Project Description:
Come join us in planting limber pine seedlings! The East Troublesome wildfire of 2020 burned several populations of limber pines within Rocky Mountain National Park so intensely that natural regeneration will likely take several decades to begin again. This is your chance to participate in the recovery process and give limber pine saplings a helping hand. Last year, volunteers helped plant over 1700 limber pine seedlings!
Limber pine is a species of management concern in the park due to its decline throughout the North American West under pressure from climate change, white pine blister rust (an introduced fungal disease), beetle outbreaks, and wildfire. In Canada, limber pine is already listed as an endangered species. RMNP has an unusually high percentage of limber pines displaying genetic resistance to white pine blister, so the key to the future of the species may lie within these local genetics. By spending a day hard at work in the park, you're helping to give this iconic species a fighting chance in the future.
What to expect: This is a great fit for volunteers looking for a challenge! Participants will need to be able to complete a strenuous 3-mile roundtrip hike, with 0.25 mile off-trail, to the planting site on steep terrain. Be prepared to carry a pack with your personal gear and work materials over tough terrain. Volunteers will be planting 3"-tall seedlings within a wildfire burn scar in exposed conditions (sun, wind, rain, snow). Planting will involve carrying seedlings to work site, kneeling, digging with hand tools, and attention to careful planting techniques. Volunteers must be willing and able to work in very steep, difficult terrain with loose and possibly falling rock. Volunteers must also be comfortable knowing that they will not have access to their personal vehicles for 8+ hours and that work may take place in adverse weather conditions.
Minimum age: 18 years
Time: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Departure and return location: RMNP Headquarters at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. A shuttle will take volunteers from headquarters to Hollowell Park Trailhead.
Work site: Steep Mountain accessed via 1.2-mile hike from Hollowell Park Trailhead
Nearest bathroom: Hollowell Park Trailhead
Gear to bring: Layers (it can be hot or snow, even on the same day), rain gear, sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses), gloves if you prefer your own, day pack, lunch and snacks, and at least 2 liters of water per person.
Note: Each date has a minimum requirement of 4 volunteers and a maximum of 10. If your desired date does not meet the minimum group requirement, we will try to reschedule you for another date.
Questions? Contact Bethany at the Rocky Mountain National Park Volunteer call 970-586-1330 or email romo_volunteers_in_parks@nps.gov.
