planning. However, if we had all 20 volunteers I believe we would have been able to accomplish both the fence work and invasive work.
With such a small project, and being a women's only project the group formed a close bond very quickly and it made our time at camp super fun! I planned a ladder ball competition with some prizes in addition to the appreciation raffle. USFS staff also joined us for dinner to present on the history of the cabin and surrounding area, which volunteers really appreciated.
Work site Location: 38.14089, -106.56354
Camp Location: 38.13889, -106.4561 Upper Crossing Guard Station
We will be camping at the Upper Crossing Guard Station, which is a Rio Grande National Forest property. If you plug "upper crossing guard station" into Google Maps it will come up but the directions will lead you to a private property gate. Please refer to the maps and directions provided for the project to avoid private property. There will be water and a bathroom on site but we will be tent or car camping on the property. The cabin will be occupied by the project's Tool Managers and Crew Chefs. We will still be bringing a 20x20 tent to have a space outside to enjoy meals and hang out
Successes and Challenges: Successes
We accomplished all the fencing work, which at times was looking like it would be really tough with the head and number of volunteers. Everyone felt really accomplished after!
Staying at the cabin added a really unique component to this project, having USFS staff to talk about the history and hang out with volunteers was even better.
I think the women's project offers a unique opportunity for volunteers to connect on the project, and felt a sense of pride and comradery among the group
The Saguache RD really came through to support the project and even brought along a bunch of USFS swag to give away.
Some of the best stargazing around!
Challenges
Volunteer recruitment, would have been nice to have a full roster
The work was hard and the weather was very hot that weekend
Lessons Learned: If I host more fence projects I would opt to buy some of the gloves that have the sleeve attached to cover forearms.
From a local perspective, I think the idea of a "women's only" project was received in an odd way. Folks didn't quite get it or thought it was a joke when male USFS members asked if they could attend and were told they could not. It didn't end up being a big deal and I had communicated with the District while planning the project to make sure they were OK with hosting it as such. I think
Special Notes: If you plan on using a USFS facility, such as a guard station, an admin hold will need to be made around January. So, you really have to decide that during the fall site visit and work with the District to get it set up.
Stewardship Education: USFS staff also joined us for dinner to present on the history of the cabin and surrounding area, which volunteers really appreciated.
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Description of Accidents/Incidents: Nothing serious, just a bunch of scraps/niks from working with barbed wire. If I host more fence projects I would opt to buy some of the gloves that have the sleeve attached to cover forearms.
Description of Work Completed:
Details
| 16 and older |
