Hidden Mile of the Conejos

The San Luis Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SLVTU) has been working on a Fishing is Fun project on the Hidden Mile along the Conejos River in cooperation with the US Forest Service (USFS), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), Conejos River Anglers Fly Shop and FlyWaters Inc.

It has taken several years for project leader, David Kenvin and other volunteers to get grants, permits and environmental statements. But this summer the actual work commenced.  The project consists of stream and riparian improvement of 3/4 of a mile of the Conejos River on Rio Grande National Forest property. The fish habitat has been degraded from years of trespass grazing. The project includes placement of 300 rocks and twenty wood structures, the improvement of pool and riffle ratios by channel dredge and fill, construction of a parking lot, fencing the entire property to exclude livestock and planting willows to stabilize stream banks.

The total project cost is $96,000 with SLVTU providing $20,000 in cash and volunteer labor worth over $7,800. Conejos River Anglers will provide $500 for signing.  The USFS is providing fencing material and more than 200 hours of labor.  A $67,000 grant from CPW’s Fishing is Fun Program completes the project’s funding. CPW and FlyWaters Inc. will be coordinating the stream improvement portion of the project which is timed for the last two weeks of September 2015.

SLVTU is a small chapter of just over a hundred members.  Money needed for the cash contribution was raised through our annual auctions and donations from the Conejos River Anglers Super Fly contest.  This spring and summer, several volunteers have given more than 425 hours of work building 4-strand barbed wire fence surrounding the riparian zone and floating PVC river-crossing fence at the lower and upper ends of the Hidden Mile.  In the spring of 2016 we anticipate another 90 hours of volunteer work in planting willows along the stream to complete the project.

Rocky Mountain Flyathlon

On paper, there is nothing exceptional about Middle Creek. It is not Wild or Scenic, nor has it been bestowed with any Gold Medals or Blue Ribbons. No, on paper, Middle Creek is just like the countless other small tributaries that make up Colorado’s headwaters, an arteriole of our vast hydrologic circulatory system. These humble creeks quietly feed the streams that feed the rivers that feed our Colorado way of life. To get to these waters, you have to drive on paved roads until you get to dirt roads until those dirt roads narrow and then run out. Even then, to truly appreciate the complexity of these creeks, you will still have many miles to go, on foot, on trails that may not have been maintained in a while. You will encounter ticks, mosquitoes, stinging nettle, rattlesnakes, moose, bear, downed trees, and sketchy creek crossings. But if you are patient and dedicated, you can catch and release a spectacular relic of Colorado’s natural history, one of our three remaining sub-species of cutthroat trout. It is the celebration of these unheralded streams, lost trails and majestic native fish that drove me to create the Rocky Mountain Flyathlon. As a trail runner and life-long flyfisherman, fusing the two disciplines seemed natural to me, as trail running allows me to explore and fish our remote cutthroat waters more comprehensively.  And then, back at the trailhead, to make it a proper celebration, I add one of the finest uses of Colorado water; our superior craft beer.

run. fish. beer.

Simple as that.

Three years ago, I decided to share this vision with others.  In 2013, fifteen people crawled out of their tents to participate in an “unofficial” Flyathlon race event held around Monarch Lake in Grand County, CO.  In 2014, we made it official, and thirty-five people toed a shoe-drawn line in the dirt at the base of Middle Creek (yes, the one with ticks and rattlesnakes).  And this year, just weeks ago, our sold-out race brought fifty flyathletes from both near (Crestone and Salida) and far (Maine, Wisconsin, and Texas) to the Middle Creek woods near Saguache, CO.

Flyathlon race-day rules are fairly simple. Complete the prescribed trail run, catch a fish at any point during the run, take a picture of said fish on your race bib, and do it all as quickly as possible.  The bigger the fish, the more time is taken off at the end of your run (with a special double bonus for catching a native cutthroat trout).  In 2015, of the fifty race participants, all but four hooked, landed, and documented their catch, some for the first time ever.  And back at our tent city, all fifty enjoyed BBQ, local craft beer, and an awards ceremony loaded with prizes from local Colorado companies thanks to Osprey Packs, Scott Fly Rods, Ascent Fly Fishing, and Rolling River Anglers.

Each Flyathlon race is specifically designed to get people excited about recreating in the most beautiful parts of the Western United States, to infuse the stuffy old sport of fly fishing with a youthful spirit, and to raise money for and awareness about critical cold-water conservation issues.  Relying on a crowdfunding model with our 501c3 partner Colorado Trout Unlimited, this past year, our flyathletes raised an incredible $22,200.  At least 50% of this money will be re-invested into projects to maintain and enhance the trails, creeks and fisheries within the range of the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, ensuring that our activity is sustainable into the future.  The remaining monies will be used to tackle important coldwater and native fish issues around the Centennial State.

Moving forward into 2016, I hope to take the Flyathlon to the next level.  With my outstanding volunteer planning board, I have created an ambitious agenda with additional events added in several other basins in Colorado, as well as potential out-of-state races.  If you feel like you have what it takes to be a flyathlete, please visit our website www.flyathlon.com to get on our email list.  If your organization would like to partner with or sponsor the Rocky Mountain Flyathlon to enable us increase our impact, please contact me directly atcutthroat@gmail.com.

I look forward to seeing you on a small creek somewhere deep in the Colorado woods.

run. fish. beer.

Words and photos courtesy of Andrew Todd

CTU Meets the World: Family Fly Fishing Festival

It's a beautiful, warm day in August at Nova Guides Lodge, or at least it was on August 15th when families, competitors and staff from the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships all gathered there for the Colorado TU co-sponsored event: the Family Fly Fishing Festival and Conservation Symposium. This past Saturday, the Lodge at Camp Hale was filled with a plethora of people milling about enjoying all that the event had to offer. The stunning scenery and temperate climate allowed for fly fishing to take precedence over almost everything else; although, Garrett Hanks, CTU's coordinator for the event, made sure there was something for everyone. Entomology, fly tying, fish art, and a conservation symposium, during which Holly Loff, Kendall Bakich, and Marcus Selig spoke on pertinent conservation issues, were the other activities offered.

The festival activities were not the only thing the attendees enjoyed, many were also pleased to see kids and adults alike interacting with each other in such a positive manner. "Fly fishing can be very bonding," one staff member of FIPS Mouche, the International Sport Flyfishing Federation, said. "It builds friendships." That's just one of the many benefits of having an event like this. The conservation symposium in combination with fly fishing and other activities allowed people to come together to share a common interest as well as learn something new.

The conservation focus of the symposium was on recovery of the Eagle River from its legacy of habitat damage and mine pollution - an issue made more poignant by the recent Gold King Mine spill on the Animas River. Holly Loff from the Eagle River Watershed Council spoke on an equally damaging spill from the Eagle Mine that occurred in the 80's. Years after the mine closed, it flooded over into the Eagle River causing a disaster even more striking than the one recently on the Animas River. Although the results of the spill was devastating, Loff emphasized the successful steps that were taken to bring the trout back to the Eagle River, and hopes to see the same thing happen with the Animas River. Kendall Bakich from Colorado Parks and Wildlife discussed how crucial it is to monitor fish health in order to restore fish populations to a healthy, normal range. Marcus Selig added an update on efforts to complete a major riparian and wetlands restoration program in Camp Hale.  The speakers were an important part of the event, not only because they shined a positive light on an otherwise bleak situation, but because they further demonstrated how conservation and fly fishing go hand in hand. After all, we wouldn't have beautiful places to fish in if we didn't put in a conscious effort to conserve them.

The Family Fly FIshing Festival and Conservation Symposium was just one part of the larger events surrounding the 2015 World Youth Fly Fishing Championships.  Team USA didn't let their "home water advantage" go to waste and successfully defended their team gold medals.  Check out the feature in Colorado Outdoors for more on the Youth Championships.

San Luis Valley Volunteer Opportunities and Events

Volunteering  Due to a partial rain delay on the last Hidden Mile workday, volunteers are needed once again to work with the US Forest Service to complete the fencing project on the Hidden Mile of the Conejos. There is one more workday scheduled for Wednesday, August 26th at 9 AM. Volunteers will assist in installing the floating fence on the upper crossing and two more wooden H braces on the lower section along with a few posts to complete it.

If you plan to come help please contact Marty Jones at the following phone number or email address. You may also contact Marty for more information.

Marty- Ph. 719-589-4327

Email - mbjones@adams.edu

To reach the Hidden Mile go west from Antonito on highway 17 about 21 miles to the Platoro Road (rd. 250). Turn right on Platoro Road and go about 4 miles. The new parking lot and gate will be on your left.

Tools will be provided. Please bring lunch and water, and wear work clothes, work gloves, sturdy boots, waders, sunscreen, and safety glasses.

Many thanks to the volunteers that helped out last Monday.

The installations of metal H braces on the upper and lower river crossings have been completed, as well as the installation of the floating fence on the lower crossing. All that's left is stringing the upper fence and installing a couple of wood H braces on the lower fence.

Saturday, August 29th is another volunteer opportunity. At 9:30 AM in the Coller Wildlife Area there will be a fall river and highway cleanup. This year the volunteers will do a cleanup along the river as well as the highway. Trash bags and gloves will be available and a most excellent lunch and drinks will be provided. Meet at the usual spot at the big pull-out on the highway about four miles north of South Fork on the way to Creede in the Coller Wildlife Area.

Events

On Saturday, August 22nd the San Luis Valley chapter is hosting a welcome back picnic and casting challenge in Del Norte Town Park. Festivities begin at 11:30 AM.

The chapter will provide grilled meats and soft drinks. Last names ending in A-H can bring salads, last names ending in I-O please bring appetizers and last names ending in P-Z should show up with deserts. Or... Just show up because there will be plenty of food!

Bring your favorite fly rod as there will be casting contests with excellent prizes for both distance and accuracy!

The SLV chapter thanks you for your help!

Chapter Leadership Training Registration NOW open!!

The Chapter Leadership Training workshop is hosted by Colorado Trout Unlimited (CTU) every year in collaboration with a local Trout Unlimited Chapter. This year the Yampa Valley Fly Fishers (YVFF) Chapter in Steamboat Springs is hosting the workshop. This workshop is for both new and old chapter leaders who are eager to learn how to be more effective leaders and build stronger chapters. The Chapter Leadership Training Weekend will have numerous trainings, networking opportunites, and each attendee will walk away with resources to help their chapter reach its full potential. If you have never been to a Colorado Trout Unlimited training then the registration is free!!  Plus, there will be opportunities to fish the Yampa!! You can't beat that!!

To register and for more information click here!!

Colorado Trout Unlimited Chapter Leadership Training

October 16-18, 2015, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Draft Agenda

Friday October 16, 2015 Happy hour at Rex’s American Grill – appetizers provided; cash bar.  First timers meet and greet with CTU Council and veteran chapter leaders.

Saturday October 17, 2015 7:00 am       Breakfast (included with registration)

8:00 am       Welcome and TU Orientation: This session will introduce new leaders and update  veteran members to the current structure of TU in Colorado and across the country. TU is rapidly growing and this session is meant to give leaders a better understanding of the TU network and “who’s who” among the people who can be a resource for your chapter.

Garrett Hanks -                Welcome, overview of logistics, opportunities, expectations Marshall Pendergrass-    CTU who we are and what we do. Mac Cunningham-           NLC Role and Presentation about National Organization David Nickum-                 Colorado TU Organization Cam Chandler -               CO Council and Regional Vice President Roles and Responsibilities 9:15 am       Chapter Leader Basics and Best Practices: This session will focus on the basic fundamentals of running a successful and engaging chapter. We will explore how to build a realistic annual work plan for your chapter, communications and engagement with your community, how to run and engaging chapter meeting and how to plan for the future for your chapter.

11:00 am     “One TU” panel: This session will highlight success stories on how local chapters and TU field staff have worked together to accomplish great things, how that cooperation has benefited chapters and staff alike, and ideas on what it takes to make “One TU” work at a local level

12:00 pm      Lunch in Regional Vice President groups: Participants will eat luch in groups formed with other chapter leaders from your region in Colorado. The Regional Vice Presidents will help lead the informal regional conversations. This lunch will give you the opportunity to chat with surrounding chapters on local/regional issues, chapter best practices and more. 1:30 - 5:00 pm    CTU Board Meeting: All are invited to attend the fall board meeting for Colorado Trout Unlimited. If you are the only representative from your chapter attending the weekend then your vote will be needed for all business decisions. (Seperate board meeting agenda will be added here shortly.)

Dinner on your own Saturday evening. Most will likely eat at Rex's American Grill at the Holiday Inn, but nothing formal is organized. Sunday, October 18, 2015 7:00 am       Breakfast (included with registration)

8:00 am       Chapter Tools, Requirements, and Resources: This session will cover the tools and resources that are available to chapter leaders that make running a chapter more streamlined and effective. You will learn about tools that both National Trout Unlimited and Colorado Trout Unlimited have developed. These tools will help you to communicate and engage with your members better. We will also cover some of the basic requirements that a chapter is responsible for on an annual basis.

9:30 am      Chapter Leader Discussion; Best Practices and Challenge Sharing Session- Finding Your Niche as a TU Chapter in Your Community: This session gives the opportunity for the chapter’s to discuss their challenges, share solutions, and express their concerns in finding their chapter’s role within their communities, in serving their members and the TU mission.

11:00 am        Depart for Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area – conservation tour led by Yampa Valley Fly Fishers (and opportunity to fish!) – lunch provided

Go fishing on Yampa River!!!!!

To register and for more information click here!!

Eagle Valley Fall Classic FF Tournament

Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited’s

2015 Upper Colorado Fall Classic Fly Fishing Tournament

Presented by:

Saturday; Sept 19 5-7 PM Dinner, Draw Party, Silent Auction, Live Music Wolcott Yacht Club

Sunday; Sept 20 8AM-3PM Pursuit of finned creatures

Sunday; Sept 20 5-7 PM Après with awards at Vin 48 in Avon

Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited is excited to announce the 2nd Annual “Upper Colorado Fall Classic” Fly Fishing Tournament on Sunday September 20, 2015. An event such as this is long overdue among our great valley fishing and conservation community.

The Fall Classic will shove off the night prior to the fishing event at the Walcott Yacht Club where participants will be treated to a Mediterranean buffet, beverages, and live music. During the event at the Yacht Club, teams will draw for beats and launch orders, there will be a silent auction table, and angler and guide swag will be distributed. The following day the first boats will launch at 8 am SHARP from points above Two Bridges access and take out at or before 3PM. From 5-7PM participants will gather at Vin 48 for après and presentation of awards.

In addition to a year’s worth of bragging rights, your amazing show of support in the form of a $600 entry fee will net you the following:

• Tournament Entry
• Beer and food for both anglers and guide at the Walcott Yacht Club. (Additional tickets on sale for angler guests and EVTU supporters for $50.00 each)
• Chance to walk away with great items from our silent auction table during the Yacht Club draw party
• Swag Bags including Upper C Fall Classic Pint Glasses along with TU shirts and hats.
• Apps and drink tickets at Vin 48 for après award party Sunday evening.
• Winning anglers will receive $1,000 cash money and permanent Upper C plaques to display in your home or

As our single most important fund raising event of the year, we hope you will consider having some fun and supporting our efforts to maintain clean, cold, fishable water in the Eagle Valley.

To Sign up, please contact Brian Bloess at 970-306-9424 immediately.   We have limited availability and boats will sell quickly.

Thank you in advance.   Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited; Chapter #102

Family Fly Fishing Festival Approaching!

Photo by Mark Lance  

August is going to be quite a busy month for anglers. While the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships are going on August 10th-16th, on the 15th CTU is hosting The Family Fly Fishing Festival at the Nova Guides Lodge with Team USA. All ages are welcome! Read below for more information, and click here to register for this event.

Family Fishing Festival with Team USA On August 15th at the historic Camp Hale, hosted at Nova Guides Lodge, families will have the opportunity to interact and learn from the best young flyfishers from around the world including the three-time defending gold medal winners of Team USA. Whether you are the next aspiring Team USA member or a first time angler, The Family Fly Fishing Festival has something for you. Just as the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships bring together anglers from around the world, Colorado Trout Unlimited aims to bring our State together for the Family Fly Fishing Festival and Conservation Symposium. Youth of all ages and adults alike are invited to have some fun with the tournament’s competitors while learning some new skills along the way. ·         Fly Casting ·         Fly Tying ·         Entomology ·         Fish Art and More! On the private ponds of Nova Guides, instruction – including from members of Team USA – will be offered for anglers of different abilities. Outdoor activities from partners like Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, and the Eagle River Watershed Council will be available for the whole family. Lunch will be provided during the Conservation Symposium where guests can learn about the waters of Colorado and the groups who work to protect them. Bring the whole family! $10 / person or $30 for a family of four. Lunch provided.  More details including driving directions and registraion can be found at: http://coloradotu.org/event/family-fly-fishing-festival/

Volunteer Opportunity!

  The San Luis Valley chapter of Colorado Trout Unlimited needs your help! They are working with the US Forest Service on completing a fencing project on the Hidden Mile of the Conejos and need volunteers to help make this happen.

There are two work days scheduled for Monday, August 10th and the following Monday, August 17th. The first work day will be dedicated to installing the braces for the cables along the lower and upper boundary of the Hidden Mile. The second day will be spent installing the cables and putting together the fence. San Luis Valley would be very grateful for any help they could receive on either day, so whether you can only make one day, or both, your help would be much appreciated. If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity to get outside and get involved, or want to learn more details about this event, contact Marty Jones or Mark Seaton at the following phone numbers/email addresses.

Marty: (719)-589-4327 email: mbjones@adams.edu

Mark: (719)-588-7678 email: seaton@fairpoint.net

Tools will be provided, so no need to bring your own! All you need is work clothes, work gloves, sturdy boots, waders, safety glasses, sunscreen, a lunch, and plenty of water. Work will begin at 9am.

Directions to Hidden Mile: Go west from Antonito on Highway 17 for about 21 miles until you reach Platoro Rd. (Road 250). Turn right onto this road and continue for 4 miles. You will see the parking lot and gate on the left.

Denver TU Receives Grant from Wells Fargo!

The Greenway Foundation and Denver Trout Unlimited Receive $50,000 Grant from Wells Fargo-NFWF to Support  their Sustainable South Platte River 

Part of $100 million effort to support local environmental nonprofits 

Denver, CO – 06.09.15 – The Greenway Foundation and Denver Trout Unlimited today received a $50,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities grant program, funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), to support their Sustainable South Platte River Initiative.

Established in 2012, the Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities five-year grant program has awarded $12 million to 207 grantees and funded 247 projects to date that promote conservation and environmental sustainability.

“Denver Trout Unlimited and the Greenway Foundation will work to transform current water use patterns along the South Platte River below Chatfield Reservoir into a model for cooperative water use”, stated Jeff Shoemaker, Executive Director of The Greenway Foundation and Todd Fehr, Former President of Denver Trout Unlimited.  “One of the direct benefits of this collaboratively based endeavor will be the ability to provide added urban ecological restoration of this section of the River within the Denver Metro Area. Without Wells Fargo’s support, this opportunity would not be able to move forward in this manner at this time”

“This environmental grant today is an investment in our local community and will provide much-needed funding aimed at protecting the environment for our local residents,” said Ashley Grosh, Vice President, Wells Fargo Environmental Affairs “We’re proud to collaborate with The Greenway Foundation and Denver Trout Unlimited to use our financial resources, as well as the expertise of our team members, to protect and preserve a more sustainable environment for communities we serve.”

As part of Wells Fargo’s $100 million philanthropy commitment to nonprofits and universities by 2020, a $15 million, five-year relationship with NFWF was created and launched in 2012 to promote environmental stewardship across the country. The goal of the Wells Fargo-NFWF grant partnership and program is to provide grants for highly impactful projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment. The program will fund proposals in select cities/regions (see website for full list) in the following areas:

• sustainable agriculture and forestry
• conservation of land and water resources
• restoration of urban ecosystems
• clean energy infrastructure

The Greenway Foundation and Denver Trout Unlimited were selected from among more than 450 requests submitted by local team members and nonprofits Wells Fargo identified as being in need of extra help with green revitalization projects. In April 2012, Wells Fargo released a set of environmental commitments to be achieved by 2020; including reducing the company’s environmental impact, financing the transition to a greener economy and encouraging stronger and more sustainable communities. Part of this goal includes a $100 million environmental grants commitment by 2020 to create a “greener” future for the communities they serve.

Details of the Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities grant program and a link to the 2016 application (available in September 2015) can be found at the NFWF application website:  www.nfwf.org/environmentalsolutions. Projects benefiting underserved communities and encouraging volunteerism are given priority consideration. The Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities grant program is funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation to promote environmental stewardship across the country.

Since 1974, The Greenway Foundation has led efforts to:

• Reclaim the South Platte River and its tributaries from a virtual cesspool to a place of environmental and recreational pride.
• Construct more than 100 miles of hiking and biking trails
• Create 20+ parks and natural areas
• Design and build numerous whitewater boat chutes
• Vastly improve the health of the South Platte River Watershed and its habitats
• Provide environmental education to more than 60,000 school children
• Employ more than 100 teenagers in youth employment programs
• Host numerous community events, and annual volunteer river clean up days
• Help create over $500 million of green improvement to the South Platte River and its tributaries, facilitating over $15 billion in residential and commercial development throughout the Denver metro area.  

Current projects include:

• SPREE (South Platte River Environment Education), including River Rangers Youth Employment and
• Greenway Leadership Corps
• River Vision Implementation Plan – South Platte River Master Plan
• PURE (Protect our Urban River Environment)

About Denver Trout Unlimited

The Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited draws it support from the city's downtown and northern suburbs. We have a membership that is young and diverse in interests. DTU espouses and promotes the mission of Trout Unlimited to preserve, protect and restore North America's cold water fisheries and their watersheds.

This is Denver, Colorado and a river runs through it. DTU has adopted a long term goal to turn the Denver South Platte River into an asset for the city of Denver and its citizens. Our objective is to restore aquatic and riparian habitat thus making the South Platte River in Denver a recreational fishing destination for residents and visitors and a refuge for fish and wildlife. Our focus is on the river below the water line, the aquatic insects, the quality and quantity of water, the structures and bottom of the river and, of course the fish and other life forms in the water ecosystem.

One of our current goals is to work on the mechanisms that can bring a minimum flow to the Denver South Platte so that the improved aquatic environments we helped create at Carson Nature Center, Grant Frontier/ Overland Park, and soon River Run Park in Sheridan are preserved during periods of low flow stress.

The world famous Denver Trout Unlimited Pro/Am Fly Fishing Carp Slam is our major fund raising event. Proceeds are used for improving the aquatic habitat of the Denver South Platte and sponsoring Trout-in-the-Classroom sites that connect youth to our river.

Please visit www.DenverTU.org for more information about our chapter’s work and upcoming events.

About Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.7 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,700 locations, 12,500 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 266,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories.

Volunteer Opportunity in San Luis Valley!!

Hidden Mile Volunteer Information The project dates are May 16th to May 24, 2015. You are welcome to work any or all days of the project. Even if you can only come for part of a day it will be greatly appreciated.

The project will be at the Hidden Mile section of the Conejos River. The work will be building and repairing fence to protect the riparian area.

To reach the Hidden Mile go west from Antonito on highway 17

about 21 miles to the Platoro Road (rd 250). Turn right on the on Platoro Road and go about 4 miles until you see a sign and balloons at the work site.

Please wear work clothes, work gloves and sturdy boots. If you have fencing tools please bring them. For those who don’t have tools they will be provided on site. Some work may involve crossing the river so waders would be helpful if you have them.

Please bring lunch and water.

Work will begin at 9am due to the long travel time to the project.

Free camping will be available for all volunteers at Conejos campground located several miles above the Hidden Mile site. The site will have a vault bathroom but no electricity or water.

Volunteer time tracking sheets will be available at the site- please fill in hours and sign out at the end of each day you work and include travel time as part of your total hours.

To sign up for the project please email David Kenvin at slvdrifter@gmail.com or call 719-657-0724 or cell 970-214-4221.

You can also call Marty Jones at 719-589-4327 or cell 719-937-3634.