| Contacts: | Cass Cairns, 719-269-8553 |
National Public Lands Day BLM volunteer opportunity (09-21-10)
Canon City, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office is looking for volunteers to help kick off National Public Lands Day with the Wilson Crossing Trail improvement project on Saturday, Sept. 25. The Wilson Crossing trail is located in the Cucharas Recreation area northeast of Walsenburg, Colo. National Public Lands Day is a special event that engages volunteers young and old to get outdoors and improve their lands.
Volunteers will be working with the BLM and the Rocky Mountain Backcountry Horsemen on this trail to reduce current erosion problems and greatly improve conditions.
“Volunteers are an important asset to us. It is obvious how much they care about our public lands and their service is greatly appreciated,” said Keith Berger, Royal Gorge Field Manager.
When: September 25 & 26, 2010, at 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Saturday & Sunday). Volunteers can camp Saturday night and participate with a potluck dinner.
Where: Meet at the Sheep Crossing trailhead.
Directions: From Pueblo take I-25 South to Walsenburg and turn off at exit 50 and head east on State Highway 10; go five miles and turn left (north) on County Road 120, continue for 10 miles and turn right at the T in the road (there's an old school house on the left); go 3.5 miles to the Sheep Crossing trailhead.
Activities: Strenuous. Moving rock and constructing trail water bars.
What to bring: Gloves; appropriate clothing and footwear; hat; sunscreen; and lunch. Water will be provided.
Eligibility: Open enrollment; age 18+. Youth under 16 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Registration: Either before or at the meeting site. All volunteers will need to fill out a volunteer agreement.
Contact: Linda Skinner at 719-269-8732.
For additional information on this and future volunteer projects visit our Web site at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/Recreation.html.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
3028 E Main Street Canon City, CO 81212