2016 Outdoor Stewardship Opportunities voc.org | Experience Your Colorado | #YourCO

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s mission is to motivate and enable people to become active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.

EXPERIENCE YOUR COLORADOCOLORADANS LOVE THE OUTDOORS, and who can blame us? Our 42 State Parks, 12 national parks and monuments, 13 national forests and grasslands, and 54 peaks that soar above 14,000 feet all add up to spectacular natural beauty and infi nite miles of unrivaled recreation.

There’s no better way to experience your Colorado than by helping to care for its public lands and natural resources. With VOC, volunteer on a weekday, join us for the weekend, or spend a few days backpacking in the wilderness!

Why Volunteer with VOC?• Explore all of Colorado – from city parks and

rural plains, to alpine meadows and peaks• No experience or training required• The only cost is your time, in which you’ll gain

invaluable knowledge and skills• Meet new people or spend time with existing

friends • Get fresh air and great exercise• Make a real diff erence and a tangible impact

Exciting Happenings in 2016:Experience Your Colorado Like Never BeforeJoin us at the magnifi cent geologic wonder of Red Rock Canyon, the secret Garden of the Gods. Experience Colorado’s backcountry by horseback as part of VOC’s Weminuche Wilderness fi ve-day stewardship adventure. Discover the pristine ponderosa forests nestled into the hills at 8,000 feet elevation as you construct new trail at Larimer County’s Hermit Park Open Space near Estes Park. Protect fi sh and wildlife habitat by improving the visitor trail at Urad Lake, Colorado’s newest State Wildlife Area off Berthoud Pass. Push your limits while hiking the heights of the rugged San Juan Mountains as you repair an ascent trail to Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks. Never heard of these places before? Experience these true Colorado hidden gems with VOC!

Make Getting Outdoors a Family Aff airExperience a family weekend together, where the kids can dig in the dirt, wade in a mountain stream, catch bugs, and everyone can see the Milky Way! Join us on one of VOC’s overnight camping opportunities designed for all ages. We are planning lots of safe, supervised outdoor environmental activities for the younger ones while the adults work on the stewardship project. After the day’s activities, the kids and grownups come together again to share stories while eating dinner and s’mores around a cheery campfi re. Did we mention we’ll do the cooking?

Care for Colorado on the GoWith VOC’s YourCO mobile app, it’s a simple touch of your fi nger to view and register for projects or complete more than 50 fun stewardship activities on your own time all year-long. Plus, earn cool rewards and badges for your achievements!

Learn more about VOC’s other exciting off erings and unique volunteer programs at voc.org.

Thank you to our 2016 sponsors!(as of March 1, 2016)

Invest in Your Colorado! We rely on people like YOU to help support our important programs and keep Colorado’s outdoors beautiful for generations to come. Every donation matters! 80 cents of every $1 you donate goes directly to support our stewardship programs. Join/Renew your support to VOC today by using the enclosed envelope, donating securely online at voc.org, or by texting GIVE2VOC to 77977.

We are proud to also have strong backing from many outstanding corporate, foundation, We are proud to also have strong backing from many outstanding corporate, foundation, community-based organizations, and government funders who share our outdoor stewardship mission. Contact us at sponsorship@voc.org to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities!

Printed with H-UV technology which operates with reduced energy consumption, reduced paper waste, and no ozone or VOC emissions.

Nonprofi tOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 2447

Denver, CO

600 South Marion ParkwayDenver, CO 80209-2597

303-715-1010voc@voc.orgvoc.org

Mike O’Brien

Living Trust

Rocky Mountain

www.flyathlon.com

Flyathlon

San Luis ValleyFederal Bank

With VOC’s YourCO mobile app, it’s a simple touch of your fi nger to view and register for projects or complete more than 50 fun stewardship activities on your own time all year-long. Plus, earn cool rewards and badges

Since 1992

Firman Fund

parks ∙ recreation ∙ cultural services

SPRINGSCOLORADO

POSTCARD PLACESFrom picture-perfect Rocky Mountain National Park to the iconic Continental Divide, you have an opportunity with VOC to give back to our well-loved, yet vulnerable world-renowned landscapes. VOC makes it easy for you to enjoy these areas while caring for and protecting them.

Continental Divide Trail Alpine Tunnel to Hancock Lake Trail Reroute*St. Elmo, Northern & Central Mountains July 9-10

Continental Divide Trail Alpine Tunnel to Hancock Lake Trail RerouteSt. Elmo, Northern & Central Mountains July 30-31

Rocky Mountain National Park Lawn Lake Trail RestorationEstes Park, Front Range North Aug 13-14

Continental Divide Trail Alpine Tunnel to Hancock Lake Trail RerouteSt. Elmo, Northern & Central Mountains Aug 13-14

Continental Divide Trail Restoration at Marshall PassSalida, Northern & Central Mountains Aug 27-28

Quandary Peak Trail and Ecological RestorationBreckenridge, Northern & Central Mountains Sept 17-18

Red Rocks Trading Post Trail Restoration Morrison, Greater Denver Area Oct 8

WEEKDAY OPPORTUNITIES Don’t want to work a weekend? Have fl exibility in your job or are retired? Join us on one (or two, or three…) convenient weekday projects.

Little Thompson Riparian Restoration Johnstown, Front Range North April 14

Hankins Pass Trail Restoration Deckers, Greater Denver Area June 3

Beaver Meadows Trail Restoration Evergreen, Greater Denver Area June 17

Spruce Gulch Invasive Weed Removal Boulder, Greater Denver Area June 24

Lost Creek Trail Restoration* Evergreen, Greater Denver Area July 1

Rim Rock Trail Restoration at Castlewood Canyon State ParkFranktown, Greater Denver Area Sept 15

WILD PLACES IN URBAN SPACESYou don’t have to travel far to enjoy, explore, and care for the environment. Come join VOC and discover Colorado’s great outdoor treasures close to home.

Dedisse Park Trail Reroute and Restoration Evergreen, Greater Denver Area May 14 Evening Garden Planting at Denver City Parks Greater Denver Area May 24 & 26 O’Fallon Park West Ridge Trail Reroute and Restoration

Evergreen, Greater Denver Area June 11

Flatirons Cragmoor Connector Trail Restoration Boulder, Greater Denver Area Aug 25 Pineries Open Space Fire Restoration Colorado Springs, Front Range South Aug 27 Red Rock Canyon Trail Restoration Colorado Springs, Front Range South Sept 10 Austin Bluff s Trail Restoration at University Park

Colorado Springs, Front Range South Oct 1 Evening Garden Harvesting at Denver City Parks Greater Denver Area Select Oct.

Weeknights Ecology Park Trail Construction Canon City, Front Range South Oct 22-23

COLORADO PROUDHelp ensure for future generations the natural heritage of Colorado’s amazing state parks and important regional trail systems! These parks and trails off er top-notch scenery and outdoor recreation.

Blue Heron Pond Trail Construction at St. Vrain State ParkLongmont, Front Range North Apr 30

Stone Quarry Trail Construction and Recreation Day Del Norte, Southern Mountains May 7-8

Hankins Pass Trail Restoration Deckers, Greater Denver Area May 28 Dixon Trail Construction at Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Colorado Springs, Front Range South June 4-5 Beaver Meadows Trail Restoration

Evergreen, Greater Denver Area June 25

Trail Restoration at Urad State Wildlife AreaEmpire, Northern & Central Mountains June 25-26

Wigwam Trail Restoration Deckers, Greater Denver Area July 9 Lost Creek Trail Restoration Evergreen, Greater Denver Area Aug 6Arthur’s Rock Trail Restoration at Lory State Park

Fort Collins, Front Range North Sept 17-18 Trail Maintenance at Hentzell Park with Colorado Native

Denver, Greater Denver Area Sept 24 Stone Quarry Trail Construction and Recreation Day

Del Norte, Southern Mountains Sept 24-25

Cougar Ridge Trail Restoration Minturn, Northern & Central Mountains Oct 1-2

BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES Who needs a tropical island getaway? These volunteer “vacations” are a fun, fulfi lling way to unwind and recharge while giving back to trails in the heart of Colorado’s gorgeous wilderness. While the work can be challenging, you’ll bring back memories that will last a lifetime.

Indian Creek Trail RestorationSaguache, Southern Mountains June 10-12

Sangre De Cristo Wilderness Trail Restoration*Crestone, Southern Mountains June 27-July 1

Wheeler Geologic Area Trail Restoration*Creede, Southern Mountains July 25-29

Weminuche Wilderness Horse Packing and Stewardship Adventure*Creede, Southern Mountains Aug 15-19

Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks Access Trail Restoration*Lake City, Southern Mountains Sept 9-11

FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS Volunteer as a family and enjoy time outside together while giving back to your Colorado. Bring your friends and meet other families who share your passion for our amazing outdoors. Discover and enjoy new outdoor places through these fun, family-friendly opportunities.

Little Thompson Riparian Restoration Johnstown, Front Range North April 9

Spring Planting at Red Rock Canyon Colorado Springs, Front Range South April 16

Oxbow Park Restoration and Garden Planting Windsor, Front Range North May 7

Colorado Front Range Trail Construction Castle Rock, Front Range South June 18

Galena Ditch Trail Construction & Family CampingBreckenridge, Northern & Central Mountains July 23-24

Pennsylvania Mountain Trail Construction & Family CampingAlma, Northern & Central Mountains Aug 20-21

Hermit Park Trail Construction & Family CampingEstes Park, Front Range North Oct 15-16

LEGEND: EASY These projects are great for youth and people new to VOC or outdoor experiences. Examples of easy work include light trail maintenance, garden planting or harvesting, weed removal, thinning tree branches, and more!

MODERATE Some degree of fi tness is recommended. Work often includes planting trees and other shrubbery, revegetating fi re-scarred land, and restoring or rerouting trails. These projects serve as a great starting point for further, more diffi cult projects.

DIFFICULTFor outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy a challenge and incredible views! These projects are often technical, at high altitude, and provide a great workout. Who needs the gym when you have the backcountry or a famous fourteener trail as your fi tness center?

CAMPING & MEALS INCLUDED

COSTSASSOCIATED

Check website for age requirement on each project.

* Early-bird registration opens May 1

I n - K i n d S p o n s o r sI n - K i n d S p o n s o r s

2016 VolunteerOpportunities Browse our 50+ projects and fi nd the perfect fi t based on your interests, desired work level, and location. Plus, there are many ways to volunteer beyond getting your boots on the ground and hands in the dirt – including photographing or blogging about projects, helping with food preparation, assisting with tools, and of course, serving in a volunteer leadership role! Contact us for more details.

Ready, set, volunteer. Head to voc.org or download our YourCO app for further DETAILS and to REGISTER!

Note: To better meet the needs of everyone wanting to volunteer, registration will open March 1 for Spring (April-June) projects, June 1 for Summer ( July-August) projects, and August 1 for Fall (September-October) projects. Mark your calendars now!

PROJECTS MAY CHANGEConnect with us online for the latest information

on new projects, date changes, and more.