On a typical Colorado mountain weather day, which started out threatening to snow but turned out to be a calm, sunny 39 degree day, a group of 32 volunteers from the Boy Scouts, CUSP and the Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited worked together to plant over 4000 willows! This number exceeded expectations and set a record for the number of willows planted per hour.Our chapter provided 7 of the volunteers. We had a good group of hardworking folks including the youngest member of our chapter, Julia Klug age 9. Many thanks to the following Cutthroat Chapter participants:Kent HigginsBill HoneyfieldJim KlugJulia KlugMarti KlugSharon LanceJim RasmussenThe purpose of the project was to stabilize erosion control in Trail Creek in order to protect the downstream water supply from sedimentation. Slips from three native willow species were harvested locally and planted along the creek bed drainage damaged by the Hayman fire. In addition to erosion control the project benefits aquatic and wildlife habitat. Our seining found a good variety of aquatic insect life indicating a healthy stream environment. Willows planted one and two years ago are thriving indicating the feasibility and success of this type of rehabilitation.In addition, the project was supported by the Boy Scouts as an Eagle Scout Project to earn the William T. Hornaday badge which is a combination of environmental management merit badges and a conservation project that the candidate organizes and leads. It requires research, fundraising, publicity/advertisement, documentation (like how many service hours, photos and maps etc.) and a continuation statement (how the project will continue to help the environment for years to come).Thanks to the Scout Troop for providing a hot lunch for all.
Off to Work!
Checking Stream Life
This Year's Willows
Last Year's Established Willows
Harvesting Operations
Cutthroat Crew