For Release: Wednesday, August 15, 2001 BLM in Colorado Participates in National Public Lands Day, September 29thOn September 29, Colorado will participate in the 8th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD). The nationwide event is a day when families and groups of all ages volunteer to "give something back" to America’s millions of acres of public lands. National Public Lands Day is the largest nationwide volunteer workday for America’s irreplaceable resource… it’s public lands – our parks, forests, refuges, lakeshores, grasslands and historic sites. Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado State Director says of NPLD, "National Public Lands Day provides Coloradans a chance to roll up their sleeves and give something back to the community. It is also an opportunity to take care of our public lands for future generations." Volunteers interested in participating in this years’ events are asked to call the contact person for that area. Painted Hand Tower (event scheduled for Sept 15) Dolores, Colorado Working with the San Juan Mountain Association and Southwest Colorado Site Stewards Project, the event will provide interpretive information, as well as design work, to prevent further damage of the sensitive cultural resource area. Contact: LouAnn Jacobson 970.882.7935 Cat Trail Ridge Gunnison, Colorado This project is phase two of the NPLD 2000 event. Work to be accomplished includes trail construction, trail maintenance, trailhead development and trash removal. Contact: Carl Bauer 970.240.5310 Dinosaur Hill Trail Grand Junction, Colorado The Dinosaur Hill trail is within the newly designated Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area. One of the primary goals of this trail is to create a hiking opportunity for the visually impaired. The work day will include grooming the trail as well as installing raised letter interpretive exhibits, benches, and a guide wire. A 100 year anniversary celebration of the discovery of Apatosaurus dinosaur at Dinosaur Hill by Elmer Riggs will follow. The celebration will include a living history skit by BLM Paleontologist Harley Armstrong and local historian Dave Fishell. Contact: Wade Johnson 970.244.3000 Grand County NPLD Multi-Agency Sites Kremmling, Colorado. The Colorado River Trail construction is the second phase of the Reeder Creek Trail from NPLD 2000. The BLM volunteers will construct a half mile of single track trail, remove and repair fencing, and rehabilitate user-created trails. This trail will provide access to the Colorado River via recently acquired public lands along Reeder Creek. Contact: John Arkins 970.724.3437 6th Annual Share the Trails Triathlon (event scheduled for Sept. 22) Durango, Colorado The "Share the Trails" Triathlon consists of 50-60 teams of three persons each; one equestrian, one hiker/runner, and one mountain biker. Each team works together to complete two loops of 6.75 miles. Volunteers can either join as a team member or to help with the event. Contact: Karen Thurman 970.385.1242
Animas City Mountain Trail Restoration (event scheduled for Sept. 8) Montrose, Colorado Volunteers will restore and repair a one-mile trail on Animas City Mountain. Partners and volunteer groups include Trails 2000 and San Juan Mountain Association. Contact: Richard Speegle 970.385.1210 Colorado State Fair (event scheduled for Aug. 18 - Sept. 3) Canon City, Colorado BLM Colorado’s natural resource agencies and several organizations are working together to interpret natural landscapes and conduct educational activities at the Colorado State Fair. A walk-through exhibit of the importance of water with a stream surrounding a multi-agency information center will be constructed. Work is needed in the design and construction of the interpretive diorama. An educational treasure hunt and an afternoon appearance by Mr. Bones, a "living" 10-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex, are being planned along with natural resource activities in the Kids Corner. Contact: Ken Smith 719.269.8553 National Public Lands Day, coordinated by The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF), began with three sites in three states, two hundred volunteers and an idea. The original idea was that the millions of Americans who use public lands each year -- federal, state, and local-- could spend a day giving something back to the land. By doing so, they acknowledge the important role that public lands play in America as irreplaceable natural resources and unmatched recreational venues. This year, National Public Lands Day will include more than 230 sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and will involve more than 50,000 volunteers. -blm- |
 |