Public invited to participate in volunteer workshops
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Monte Vista, Colorado - Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is partnering with the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to help increase volunteer capacity on public lands. Several specialized skill trainings will be offered this spring to help volunteers prepare for upcoming projects in the summer and fall.
VOC's Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI) has been the leading source of training programs that prepare people to be outdoor stewardship leaders since 1986. OSI trains hundreds of leaders every year, not only to lead VOC volunteers, but also for government agencies and stewardship organizations across the U.S. All training topics are directly applicable to any non-profit or agency trail maintenance or construction project.
Workshops in and near the San Luis Valley include:
MTDC Chainsaw Training with Colorado Firecamp: April 19th-21st, Maysville Colorado. Learn proper technique and safety guidelines of operating a chainsaw. Volunteers will get hands on training for limbing and complex bucking situations. This certification is a requirement for Volunteers wishing to saw on public lands, a necessary skill to keep trails clear and open.
Leadership for Trails: April 27th & 28th, Monte Vista Colorado. Learn technique and practice trail construction. Skills learned in this course will prepare individuals to lead volunteers on trail projects this season. This workshop is best suited for individuals who have had experience working on trail projects or previous crew leadership experiences.
Crew Chef Training: May 4th-5th, Salida Colorado. Volunteers need to eat! Learn safe food handling practices and logistics management necessary to help cook for large volunteer projects on public lands. Considered by many to be the VIP of any outing, crew chefs are an integral part of VOC’s volunteer projects.
Crosscut Saw Skills Training Certification: May 25th-27th, Saguache Colorado. Learn proper technique and skill to safely use a crosscut saw on public lands. Volunteers gain intimate knowledge of this primitive but extremely valuable tool that helps to keep our wilderness trails clear and usable.
These workshops are in high demand and are sure to fill up quickly. For more information and to register for these workshops, or to learn about volunteer opportunities on the Rio Grande National Forest and BLM’s San Luis Valley Field Office, visit www.voc.org/sanluisvalley or contact Brink Messick at 719-655-6133, and brink@voc.org.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.