CSFS Volunteers Recent Events /
Accomplishments Sept - Dec 2006

September 9, 2006

Lory State Park. Work included clearing debris off the road, removing flagging, spray painting infested trees that were killed for wildlife, covering up some ruts from the machinery, cutting and limbing a few infested trees that were missed, and removing barbwire in the next work area.

September 22, 2006

Burland Ranch HOA trail Construction. CSFS volunteers, in conjunction with HOA volunteers, began constructing a hiking trail on Mount Bailey. The trail will eventually showcase a recent fire mitigation project (i.e. demonstration site) on the HOA property.

October 11, 2006

Ryan Staychock received a CSFS Program Excellence award at the 2006 CSFS Annual Banquet. The award reads: For his enthusiasm and passion for making the Volunteer Forest Steward Program a vital part of the Colorado State Forest Service.

November 1, 2006

New Volunteer Orientation. The New Volunteer Orientation was held at the Fort Collins District training room. Ten new volunteers attended the training. Among the volunteers were six current CSU students (in conjunction with SAF, SFA and Logging Sports Team), and four general public participants. The new volunteers were eager to further learn about forest economics, chainsaws safety and use, insect and disease issues, the future of the forestry profession, and firefighter training. The night’s agenda included: Introduction and summary about the CSFS (who we are, what do we do, etc…); Professionalism as an ambassador; Summary of research, findings, and implementation of Coalition for the Upper South Platte projects; and a Volunteer program summary and expectations. A second part of the New Volunteer Orientation is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2007 and include those subjects of interest mentioned above, in conjunction with a hands-on project at the Foothills Campus.

November 4, 2006

A last-minute project was scheduled for 11.4.06 on 11.3.06 for fuels mitigation/firewood collection at the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch. Four volunteers (including 2 CSU SAF members) worked 32 hours in one beautiful day in the forest! One CSU student participated as a volunteer and used the project-day as a means to get out of an exam for an ecology class. The professor allows students to disregard an exam if they participate on an ecology-related project.

November 6, 2006

Field Forestry Days. One volunteer took advantage of the ongoing-weekday volunteer opportunity titled Field Forestry Days. The volunteer, and Ryan, spent the day in the forest removing dead fuel (i.e. downed trees) from the forest and transporting them to a landing area. The project day provided the volunteer (and recent CSU graduate by the way) a great opportunity to maintain his chainsaw skills (he is already 212 certified) and keep engaged in the forestry profession.

November 8, 2006

Tamarisk Training. Two volunteers and Ryan traveled to La Junta to participate in a “Managing Tamarisk and Other Noxious Weeds: Tools for you Toolbox!” training event. The event was organized by Shelly Van Landingham and Naomi Marcus in conjunction with the SE CO Chapter of the CO/WYO Society of American Foresters. Both volunteers, being SAF members, were eligible for 3.5 CFE Contact Hours, Category 1. Thanks again to Shelly and Naomi!

November 11 & 12, 2006

This was a great weekend! A total of 31 volunteers (several CSFS volunteers, in conjunction with many CSU SAF and CSU Logging Sports Team volunteers) helped mitigate a lot of hazardous fuels at the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch. This project was a great example of team work: Ben Delatour got lots of fuels reduction, CSU SAF got a firewood-collecting location, CSFS chalks-up another project directly linked to their mission, and everybody gets Forest Health! Plus, the project was a great learning mechanism for the students; they had to transport the wood all themselves and learned that transporting wood from the forest to a particular destination is a huge challenge for the forestry profession.

November 20, 2006

Six volunteers from the CSU Logging Sports Team utilized their Monday of fall break to remove hazardous fuels at the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch. This volunteer project was similar to the one above (11/11&12/06). Of particular note is the fact that only one (1) of the Logging Sports volunteers is majoring in forest management. The other students are majoring in: philosophy, psychology, horticulture, engineering and agriculture. A working relationship between the team and the CSFS volunteer program holds a lot of potential to “reach-out” to non-natural resources management students, and therefore, educate target audiences that are not easily accessible.

December 2 & 3, 2006

Golden District Christmas tree Sales. Volunteers traveled to Denver Mountain Parks to assist the Golden District Staff administer Christmas tree sales. It was a great weekend for volunteers to interact with the public, gain a broader perspective about the role of the Colorado State Forest Service, and spend time frolicking in the forest! In addition to public outreach and learning, the volunteer’s thinned stands of future Christmas trees.

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