With the 2017 Conservation Corps season a month behind us, the Conservancy has had a chance to compile some of the data from the season and reflect on our successes and lessons learned. Most notably, we are excited to share our 2017 End-Of-Season Portfolio, recapping the experience of the crews, work completed, and individual reflections from the season. To view the portfolio, visit 2017 End-Of-Season Portfolio.
Over the course of the twelve week season, the Conservancy hosted 36 conservation corps interns spread across six crews. All in all, the crews contributed over 12,000 hours of volunteer service on public lands. This service equates to $289,680 contributed to the National Park Service and USDA Forest Service in Northern Colorado. During these hours on-the-ground, the crews:
- Maintained 225 miles of trail
- Cleared 1,452 downed trees from trail
- Repaired or installed 1,110 drain structures
- Built 28 check steps
- Constructed 2.7 miles of trail
- Constructed or repaired ten stream crossings
- Replaced 267 feet of turnpike (raised trail through wet areas)
- Planted 2,480 native plants
- Decommissioned more than 1,000 feet of social trail
- Rebuilt a 1,200 square foot deck
- Moth-Balled a historic structure by creating 25 window coverings
- Refinished the exteriors of five cabins
- Installed 50 bear boxes for campsites
- AND MUCH MORE!
In addition, the young adults developed leadership skills, learned about the natural and cultural history of the Rocky Mountains, and gained valuable jobs skills and career resources to help propel them forward in their academic and professional careers.
To see a brief recap of the season, view our slideshow at 2017 End-Of-Season Recap.
As we work through the off-season, stay tuned for posts of Corps members’ reflections and photos from the summer!