Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/29/2015
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location
Wendy's
Category(ies)
Returning for their second consecutive year the Catholic Heart Work Camp is providing volunteers to lend a hand with green forest restoration/fuels reduction, fire rehabilitation and other important tasks. We are excited to have Catholic Heart Work Camp returning this year for projects from June 29th through July 2nd, 2015.
Workday Description:
Each day the Catholic Heart Work Camp and CUSP will be performing important restoration work in and around the Upper South Platte Watershed. The areas we will be working in include the Waldo Canyon burn area, green forest work that backs National Forest property and the Florrisant Fossil Beds National Monument. Project work will include, raking and seeding, building erosion control structures, moving wooded material, protecting closed areas for regeneration and reducing fuels in green forests.
Forests cover the majority of the Upper South Platte Watershed, so the health of our watershed is intimately tied to the health of the forests. Healthy forests act as a living filter to improve the quality of water throughout the watershed and in areas downstream and the water our communities consume. In the Upper South Platte Watershed, ponderosa pine forests dominate, with areas of mixed conifer, aspen and lodgepole. These forests are currently overcrowded and are in poor health, leaving them vulnerable to insect infestations, disease outbreaks and catastrophic fire. Working these areas helps to protect our ecosystem, our water quality and our communities.
The Waldo Canyon fire occurred June 2012 and catastrophically burnt 18,000+ acres and 346 homes in Colorado Springs. The work we will be doing in the burn area will help to protect the community and infrastructure below on the US HWY 24 corridor by aiding in erosion control of the burn scar and helping new growth generate to help stabilize the hillsides.
The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is an incredible treasure to our community and those that visit the area. We are thrilled to share this beautiful National Monument with our Catholic Heart helpers. Protecting the ecosystem in the park by mitigating invasive weed species, helping move wooded material to help in reducing possible catastrophic fire and aid the park in trail maintenance will be a great service to our community.
Important Notes:
- CUSP will provide hard hats, materials and necessary tools to complete project work
- Due to variable weather conditions and safety for our volunteers all vehicles and drivers must remain onsite for the duration of the project
- A portable restroom will be available on site
- A safety review and work demonstration will proceed the project work
- Weather, which could create hazardous conditions, may cause the project to be canceled or rescheduled; staff will monitor weather and notify you of any changes, which will also be posted to cusp.ws/Volunteer.
Requirements of Volunteers:
Prior to the project each volunteer must submit a completed Liability Release form, CUSP 2015 Release Form, the group also needs to submit a Volunteer Listing, VOLUNTEER LISTING 2015.
Please print documents on both sides.
Please Bring:
A daypack to carry water and lunch
A refillable water container, we will have Igloos for refills at the site(s)
Any applicable medicines (including epi-pens, insulin and inhalers)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses or safety glasses
Long pants and long sleeved shirts are strongly recommended
Work gloves (we will have some if you do not)
Sturdy shoes with good tread; no sandals please
A sack lunch, to carry with you
What to Expect:
This project will occur in an exposed mountain environment. Please be aware and prepared for potential hazards, including but not limited to: driving on mountainous roads with loose gravel and flash flood potential; exposure to sun, wind, lightning and rapidly changing weather conditions; working with sharpened tools in areas with unstable terrain and footing; hiking at significant elevation. Medications may have adverse effects in sun, heat or altitude; please list medications and medical conditions on the CUSP release form so staff may be aware of potential concerns. Know your limitations and inform staff immediately if you become ill or injured. Be prepared to exit quickly in the event of an emergency or changing environmental conditions. Please be prepared to hike at high elevation in varying weather conditions. Drinking water prior to your arrival will aid in the oxygenation of your blood, making you less prone to altitude sickness. Please drink plenty of water prior to and during the project to stay hydrated.
GPS systems and Internet map sites are often misleading in the mountains. Cell phone service will be inconsistent or unavailable.
The below office number can be contacted in case of emergency.
The Coalition for the Upper South Platte
Post Office Box 726
Lake George, Colorado 80827
719.748.0033
www.cusp.ws