For Immediate Release: October 17, 2007
Contact: Denise Adamic BLM 303-239-3671
 

Colorado volunteer work on BLM public lands valued at nearly $4 million

DENVER — Colorado volunteers worked over 210,400 hours on public lands in Fiscal Year 2006 according to the recent Bureau of Land Management national Volunteer Report, which tracks and highlights the hours BLM volunteers contribute to the health and benefit of the public lands. These volunteer hours equate to nearly $4 million dollars in service on public lands.

From building and maintaining the Trail through Time in Rabbit Valley near Grand Junction, to helping preserve the cultural landscape in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument near Dolores, volunteers in Colorado contribute many services that assist with the BLM’s land management mission.

“Volunteers are incredibly valuable to public lands management,” said Sally Wisely, BLM Colorado State Director.  “We appreciate the tremendous work volunteers do; they exemplify a great citizen stewardship ethic.”

The BLM national report ranks Colorado third in volunteer hours. California and Oregon/Washington (managed by one BLM state office) round out the top three states in the country for BLM volunteer hours.

Across the country this year, volunteers working individually, in teams and in partnerships contributed more than 1.3 million hours of work on public lands.  The hard work of these individuals would equal the labor of more than 700 full-time agency employees. 

Beyond their on-the-ground action, volunteers also help the BLM connect to the communities in which there are public lands.  Through volunteer work and partnerships, the BLM hopes to create connections with interested people who can help foster and encourage stewardship of the land.

The BLM manages over 8 million acres of land in Colorado for multiple uses including recreation, grazing, improving species habitat, preserving native species, guarding heritage resources, and energy development.  Year round, BLM Colorado works with local schools and volunteer groups such as Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Colorado Plateau Mountain Biking Association, Friends of the Mustangs, and many others, to improve the public lands. 

For more information about volunteer opportunities with BLM in Colorado, please contact Jack Placchi, 303-239-3832 or Jack_Placchi@blm.gov To view the BLM 2006-2007 Volunteer Annual Report please visit http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/res/Volunteer.3.html
 

-BLM-