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Cairn Corner: Building Pathways for Colorado’s Next Generation of Stewards

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:17:32 GMT

Hands-On Career Exploration for Cairn Students and Colorado Youth

How do high school students in Colorado explore careers in conservation, natural resources, and the outdoor industry? For about 60 students, from VOC's Cairn program and other groups across the Front Range, the answer was hands-on learning, meaningful conversations, and skill-building at t he 4th Annual Career Exploration Day, hosted by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and the Youth Exploring Stewardship (YES) Coalition.

Held at Colorado Mountain Club’s new 'Basecamp' in Golden, this year’s event built on past success by offering students a deeper, more interactive experience designed specifically for youth interested in environmental stewardship and outdoor career pathways.

Career Skills, Stewardship, and Hands-On Learning

Students selected two of four curated workshops, allowing them to tailor the day to their interests:

Career Panel featuring professionals from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the National Park Service, and nonprofit organizations
Mock Interviews with mentors from VOC’s Cairn Program and Boulder County partners
Blaze Your Own Trail, a workshop focused on identifying skills, passions, and telling your personal story
Intro to Outdoor Guiding & Rock Climbing, including certifications and indoor climbing instruction

These sessions gave students practical tools they can use, whether they’re exploring college options, internships, summer jobs, or future careers in conservation and the outdoors.

Why Career Exploration for Youth Matters

While the long-term outcomes of events like this can’t always be measured immediately, past participants have shared powerful stories. Some students have landed summer trail jobs or internships after discovering organizations at this event. This year, one student even returned to thank a mentor from a previous mock interview, sharing, “I got a job because of you.”

Even for students who may not pursue a career in natural resources, Career Exploration Day offers valuable exposure to professional skills, confidence-building experiences, and the understanding that caring for Colorado’s outdoor spaces can take many forms.

As one staff member reflected, “What started as a simple tabling event has grown into a dynamic, hands-on experience that inspires not just students, but the adults supporting them too.”

VOC is proud to work alongside the YES Coalition and community partners to create meaningful youth stewardship opportunities in Colorado, helping students see what’s possible and empowering the next generation to care for our shared outdoor future.

Career Exploration Day is just one piece of a much larger effort to support Colorado’s next generation of outdoor stewards. Through VOC’s Cairn Program, Front Range students ages 14–18 engage in monthly service projects, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities that build confidence, skills, and a lasting connection to the outdoors.

Whether students pursue careers in natural resources or take these experiences into other fields, Cairn helps them show up as informed, engaged caretakers of Colorado’s outdoor spaces. To learn more about the Cairn Program or how to get involved, visit voc.org/cairn-program

Connecting Youth With Opportunities Across Colorado

In the afternoon, students enjoyed a catered lunch sponsored by Boulder County Parks & Open Space, followed by a bustling tabling fair featuring 19 organizations from across the Front Range. Representatives shared information about volunteering, internships, and career pathways in natural resources, education, and outdoor recreation, even braving subfreezing temperatures to be there for students.

A special thank-you goes to Colorado Mountain Club, which co-coordinated the event, donated the venue, and provided climbing instructors, gear, and equipment that brought a dynamic, physical element to the day.

In the Heart of Dolores Canyon: Protecting a Desert Oasis

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:39:00 GMT

Volunteer a Weekend to Cage and Protect Cottonwoods Along the Dolores River

In preparation for volunteer projects, a VOC staff member conducts a site visit to map out any logistics that may have changed since the spring. For the upcoming Cottonwood Caging project along the Dolores River , Logistics Coordinator and Project Manager Sam Hutchins traveled to the Western Slope to scout the site where volunteers will be working in just a few weeks.
Here’s what he had to say about his time there:

It's difficult for me to express the sense of wonder felt when traveling through the canyon. If you have been to the red-rock desert surrounding Moab, you will be familiar with the landscape. Grand vistas, towering stone monoliths, shadowed canyons, and hidden springs. What is different about the Dolores Canyon system is that it is here, in Colorado. The high desert itself knows no borders and stretches for thousands of miles. But tucked away, where few people would think to look, is a place unlike any other on the Colorado Plateau. The same Granite that shapes the Black Canyon of the Gunnison melds with red Navajo Sandstone. The work for this project takes place in the heart of the Canyon system. As the beavers make their way down the canyon, they are both working to restore the historic riparian system and are a threat to it. Poor management of the landscape resulted in cottonwoods being nearly extirpated from the riverside of the Dolores. Thanks to collaborative work done by Rivers Edge West, the BLM, SWCC, and local ranchers, cottonwoods have a chance to return. By caging some cottonwood, we preserve a future parent stock that can continue to trace its way back down and up the banks. Dolores Canyon, tucked away and protected by its rural location, is unassuming when looked at from a map. But when standing in the river, shaded by an alcove streaked with desert varnish, you realize its natural beauty is anything but modest.
Register to volunteer at our upcoming Cottonwood Caging project in Dolores Canyon and be part of restoring a rare and resilient desert ecosystem.

Project Details

Volunteers will help protect cottonwood trees by installing protective cages. This involves carrying materials—including T-posts, fencing, and tools—to designated sites, securing up to four posts per tree, and wrapping them with fencing.
Location: Near Uravan, CO Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025 through Sunday, October 5, 2025 Time: October 4 (8 AM - 4 PM), October 5 (8 AM - 1 PM) Ages: 18+

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, along with dinner on Saturday.
Bring your own dinner for Friday night and enough snacks for the weekend.
Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and we recommend arriving at base camp before 8 pm on Friday.

For more details, please visit volunteervoc.org.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Ahtziri Rodriguez

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 03:24:00 GMT

Hello everyone, my name is Ahtziri!

I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and currently attend CU Denver, where I am pursuing my bachelor's degree in environmental science.
Before deciding on my environmental science degree, I declared a major in political science. I wanted to bring this degree to the community and pursue a career as an immigration lawyer. I believed this was the only way to help not only my parents but also my community. However, despite my best intentions, the degree left me miserable and failed to spark a passion in me. But something that did spark an interest was an introductory course in environmental science that I took during my first year at CU Denver. It reminded me of a similar class I had taken in high school. The class kept me engaged and curious.
This led me to think that geology, biology, and, in general, finding solutions to the issues in our environment was my passion. It brought out my stewardship side, inspiring a desire in me to be part of finding solutions to keep the outdoors beautiful. But it turns out, this was also just leading me to my actual purpose: Wanting to work for my community.
I want my community to be able to recreate in the outdoors, where there are barriers of transportation, knowledge, and gear. I want my community to be able to feel included in the solutions and incorporate their historical knowledge to help heal the earth. I want to work for the community and all its needs. This could look like a lot of things. Maybe it is planting more trees in Westwood, where there is limited tree coverage, leading to harsher summers, poorer health, and poorer economic conditions. Or maybe I need to learn as much as I can and bring it back to teach and be taught by others.
Community is my orientation, where I find my own healing and how I teach inclusion, love, and care. I am on the path to becoming a representative of my family, being the first to graduate with a bachelor's degree, and an advocate for sustainable development and integrity for the community. Thank you all for the opportunity and the affirmation to continue on my dream!!!

Ahtziri is the sole recipient of the 2025 MOC scholarship funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). The scholarship is for a student who meets the criteria for VOC's Grossman Scholarship and who is affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who is connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver. Students are eligible for the Grossman Scholarship if they are Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado.

The Trails Don’t Build Themselves: Maintaining Colorado's Iconic 14er Trails

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 01:14:00 GMT

Meet the Volunteers Hauling Tools Above 10,000 Feet to Protect Colorado’s Most Iconic Peaks

Just a few weekends ago, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), in partnership with Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), brought a group of volunteers to Mt. Democrat for a physically demanding, high-altitude trail restoration effort.
Rather than summitting the Fourteener, volunteers spent two days reconstructing degraded sections of the trail above Kite Lake, where trail braiding has become a serious issue due to high foot traffic and erosion. Starting at over 12,000 feet, volunteers installed timber check steps, reinforced trail boundaries, and completed significant rock work to mitigate further damage.
Among them was John McDowell, a civil engineer for CDOT and a relatively new VOC volunteer. He spends his weekdays planning multi-year infrastructure projects. On weekends, he picks up the shovel. “Since I spend most of my time working with my mind, I like doing something physical that has tangible results by the end of the day,” John shared. “I love the alpine tundra, so getting to work so high up makes for a great day.” When asked what it’s like to do physical labor at such high elevation, John reflected, “You lose your breath much faster than you do at the base of the mountain, so you work in shorter sprints before you have to take a break… The air is thinner, the sun exposure is greater, and you dehydrate faster, so you feel much more tired by the end of the day.”

Seen above is a before and after of the work VOC volunteers accomplished in just one weekend.

The group of volunteers successfully installed 28 timber check steps and restored approximately 200 feet of trail, manually relocating hundreds of rocks to reshape the trail and prevent further braiding. Thanks to the volunteers’ dedication, the crew accomplished what was estimated as over a week's worth of work for CFI in just two days.
The reality is, most people take trails like this for granted, though John knew the hours of hard labor that went into the trails he frequents.
“I hiked Gray's Peak after volunteering on the trail, and as I passed the gabion walls on the upper parts of the trail, I couldn't help but think, ‘Damn. They had to bring all these steel baskets up, clear the ground, haul in a bunch of rock, and fill these baskets to build this wall. This must have taken forever.’"
Lucky for VOC volunteers, much of the heavy timber was delivered via helicopter several weeks prior, and CFI staff assisted by cutting the materials to six-foot sections in advance. This left volunteers with the task of using log tongs to carry the pre-cut timber a few hundred feet, where they would then be installed as check steps. Once that section was complete, the team began rock step construction and additional trail braiding remediation. Despite smoky skies, the weather was favorable, and spirits were high. The crew enjoyed vibrant wildflowers, pika sightings, and camaraderie over shared meals.

Behind the scenes, crew chefs led by volunteer, Lisa Thilker, and three crew chef helpers prepared meals to fuel the group, while volunteer tool managers, Heather Whipple and Michael McMahon kept tools organized and ready. This work took place on Mt. Democrat, a peak that was closed to public access just two years ago due to private ownership and only recently reopened following successful conservation efforts. VOC contributed nearly 350 volunteer hours to the project. While volunteers donate their time and energy, VOC still incurs approximately $4,000 per project to cover expenses such as meals, tools, training, logistics, and safety resources.
“It would be great if all hikers would contribute a little of their time or money to support our trails,” McDowell said. “Because there’s a lot of work to be done. Also, please pick up your trash. It’s not that hard.”
Well, you heard it from John, not us! And we think he knows what he's talking about...
For more information about VOC or to get involved, visit www.voc.org .

Photos by Arthur Vigil and David J. Kennedy

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Kace Vazquez del Mercado

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Hi, my name is Kace!

I am incredibly grateful to be recognized as a Grossman Scholarship recipient, as this helps support my undergraduate studies in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology.
My interest in environmental studies was fostered by my mother's love for the outdoors when I was a child. Going on nature walks, visiting museums, and exploring butterfly gardens helped nurture my own appreciation for nature. From these experiences, I’ve become a strong advocate for early environmental education in both schools and outside programs. Introducing young minds to the inner workings of our environment and our reliance on natural resources is crucial to building a more informed and sustainable future. During the summer of my sophomore year of college, I was fortunate to be selected for a summer internship in geological research at my school, Austin Community College. I was also looking for work, and through my school email, I discovered that a local nonprofit was seeking summer interns. I ended up spending those months both drafting and creating a research project, while also tabling at Barton Springs Pool for the Save Our Springs Alliance. That summer was pivotal for me. Through those opportunities, I learned that studying biology was a path I could pursue as an alternative to my business degree. From that point on, I began exploring the possibility of transferring to a university with a strong focus on natural resources.
I am incredibly grateful to have been studying Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University (CSU) since August of 2022. I’ve had many wonderful experiences in my classes, which have only deepened my love for this field. With the guidance of supportive professors, I’ve expanded my knowledge and skill set. From angling and electrofishing field trips to learning how to code and plot wildlife data, these experiences have been instrumental in developing my professional capabilities.
From there, I began looking into undergraduate research opportunities, and by the fall of 2024, I found myself in a group with other students discussing potential fisheries-based research topics. We chose to study the fine-scale movement of Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) in response to the presence of White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii). This research group continued into the spring, during which we further examined PIT tag retention rates in Creek Chub using different placement locations and methods. Both experiments were successful, and our group presented our findings at CSU’s Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity. We also shared our results at the 2025 Western Division American Fisheries Society conference.
Additionally, the fall of 2024 brought a new job opportunity at Colorado Parks and Wildlife. I began working as an Aquatic Data Analyst Intern, where I developed skills in collecting, analyzing, and visualizing aquatic data from across the state of Colorado. This position has opened countless doors in fisheries and amphibian work. This season, I’ve been supporting the work of dedicated biologists in their conservation efforts for Boreal Toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) and Greenback Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias). Both species are listed as Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which makes this work all the more important. Assisting with the protection and conservation of these species has ignited my passion for supporting native fisheries and addressing the global decline in amphibian populations.
I hope to continue this work through higher education and future job opportunities in conservation biology. Thanks to the support of the VOC’s Grossman Scholarship, I am able to continue my education and pursue my growing passion for this deeply impactful work.

Kace is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. VOC awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also awards one scholarship, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to a student who meets the above criteria and is affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who is connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Turning the Page: A New Chapter for VOC After 30 Years at Dos Chappell Bathhouse

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 19:17:00 GMT

After three meaningful decades, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) will be saying goodbye to our longtime home at the Dos Chappell Bathhouse in Denver's beloved Washington Park.
In the early 1990s, VOC signed a 30-year lease with the City of Denver to transform the historic bathhouse in Washington Park into a headquarters that could support our growing mission. With generous support from our community, we launched a capital campaign and raised $700,000 to complete the initial renovations, which were finalized in 1996. Altogether, including the original renovations, VOC has invested more than $1 million in improvements and ongoing maintenance, creating a space that is enjoyed by our staff, volunteers, and the broader Washington Park community. In 2000, the building was renamed in honor of Dos Chappell, VOC’s former Executive Director (1988–1999), whose vision and leadership left a lasting legacy on our organization and Colorado’s outdoor stewardship movement.
This space has been more than just an office—it’s been a gathering place, a launchpad for thousands of volunteers, and a visible symbol of our commitment to caring for Colorado.

While our current lease extends through 2026, we’ve received official word from the City of Denver that it will not be renewed as a multi-year agreement. We’ve requested a short-term lease extension through 2027 to support a thoughtful and smooth transition.
This news is difficult, but we’re approaching the next chapter with hope and as an opportunity for new beginnings. We’ve formed a committee of current and former board members to help guide our path forward. We are also in the early stages of exploring future office space options, including partnering with like-minded organizations or relocating near our current Operations Center in Lakewood, CO.
As we look ahead, we remain deeply committed to honoring the legacy of Dos Chappell. We’re exploring options to preserve his name and legacy, and we will work towards developing a respectful plan for the memorial bricks currently displayed on the bathhouse terrace.
To the countless volunteers, donors, staff, and community members who have visited or worked in this space over the years: thank you. Your energy and dedication made the bathhouse more than a building—it became a home. And as we begin this transition, we carry that sense of home with us into whatever comes next.
We’ll continue to keep our community updated as plans progress. If you have questions or thoughts you'd like to share, you may contact vocboardofdirectors@gmail.com.
With gratitude,
The VOC Team

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Cecilia Huber

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 18:30:00 GMT

Hi! My name is Cecilia Huber,

...and I am incredibly honored to accept the distinction of being a VOC Grossman scholar and want to highlight its importance to the completion of my degree in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University.
In my life, I have been awarded the rare delight of knowing both my passion and purpose from an early age. I can recall ever since I was young my interest, and later investment, in the protection of wildlife. The earliest memory I have is when my mother took me to Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois, for an event called “owl prowl”. I was allowed to stay up way past my bedtime to walk through the dark canyons of the park, guided by an ornithologist who was calling owls with only his voice, illuminating their unique place in nature. Suffice to say, I was hooked, and growing up, I sought out any outdoors experience that might bring me closer to experiencing wildlife in their natural habitat. Watching this budding interest grow in me, my mother decided she would start a Girl Scout troop for my sister and me to have an outlet to express our interest in the outdoors. With our troop, I learned how to identify birdsong and animal tracks, cowboy camped for the first time, and made unforgettable memories around the campfire.
Later in life, I made the choice to study Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University specifically because of Warner College’s outstanding reputation and the state’s excellent access to recreational opportunities. I wanted to be surrounded by opportunities to hike, ski, and fish as much as I wanted to have abundant options for involvement in wildlife conservation. Early in my college career, I craved involvement with my field of study outside of coursework and volunteered at many conservation programs. I spent countless hours volunteering for the W.O.L.F. Sanctuary, Greenwood Wildlife and Rehabilitation, and the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, which all provided incredible opportunities for hands-on experience. What I value most about my time at those programs is the tangible positive impact I was able to make on the animals, and the perpetuity of conservation values within my community.
As I’ve continued through my degree, I have found a beautiful sense of fulfillment in my work. Last summer, I worked for the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, conducting owl surveys in the Front Range. Some nights, I couldn’t help but sit there in the dark, in the middle of nowhere, broadcasting my owl calls, thinking about my early experience with “owl prowl”. In those quiet moments, I fully appreciated the depths of my passion and how far it had brought me. In the span of a few odd years, Colorado has become my forever home, which is why I am so proud of my current position with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
To me, my job with CPW feels like the ultimate achievement; it's the culmination of all my hard work in this field thus far. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to learn useful skills, including coding for natural resources and mapping in programs like Tableau and ArcGIS. This job has fit perfectly into the twilight years of my degree, where I’m actually able to apply what I’ve been learning in the classroom for years.
Speaking of applications for my coursework, the entire reason I applied for this scholarship was to cover the cost of my mandatory summer course at the CSU Mountain Campus. This class is the crowning jewel of Warner College and a highlight of many students' college experience. I was becoming nervous since my existing merit scholarship does not cover summer semesters, and I didn’t have the funds to cover this essential course out-of-pocket. Thanks to this unbelievably generous scholarship from the Grossmans, I’ll be able to focus on what really matters, nailing my field measurements course this summer!
In addition to the Grossmans, I’d like to thank my mom, my Girl Scout leader, for instilling in me a lifelong love for the outdoors. I’d also like to graciously thank Andrew Treble, my mentor at CPW, who provided my heartwarming reference for this scholarship.

Cecilia is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. VOC awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also awards one scholarship, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to a student who meets the above criteria and is affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who is connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Nic Woods

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:17:00 GMT

Hello, my name is Nic Woods.

This fall, I’ll be heading to the University of Colorado at Boulder to pursue a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. My connection with nature has been a guiding force throughout my life. As a child, I loved looking for plants on the sidewalk, helping my parents care for the flowers in our backyard, and observing the world around me. As I grew older, however, I began to see an increasing number of corporate policies that adversely impacted the air, water, or land that people lived on. I was continuously frustrated by the apparent lack of environmental protection which could have prevented these acts. In high school, I joined the Horticultural Society with the aim of contributing to a greater cause and educating others to care for the environment. My role as president and member of this organization for four years has only increased my dedication to spread awareness of environmental protection to those around me. I’m most passionate about showing others how to care for the natural world in their everyday life, and I believe that all people should understand their unique connections to nature as well as how to protect the environment. It’s because of these beliefs that I’ve decided to pursue a degree in environmental sciences in college. The VOC Grossman Scholarship will help me pursue a much larger range of opportunities that will prepare me for a career in ecology and environmental science. With this increased financial stability, I intend to take on additional research opportunities and internships while attending CU Boulder. This scholarship enables me to stride towards my dreams of educating others and protecting the environment. I’m incredibly grateful to have this opportunity and excited to begin my studies with the support of the Volunteers of Outdoor Colorado.

Nic is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. VOC awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also awards one scholarship, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to a student who meets the above criteria and is affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who is connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Jovanna Fierro

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 27 May 2025 18:54:00 GMT

Hello, my name is Jovanna Fierro,

and I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity that Volunteers For Outdoor Colorado has provided me with in order to get me a step closer to achieving my career goals as I go into college to study Environmental Science.
As a soon-to-be graduating senior, I am thrilled to explore this new stage of my life where I will be exposed to many exciting opportunities that allow new experiences in the field of work in which I am incredibly passionate about. As I begin my college journey, my aspirations in the environmental field are centered around pursuing a degree in environmental sciences to deepen my understanding of ecosystems, natural resources, and sustainable land management practices. Additionally, I plan to engage in outdoor volunteering and park ranger training to align myself directly with land management and, ultimately, search and rescue operations. Building upon my prior experience as an Urban Ranger, I am eager to continue serving as a leader and environmental educator, providing knowledge on the significance of community involvement to underrepresented youth.
When I first became involved in the outdoors, I knew I wanted to incorporate my immense passion for teaching youth, stemming from my personal experiences overcoming stereotypes and educational challenges. This allowed me to work with organizations such as: Consumption Literacy project, which aimed to enhance community engagement through a community garden, where participants work together to maintain the garden and provide food for the community. Denver Youth Naturally, which offers free environmental service projects for families, providing hands-on outdoor experiences and conservation education. Colorado Young Leaders, which allowed me to advocate for changes needed in order to protect our people and environment.
Because of my very pleasant experience volunteering in these organizations, I applied and achieved employment with Environmental Learning for Kids’ Urban Rangers position during 2024. I got to learn many new skills by working with state park staff, including National Parks Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. As someone who was introduced to many of these outdoor activities, I became a form of communication to the over 1,600 students that are involved per year. This job allowed me to get exposed to outdoor work and get that true feel of working for land management, a park ranger, and a youth educator. By the end of the summer I was mesmerized with the idea of me being able to work in these fields full time. I quickly realized that this was my dream job. I continued to involve myself in even more organizations than ever, enrolled myself in classes that correlate to Wilderness First Aid, and prepared myself physically in order to withstand long hours of hands-on work. Whether it was re-building trails, cutting down wood piles, or cleaning trash in big national parks, I was passionate and took even small jobs very seriously, making sure that I gave above and beyond quality work. Through this learning process, I was not only able to find my passion, but I became a leader in my community serving as an environmental steward. I thrive towards continuing to give back to the environment and shape my future career to not only take care of it but teach others why it's important.
I am ecstatic after being accepted as a Grossman scholar. This scholarship will immensely contribute to not only my college education, but bring me a step closer into landing my dream job. Being an immigrant student, I've had to deal with the constant fear of not being able to afford college. Receiving this scholarship let me know that there's people out there who also believe in me and my skills to eventually create a change. I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity as it serves as my key towards success, motivating me even harder to get the education I need in order to achieve my career and personal goals. Due to this funding, I will be able to dedicate myself towards giving back to my community by providing education, advocacy, and conservation of our environment. This funding isn’t only an investment for my future, but for a change in the world.

Jovanna is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. VOC awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also awards one scholarship, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to a student who meets the above criteria and is affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who is connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.
Header image by Benja Kromash.

Cairn Corner: Cairn Students 'Crush' Final Project with Crusher Fine at Environmental Learning for Kids

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 01 May 2025 17:56:00 GMT

Cairn Students Complete Their Final Project

Cairn students, mentors, and family members gathered on Saturday for their last event of the season at their chosen Final Project site, Environmental Learning for Kids, on Global Youth Service Day.

Throughout the event, students fulfilled their different leadership roles that they have been preparing for since December. These leadership roles stem from VOC's own volunteer leadership structure, including Tool Managers, Crew Leaders, Technical Advisors, etc. Students recruited family members to join them in improving the park right outside ELK's headquarters in the Montbello neighborhood in Northeast Denver.

The Montbello Open Space Park is co-managed by Denver Parks & Recreation and ELK to provide a small trail system and outdoor classroom area amidst this urban landscape. Volunteers spent the warm Spring day spreading 50 tons of crusher fine material along their 2,300 feet trail system to allow this urban park to sustain the high number of visitors who come to enjoy it, including ELK program participants and the Montbello community alike.

Shout out to the ELK volunteers who also worked alongside our Cairn students to beautify this park!

After the project was finished, students had a small graduation ceremony where they received certificates and an End-of-Year gift (selected by one of our third-year Cairn students). Cairn students who were also graduating high school this year shared in their next steps and all were celebrated for their accomplishments from the Cairn program season!

A sincere thank you to our Cairn mentors who guided these students throughout the program season as well. This program would not be nearly as impactful without their time and energy! We appreciate all parents and guardians for supporting their students to participate in our Cairn Program throughout the year. A huge thanks to Damian Garcia with Environmental Learning for Kids for being a supportive partner of the program and hosting our Final Project!
An additional thank you to James Tsui, the volunteer photographer who has captured all of the beautiful photos you see above.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Lydia Meakins

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 01 May 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Lydia Meakins,

I am a hiker, backpacker, honors student, varsity tennis player, skier, the youngest of three kids, an artist, an Eagle Scout… and a voice for Mother Nature.
I am Lydia Meakins, a grateful recipient of the Grossman Scholarship 2025-26. My love for the outdoors began in my childhood with family camping, hiking 14ers, building fairy houses, and Jr. Ranger Badges at many National Parks. One thing in common is that I was always asking questions about the environment I loved. From childhood curiosity came my love for the sciences and art, and my high school science teachers quickly became my academic mentors, always encouraging me to explore more. Throughout high school, I also began an adventure with Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America). Scouting has given me opportunities to be in our natural world in all seasons, basic skills and safety in outdoor survival, and fostered my leadership skills with my peers.
Towards the end of my junior year, I began to realize that caring for our natural world is my passion. I also read a book by Paul Bogard, The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light, and his thoughts about needing to love something before we will know how to care for it struck me. I think I knew then, that my call in life was to help a new generation fall in love with our earth, so we can all care for her better. I went on to volunteer for a summer internship with Trout Unlimited to do just that, help kids fall in love with the wildness of the galaxies and worlds held delicately in our streams. That fall I completed two conservation projects through my scouting endeavors.
The first of my conservation projects is at Harriman Lake Park in Lakewood, CO. This park has struggled with anglers not disposing of their fishing line appropriately. Fishing line contaminates the shorelines, tangles in vegetation, where other trash begins to accumulate in this unnatural web, and owls and ducks get entangled. In hopes of reducing injuries and litter, I was asked to install two monofilament disposal units.
My second conservation project is at Foothills Golf Course. This golf course has a flourishing native habitat of plants, insects, and wildlife, but most relevant, birds. Research shows bird populations are declining nationally. In hopes of supporting the local bird population, I am replacing 11 of the 33, 20-year-old, bird houses at Foothills Golf Course.
I plan to protect and restore our environment through conservation and sustainable efforts, both in my career and in personal practice. I don’t know that we can have too many people in the fields of environmental science, sustainability, and conservation. We have a lot of work to do. This scholarship will allow me to pursue my career goal of becoming a National Park Ranger, make an impact on the next generation, and provide a promising future to generations beyond us.
I have been accepted at Colorado Western University in Gunnison, CO, into the 3+2 and honors programs. I will be getting a bachelor’s degree in Environment and Sustainability with a minor in Outdoor Recreational Education, and I will continue with a master’s degree in Environmental Management. The professors at Western are well-connected to their students and include undergraduate students in their research work. When I walked around the campus , it was great to see many senior projects in use. The adjunct faculty for the school of Environmental Science are often employed in government agencies that manage our lands, fish, and wildlife, and other businesses and organizations invested in conservation efforts. I believe their mentorship will help me find internships and future employment to work toward my goal of becoming a National Park Ranger.
I want to continue to mentor new young women scouts in Scouting America and volunteer my time with organizations such as Trout Unlimited and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. The generosity of the Grossman scholarship gives me the financial support to invest in our world and invest in others. I look forward to my future.

Lydia is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. VOC awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also awards one scholarship, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to a student who meets the above criteria and is affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who is connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.
Header image by Elizabeth Noworyta.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Oliver Smock

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Oliver Smock,

...and I am extremely grateful and honored to have been chosen as a recipient for the Grossman Scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year. I’m currently enrolled at the Colorado Mountain College - Steamboat Campus, and will be transferring to Colorado State University in the Fall of 2025 in pursuit of a degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability. Growing up in Colorado endowed me with the great privilege of recreating on our vast public lands, and those experiences founded my deep respect and adoration for nature.
Upon graduating from high school, I was feeling very directionless, so I decided not to start college immediately and instead got a job with Mile High Youth Corps building and maintaining trails in southern Colorado. The rich experiences I gained serving three terms of service with them led me to realize I want to pursue a career in natural resource management because future generations also deserve a world with natural resources to enjoy.
After thinking deeply about what it would mean to pursue a degree in ecological sciences, especially one with thorough hands-on experiences, starting school again became the right choice for me. Colorado Mountain College (CMC) was the perfect place for me to embark on my learning journey. I discovered a community of fantastic professors that helped me tremendously in reengaging my love of learning and granted me new experiences in the realm of natural resources. CMC has provided me with some very important tools and skills, and I’m excited to bring them to Colorado State University in the fall. I’m looking forward to more opportunities on a larger campus to engage with research and further my academic skills. Because of this decision, my tuition will increase enough that I will struggle to afford school. I fully intend on completing my degree because my next step will be graduate school to learn how I can best apply my skills and knowledge to the contentious world of natural resources conservation and management. With this scholarship, my financial burden will be lifted significantly, and I will be able to focus solely on my academic development.
With the free time I will gain not having to work, I will be able to pursue volunteering, which has not been something very accessible to me. I hope to give back to my community what I can because, spending my first two years of college in the Yampa Valley, I have seen firsthand the value a passionate individual can bring to a community. Seeing how change always starts small, I plan to do what I can when I can do it, and hope that the rest of the world will follow suit.

Oliver is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. VOC awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also awards one scholarship, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to a student who meets the above criteria and is affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who is connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Header image by Jeanette M. Smith.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Lucia Keller-Otto

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Lucia Keller-Otto,

...and I am truly honored to be a recipient of a 2025 Grossman Scholarship! This upcoming year, I will be a freshman at the University of Colorado - Boulder studying Environmental Engineering.

I have lived in Boulder my entire life, and growing up, its proximity to the mountains allowed me the privilege to spend my summers outdoors. My parents and I would hike, camp, and backpack all over Colorado. This was the foundation for my fascination with the outdoors.

My journey with conservation began through my three summers of work with the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks as a Junior Ranger. At the same time, I began volunteering with the Wildland Restoration Volunteers Youth Leadership Development (WYLD) program during the school year. These experiences showed me how important hands-on environmental maintenance was to the Open Space that I grew up exploring, and introduced me to an incredibly wonderful community of environmental stewards. Inspired by a project with the WYLD program where we started to learn about the historical wetlands in Colorado, I wanted to dive deeper into the role of wetlands in our ecosystem. I investigated the impact of wetlands as refugia for animals, drought protection, their capacity for carbon storage, and how they interact with wildfires, writing my Extended Essay, a paper for the International Baccalaureate program, on this topic.

My work with Junior Rangers and the WYLD program inspired me to work towards a career involved in conservation and natural resources. I will be majoring in Environmental Engineering at CU, as well as participating in their Engineering Honors Program. I chose this major because I aim to take my degree into designing larger projects to address climate and conservation issues. I hope to learn more about human interactions with hydrological features and help protect these vital ecosystems. I would also love to pursue an education that incorporates my long-standing interest in urban planning, sustainable architecture, and environmental design. I am very aware of how important adaptation is in every aspect of life in the face of the climate crisis, and I hope to be able to use my degree to make environmentally friendly construction possible.

I am so grateful to receive the backing of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado as I work towards my degree. Through this scholarship, VOC will provide a network of other motivated conservation professionals and resources, and support me as I advance into the field of sustainable engineering. In addition, the financial support allows me to pursue a more rigorous educational path, and to participate in internships and volunteer opportunities that will give me Environmental Engineering experience outside of the classroom without added financial pressure.

This summer, I will once again be working for the City of Boulder OSMP, and I plan to continue volunteering outdoors as I move into college. I am so excited to see where my future education and volunteer opportunities will go!

Lucia is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. VOC awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also awards one scholarship, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to a student who meets the above criteria and is affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who is connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Header image by Phil Demosthenes.

Cairn Corner: March 2025 Crew Leader Training & Final Project Prep

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:54:00 GMT

Cairn Participants Conduct a Site Visit and Learn What It Means To Be a Crew Leader

Cairn students and mentors visited Environmental Learning for Kids' (ELK) headquarters located in Northeast Denver. Back in December 2024, Cairn program participants voted ELK as the location for their Final Project that will be held in April. This site visit served as a time for students to meet the land manager and learn about the project work they will be leading, much like VOC staff do for any other public project. There, they learned from ELK's Volunteer Coordinator about how this non-profit organization serves as a vital connection to nature in the urban Montbello neighborhood.

They also explored the Montbello Open Space Park, located right outside ELK's headquarters, where they will be helping to restore the crusher fine pathways as part of their Final Project. Between discussing the project work they'll be conducting in April, students were able to enjoy the outdoor climbing wall and explore their celestial amphitheater onsite.

After lunch, VOC's Leadership & Training Manager, Benja, led a brief outdoor leadership training session to prepare the students for leading crews, working with tools, and assessing safety. These skills will come in handy as they fulfill their various leadership roles they chose for the Final Project. Afterward, students and mentors gathered into their leadership role teams and collaborated with each other to understand their responsibilities for the project day and gain a sense of how each role contributes to making a volunteer project happen. We can't wait to see this year's students practice their outdoor leadership skills and complete the Cairn Program successfully next month! A big shout-out to Damian with ELK for hosting, educating, and guiding our Cairn students and mentors as they bring their Final Project to life.

You can read more about VOC's Cairn Program here or reach out to Emily with any questions.

Cairn Corner: February 2025 Winter Skills

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 23:40:00 GMT

Cairn Participants Learn Winter Skills at Caribou Ranch

Winter Skills in Action: Cairn's February Event at Caribou Ranch At Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), we believe that outdoor skills go beyond just recreation—they build resilience, confidence, and a deeper connection to nature. This past February, we partnered with Boulder County Parks and Open Space and the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group to host an unforgettable Winter Skills Cairn Event at Caribou Ranch Open Space. With 18 eager students in attendance, this hands-on experience blended survival skills, first aid training, and winter adventure, all against a stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop. Participants split into two groups—one focusing on emergency snow shelters and fire-building, while the other took on a partial Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training and an exciting rescue simulation.

Building Quinzhee Huts: A True Winter Survival Challenge For half of our students, the day's mission was to construc t Quinzhee huts , a type of emergency snow shelter. Unlike igloos, which require blocks of hardened snow, Quinzhees are made by hollowing out a large pile of compacted snow. They provide insulation from the cold and can mean the difference between life and death in a winter survival situation. Students worked in teams, carefully shaping their huts while learning about snow insulation—how the air trapped in the snow helps maintain a livable temperature inside the shelter. They also practiced winter nutrition strategies, understanding how to fuel their bodies efficiently in cold weather, and honed fire-building skills amongst the snow. As they dug into their shelters, cross-country skiers and day hikers passing by couldn’t help but take notice—seeing legs sticking out of the Quinzhee entrances must have been quite the sight! The students embraced the challenge, determined to build the best and sturdiest Quinzhee hut by the end of the session.

Wilderness First Responder Training: Mock Rescue Scenarios The other half of our students teamed up with Rocky Mountain Rescue Group for an immersive Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training experience. WFR certification is a gold standard for outdoor leaders, teaching individuals the beginnings of how to provide first aid in remote settings where emergency services aren’t immediately available. Participants learned how to assess patients, stabilize injuries, and handle emergency evacuations in harsh conditions. They put their skills to the test in a mock rescue scenario, practicing how to safely transport a critically injured patient across uneven terrain. This real-world simulation gave them a little taste of what it’s like to respond to emergencies in the wilderness.

A Perfect Day in the Rockies The event took place at Caribou Ranch Open Space, where the weather was welcoming (a nice low-50s day). While the previous week's snowfall meant students had to trek across four feet of snow in some areas, it made for an excellent backdrop to practice snowshoeing. Throughout the day, whether it was mastering fire-building, constructing Quinzhee huts, or carrying out a wilderness rescue, every student left with newfound skills for handling the unexpected in the outdoors
You can read more about VOC's Cairn Program here or reach out to Emily with any questions.

Cairn Career Exploration Day 2025

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 22:27:00 GMT

Exploring Career Pathways with Cairn Students

In partnership with the Youth Exploring Stewardship (YES) Coalition, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) hosted our 3rd annual Career Exploration Day on January 25th at Boulder County's South East Community Hub in Lafayette. As in years past, students from different youth partners of the YES Coalition gathered to hear from many natural resource organizations from around the front Range to learn about additional youth opportunities and career pathways. Organizations ranged from nonprofits to government agencies and higher education institutions.

This year, students could also participate in additional new workshops throughout the event, including mock interviews, Q&A with Denver Parks & Recreation, and learning how to build an impressive job application. Despite the snowy conditions, 65 students from 7 different youth organizations joined us to learn and test their networking skills.

A huge thank you to the 22 different organizations that were represented and our workshop presenters that helped inspire, inform, and guide our next generation of stewards! And an abundance of gratitude to Boulder County staff for hosting the event venue and clearing the sidewalks and parking lots to ensure a safe event for all!
You can read more about VOC's Cairn Program here or reach out to Emily with any questions.

Volunteers Get Recognized at VOC's Annual Awards & Appreciation Event

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 17:26:00 GMT

Awards & Appreciation 2024

Each year, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) hosts its annual volunteer appreciation event, Awards & Appreciation. The venue may change, and the food may differ, but the intention remains the same: to recognize and show gratitude for the individuals who generously gave their time and energy to VOC's mission that season. This year, volunteers convened at FlyteCo Tower in Central Park for an afternoon of meeting old friends and new, reminiscing about that one project back in the 90s, and connecting over the delicious meal they were fed by a VOC crew chef.

After receiving nominations for each award, VOC selects one winner for each category, though each nominee is as deserving as the next. The winners are then announced and celebrated at Awards & Appreciation.
VOC hands out 'Of the Year' awards in eight categories. Those categories are:

OSI Instructor of the Year Awarded for exemplary leadership in instructing and conveying stewardship trainings to new leadership volunteers.
Land Manager of the Year Awarded to an agency for outstanding collaboration, support and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship.
Partner Organization of the Year Awarded to a VOC partner organization for outstanding collaboration and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship.
Young Volunteer of the Year Awarded for outstanding volunteer leadership and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship as demonstrated by a young volunteer.
Unsung Hero Awarded to a VOC volunteer who provides outstanding support and service in a behind-the-scenes role for the organization.
Roni Sherb New Volunteer of the Year Awarded for outstanding volunteer efforts and dedication to outdoor stewardship during their first years for involvement with VOC.
Curt Chitwood Volunteer of the Year Awarded for outstanding volunteer leadership and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship. Steve Austin Mentor of the Year Awarded for exemplary leadership in teaching and conveying stewardship practices to new crew leaders.

This year, we are excited to announce our 2024 winners...
OSI Instructor of the Year: Mike Scott Land Manager of the Year: Golden Gate Canyon State Park Partner Organization of the Year: Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges Young Volunteer of the Year: Lucas Gambone Unsung Hero: Barb Molitor (Scroll for a video of her accepting her award!) Roni Sherb New Volunteer of the Year: Jim Graf Curt Chitwood Volunteer of the Year: Mick Syzek Steve Austin Mentor of the Year: Joe Chastain

In addition to VOC's 'Of the Year' awards, all newly certified leaders were recognized for their commitment to taking on the added responsibility of each unique role.
Crew Leaders Vicki Herde, Samantha Weis, Kevin Toepke, Kirk Holub, Karen Ruiz, Tyler Smith, Chris Watling, Felix Wulftange, and Young Yang
Crew Chefs Keri Hanson and Mark Safty
Tool Managers Jeremy Mollison and Eric Peterson
Technical Advisors John Barnett and Susan Jarvis-Weber

One of the best things about VOC is the amazing community that we create on projects and the strong knowledge and connections that come from those who stay with us. Our Clubs recognize those who have become stalwarts with our organization and have passed a landmark number of volunteer projects with VOC.

CLUB INDUCTEES

McLeod Club (25+ Projects) Daniel Peterson, Carson Coates, Bri Corrado, Julia Catalini, Justin McBride, Jim Graf, Colin McKenna, Richard Powell, Marie Powell, Dan Regelson, Andy Rylance, Karen Utke, and Tim Standard
Pulaski Club (50+ Projects) Denny Farrell, Steve Hulsberg, Eric Lucas, Henry McLaughlin, Wiwiek Standard, and Jeanetta Wyman
Austin Club (75+ Projects) Peter Gotseff, Martin Herz, Sean Mallory, Joseph Rook, Mike Scott, and John Stidman
Century Club (100+ Projects) Karolyn Snow and Greg Verschelden

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST WINNERS

A big thank you to our incredible volunteer photographers, who dedicate their time and talent to capturing the heart and soul of VOC’s mission. Their photos make our volunteers shine in ways that words alone couldn’t express.
1st Place Heidi Hartman 2nd Place Eric Tokuyama

Thanks to Englewood Camera for donating in-kind prizes for the Photography Contest. Thanks to Matthew Monczka Photography for capturing the event.

Cairn Corner: October 2024

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 22:49:00 GMT

Cairn's October Environmental Stewardship Events

Cairn students and mentors were able to choose between two different options for their October monthly event: Attending the Youth Exploring Stewardship (YES) Conference or joining Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership (SCRGP) in their Community Science Project.

Photo by James Tsui

The 6 ^th annual YES Conference was held at Cal-Wood Education Center, led by different organizations of the YES Coalition (including VOC). Cairn students joined other students from all over the Front Range to either attend Saturday only or stay overnight. On Saturday, students were split up into different outdoor skill activities, including: Leave No Trace, forestry & fire mitigation, forest bathing, and orienteering.

Photo by James Tsui

Afterwards, the students assisted with Cal-Wood's goal to build nearly 5 miles of new trail on their outdoor education campus in Jamestown, CO. The 200 yards of new trail the students constructed runs right through the 2020 CalWood Fire burn scar area. Hard hats adorned, they learned how to use different trail tools, break tread, and remove small trees for the new trail. Their work here will improve Cal-Wood's educational programming for younger students for years to come!

Photos by James Tsui and Austin Hannon

Overnight students were able to enjoy some s'mores in the evening and continue their learning on Sunday. Hayley from Colorado Young Leaders led a natural resource career workshop before Angie Busby from Cal-Wood led a First Aid class, allowing the students to walk away with a Stop The Bleed certification. Huge thank you to the many program leaders and adult chaperones who made this conference possible!

The following weekend, the other half of VOC's Cairn Program gathered at Sand Creek Park in Aurora to participate in SCRGP's Community Science Project. This project is part of their ongoing effort to monitor the watershed health of the Sand Creek and engage the community in doing so! Students and mentors gathered different data points to test water quality and surveyed the riparian areas for different plant species. They also tried their hand at catching different macroinvertebrates, including water striders and damselfly larvae. The variety and number of macroinvertebrate species will often be an indicator of the health of the water. Thank you to Zoe Bliss with SCRGP for leading our crew of scientists for the day!

Photos by Emily Novack

Cairn Corner: Leaning Tower of Plant Pots

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 22:05:00 GMT

September 2024

Cairn students and mentors kicked off the 2024-2025 Cairn season by returning to the High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) in Loveland! For many years, VOC has been aiding in HPEC's mission to restore habitat to improve watershed health and create a safe haven for native flora and fauna. Cairn participants continued this tradition by pulling invasive Russian Thistle (think tumbleweed plant from those old Western films) to make room for native Rabbitbrush to thrive.

The leaning tower of plant pots represents the 344 native seedlings grown at HPEC's own nursery on-site that Cairn participants planted around their Visitor Center. These plants will be food sources for the nearly 100 native bee species that can be found on HPEC's 76 acre property (that's about 10% of Colorado's total bee species!).

We thank HPEC for continuing to be a welcoming partner throughout the years and inspiring our future stewards!

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Landon Roberts

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 17:53:00 GMT

Hi! My name is Landon Roberts,

...and I would like to thank VOC and the Grossmans for their generous contribution to furthering my undergraduate education at the Colorado School of Mines.
As an upcoming senior in the Design Engineering - Sustainable Energy program, I am committed to learning about the future energy transition and advocating for environment-first policy within the industry. Through this degree, I strive to better understand the intersection between renewable energy design, minimized land and resource use, and ethical practices related to each. I strive to collaborate with a diverse group of students to innovate efficient
technology while implementing ways to preserve natural habitats, reduce land use, and minimize the carbon footprint of the growing renewable energy sector. Through involvement on campus in Mines Without Borders, I am helping to integrate a sustainable water distribution system in a small community in Nicaragua. In Solar Decathlon, I am designing solutions to help decarbonize buildings at Mines and install technology that relies on less fossil fuels. My mission through this work is to teach others that by thinking globally and acting locally, we each have the
power to conserve resources to promote lasting preservation.
My passion for caring about the land and its vitality stems from my upbringing in Durango, Colorado, and the last three years I have spent in Golden, Colorado. In my spare time, I hike, ski, run, and climb the beautiful Rocky Mountains. When I am not playing outdoors, I commit myself to volunteering with local groups like the City of Golden, where I participate in roadside trash cleanups, as well as with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, aiding in land and home restorations.
Through academic, co-curricular, and community involvement, I am driven to accomplish more through the avenue of outdoor stewardship. The Grossman Scholarship is a testament to my achievement thus far, but I value this scholarship because I want to lead by example. My endeavors in the great outdoors and my work to preserve it are but a drop in the ocean. I hope that through my pride in this scholarship, future outdoor volunteer work, and lasting commitment to environment-first engineering work, I will teach others how necessary it is to care
for our natural world.

Landon is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year. VOC awarded a total of $47,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Header image by Heidi Hartman.

Volunteer Spotlight: Matthew Wallace

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 17:56:00 GMT

Feeding Folks in the Backcountry

Matthew has been a volunteer with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado since (at least) 2017. During this time he has been persuaded into the Crew Chef leadership role and continues to impress volunteers and staff with how he's always willing to step up and fill in as a crew chef when a project is in need. The weeklong project along the Continental Divide Scenic Trail this year was a great example of that. This project marked Matthew's first backcountry project as crew chef, and he exceeded expectations. Matthew went above and beyond with his planning, packing, and execution!
The volunteer crew chef role is a rewarding but time intensive role due to the prep time that is required in addition to the time spent on an overnight project. Matthew's willingness to take on the crew chef role allowed the project to move forward.
Matthew's food was delicious, and the portion sizes were spot on - something that is incredibly important to get right while feeding volunteers in the backcountry. Matthew put so much thought into making the meals healthy and protein-packed to keep the group energized and ready to work each day. Not only that but he got creative with a fun and delicious dessert every evening, from childhood throwbacks like "dirt with gummy worms" to Oreo and raspberry lasagna! Chilaquiles for breakfast was the proverbial icing on top. Volunteers were treated to a feast on this backcountry project and we couldn't have done it without him.
Matthew is an awesome volunteer and crew chef. He made the weeklong so memorable and delicious and kept everyone laughing and in good spirits with his witty humor. VOC can't thank him enough.

Did You Know? Matthew is a talented photographer! Check out a few of his beautiful botanical photos from the weeklong project:

Header image by Matthew Wallace. Botanical images by Matthew Wallace. Image of Matthew with a crosscut saw by Sue Daniels Photography.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Elle DeWaard

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:17:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Elle DeWaard,

...and I am honored to be one of the 2024 Grossman Scholarship recipients.
I am a junior at Colorado State University studying Forest and Rangeland Stewardship with a concentration in Forest Management. Outside of the classroom, I am the President of Minoritized Genders in Natural Resources (MGNR) and the PR Representative for the Student Alpha Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (SAF).
Growing up in Iowa, I was not personally exposed to careers that involve being in nature, other than agriculture. When I moved to the foothills in middle school, however, my love for the natural spaces surrounding me grew and I wanted to learn more about the beautiful landscapes that feel like home. I decided to pursue a career in forestry for the same reason most people do – I love being outside. What I’ve found, however, is that my career in forestry has a purpose beyond smelling ponderosa pines and watching butterflies. My purpose is to foster the connection and stewardship of natural resources by all, and to encourage the innate relation to nature that we all possess. We can all be stewards of the land. I have begun acting towards this purpose through my leadership roles in MGNR at CSU and SAF at both CSU and Front Range Community College, where I got an Associate’s of Applied Science, Forest Technology. I hope to continue this purpose by having leadership roles in my professional life and teaching people about the environment in my personal life.
My future career goal is to further my education in Silviculture, a forestry discipline I am most drawn to. Silviculture emphasizes natural models of forest management that incorporate principles of species diversity and management timing.

-- Please excuse the pause in our regular programming for a quick definition -- WHAT IS SILVICULTURE?

"Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society such as wildlife habitat, timber, water resources, restoration, and recreation on a sustainable basis" (1).
Silviculture practices are an effort to maintain forests that imitate nature as they experience disturbances such as climate change, disease, and other factors (2). Silviculture treatments can include: pruning, thinning, harvesting, planting, and prescribed burning.
-- And now back to Elle's blog... --

I am intrigued by a role that controls all of the factors that go into forest management such as regeneration, composition, health, wildlife habitat, recreational value, etc. with the goal of meeting the diverse needs and values of society and the ecosystem. To meet this goal, I will take the time to advance in my career through work experience in a variety of agencies and locations post-graduation. I then hope to complete a graduate-level program that will help me become a certified Silviculturist, and work as a Silviculturist somewhere in the intermountain west.
The Grossman Scholarship will help me continue my education at CSU without the financial burden that comes with a university. Without having to worry about my financial ability to complete my undergraduate education, I can shift my primary focus to furthering my forestry education, professional development, and career in Natural Resources. I am currently working on advancing my professional experience by working part-time with the Colorado State Forest Service as a Forestry Technician while attending classes full-time. These synchronous opportunities are important for me to maintain as they both focus on my career development in forestry. The Grossman Scholarship will encourage me to better learn the intricacies of natural resource management and policy, strengthen my technical and professional skills, and have a positive impact in my community.
I am so thankful for this opportunity that Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado has shared with me and am looking forward to being a part of this organization. Get outside and hug a tree!

Elle is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year. VOC awarded a total of $47,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Header image by Katie Goodleaf. Tree photo 2 by Heidi Hartman.

Forest Service Silviculture . https://www.fs.usda.gov/forestmanagement/vegetation-management/silviculture/index.shtml
The Importance of Silviculture . https://www.marylandforestryfoundation.org/the-importance-of-silviculture/

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Summer Short

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 18:06:00 GMT

My name is Summer Short,

...and I am thrilled to be a recipient of the 2024 Grossman Scholarship.
In the fall of 2024, I will begin attending Colorado State University (CSU) to pursue a major in ecosystem science and sustainability through the Warner College of Natural Resources and a minor in entomology through the College of Agricultural Sciences. I will also be participating in CSU’s Honors Program. I have decided to pursue this degree in hopes of becoming a Colorado-based entomologist. My passion and commitment to caring for natural resources have been prevalent for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, my mother educated me on the importance of conservation and showed me how to love all things in nature. This reflected on my choices in school, and I began to grow passionate about advocating for protecting our environment. All of my school projects of choice in elementary and middle school revolved around natural resources; in third grade, I made a presentation on Jane Goodall and her life’s work, followed by a presentation in 4th grade on Maria Merian, an influential 15th-century entomologist and artist. I continued to focus my school projects on all things natural throughout high school and arranged a job shadow of two USDA Forest Service entomologists during my junior year. During this job shadow, I helped the entomologists track down the destructive mountain pine beetle and collected data on its whereabouts and the damage this species has caused to the forests of Colorado. While I had participated in job shadows before, this was the first time I had truly felt like I understood where I wanted my future path to lead and what type of impact I wanted to have on our environment.
Over the years, my interest in connecting with nature and outdoor conversation led me to participate in a number of amazing volunteer experiences; however, volunteering through the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado CAIRN program has been the most rewarding and educational. I have truly learned so much about teamwork, safety, and the outdoors through this program. CAIRN not only allowed me to perform outdoor stewardship and build connections with individuals with similar interests, but it also helped solidify my desire to major in natural resources in college. I want to educate others on the importance of insects and other arthropods, and I want my work in natural resources to contribute to bettering Colorado’s outdoors.
Receiving the Grossman Scholarship will allow me to move forward in my academic journey with less financial stress and to take full advantage of optional educational experiences. For example, the major I am pursuing at Colorado State University offers field experiences taught in their mountain campus as well as travel-abroad opportunities where students are able to learn hands-on in nature. This scholarship will help me to pay for not only my required tuition and fees at CSU, but also increases the likelihood that I can participate in these unique activities. In addition, this merit scholarship helps distinguish my resume and it is an honor to be recognized by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado for my dedication to outdoor stewardship in Colorado and my desire for a future working to benefit my state’s natural resources. I am proud to be a part of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, and I look forward to my continued service work in the outdoors and to contributing my leadership and advocacy to the future of Colorado’s natural resources.

Summer is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year. VOC awarded a total of $47,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition Scholar Spotlight: Tori Auger

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 21:20:00 GMT

Hello everyone! My name is Tori Auger,

...and I am honored to be this year’s My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition scholarship recipient! I am going into my junior year at Colorado State University’s Warner College studying Human Dimensions of Natural Resources with a minor in Conservation Biology. My dog Toast and I live in Fort Collins, Colorado where we enjoy wildlife watching, exploring the city's many natural spaces, and splashing around with the macroinvertebrates in ponds and the Poudre River. When I am not in classes or exploring the nature Fort Collins has to offer, I am at my job working as a Student Recruitment Ambassador for Warner College helping other young stewards find their path into the environmental field. I am passionate about protecting the natural world and absolutely love learning and teaching about environmental stewardship.
I chose to pursue a degree in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources because, for as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be an environmental educator. I grew up fascinated with animals and the outdoors. I loved attending outdoor learning summer camps, which fostered my interests by showing me all the wonders of the natural world, and I fell completely in love. As I got older, I started learning about the many threats that face the natural world and knew I had to do something about it. Having been exposed to environmental education at a young age and recognizing the profound effect it had on me, I realized the power of this work and set out to become an environmental educator myself to help foster the principles of environmental stewardship in kids just like me. Since then, I have spent several summers working as an environmental educator for The Greenway Foundation’s SPREE program and it has been monumentally rewarding. Seeing kids engage in nature and develop genuine connections and care for the world around them fills me with hope. I know that these kids will grow up to be the next generation of voters, lawmakers, politicians, activists, and stewards caring for our planet, and seeing them become environmentally conscious and informed inspires me to envision a future where they can make real change. It is immensely fulfilling to know that I am helping build a body of future conservationists who will be able to work together and tackle the environmental challenges of our time. I believe that each child who grows up experiencing true engagement in and education about the natural world can become a great steward and help us face the future.
This scholarship is instrumental in helping me achieve these goals. The incredibly generous contribution almost fully covers my yearly tuition here at CSU, allowing me to focus on getting the best education I can. The Warner College of Natural Resources is a completely unique institution that offers top of the line education and training in the natural resources fields. Being a student at this college provides me with all the resources and skills I need to become the best environmental educator I can be. My experiences and learning at Warner College will be invaluable in my future career, helping me make the impact I hope to create, and the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Scholarship is an incredible asset to this dream. I can not express enough how grateful I am to be supported by such an incredible community and how honored I am to have received this funding, it is truly a vital resource that my academic career would not be the same without. Thank you very much for your incredible generosity and support and I can’t wait to learn more about how to care for this wonderful world we have!

Tori is the recipient of one scholarship offered through VOC, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intends to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado, and who is affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who is connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Header image by Jay Poules.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Adam Auerbach

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 18:03:00 GMT

My name is Adam Auerbach,

... and I am tremendously excited and honored to be recognized as a Grossman Scholar to support my graduate studies in Environmental and Natural Resources Policy through the CU Boulder Masters of the Environment Program.
My journey in conservation and service began in 2013 when I took a year off from college to join an AmeriCorps program with the Nevada Conservation Corps. Previously, I had been unsure of my path professionally and felt rather directionless in school. In Nevada, I was assigned to a chainsaw crew and completed fuels mitigation and habitat restoration projects on public lands across the state. While I did not fall in love with running a chainsaw in the desert for ten hours a day, I did fall in love with the idea of working on and on behalf of public lands. With this newfound passion, I transferred colleges and earned by Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and American History from Bates College in Maine with an eye towards a career in conservation.
Some highlights of my time in Maine include leading student maintenance trips on a section of the Appalachian Trail, an internship with the National Park Service (NPS), and serving as an NPS Campus Ambassador to promote inclusivity in access to the outdoors on my campus. I was also privileged to publish my undergraduate thesis, “A Century of National Park Conflict: Class, Geography, and the Changing Values of Conservation Discourse in Maine” and to win the Maine Historical Society’s Baxter “article of the year” Award for my work.
The day I graduated in Maine, I began driving west for the first of many fulfilling seasonal jobs in conservation in Colorado, a position in interpretation at Rocky Mountain National Park. During this chapter, I held other jobs in environmental education, outreach, and volunteer coordination with agencies like Boulder County Parks and Open Space and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). I also parlayed my own transformative experience in AmeriCorps service to develop and lead the Mile High Youth Corps’ first ever Generation Wild crew, a new service pathway for young people interested in supporting work around connecting youth and families from underserved communities in Northeast Metro Denver to the outdoors. Similarly, in the years prior to my return to school, I developed and led internship programs in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in my position with American Conservation Experience.
I have always remembered how impactful to my own life trajectory stewardship and connecting with public lands has been and have thus been motivated to use my career to provide similar opportunities for others. While I am proud to say I have done this, I have unfortunately also learned all too well about the realities of inadequate funding and staffing that face public lands agencies and other systemic barriers that today mean access to public lands is not equitable for all. I therefore decided to return to graduate school to better understand the relevant policy landscape. I hope to thus equip myself to have greater impact in my career to advocate on behalf of public lands issues and to ensure that all have the opportunity to have their lives transformed by stewardship and connection to public lands, as I first experienced in 2013. Outside of my studies, I have been volunteering doing water policy research through the Acequia Assistance Project, a pro-bono environmental justice legal and policy clinic that supports Colorado’s acequia communities. I have also recently started my capstone project concerning CPW’s Regional Partnerships Initiative and also began a year-long fellowship with the National Forest Foundation to support their Collaborative Capacity program. This scholarship will help me reach my education and career goals by allowing me to focus on these opportunities without pressure to find another paid job on the side. This in turn will give me space to engage in further volunteering; I recently accepted a volunteer position as a board member with the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Foundation to support my community. I may not have felt I had the capacity to take on a meaningful but unpaid opportunity like this without VOC’s support, for which I am deeply grateful.

Adam is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year. VOC awarded a total of $47,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Header image by Jay Poules.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Elizabeth Francis

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 16:04:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Francis,

...and I am honored and excited to be a Grossman Scholar! As a Colorado native, I have always been passionate about the outdoors. This passion eventually led me to pursue a career in ocean and coastal management. I was fortunate to grow up with exposure to marine science, a luxury many students in land-locked states do not possess. I benefited from local nonprofits and passionate individuals willing to share their knowledge of the marine world, teaching me the importance of environmental science education in Colorado. I went on to earn my undergraduate degree at Quest University, Canada, majoring in Marine Science and Political Science. I became increasingly frustrated with the incoherence between scientists and policymakers and decided to pursue my Master’s in International Environmental Policy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Before pursuing my Master’s, I returned home and worked closely with local nonprofits and educational institutions on environmental stewardship and teaching students about the ocean. This experience transformed my perception of what it means to work on marine issues from a landlocked state and the importance of community engagement. This experience led me to work with communities to pursue ocean-based solutions to climate change. During my work, I noticed a gap between on-the-ground needs and the discourse within academic literature. I decided to pursue my PhD at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and work on bridging the language gap between policy, finance, science, and social science. I hope to provide practitioners with valuable tools, resources, and knowledge to scale marine conservation efforts that include social justice and equity. We must find equitable conservation solutions that integrate the needs and desires of local communities to ensure long-term conservation success. Finding this balance is often difficult and fraught with challenges, frequently hindered by the partitioning of language between financial institutions, communities, scientists, and policymakers. In this niche, I work to disentangle the language barriers so that communities become environmental stewards with long-term economic and political support. Thanks to the funding from the Grossman Scholarship, I am able to pursue academic interests and spend more time connecting with the community on environmental stewardship. As a working student, my primary focus is on funding my education which significantly takes away from the time I could spend at school events, volunteering in my community, and working on additional academic pursuits. Thanks to the generosity of the Grossman Scholarship, I now have the opportunity to delve into my academic career and connect my research with a wider audience. I want to thank the Grossman Scholarship for the freedom to learn with the Colorado community.

Elizabeth is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year. VOC awarded a total of $47,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Header image by Cosima Reinbach.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Sienna Mascareñaz

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 23 May 2024 17:11:00 GMT

Hi! My name is Sienna Mascareñaz,

...and I am honored to be recognized as a 2024 Grossman Scholar. This fall, I plan to study biochemistry on a pre-medicine track at Colorado State University. I am fascinated by the power of science to explain the complexities of our world. This has inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and study biochemistry at CSU. As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I want to become an advocate for equity within our healthcare systems. Specifically, I would like to focus on expanding the accessibility of medical care to migrant farmworkers and disadvantaged communities. Often, such groups' ailments are solely considered problems that need to be solved rather than addressed within the context of such individuals' working and living situations. Pesticides and prolonged labor hours impact the health of these individuals detrimentally, and this continues to be overlooked. Not only do I plan to act as a physician to offer medical care to these groups and advocate for whole-person medical care, but I also hope to use my background in science to join in on research and development of agricultural pest control. It is a goal of mine that I may be able to join in on the development of pest control methods that are less harmful to farmworkers and the environment than what is currently on the market. Beyond this, educating farm owners and individuals in the agriculture industry will be a quintessential step in expanding human-conscious, sustainable farming methods. Ultimately, I am excited about pursuing a career focused on sustainability, inclusion, and equity through health advocacy. Thanks to the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Cairn program, I have already begun to advocate for the change I wish to see in my community. Through this program, I have gained exposure to various non-profit organizations, including the High Plains Environmental Center and The Urban Farm, that exemplify the power of sustainable horticulture practices. For both organizations, equity, and inclusivity are central to their programming, and volunteering on projects with them and numerous other organizations throughout the state inspires me to pursue a career centered around achieving equity and inclusivity in healthcare and agriculture. The Cairn program has taught me how to be an advocate for change through action and informed me of our collective strength when we work with others to care for natural resources. By virtue of my parents and my rich ancestral line of immigrants, some of whom worked harvesting sugar beets in the Rocky Mountain region in the late 1800s, living in awareness of the environment and those who nurtured this land before me are values that remain central to who I am. Cairn has supported me in upholding these values by allowing me to become a steward of our environment. Moving forward, I plan to continue advocating for change by becoming involved in student organizations, prioritizing outdoor stewardship, promoting sustainable living practices, and setting aside time to give back to my community by volunteering with VOC and similar organizations throughout the state. I am deeply grateful for the significant financial relief this scholarship will offer my family and myself. I am proud to be a member of the vast network of individuals involved with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. This community inspires me to remain curious and believe in what is possible when people come together to create change. As I look forward to this next chapter of my life, I have established the personal pillar of prioritizing caring for the environment. I am excited about where this will take me and remain optimistic about the future of our environment at the hands of my generation.

Sienna is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year. VOC awarded a total of $47,000 in scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Header image by Cosima Reinbach.

Cairn Corner: Final Project

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 02 May 2024 20:04:00 GMT

What is Spring without some snow?

Cairn mentors, students, and their friends/ family braved a rainy and snowy Final Project at The Urban Farm last Saturday! This Final Project was a culmination of all the monthly events throughout the Cairn Program in order to prepare them to lead their own stewardship project, including: attending other stewardship projects throughout the Front Range, selecting their Final Project site, training on how to be a Crew Leader, and conducting a site visit for their Final Project. All students also assumed different leadership roles throughout the process similar to VOC’s own volunteer leadership positions such as crew chef, photographer, crew leader, etc. En lieu of the impending weather conditions, the project work was shifted to helping The Urban Farm remove invasive plants from their Food Forest. This Food Forest is one of the farm’s sources for the 14,000 pounds of produce they donate to the community annually.

Our group weathered the storm while removing invasive Curly Dock in order to give the Food Forest better access to nutrients and resources without having to compete alongside the non-native plants. The Curly Dock also needed to be removed as it can be toxic to their resident livestock. This was no easy task with tap roots as long as 10 feet, along with the snow quickly covering the landscape by the end of the work. Student Crew Leaders led the rest of the group in different sections of the Food Forest, covering about 2,000 sq ft of land and removing an estimated 400 pounds of invasive plants!

After everyone spent some time warming up, we enjoyed lunch and sweets provided by VOC, followed by a small graduation ceremony. Each student and mentor were recognized for their time committed to caring for Colorado’s natural resources throughout the Cairn Program, along with receiving a commemorative Cairn Program gift. We’d like to congratulate all students and mentors for their completion of the 2023-24 Cairn Program and we are beyond grateful for their time, support, and enthusiasm dedicated throughout the school year!

Photography by Heidi Hartman.

Cairn Corner: March 2024

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:27:00 GMT

The Goat Ate My Homework

In March, Cairn students and mentors performed their Site Visit for their Final Project that will be happening in April at The Urban Farm. This Final Project was selected by the Cairn students from VOC’s list of project applications we received in Fall 2023. Now, students and mentors will assume different roles that a VOC Project Manager or a Volunteer Leader would traditionally carry out during any other VOC public project. During the site visit, students and mentors were able to meet with the Land Manager of The Urban Farm and learn about this non-profit’s programming, the project work our Cairn participants will be performing, and meet some of the resident livestock!

The Urban Farm also graciously let us host a mini Crew Leader Training for our Cairn participants on their property, taught by Ben, our resident Outdoor Stewardship Institute Program Manager. Students learned about different ways to manage crews’ safety and expectations along with how to use and carry tools for the project work safely. We’d like to extend our thanks to The Urban Farm for hosting us and collaborating to plan the Final Project and to Ben for teaching us how to be leaders in outdoor stewardship. We are excited for our final event of the Cairn 2023-24 season!

Cairn Corner: February 2024

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:19:00 GMT

Cairn Students Enjoy A Winter Skills Day

Cairn students joined Wildlands Restoration Volunteers and Left Hand Outdoor Challenge students in a Snowshoeing and Winter Skills Challenge Day hosted by Boulder County at Reynolds Ranch in Nederland. Boulder County Rangers led students in practice scenarios on how to treat cold-related injuries, along with the common signs and symptoms. These scenarios were practiced in very relevant conditions as the wind chill this day dropped temperatures on an otherwise sunny day!
Cairn students had a fun sighting of a vole scampering along the forest floor, along with moose scat and tracks.

To practice other survival scenarios, students were also able to light small, contained fires using different methods of ignition. After lunch, students were allowed to choose between joining a snowshoe hike led by volunteer naturalists or try their hand at making Quinzhee Hut snow shelters. We thank the staff, volunteers, and LHOC students of Boulder County for hosting this event and providing an amazing learning experience for our students!
We’d also like to thank REI for supplying all the snowshoes for our Cairn students and mentors!

Career Exploration Day with VOC

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 19:35:00 GMT

Career Exploration for Local Denver High School Students

It was Career Exploration Day for VOC’s Cairn program participants and Youth Exploring Stewardship (YES) Coalition youth this past Saturday. Students got a chance to chat with local professionals about the linear and nonlinear career ‘paths’ one can take to find their way to a job with an environmental focus.
Thanks to CSU’s Spur Campus for hosting us and to our energetic representatives who came out to share their knowledge with our youth!

So thankful to all the tablers for spending their Saturday afternoon with us; Bluff Lake Nature Center , Boulder OSMP, City and County of Denver : Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado State University Dept. of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) , Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges , Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education , HIGH PLAINS ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER , High Line Canal Conservancy , JeffCo Open Space, Leave No Trace , Mile High Youth Corps , The Nature Conservancy , National Park Service , REI , Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership , Wildlands Restoration Volunteers , and Colorado Young Leaders

And a huge shoutout to the Youth Exploring Stewardship Coalition for bringing out the youth groups to join our Cairn students. It was great to see WRV, Boulder Jr. Rangers, Left Hand Outdoor Challenge, Colorado Young Leaders, Generation Wild Northeast Coalition, and Environmental Learning for Kids youth coming together to explore careers!

Stepping Stones

Not only do VOC's Cairn participants get the unique opportunity of chatting with so many local organizations and companies leaving a positive impact on our environment, but VOC's Grossman Scholarships and MOC Scholarship offer these students (and other graduating high school seniors in Colorado) a chance to attend a Colorado university with less of a financial burden. Should students apply, they would be entered into the application process and could be chosen to be the recipient of a Grossman Scholarship.
On behalf of Rick and Susie Grossman, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado will offer two scholarships (one $10,000 scholarship and one $5,000 scholarship) this year to graduating Colorado high school seniors who will be pursuing post secondary education in an environmental field at an accredited institution in the state of Colorado.
VOC decreases barriers for local students with the goal to engage and inspire young minds. They hold our future in their hands and it's an investment worth making.

Scholarship Details

There is only one month left to apply to the Grossman and MOC Scholarships. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here . Applications are due February 26, 2024 at 11:59 pm MST.

Cairn Corner: November 2023

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 20:37:00 GMT

Breaking Down (Literal) Barriers

In November, VOC's Cairn students joined high school students from WRV’s WYLD Program (WRV Youth Leadership Development ) and Boulder County’s Left Hand Outdoor Challenge to work with City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks staff to improve wildlife habitat. Students removed nearly 2,000 feet of old fence line, which helps restore wildlife migration paths. This fence removal is also part of the North Sky Trail project, which is a project that VOC volunteers worked on this past summer over the course of four projects to help construct this new trail in Boulder County.

Students also were able to learn about wildland firefighting after their service project and put their skills to the test in a fun relay game!

Steve Austin's Memorial Rock Wall & Dedication

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 19:20:00 GMT

One Individual Can Leave a Lasting Impact

Steve Austin was a hallmark volunteer and cherished member of the VOC community for 35 years before his passing in December of 2022. His commitment to VOC’s mission was unmatched and he brought magic to VOC in many ways. Steve participated in over 300 projects, won almost every annual VOC award, created the “Austin” rock carrying tool, and had Governor Hickenlooper declare November 7th Steve Austin Day in 2015. We hope to carry on Steve’s spirit to honor all that he shared with VOC.
Steve left a bequest to VOC in his will which enabled us to create our Innovation Fund this year to help the organization innovate into the future. Through this generosity, Steve’s legacy will continue to live on for years to come.
Fulfilling his final wishes, on October 19, 2023, a small group of volunteers gathered to build a rock wall in Steve's honor at the top of Mt. Galbraith in Golden, CO. It was a beautiful day, which was coordinated with the help of Jefferson County Open Space.

Reflections of the light Steve shared with the VOC community:

"Over the years I volunteered on a number of projects with Steve. This unassuming, wise man made a huge contribution to stewarding Colorado's outdoor resources. His guidance and work ethic inspired us all. We were fortunate to have him among us."

"I've never known anyone so dedicated to giving back to his community as much as Steve was. He was a true jewel and I am so proud to have known him. He taught me so much about trails, about people, and about how best to live life. Such a role model. He will be so missed and there will never be another man like him."

"Most superheroes only exist in comic books, but not Steve Austin. The man was a walking talking legend. I'm extremely fortunate to have been able to work with Mr. Austin throughout the state of Colorado. Whether it was passing along an endless breadth of knowledge to burgeoning crew leaders or manipulating 1,000 lb rocks, Steve was always a humble leader. He left his fingerprints on many special places throughout the centennial state and was THE example of a true lifelong steward of our public lands. Thanks for letting us rub elbows with a superhero Steve."

"One memory of Steve stands out to me. I landed on one of Steve’s crew at Guffey Gorge where we were moving rocks the size of VW Beetles with his ingenious contraptions. By the end of the first day, most of us were ready to lay low, pull out a good brew and chow down on some good snacks. Steve, on the other hand, emerged from his pickup truck not too long after getting back to camp– decked out in his Tommy Bahama swim trunks with a towel draped over this back. “Off to jump off the cliff” he announced as he trotted back up the trail to the swimming hole the locals call Paradise Cove. Running after him, I witnessed the splash! What a way to end the day. What a way to live a life. A rare kind of teacher who graced so many lives. May his spirit be around all of us and in us as we carry on."

"One of my favorite things about working with Steve was how he always made a point to be supportive of and a resource for his fellow Crew Leaders and volunteers. He taught, he guided, he encouraged, all with his signature understated enthusiasm."

"I won't forget how, at a Roxborough State Park project, he took time at the end of the day to compliment my crew's work on a timber stair case. On the same project another friend we've lost, Jake Isaacson, was expressing how the bridge his crew built didn't quite come together like he hoped. "It's a good bridge, Jake" said Steve. That was all that was needed to quell Jake's concerns and make him feel good about where he ended the day!"

"Steve was an amazing inspiration to us all! I can only hope to be out on a project in my 80s and 90’s. Steve shining influence will be greatly missed! Here’s to Steve, may he be at peace with the knowledge that he left a legacy of better trails and better people in Colorado behind him that won’t ever be replaced!"

If we can learn anything from Steve's effervescent commitment to his community and to Colorado, it's that one person can make an impact.
If you would like to learn about planned giving , please email development@voc.org or give us a call at 303-715-1010 .

VOC Has New Kitchen Tents Thanks To It's Generous Donors

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 21:42:00 GMT

What Is A Tent To You?

This past May, our valued supporters helped us surpass our $10,000 goal to improve our camp kitchens and overall volunteer experience. We are proud to share that with their incredible generosity, we were able to purchase four new tents to serve as a camp kitchen and gathering space on our volunteer projects. For volunteers that have been on a VOC project, it's easy to understand the power these tents hold – shelter from the rain, respite from the harsh sun, a community space to eat dinner, or a place to socialize with fellow volunteers. Each role is as important as the next and every tent takes on a different role with each new project.
It is not just a tent to VOC. It's our way of showing our volunteers that we care about them and that their time and commitment to VOC's mission is recognized and appreciated. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our donors, and we are honored to have them on our side. Thank you, Chris Nesset
Chief Executive Officer

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Liz McDonald

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 18:40:00 GMT

Hi, my name is Liz McDonald.

Hello! My name is Liz McDonald, and I am currently a graduate candidate at the University of Colorado Boulder specializing in Sustainable Food Systems. I am beyond honored to be recognized as one of this year’s VOC Grossman Scholars.
I am passionate about understanding the ways we manage and live within environmental systems. Through my undergraduate studies and time spent serving with AmeriCorps, I have worked on conservation, restoration, and regenerative agriculture projects. Connecting with land stewards on a personal level to understand and address the most pressing environmental issues has shaped the interests I am pursuing in graduate school.
Currently, in collaboration with a local non-profit organization, I am involved with Boulder County’s leading scene in wildfire resiliency planning through my capstone project. Through this, I am developing a county-wide wildfire ambassador program to address rising concerns over fire preparedness, invoking collaboration between and across agencies, municipalities, and community organizations. The project is deeply tied to community and action and focuses on both land and home management practices.
A primary goal of mine within this professional graduate program is to advocate for just, equitable, and attainable climate solutions. Nurturing the connection of people with land, water, and food is where my focus lies. Because of this, I volunteer my time with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee within my graduate program and will continue to do so for the remainder of my studies. I currently act as the Student Equity Action Group Lead, supporting resource and funding analysis for current and incoming students.
After I graduate, I hope to gain diverse experience working among and between environmental non-profit organizations and government agencies. Building partnerships and skillsets along the way, I have an adaptive view of my future goals. Monumental in guiding my career path, my current educational pursuits have empowered me to develop a highly interdisciplinary lens on conservation agriculture and environmental management. Academically and professionally, this scholarship will support me in many more ways than financially. It will allow me to link my dedication to volunteerism with my professional pursuits. The scholarship, as well as future, continuous involvement with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado will provide support, community engagement, and a vast network of inspiration for the work I hope to do moving forward. It is with deep gratitude that I stand as one of this year’s VOC Grossman Scholars.

Liz is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.
Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open in October 2023.

Header image by Heather Enos

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Kim Lopez

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:10:00 GMT

Hola todos! My name is Kim Lopez.

Hola todos!
My name is Kim Lopez and it is with great joy that I can announce I am a recipient of the Grossman Scholarship.
As a first-generation student, the first in my family to receive a high school diploma and then receive my bachelor’s degree, education has been instrumental in my journey. I received my bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University (CSU) in biological science with minors in ethnic studies and conservation biology. I continue to be intrigued with the intersection of communities and their natural resources, and specifically want to amplify ways we connect to nature outside of the traditional outdoor recreation sphere. The Grossman Scholarship allows me to dive deeper into issues surrounding systemic planning on policy and natural resource management so I may take my passion for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion even further. This fall I will begin my Wildlife Conservation Actions graduate certificate at CSU and will learn more about applying practical and action-oriented methodologies to my conservation work.
Throughout my undergraduate degree, I relied on grants and scholarships. As the saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” My education is a result of not only my determination, but also the faith that others had in me. I am honored to now be connected to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado and their community of supporters as I continue my education journey.
I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service at Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. In this role I’ve strengthened my skills in inclusive program development for a wide range of audiences. My favorite program was offering Spanish training on restoration work and having my mom as a participant! Gaining community trust is a skill I continue to refine in this role, as well as building partnerships to support both outdoor stewardship and the Refuge. I also serve on the Board of Directors for Bluff Lake Nature Center and on the Executive Committee for Metro Denver Nature Alliance as we embark on a regional vision for people and nature.
As I begin to take on more leadership roles, I only fall more and more in love with my field. My graduate courses will set me up to enact positive change. My career goals are based on my ability to amplify the voices of those who did not have the same privileges I did, and I am excited for all that I will learn from others. It's both a personal and professional dream of mine to use my power, story, and network to be part of the equity in the outdoors movement. I have been given a platform to present at Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors conference, Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute’s conference, and this fall I will present at the Colorado Open Space Alliance conference on equity in the outdoors. I see nature as an opportunity for healing. Having open and equal access across identities is an absolute must. I plan on continuing to stay in the intersection between people and nature, and am very committed to the Denver metro area. In whatever role I take on in the future, I hope to be able to directly work with the neighboring community and collaboratively create innovative ways to engage them with nature.

Kim is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.
Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open in October 2023.

Header image by Heather Enos

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Kate Lockwood

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 21:18:00 GMT

Hi, I'm Kate Lockwood.

Kate is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.
Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open in October 2023.

Header image by Jay Poules

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Tori Auger

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 23:11:00 GMT

Hi, I'm Tori Auger.

Hi! My name is Tori Auger and I have the incredible honor of being one of this year’s VOC Grossman Scholarship recipients! I am an 18-year-old Denver native who loves the world, nature, and most especially all the creatures who call it home. I have been in love with the natural world for as long as I can remember, talking to birds, catching garter snakes, climbing trees, and swimming in lakes since I was a child. Having grown up in Denver, I have had access to a world of gorgeous natural spaces and parks, beautiful mountains, and incredible wildlife my entire life, which of course only deepened my love of the outdoors. Also instrumental to my love of nature was a summer camp called SPREE which teaches kids about the wonders of the natural world and how to protect it. I lived for this program, spending every second I possibly could at SPREE, catching crawdads, playing nature games, and learning about our incredible planet. I attended SPREE as a camper, then became a teacher’s assistant, and have now worked for them as an educator for three years, totaling to over a decade of time well spent. It is through my involvement with SPREE and the Greenway Foundation that I had the opportunity to apply for this incredible scholarship.
Due to my deep love for the natural world, and the guidance of some very important people in my life, I am proud to say I am attending Colorado State University where I am studying Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and Conservation Biology. I aim to become a full-time environmental educator upon graduating from CSU. I love teaching kids about the environment because I know they will grow up to be the next generation of policymakers, problem solvers, and stewards of this world. By teaching them about our environment and what they can do to protect it, I know the work I do makes a real impact on protecting the world I love. In addition to being extremely rewarding, working with kids happens to be fun! Kids bring an air of silliness, imagination, and genuineness to learning, which never fails to lift my spirits and give me hope for our environment and our future as a whole.
Environmental education is my passion and it is a blessing to be able to follow that passion unobstructed, in large part due to the contribution of the Grossman Scholarship. This scholarship will have an incredible impact on my college career, covering such a massive portion of my tuition that, with the help of a few small merit-based awards, I will not have to pay any tuition out of pocket in the coming school year. This remarkable contribution will allow me to focus on other expenses relevant to my education such as textbooks, materials, and course fees associated with some of the most impactful and exciting classes my college has to offer. I am so thankful to VOC and the Grossmans for helping me pursue the best education possible to become the environmental steward I want to be.
I would like to end by acknowledging some of those who have helped me get to where I am today. I would like to thank the Greenway Foundation and SPREE for showing me the joys of environmental education. I would like to extend a special thank you to my coworkers and friends, Allie Hennessy and Jay Gagnon, for encouraging me to apply for this scholarship and writing me letters of recommendation. I would also like to thank my uncles, Jolon and JJ Clark, who helped get the SPREE program on its feet and guided me into the environmental field. Most importantly, I would like to thank my Mom for everything she has done for me. She has always shown unwavering support for my passions and I would be lost without her. Lastly, I would like to once again thank VOC and the Grossmans for their incredible generosity. I am honored to have received this scholarship and will do my best to make you all proud! Thank you everyone!

Tori is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.
Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open in October 2023.

Header image by Heather Enos

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Lilly Figueroa

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:33:00 GMT

Hi, I'm Lilly Figueroa.

Lilly is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.
Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open in October 2023.

Header image by Nicholas Guthrie

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Dean McMichael

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 16:18:00 GMT

Hi, I'm Dean McMichael

Hi! My name is Dean McMichael, and I am honored to be a recipient of the Grossman Scholarship. I am a graduating senior at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colorado. I love to ski, hike, and bike, and I dance, play music, and make art as well. I have been involved in various clubs, including my school's National Honor Society chapter, Earth Club, and Student Equity Council. The Grossman Scholarship will allow me to pursue Environmental Studies at Colorado College in the fall. Growing up in the Roaring Fork Valley, I have been surrounded by wilderness my whole life. My intimacy with nature has made environmentalism a core value for me, and it has guided my actions. In high school, I spearheaded recycling and energy efficiency initiatives with the Earth Club. For my senior project, I created a composting program at my school by writing and receiving a grant that will fund the project for years to come. My environmentalist values have inspired me throughout my life. The other value system that has guided me in high school is that of diversity and equity, which I pursued as a member of the Equity Council. This group sought to elevate marginalized voices in the school and community. I am drawn to environmental studies and sustainability because they are fundamentally issues of justice, and I hope to apply my interest in equity to my studies in college. The Environmental Studies program at Colorado College will allow me to explore human relationships with the environment in the beautiful landscape of Colorado. The Grossman Scholarship gives me access to hands-on experience, expert professors, research, and all of the opportunities that Colorado College offers to build experience and knowledge as I pursue my passions.
Dean is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.
Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open in October 2023.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Liz Dowling

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 31 May 2023 18:00:00 GMT

Hi, I'm Liz Dowling

Hi, I'm Liz Dowling and I'm based in the Denver metro area. I’ve been attending University of Denver (DU) pursuing a Master’s of Science in Environmental Policy and Management with concentrations in natural resource management and environmental policy. I started this graduate program in March 2020 and I have been taking one course per quarter while working full-time. At The National Wild Turkey Federation, I serve as their Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative Coordinator. Currently, I have four courses left to graduate and hope to start another course this June. This scholarship has provided an opportunity for me to consistently take courses and accelerate my graduation date. Removing that financial stressor will allow me to focus on my career by allowing more energy towards work and school. My career began by obtaining an undergraduate degree from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Fish, Conservation, and Wildlife Biology. I spent many years in the field supporting research projects on bears, wolves, and mountain lions, developing my passion for conservation. The phenomenal moments I cherish from these wild places will always be a reminder of my purpose and ‘why’ in this career. As I continued to navigate the conservation industry as a young emerging professional, I’ve learned that my heart and brain appreciate roles where I am supporting landscape scale work and collaborating with partners. My graduate studies and professional work allow me to learn and execute collaborative approaches through leadership. I am and always will be a lifelong nerd. I love learning. Each job and educational experience have added another perspective to my outlook. I no longer look at a forest at the surface level. I examine it from a wildlife biologist’s perspective and understand the habitat that a specific community of animals need. From a forester’s perspective, I wonder how healthy the stands of trees are. From a firefighter’s perspective, I examine how fire will move across the landscape. At the end of the day, all of these perspectives overlap together and with a trained eye, they allow me to see the entire picture.
A big thank you to the Grossman’s and to VOC for this wonderful opportunity. I can’t wait to share future achievements throughout my career.
Liz is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.
Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open in October 2023.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Natasha Way

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 17:23:00 GMT

Hello, my name is Natasha Way...

and I am so thankful to be a Grossman Scholar!
Back in 2012, I’d done one year at McGill University as an undergraduate and I was feeling unsure about what I wanted to study or what work I’d like to do in the future. I felt like I was interested in a thousand things, but not passionate about any one thing. I decided to take a gap year and was accepted into an AmeriCorps program in Colorado. As part of AmeriCorps, we had to complete a certain number of volunteer hours with local organizations. This was my first introduction to VOC. I joined a few other corps members at a VOC trail building day and then attended a few more volunteer days and community events. After a year of volunteering and spending time outdoors in Colorado, it finally came to me. I had always loved the outdoors and had always been concerned about climate change and about our relationships with the natural world. I went back to McGill, got my bachelor’s in environmental health, and moved on to start a career doing environmental work.
It is now almost 10 years since those first days volunteering with VOC. I’ve worked in environmental education, as a guide, and in community sustainability. My career path has curved and twisted, but it’s always been based on my love for the outdoors and my passion for increasing accessibility, while improving environmental awareness and creating a healthier, more sustainable world.
After getting increasingly frustrated with the state of the environment and the lack of progress that our society and our communities were making to tackle climate change, I decided to return to school to get my Master’s in environmental policy. It was finally time to return to Colorado and to the place that had kindled my interest in this field back in 2012.
At CU Boulder, I’m learning about how we can use policy to reduce emissions, improve health, and protect ecosystems. I’m also learning about how all of these things can and must include a focus on equity, inclusion, and accessibility. If we protect a fish, but we don’t protect communities around the river, that fish won’t stay protected for long. When we talk about increasing access to EVs, we need to include efforts to provide charging infrastructure in low-income neighborhoods, even if private companies don’t think it’s worth their investment. When we conserve land for the public, we need to make sure to provide signage in other languages so that the whole public can use that outdoor space. At every step of the way, we need to ask ourselves who is being served from our work and what we can do to pull in new groups and spread the benefits of the outdoors and of a healthy environment throughout our communities and our society as a whole.
Thanks to the funding from the Grossman Scholarship, I am able to explore all of these issues and more. As a working student, I spend a lot of time trying to reduce my debt load from school. This is often time that could be spent at school events or volunteering in my community or visiting professors to dive deeper into exciting new concepts or ideas. By helping to pay my tuition, the Grossman Scholarship is helping to provide me with more freedom to focus on my schooling and to get the most I possibly can out of my opportunity to study with world-class professors. It is thanks to the Grossman Scholarship that I have the freedom to actually go above and beyond in my studies. I am so thankful for this opportunity and can not wait to spend another year learning and exploring in Colorado.
Lia is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2023-24 school year will open in October 2022.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Landon Roberts

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 17:21:00 GMT

Hi! My name is Landon Roberts...

and I would like to thank VOC for their generous contribution in order to further my education at Colorado School of Mines this fall. Throughout my time living in rural Durango, Colorado, I have worked for a compost company, surveyed natural habitats, and participated in homeless camp cleanups. Through my experiences, I have noticed first-hand the increasing need for public participation in outdoor stewardship activities. And, with my passion for sustainability, I am excited to pursue an Environmental Engineering degree focused in renewable energy studies. Without the Grossman Scholarship, I would not have chosen to attend the top engineering school in Colorado. VOC has supported my decision to further my education in a setting with the caliber of knowledge about environmental studies I want to be a part of.
Living in Durango for 18 years has prompted me to become an outdoorsman. I regularly engage in various activities from white water rafting to trail running to mushroom hunting. I thoroughly enjoy spending time relaxing by the river or scaling fourteeners for fun. However, I find the most fulfillment in the outdoors when I give back to the earth in the simplest ways by planting trees, picking up litter, and teaching others how to leave no trace. Learning about soil restoration and small-scale crop production through my time working at Table to Farm Compost Company, I have expanded my knowledge to cultivate my own fruits and vegetables in sustainable ways. Thereafter, I convinced my family to buy local crops when possible, minimize meat consumption, and conserve energy in our household.
My intended focus of study in renewable energy stemmed from my work this summer as a land surveyor for natural gas companies in southwest Colorado. After working alongside a team of engineers, plotting land throughout the county for future construction of gas pipelines, wellheads, and extended gas pads, I realized how large the negative impact of commercial fossil fuel extraction/production really is. Due to the current consumer demand for gas, and the need for domestic production, gas companies across the nation are drilling in more remote locations with more new wellheads than during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of low demand for gas. Consequently, a larger portion of forests and natural habitats are being overtaken for fracking, construction of compression stations and pipelines. Plus, the rising demand for gas continues to push annual CO2 emissions above the U.S. Department of Energy’s proposed emission reduction goals.
I have witnessed the inevitable environmental destruction from fossil fuel extraction, despite efforts to limit emissions by banning venting and flaring, piping CO2 into underground chambers, and improved fuel refining methods. So, my mission through an environmental engineering degree is to develop more affordable, efficient, and effective ways to harness free energy from the sun, wind, water, and other natural resources that take up less land and emit little to no greenhouse gasses. I am proud to say that I am a Grossman scholar because I am part of a group of people who care about furthering their education for the purpose of giving back to the environment and finding solutions to climate change. I am truly thankful for the funding and support from Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, which will motivate me to meet my career goals with a degree from CO School of Mines and meanwhile teach others how to care for the beautiful land we live on.
Lia is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2023-24 school year will open in October 2022.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Lia Young

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 17:19:00 GMT

Howdy! My name is Lia Young...

and I am super stoked to have been chosen as a 2022 Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Grossman scholar!
I love being outside and going on awesome adventures, and I feel that I have a very strong, passionate connection to Colorado’s land, rivers and ecology. This past year I have served as a VOC Cairn member, a Colorado Environmental Film Fest Student Judge, the President of the Green Mountain High School Eco Club, and completed a STEM Capstone called Adventure Science on the River based around collecting and analyzing data from Clear Creek, a local river I grew up rafting. Through the completion and presentation of this capstone project along with several other criteria, I earned the Colorado STEM endorsement on my high school diploma. I am also a part of the organization GOALS on Rivers Wavemakers, which is a group of youth engaged in activism for healthy rivers and river ecology through the destruction of dams. In addition to these involvements, I also organized a Ride-A-Thon style fundraiser in 2020 with the support of a local bike team and raised several thousand dollars for the Navajo Nation and White Mountain Apache Tribe to support these communities during the time of COVID, an action that I believe is intersectionally connected to environmental health.
I view my involvement in these activities as a way to give back to the land and resources that have given me awesome experiences playing outside, learning about the world and connecting with friends and family. I am a passionate mountain biker, nordic skier and river person, and my passion for these elements in my life also fuels my environmental activism.
This fall I’m heading to Durango to attend Fort Lewis College studying Environmental Science, Adventure Education and Indigenous Studies, as well as pursue a River Studies certificate. I also will be on the Fort Lewis College Cycling Team. I’m very pumped for all that I am going to learn and experience in college. From the lessons I will collect in higher education, I one day hope to become an “Adventure Scientist”, which is a person who goes out into the backcountry to collect hard-to-obtain data on expeditions and use that data to conserve natural resources and educate others. Receiving the Grossman Scholarship is an enormous support to me as I move forward to new experiences learning and growing in college. Thank you so much for using your time to get to know me today and I encourage you to volunteer with VOC and give back to our public lands.
Lia is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2023-24 school year will open in October 2022.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Adrienne Ross

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 20:05:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Adrienne Ross...

and I would like to express my gratitude to VOC as one of the recipients of the 2022 Grossman Scholarship!
VOC’s generosity in offering this scholarship will open many doors for me in the next year, as it reduces the financial burden of school and allows me to focus on the unique internship opportunities available as I pursue my Master of Social Work (MSW).
This fall I will begin my first field placement at a residential treatment facility for adolescent boys in the foster care system. I will be developing an adventure-focused curriculum to provide outdoor experiences to children who have lived through some of the most challenging circumstances and may never had the means to access these spaces. Receiving the Grossman Scholarship will allow me to focus my full attention on this project and my studies, which I am so grateful for.
I am currently entering my second year as an MSW student at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. As someone who began graduate school in their 30s, I have been lucky to have a wide variety of experiences that have led me to where I am now. It has been amazing to see my past jobs and volunteer positions, seemingly so different, come together to culminate in my chosen career path. Previously, I lived on the western slope and worked as an adaptive sports and recreation instructor, helping people with disabilities experience the outdoors in all kinds of ways. After a summer as an AmeriCorps volunteer with an environmental science non-profit, I decided that I wanted to engage with and protect the natural world through people-focused, outdoor-based mental health programs.
This realization led me to my current role as an Adventure-Based Mental Health Specialist. In my position, I run five-day outdoor-based trips for veterans focused on building mental health and resiliency through adventure. I firmly believe that our public lands offer growth and healing opportunities to those who are struggling that are currently underappreciated. Not only that, but we have an incredible opportunity to build an even stronger community of stewardship in Colorado by providing these types of programs to a larger population.
Over the course of my career, I have developed a fundamental belief that outdoor adventure holds an infinite capacity as a transformative, healing space. With my degree, I hope to continue providing mental health programs that focus on the outdoors and experiential learning, while also teaching responsible usership and protection of our greatest asset – public lands. I also hope to address the inequities that are currently present in access to the outdoors as well as wilderness therapy settings. After all, public spaces are for everyone, and we all deserve the opportunity to live a healthy and active life, both physically and emotionally.
I am honored to have been selected for this scholarship and am impressed with VOC’s commitment to ensuring that outdoor access, conservation, and stewardship are something that every person can experience. I hope that throughout my career I can continue to carry forward the mission of VOC in a unique setting with a distinct perspective.
Again, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to both VOC and the Grossman family for their support of my education. The opportunity to work in a field that both impacts people deeply and brings my interests together is not one that I take for granted. I know that it cannot be done without the support of organizations like VOC!
Adrienne is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2023-24 school year will open in October 2022.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Lyssa Lini

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 21:12:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Lyssa Lini...

and I am honored to be a 2022 Grossman Scholar.
I recently graduated from Pikes Peak Early College and Pikes Peak Community College. I will be attending Colorado State University this fall, where I will earn my Bachelor of Science in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with a concentration in Conservation Biology and a minor in Ecological Restoration.
I possess an innate drive to advance conservation and environmental education in my community, which I nurture through my various service activities. For three years, I volunteered at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, assuming various roles such as Junior Zookeeper, member of the Youth Leadership Action Board, and Co-Chair of the Conservation Committee. Through these leadership roles, I presented our animal ambassadors and related conservation messages to guests and became an integral part of planning events at the zoo. As a steward of the environment, I also participate in projects to remove invasive plant species, build and maintain trails, clean up trash, and plant trees through various organizations such as the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, VOC, and the City of Colorado Springs: Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services.
My greatest interests pertain to the social and scientific aspects of conservation, which I will study in-depth at CSU through both curricular and experiential learning opportunities. One of my deepest passions lies in dismantling barriers to ecosystem services and environmental education. I recognize the current inequitable allocation of natural resources and hope to propose solutions to mend this gap and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field of conservation. Additionally, by studying the physiology and ecology of species in crucial ecosystems, I hope to develop solutions that mitigate ecological loss from a scientific perspective.
I am incredibly grateful for VOC, an organization that fosters a diverse community of environmental stewards and possesses a genuine commitment to caring for natural resources. Because of VOC’s generosity and support, my educational and career goals are attainable, and I may continue to pursue higher education without stressing about the exorbitant costs of college. I am proud to be a member of the VOC community and will continue to volunteer with the organization and honor its mission statement while attending university.
Lyssa is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2023-24 school year will open in October 2022.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Rosston Sherlock

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 23:17:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Rosston Sherlock...

and I am a graduating senior at Buena Vista High School where I have been active in Student Council, Bionic, as well as serving as our local National Honor Society president. I have also qualified to go to the 2A cross country state championships with two top ten placings at that contest. I also wrestle and run track.
With help from the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado and the Grossman Scholarship I will be attending Colorado State University this fall. My focus going through college right now will be either in some sort of conservation or wildlife management biology. I moved to Buena Vista, Colorado when I was 8 and began to grow in my relationship with the outdoors. I have been active in many different outdoor activities including dirt biking, hiking, rafting, kayaking, skiing, and even snow caving to name a few. I have fallen in love with the beauty of the natural landscape that surrounds my hometown and I want to help conserve our natural resources. I am incredibly grateful to the amazing people at Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado for providing this opportunity.
Rosston is one of four students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2021-22 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2022-23 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2022.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Beckett Wagner

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 23:15:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Beckett Wagner...

and I’m ecstatic to be one of VOC’s Grossman Scholarship recipients! I am a 2nd year undergraduate student at Front Range Community College planning on transferring to Colorado State University to pursue a bachelors in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources. Some may consider me an unconventional student due to pursuing a degree while also working seasonally for the National Park Service and various conservation corps, but I greatly enjoy taking what I learn in the classroom to the field and vice versa. This approach has allowed me to live and work in some beautiful places and understand both the theory and practice of my work.
VOC definitely stands out as an extremely professional and knowledgeable organization so I was thrilled to also accept the Steve Austin Scholarship earlier this year which allowed me to attend some training and projects including crosscuts and trail rehabilitation. Here I met some of the incredible staff and dedicated volunteers who, enriched by the diversity of experiences, created a welcoming and fun environment. Being offered these scholarships felt like both recognition of my accomplishments thus far and encouragement that I can go even further. I feel indebted to the field of Natural Resources for the incredible impact it has made in my life and my desire to share that with others. Making these opportunities more accessible for POC and LGBTQIA+ communities is not only beneficial to these groups but to the conservation worlds as a whole. Progress is made by engaging difference and I hope that through my work this field continues to be and gets better at making the trail clearer for those behind us and the goal more equitable up ahead.
Working with so many different agencies, corps, and nonprofits continues to shape my understanding of public lands and how people relate to them. Specifically, the barriers, misunderstandings, and sometimes complete disconnection. My pursuit of a degree in Natural Resources and eventually Human Dimensions of Natural Resources will put power behind the findings and observations I’ve already made in my professional career. It will enable me to do actual data collection and research as well as network a coalition of programs and organizations dedicated to creating a truly equitable space in this field. By working with underprivileged communities and identifying barriers, breaking them down, and creating clear, safe professional paths I hope that it becomes more common that people can see themselves in these positions, therefore improving the stewardship of our natural resources by elevating all perspectives and experiences. In the far future, I hope to be the director of my own corp with a nationally recognized and respected trails and natural resource curriculum dedicated to empowering the next generation of stewards. Ultimately I want to follow the age-old adage; leave it better than you found it.

I thank VOC and it’s volunteers for continuing to look forward in conservation. It’s one of the same to be a steward of the land and to the community. Scholarships like these are one of many ways they show this commitment and I am honored to be a small part of the greater picture.
Beckett is one of four students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2021-22 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2022-23 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2022.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Mardoche Dowling-Davis

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 22:11:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Mardoche Dowling-Davis...

I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to be a 2021 Grossman Scholar!
I don’t know exactly how it started but what I do know is that it started when I was young. I developed a burning passion for the environment, I don’t know how to describe the feeling that I had when flipping through those nature books other than it felt like my destiny. I would never have thought that I would be here today, nineteen years old, graduated from Boulder High School with a 3.462 GPA, going to Front Range Community College to get an Associate of Science to later major in Zoology in a four year University, and a Grossman Scholar!
You see, before I came to the United States, the land of opportunity, with my adoptive family, I was a little girl living in Haiti. I was one of six children to extremely impoverished parents desperately trying to give the best life to their children. I remember I went to school once and I absolutely loved it, and when I went to first grade in the United States, I vowed to myself that I would complete my education. Here I am, four more years left to go before I fulfill my promise to my eight year old self.
To further my passion for the environment, I worked for City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, Junior Rangers Program from when I was fourteen to seventeen. I enjoyed spending time outside with other teenagers preserving land through trail maintenance, stewardship and resource management service. I am so thankful to receive the Grossman Scholarship, I cannot express my gratitude enough for giving me the opportunity to give back to the environment that does so much for us.
Mardoche is one of four students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2021-22 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2022-23 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2022.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Casey Bries

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 22:08:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Casey Bries...

and it is an absolute honor to be selected as a recipient of the Grossman Scholarship.
I am a first-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in Environmental Policy, Management, & Law. I currently serve as an Education & Outreach Coordinator with City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks where I have the joy of connecting people to the land through educational programming and volunteer opportunities like those supported by VOC. I have worked in natural resource management and environmental education for over 10 years, and I am excited to advance my career through a better understanding of policy design for our changing landscape, climate, and community.
My greatest passion lies in the transformation of cultural pillars to promote widespread participation in the public process and the shared stewarding of public lands. I believe safe access to quality natural spaces is a fundamental human right, and my professional experience has centered on dismantling barriers to that access. I am excited to explore innovative approaches to natural resource protection and management that are not only achieved by− but actively drive− social change. I aim to bridge policymaking with my experience in informal education and public engagement to achieve community-driven decisions that promote wellness for all persons and promote continued environmental stewardship for future generations.
My deepest gratitude goes out to VOC for supporting a legacy of stewardship throughout Colorado and to the Grossman Family for providing the opportunity to achieve these goals. I look forward to continuing to grow in community and working together to achieve our shared vision of inclusive and collaborative connection to the land. nity.
There are so many opportunities here at CSU for me to explore my passions and to expand my knowledge and love of the natural world. I cannot express the gratitude that I feel for having the privilege to attend university without feeling the intense burden of college tuition. I am so proud to represent the Grossman Scholarship and to be a member of the VOC community. There is nothing better than knowing that those who care about our natural environments as much as I do are supporting me in my journey through university.
Casey is one of four students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2021-22 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2022-23 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2022.

Chris Nesset Joins VOC as Chief Executive Officer

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Introducing VOC's New CEO

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s (VOC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Chris Nesset has been hired as VOC’s Chief Executive Officer.
Chris will join VOC no later than Monday, August 23, and brings over 25 years of non-profit experience in volunteerism and conservation. She has held leadership roles with the Northwest Youth Corps, Montana Conservation Corps, Conservation Legacy and the Pacific Science Center.
Throughout her career, Chris has honed her skills in developing innovative partnerships, strategic planning to support organizational growth and relevancy, and non-profit management. She was recognized as a Together Green Audubon Fellow, and served on the board of directors for the Colorado Youth Corps Association, Continental Divide Trail Alliance, and the Wilderness Recreation Partnership.

Chris’s appointment concludes a thorough national search process that evaluated many highly qualified candidates. "We're excited to bring Chris back to Colorado, where she has a history of leadership in environmental stewardship. It was quickly evident to the Board of Directors that Chris’s unique blend of operational boots on the ground leadership and strategic vision aligned very well with the work of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado,” said VOC Board Chairman, Gerald Free. “As we emerge from a difficult pandemic environment, we’re confident that Chris is the right person to bring a fresh outlook to VOC’s long legacy of leadership in environmental stewardship.”
Chris’s long career in conservation began in part at VOC, when she volunteered to help build the walking trail in Denver’s Washington Park. “Coming back to Colorado to lead Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, the foundation of my first volunteer outdoor experience, is truly coming full circle for me,” said Chris, “Since that experience in 1995, I have had the opportunity to work with many organizations that bring volunteers to address pressing community and conservation needs across the West.”
Chris looks forward to returning to Colorado with her husband Jan and daughters, Silva and Aleksia (Leksi), with whom she enjoys many outdoor activities including mountain biking, rafting, hiking, backpacking, and cross-country skiing.
“My passion for this work grows stronger by the day, which is a gift that I will take to this incredible opportunity to help shape our communities and public lands through volunteerism. I look forward to bringing a vision that builds on the incredible legacy created by VOC and its previous leadership."
Please contact Anna Zawisza, Interim CEO, at anna@voc.org or 303-715-1010 ext. 125 with any questions about the leadership transition.

Celebrating Earth Month with Delta Dental of Colorado

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:00:00 GMT

April is a special time of year for VOC...

…it’s National Volunteer Month, Earth Month, and the start of our annual volunteer project season! As we embark upon our seven-month, 79+ project season, we’d like to recognize the partners who made it possible.
One of these partners is Delta Dental of Colorado (DDCO), a nonprofit company dedicated to improving the oral health of the communities they serve. VOC first connected with DDCO in 2020 through our Corporate Stewardship with a Team (SWAT) program , which provides custom volunteer opportunities for corporate groups. On August 28, 2020, ten DDCO employees spent the day at Roxborough State Park, where they helped widen approximately 300 feet of multi-use trail to mitigate erosion and provide better access for emergency responders.
After their volunteer experience, DDCO decided to support VOC this year as a season-long, Stewardship Society sponsor, increasing their initial investment by tenfold! But DDCO’s dedication goes beyond the numbers as they work to build connections between their employees, VOC, and the community at large.
“Delta Dental of Colorado is proud to support Colorado’s public lands through VOC,” said Adeeb Khan, vice president of corporate social responsibility and executive director of the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, “We value the health of the communities we serve, and caring for the places where they live, work, and play is a huge part of community health.”
Throughout April, Delta Dental of Colorado has been sharing information about VOC, along with sustainable lifestyle tips, with their customers and employees as they celebrate Earth Month. In addition, DDCO employees participated in a Lunch-and-Learn with VOC staff at the beginning of the month to learn more about the issues facing Colorado’s public lands and how they can get involved in making a difference. This spring, DDCO employees will yet again join VOC for a fun volunteer day. This time, they’ll work at Cherry Creek State Park, where they’ll remove spare shrubs, branches, and other tree debris to reduce the risk and intensity of wildfires.
“We are incredibly grateful for partners like Delta Dental,” explained Anna Zawisza, Chief Program Officer for VOC, “They recognize the role that companies can play in caring for the places their staff, customers, and communities love, and we couldn’t do our work without their support.”
Learn more about how your company can join Delta Dental of Colorado and others in caring for Colorado at https://www.voc.org/sponsorship-opportunities .

Honoring Ann's Legacy | Jay Kenney

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 15:46:00 GMT

Celebrating Ann's Retirement & Remembering Her Legacy

As we prepare for the retirement of Ann Baker Easley, VOC's CEO for 15 years, we are reflecting on the legacy she leaves behind. This reflection was shared by Jay Kenney, who served on VOC's Board of Directors from 2009 - 2015.
I joined the VOC board in late 2009 and served as a board member, chair, and past-chair for the next six years. I found it an extraordinary experience, both because of the quality of the board members and because I came to work closely with Ann Baker Easley, VOC’s retiring Executive Director. In those six years under Ann’s leadership, the organization transformed itself from one that had been primarily a trail building organization to one that engaged and educated a broader and more inclusive audience by using outdoor projects to teach volunteers the value of stewardship, to connect them to the outdoors, and to help an increasingly technological population just get outside and appreciate their connection to the earth. It was not an easy six years for the organization but Ann’s leadership made it possible. In late 2009, the national and local economies were still recovering from the 2008 crash. Funding had dropped precipitously and VOC’s financial position was thin, if not precarious. That was immediately apparent at my first board meeting. Later board meetings did not, however, become grim reminders of the housing bubble. Instead, Ann insisted (and with the leadership of board chairs Steve Norris and Bob Van Wetter) that VOC begin planning and thinking about the future. She recognized both the huge need for volunteers to help land managers with unmet maintenance work and the impossibility of VOC being able to ever scale up to the point where it could run that many outdoor projects in a season. Organizations do not change quickly. Inertia is tough to overcome. And yet, slowly and subtly, the conversations at the meetings began to change. Staff and board began to imagine what it would look like if we thought of VOC as less of an organization that did trail work and more of an organization that used trail work and projects to teach and inspire others about the value of land and water stewardship—essentially flipping the old paradigm on its head and making the end goal a means to an end. As I write this today in 2021, it sounds easy and obvious. But the transformational process that Ann initiated in those years took vision, determination, persistence, and an unerring focus on the goal and it is a credit to Ann that VOC made that critical shift in mission and direction. She is by far the most talented, thoughtful, and visionary executive director I’ve ever worked with in 30+ years of non-profit work. When I reflect on what makes her so successful, I’ve come to think a large part of it is her willingness to live with uncertainty, her capacity to be in transition, and her certainty (that she communicates to all the rest of us) that the uncertainty and transition will make the organization stronger and more resilient in the end. The highlights on the six years I spent on the board include an entertaining Colorado Rockies 2011 game day appearance where we collected a five figure check as Xcel’s non-profit partner of the year (thanks to board member Jonathan Adleman), and a 30 ^th Anniversary celebration that raised more than $300,000 for the organization and featured a dinner that brought together most of the still living past board chairs—and event that allowed us all to think about VOC’s past and join together to imagine a greater future. Ann will be missed at VOC. Yet she leaves behind an organization that is stronger, nimbler, and better positioned to champion stewardship and to engage future volunteers than when I started on the board. I’m grateful for her service to the organization and look forward to raising a toast to her in person before the year’s out.

Join us this October for VOC's 7th Annual Uniquely Colorado event, where we will celebrate Ann's contributions to Colorado's stewardship community and look to the future of VOC. Until then, we encourage you to share your farewell wishes, favorite memories, and more on our online card for Ann .

Honoring Ann's Legacy | Bob Van Wetter

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 14:00:00 GMT

Celebrating Ann's Retirement & Remembering Her Legacy

As we prepare for the retirement of Ann Baker Easley, VOC's CEO for 15 years, we are reflecting on the legacy she leaves behind. This reflection was shared by Bob Van Wetter, who served on VOC's Board of Directors from 2008 - 2012, including as chair of the Board from 2011 - 2012.
My friend and predecessor on the VOC board, Peter Kirsch, has already told the story of Ann addressing a group of Denver businesspeople in Spanish . I was at that gathering and that was when I first met Ann. This made an impression on me as well and I think that it establishes Ann as a legend. At least from the perspective of two slightly-past-middle-aged white guys. After her opening remarks Ann was kind enough to translate the gist of her message: The state of Colorado is becoming a destination not just for outdoor-loving active professionals but also for people of color and those with diverse backgrounds. The future, she said, will see every aspect of life in Colorado change in remarkable ways. VOC must become an organization that can grow to meet the new challenges to how we all access the outdoors, but also to remain relevant to younger people, people of color, and people who use the outdoors differently than your average weekend hiker. How right she was. One result of that meeting is that I signed up to be on the board of VOC. I’ve often thought about how remarkable that experience was because of my then pre-conceived idea about what kind of organization VOC was. I am a lifelong hiker and a huge fan of readily accessible and spectacular Colorado open spaces. The other attendees at the gathering were a lot like me. White, privileged and of the impression that VOC hosted trail building expeditions for rugged outdoor enthusiasts with an extra weekend to spare. While that was certainly the demographic that supported VOC in its early years, the brand of VOC today could not be more different. During my time with VOC, first as a board member then as board chair, I got to watch Ann do what she does best – bring a truly big picture perspective to articulate a vision, make a compelling case for support, and put the people and energy in place to see it through to success. Master multitasker comes to mind as I think about Ann in her role at VOC. So many moving parts – all working together. Yet even as VOC and the expert and dedicated staff executes each season of trail building better than the last, VOC is also relentless in reaching for ways to build our community in the context of changing priorities, explosive population growth, and urgent environmental needs. I loved my years as a VOC board member because I was part of that excitement and I learned from Ann as she applied her leadership, energy, and optimism to a challenging and rewarding cause. Thank you Ann.

Save the date for VOC's 7th Annual Uniquely Colorado event on Thursday, October 14th, where we will celebrate Ann's contributions to Colorado's stewardship community and look to the future of VOC. Until then, we encourage you to share your farewell wishes, favorite memories, and more on our online card for Ann .

Honoring Ann's Legacy | Peter Kirsch

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 21:37:00 GMT

Celebrating Ann's Retirement & Remembering Her Legacy

As we prepare for the retirement of Ann Baker Easley, VOC's CEO for 15 years, we are reflecting on the legacy she leaves behind. This reflection was shared by Peter Kirsch, who served on VOC's Board of Directors from 2006 - 2010, including as chair of the Board from 2006 - 2008.
It is hard to believe that it has been fifteen years since Ann Baker Easley arrived at the helm of VOC. She arrived at a time that seems, in retrospect, perfectly aligned with her skills and expertise. In 2006, VOC was desperately in need of a ‘reset.’ It had for years been a highly respected trail club - one that had a long history of superb volunteer stewardship and volunteer engagement. But it seemed, in 2006 that it needed a rejuvenation, an injection of new energy, a new perspective to keep us relevant. Perhaps no one but Ann could have known – intuitively and instinctively, I believe – what VOC needed.
I remember fondly our search for a new Executive Director – a search team including Andy Eiseman, Philip Levy, Christine Strickland and me helped pour through resumes from a remarkably able and qualified pool. But Ann stood out from the very start: instead of the traditional interview of her, Ann interviewed us about VOC, about our commitment to inclusive and diverse volunteers, about whether we could accept the change that she knew we needed if we were to remain a leader in conservation stewardship. In essence, she needed to know if we were ready for Ann Baker Easley. Many of my Board colleagues were nervous – she had such a different outlook on stewardship, built on the foundation of her years in volunteer leadership, especially with disadvantaged communities. But I had no doubt that we needed Ann.
She didn’t miss a second when she arrived: showing a respectful attitude toward our long-standing volunteers, she gained their respect, even if she did not (yet) measure her trail building miles with notches on her walking stick! She worked hard – and it was difficult – to gain their trust and respect. She worked with our oldest (literally) and longest serving volunteers to convince them that business-as-usual would quickly lead VOC into the dustbin of irrelevance.
I remember fondly one of her early fundraising efforts which, in many ways, epitomized her aggressive push to bring new energy into VOC. She scheduled a series of get-to-know-you sessions with Denver business leaders. At the first of these breakfasts, when people were assembled, she launched into a ten-minute presentation on VOC, its work, and its need for engagement from the business community. Pretty standard stuff. But with one twist: the entire presentation was given in flawless Spanish. No initial English introductions or explanations. It was just long enough that the assembled leaders started to get a bit fidgety – nervously looking around the table to see if anyone else was also uncomfortable. After this dramatic performance, Ann asked the attendees if they felt uncomfortable, out-of-place and a bit perturbed. They all did. That, she explained, is what our Spanish-speaking population feels when we ask them to join us in our conservation work. It was a dramatic but stunningly successful performance: she showed that she was not going to be satisfied with the old VOC. We needed to change, to adapt, and, most importantly, to open welcoming arms to members of our community who have historically been disenfranchised from outdoor volunteer work. Ann would not accept VOC as forever an old-white-guy trail building club.
Ann’s accomplishments in her 15 years are for others to catalog – and are far too long for this brief note. Perhaps most important among those, though, is that Ann has never stopped being a teacher, a mentor, an advocate and a model for what conservation stewardship should be in the 21 ^st Century. Colorado’s debt to her is measured not just in trail miles restored and parks rejuvenated but in the legions of people of every conceivable race, ethnicity, age and economic status who she brought into the stewardship tent. Her legacy will be long-lasting indeed. I am honored and grateful to call her a mentor and friend. And while I know that she will never truly retire, I wish her all the best in her next equally energetic endeavors.
Save the date for VOC's 7th Annual Uniquely Colorado event on Thursday, October 14th, where we will celebrate Ann's contributions to Colorado's stewardship community and look to the future of VOC. Until then, we encourage you to share your farewell wishes, favorite memories, and more on our online card for Ann .

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Blake Granquist

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 15:06:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Blake Granquist...

and thanks to the necessary funding that the Grossman Scholarship provided me for my tuition, I am able to pursue a further education, learning about my passions. There have been many unprecedented challenges that we have all faced this year, and thankfully I find myself in a community that rises to the occasion. It is an absolute blessing that I am still able to reside on campus and attend in person classes, and it is all thanks to the efforts of the CSU community to act responsibly in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although I am so thoroughly impressed with CSU’s ability to handle the complexities of this pandemic, I had no idea what I may have been getting into before arriving at CSU. The sheer expense of college had made me doubt attending CSU prior to the pandemic, and now I faced the probability of my classes being entirely online. If it hadn’t been for the Grossman Scholarship and several others, there would not have been a single chance that I would be here today.
My passions stem from the many opportunities that I have had to recreate in the outdoors and to learn many wonderful things about nature. I am so grateful to have lived in Lakewood, Colorado, where so many lovely trail systems and outdoor opportunities surround me. As a result, the manner in which I have spent the most of my time in natural spaces consists of me hiking and trail running with my dog in the open spaces not too far away from my house. While I am on these short journeys, I love analyzing the plants that grow along the trails, where they grow, what they grow with, and how they change through the seasons. I also take pictures to document these observations, and through these efforts I have a vast collection of wildflower photos that help to demonstrate the wildflower phenology along the Front Range. I even know the Latin names of all the different wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees that I have observed. At first, I began this documentation of native flora because I had learned about the benefits of landscaping with native plants from resources I found through the CSU Extension. Ultimately, this aspect of my connection to the natural world shows that I want to protect it through learning more about it and spreading the knowledge that I gain to others.
I find it intriguing that the way I began to pursue further knowledge in understanding the native landscapes that surround my home started with the CSU Extension program. I believe that this demonstrates how my passion for outdoor stewardship and my desire to learn more about nature are so deeply connected. It is this connection that drives me to study Natural Resource Management and Restoration Ecology at CSU. I hope to acquire knowledge that will aid in my pursuits to rehabilitate the many degraded ecosystems and communities of our planet. Some ways that I am actively involving myself in this goal is through my position as Eco Leader for my resident’s hall and participating as a member of the Natural Resources and Sustainability Residential Learning Community.
There are so many opportunities here at CSU for me to explore my passions and to expand my knowledge and love of the natural world. I cannot express the gratitude that I feel for having the privilege to attend university without feeling the intense burden of college tuition. I am so proud to represent the Grossman Scholarship and to be a member of the VOC community. There is nothing better than knowing that those who care about our natural environments as much as I do are supporting me in my journey through university.
Blake is one of five students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2020-21 school year. VOC offers four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2021-22 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2021.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Maya Velasco

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Maya Velasco...

and I’m originally from Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up my parents did a great job fostering respect for nature and love for the outdoors. My brother and I were always encouraged to explore and be outside. In college, I continued to pursue summer jobs related to natural resources, including doing trail work in New England, working for an urban forestry non-profit in Atlanta, and the United States Forest Service. After graduation, I decided to follow my interest in working with plants and pursued a career in small-scale sustainable agriculture for ten years.
I’m returning to graduate school to pivot my career from agriculture to natural resource management. As a farmer, I worked intimately with the land through all seasons and gained an understanding of the importance of preserving biodiversity and ecosystem function. Over time, I became curious about other career paths working with other types of landscapes when I learned about ecological restoration. I wanted to learn more about the ways to restore degraded and damaged ecosystems. I’m in my third semester of my program and have deepened my knowledge of soils and discovered new interests like plant ecology and GIS.
Like many families, my family has felt the economic impacts of COVID-19, and the Grossman Scholarship was a lifeline to help me continue with my program this semester. Receiving the scholarship was also encouraging, and confirmed that I’m on the right path. I’m grateful for the support from VOC and the Grossmans as I navigate graduate school and plan for the next step in my career. I look forward to staying involved and contributing to the great work of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado in the future.
Maya is one of five students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2020-21 school year. VOC offers four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2021-22 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2021.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Preston Young

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Preston Young...

and I feel very fortunate to be one of the recipients of the Grossman Scholarship. I am a recent high school graduate from Dakota Ridge High School where I was an active member of National Honor Society, played soccer, and completed several Advanced Placement courses. Additionally, I volunteered with various organizations including the All-Stars Program where I was a buddy for kids with special needs, the Denver Zoo Explorers Program where I assisted zoo keepers and learned about animal conservation, and VOC’s Cairn program where I participated in many outdoor stewardship projects throughout Colorado.

Although I have always felt a connection with nature and enjoyed spending time outside through hiking and fishing, it was the Cairn program that allowed me to foster a deeper passion for conservation and protecting our most valuable resource, our Earth. In order to accomplish my goal of working in conservation, I am attending CSU where I will major in Wildlife and Conservation Biology and Spanish. These studies will allow me to explore career opportunities where I hope to find my niche and fulfill my commitment to the planet.

I am ever thankful to receive the Grossman Scholarship to help jumpstart my education and provide opportunities to explore options that await me in college and in my future career. I may not know precisely what my future will look like, but I know I want my career and my passion for conservation to be one in the same.

Preston is one of five students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2020-21 school year. VOC offers four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.

Applications for the 2021-22 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2021.

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Joe Lavorini

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Joe Lavorini...

and I am honored to be a recipient of the VOC Grossman Scholarship! I am a second-year graduate student at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, where I am pursuing a Master of Environmental Management degree. I am a non-traditional student in the sense that I decided to pursue a master’s degree part-way through my career in environmental stewardship. Rather than putting my career on pause and diving back into school full-time, I took the approach of starting a new career job while pursuing my degree. I landed a dream job in a dream community, so – so far, so good!

Learning that I was selected to receive a scholarship from VOC was the best news of my summer. I have long admired the work that VOC does to protect Colorado’s greatest asset, its public lands. Over the last 10 years or so, I have had the honor of partnering with VOC on multiple projects ranging from post-fire restoration trainings to building the Dixon Trail on Cheyenne Mountain. Receiving this scholarship felt like a recognition of what I’ve accomplished in my career in environmental stewardship so far, but also an encouragement to push farther and develop new skills and knowledge of environmental management. I am committed to working in the environmental stewardship field because it is so immensely gratifying to bring people together to do tangible work to protect the treasured landscapes we so enjoy. The benefits are immense. Just today, I made new friends on a trail build project outside of Crested Butte. Something really significant occurs when a slice of the community joins forces to build new trail or restore an old one. And right now, we need to bond together in a way we haven’t before in order to maintain the social bonds and high standards for environmental conservation that will ensure places like the 401 Trail or Pikes Peak or Mount Elbert stay protected.

I am following a track of Sustainable and Resilient Communities in my education at Western. Community engagement is a huge passion of mine, and that is reflected in the organizations where I’ve worked and volunteered. I spent the previous 15 years doing stewardship work in Colorado Springs and in March of this year, I was hired on as the Gunnison County Stewardship Coordinator. The position is housed within the National Forest Foundation and it is hosted by Gunnison County. I have the honor of developing stewardship programming in the Gunnison Valley on behalf of these organizations. We are off to a strong start. Earlier this summer, we launched the STOR Corps program that offered employment opportunities for ten local residents to complete stewardship and outreach activities across the landscape all season long. And next summer, after I graduate, we’ll initiate a community volunteer stewardship program to engage with the Gunnison Valley public in restoration projects.

It’s thanks to organizations like VOC for establishing a foundation of community conservation in Colorado. I am fortunate to play a part in fostering the ethos in this corner of the state.

Many thanks to VOC and the Grossman’s for this recognition!

Joe is one of five students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2020-21 school year. VOC offers four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.

Applications for the 2021-22 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2021.

2020 Awards Night Honors VOC Volunteers

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 16:39:00 GMT

2020 Volunteer Awards & Appreciation Night

Each year, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) recognizes the outstanding contributions of volunteers and partners at our annual Volunteer Awards & Appreciation Night. This year, the event took place virtually via Zoom.

On Thursday, November 12, four individuals and two organizations were recognized for their achievements in outdoor stewardship during VOC's PPE (Pandemic Project Era) season.

The awards signaled the end of the unique 2020 volunteer season, in which more than 800 Coloradans participated in 56 projects on public lands, contributing a total 6,864 hours to 36 places across the state.

This year’s awards went to:

Land Manager of the Year: Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT)
MALT hosted two VOC volunteer weekends at their Sacramento Creek Ranch property this year and demonstrated outstanding collaboration, support, and dedication to outdoor stewardship.
Partner Organization of the Year: Grow Local Colorado
Grow Local has been a valued VOC partner for the past ten years, providing over 80 volunteer opportunities in urban vegetable gardens throughout Denver; the 200+ pounds of produce planted and harvested in collaboration with Grow Local Colorado each year is donated to local food banks.
Unsung Hero: David and Sean Kraemer

This father-and-son duo went above-and-beyond in VOC's Independent Stewardship program, collecting data in the Mount Evans and Lost Creek Wilderness Areas that will aid land management organizations in the closure and rehabilitation of illegal and unsustainable campsites.
Roni Sherb New Volunteer of the Year: Rachel Linger
A newly certified Crew Leader, Rachel was recognized for her energetic spirit, eager leadership, and reliable, can-do attitude. Many of our staff and volunteer leaders are delighted to see Rachel on project rosters as they know she will help things run smoothly - and be smiling the entire time.
Curt Chitwood Volunteer of the Year: Cathy McCurdy
Cathy has been a valued member of the VOC community for years: she has attended nearly 30 projects since 2017, volunteering both in her native San Luis Valley as well as across the state. She took her involvement further in 2019 by becoming a certified Crew Leader and has become the go-to person for tool maintenance in our San Luis Valley Field Office. Cathy has introduced many friends to VOC and is a joy to volunteer with, both on short projects as well as week-long Wilderness trips.

In addition to our Award winners, we would also like to recognize the following volunteers for their continued commitment to VOC and Colorado's outdoors:

2020 Volunteer Photographers
Cindy Bond
Morgann Dulle
Rafael Hernandez
David Kennedy
Julie Majors
2 020 New Crew Leader
Rachel Linger
2020 New OSI Instructor
Nate Wieland
2020 New Technical Advisors
Robin Donner
Donna Driscoll
2020 Project Adopters
Donna Driscoll
Jim Garofalo
Joe O'Brien
Paige Pruisner
Erica Miller
Priscilla Marbaker
Mike Mattice
McLeod Club Inductees (25 Projects)
Bruce Goldstein
Nate Wieland
Gail Ferber
Pulaski Club Inductees (50 Projects)
Dave Smith
Martin Herz
Mike Mattice
Mark Hinchman
Austin Club Inductees (75 Projects)
Glenn Scadden

Congratulations to our Award winners, and thank you to everyone who helped make our 2020 season a success!

Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Greta Cahill

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 07:15:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Greta Cahill...

…and I am one of the five Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Grossman Scholars! Growing up in the small town of Durango, Colorado I have always found that being outside has brought me serenity and happiness and through the knowledge I have gained in environmental studies and education, I have found a passion for sharing my love and appreciation as well as help others gain their own appreciation for our outdoor spaces. Some of my favorite activities growing up (and still today) were backpacking, hiking, biking, and exploring around the southwest. Throughout high school I worked to help promote individual sustainability efforts as well as community based initiatives like a plastic straw free campaign for local restaurants, educational movie screening about global environmental issues, and single-use plastic pollution education for elementary school students in local schools and afterschool programs.

One of the highlights of my high school career was working on my senior capstone project which focused on the question: What are effective strategies to empower youth to become environmental leaders? This is work I plan to continue throughout my college experience at Colorado College and beyond. I plan to major in environmental science and education and work with the outdoor education program and youth mentor organizations on campus! This field has been a passion for me for a few years now, and really sparked in my role as a camp counselor a few summers ago, where I had the opportunity to lead backpacking trips and teach classes like water walking, which had an emphasis on teaching kids about how they can practice stewardship and develop sense of place in the world around them. This is the moment in time that I realized exactly how much love I have from environmental education and practicing stewardship efforts in my personal life while inspiring others to implement these efforts in their lives as well.

Receiving the Grossman Scholarship was a huge help when paying for college. With my passion to educate people, I need to begin by educating myself and being able to attend a great school is a huge opportunity that VOC really helped with. I am so grateful to be able to have the Grossman Scholarship as well as have connections to a great organization that values the same things as I do. With this education, I will be able to do meaningful work and make an impact on others’ lives and the Grossman Scholarship has been a major help in my journey in doing so.

Greta is one of five students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2020-21 school year. VOC offers four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.

Applications for the 2021-22 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2021.

VOC's CEO to Retire in April 2021

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Today, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado's (VOC) Board of Directors is announcing the retirement of our Chief Executive Officer, Ann Baker Easley, effective April 2021.

During that time, she founded or helped start 7 different youth and civilian service corps programs in Colorado and nationally. Immediately prior to VOC, Ann served as the founding director of the Colorado Youth Corps Association, where she was Executive Director for 11 years.
Ann has been a visionary, strategic, and bold leader for VOC, effectively guiding the organization with cost-effective and impactful programmatic development. During her tenure, Ann successfully led the implementation of three large-scale strategic plans, transitioning VOC from its historical “trail club” roots to a statewide stewardship leader, recognized across the country for its effective volunteer programs. Under her leadership, VOC has received numerous prestigious awards including the “Making a Difference Award” for exceptional contributions to conservation and management of public lands, the highest national award from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
In 2017, Ann was recognized by the Denver Business Journal as a Colorado Thought Leader, reflecting the characteristics she embodied as she skillfully developed a talented professional staff team, including the establishment of two VOC partnership offices in the San Luis Valley and Weld County. Together with Ann, this team has championed effective ways to build lifelong outdoor stewards through VOC’s Boots on the Ground programs and expanded Colorado’s stewardship capacity and collaborative efforts through the organization’s Stepping Up Stewardship and Naturally United program areas.
In addition, Ann’s fundraising acumen successfully increased VOC’s overall operating budget three-fold to $1.4 million while also doubling the organization’s $2.0 million endowment. In 2014, she led a capital campaign to remodel the VOC office at Denver’s historic Dos Chappell Bathhouse in Washington Park, including the installation of a donor recognition patio to commemorate VOC’s 30 ^th anniversary. More recently, she was instrumental in VOC’s establishment of the Grossman Scholarship Program, a donor-advised education fund for post-secondary students pursuing careers in environmental science and conservation work.
“I am so very grateful to the whole VOC community,” said Ann, “I expressly want to thank the many donors, volunteers and talented VOC volunteer leaders who unselfishly give their time and talents in support of Colorado’s great outdoors. Their actions inspire and remind me to always pay it forward by giving back and giving often. And, never have I worked with a more talented staff team. I will miss them – largely because I may never have another group who will so patiently endure my bad jokes as this team has done. And my heartfelt gratitude extends to the current and former VOC Board members who believed in me in 2007 and have been my mentors and guides ever since. Together we have chartered an amazing positive stewardship course for Colorado! Thank you all.”
The VOC Board has formed a search committee to determine forthcoming details on securing Ann’s replacement. Please stay tuned to www.voc.org or sign up for our e-newsletter , The VOC Voice, for more information.

VOC’s Uniquely Colorado Raises $16,500 for Inclusive Stewardship

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 17:40:00 GMT

On Wednesday, September 16,

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) hosted our 6th Annual Uniquely Colorado fundraiser – this year “MASKerAIDing” as a virtual event via Zoom Conferencing – and raised over $16,500!

Nearly 100 people attended the hour-long event, which celebrated the accomplishments of VOC volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. While VOC is typically able to engage nearly 5,000 volunteers across 100 volunteer projects each year, COVID-19 delayed volunteer work until July and significantly reduced group sizes. But with the continued support of partners and sponsors, VOC is now on track to deploy approximately 1,000 volunteers across 47 projects – from building and maintaining trails to removing invasive weeds and restoring burn areas – by the end of the year.

This success is in no small part due to the generosity of sponsors like Bank of America , which was recognized at the event as VOC’s 2020 Outstanding Corporate Partner of the Year. Ever since Bank of America first sent a group of employees to volunteer with VOC in 2018, they have shown their dedication to outdoor stewardship through continued employee engagement and financial sponsorship. This commitment was made even more clear when, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bank of America reached out to us directly to learn what we needed as an organization and how they could help.

“We are honored to receive this award and proud of our partnership with VOC because Bank of America believes that a healthy environment and access to open spaces nearby, where our employees and customers live, work, and recreate, are critically important," said Zach Jara, senior project manager and MyEnvironment Colorado employee network chair with Bank of America. “Our organizations have a shared commitment to actively engage in environmental stewardship to preserve Colorado’s natural resources.”
In addition, the MASKerAIDing as Uniquely Colorado event featured a panel discussion on how to make outdoor recreation and stewardship more inclusive of, and for, all Coloradans. Moderated by Denver7’s Anne Trujillo, our panel included Taishya Adams, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commissioner and Co-lead of Outdoor Afro Colorado; Scott Gilmore, Deputy Executive Director of Denver Parks and Recreation; and Parker McMullen-Bushman, Colorado State University Extension Director for the City and County of Denver and co-founder of Inclusive Journeys, home of the Digital Green Book project.
The stories shared by our panelists were just one step in a much longer journey to better understand the diversity of outdoor experiences so that we can strengthen our collective commitment to ensuring the outdoors are accessible, inclusive, enjoyed, and conserved for generations to come: 50% of the proceeds from this event will be allocated for VOC’s work in addressing issues of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

We are incredibly grateful to our event sponsors as well as everyone who purchased tickets to this event and/or bid on any of the original Colorado artwork that was up for grabs in our first-ever “Color Me VOC” art auction. More than 30 local artists donated pieces for this event, including former VOC Board Member, Betsy Johnson Welty, who donated the painting that inspired VOC’s first logo.
Other participating artists included: Anita Winter - Ann Lederer - Anthony York - Barbara Yates Beasley - Beth Sanders - Betsy Johnson Welty - Betsy Keyes - Brinkley Messick - Caroline Hanna - Cheryl St. John - Christine Hillhouse - Colleen Smith - David J. Kennedy - Dolores Peterson - Gary Michael - Janet Anderson - Janice Wright - Joni N. Emily - Julie Leidel - Kellie Johnson - Kelly Shanafelt - Laura Chappell - Linda Strand - Mara Stitt - Mary Clark - Mary Elliott - Michael Keyes - Mimsi Milton - Patricia Cook – Patti Romano - Peter Roosevelt - Ric Romano - Rodney Buxton - Rolf Dahl - Sean Doherty - Stacey Roberts - Susan Weingardt - Teri Hendrix - William Stoehr

MASKerAIDing as Uniquely Colorado was sponsored by media sponsor Denver7, as well as Alpine Bank, Empower Retirement, Marathon Petroleum Foundation, Noble Energy, and Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Colorado Native Partner to Reroute Panorama Point Trail

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 21:18:00 GMT

A Mother-Daughter Love of VOC

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 23:47:00 GMT

A Mother-Daughter Love of VOC

Hi, my name is Emma Heth, and I’ve been interning with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) this summer. I came to VOC for a number of reasons, but it was my mother, Jen (Dunbar) Heth, who first drew me to VOC. She worked at VOC from 1991-1994 as her first job, formative years both for her and the organization. VOC was in its old office on Grant Street, Dos Chappell was VOC’s Executive Director, and I wasn’t yet born.

One of my mom's favorite VOC stories, and greatest lessons in flexibility, was during a Bike to Nature fundraiser, which she organized as a part of her job. She often laughed about the year that a catering truck full of salmon veered off the road on its way to Bike to Nature, spilling salmon in the trees and all over the highway. My mom was left in a pinch to feed the cyclists, but the thought of salmon hanging in the trees made the story more funny than stressful.

In December 2018, my mom passed away at the age of 51. Her love of Colorado and the outdoors was steadfast until the end; in October, when her prognosis turned sour, she insisted on getting our family up to the mountains together one last time, if only to sit by a lake for some family reflection.

5 Projects We're Excited For This Fall

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 23:59:00 GMT

5 Projects We're Excited For This Fall

After a long, scorching summer, fall is a great time to volunteer: cooler temperatures, beautiful colors, and fewer crowds on the trail. This is our final round of projects for the season, but there are 14 great options to choose from! Start daydreaming about your warm layers and take a look at what’s in store:

Head out west. Admire views of three Western Slope mountain ranges as you build a new, multi-use trail near Fruita. Check out Trail Construction @ The Book Cliffs, September 21-22.
Camp one last time with the family. Kids ages 12+ and adults will work on completing an important access trail while youngsters ages 6-11 enjoy fun activities. Check out Family Camping: Trail Construction @ Stagecoach State Park, October 12-13.
Celebrate National Public Lands Day. Work on erosion control and trail construction at the Rio Grande Natural Area, featuring beautiful river views, cliffs, and a rich cultural history of southern Colorado. Check out National Public Lands Day @ Rio Grande Natural Area, September 28-29.
Drop in for a quick, kid-friendly project. Come help remove noxious weeds at the High Line Canal, a unique park that connects 500,000 people to nature! No registration necessary. Check out Flexible Volunteering: Ecosystem Restoration @ High Line Canal in Aurora #3, September 10, 5-7pm.
Continue a season-long project near Castle Rock. Continue building a new 2-mile section of hikers-only trail with scenic overlooks, interesting rock formations, and conifer forest. Check out Trail Construction @ Gateway Mesa Open Space, October 5.

Registration for fall projects opens August 1! See you on the trail.

Corner Post, VOC Share Vision of Healthy Outdoors

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 00:15:00 GMT

Corner Post, VOC Share Vision of Healthy Outdoors

Grasslands and forests and mountains, oh my! Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) works in all kinds of environments, and each has its own conservation needs. That’s why we work with land managers of all sorts to help us understand exactly what each unique area needs. After 35 years of working in every corner of Colorado, we’ve learned that good stewardship requires lasting partnerships with organizations that share our vision of healthy outdoor places.

CPM’s commitment to maintaining the natural ecology of the 1500-acre ranch they lease from the National Audubon Society also preserves an important wildlife habitat. CPM is certified by Audubon’s conservation ranching program as “bird friendly land.” The result is healthy animals, nutritious meat, a naturally rejuvenated landscape, and healthy consumers. Like VOC, CPM is committed to using Colorado’s land sustainably so that it can continue to benefit wildlife and humans alike for years to come.

Beyond the Trail

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 02 May 2019 14:51:00 GMT

Beyond the Trail

Summit County local, Tom Koehler, has helped care for Colorado’s outdoors for years as a volunteer with outdoor stewardship organizations including Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and many others. Now, he has founded Sustainable Hiker to inspire others to care for the health and sustainability of water and forests in the Blue River Watershed and beyond.

As the snow begins to melt in the high country, I anxiously look forward to another season as a proud steward of our land and water through trail and eco-restoration projects. As volunteers, we all give what we can on the ground to restore our heavily used land and over tapped waters.

As the dots between the environment all around us and the work we do with the land and water began to connect with me, I wondered what else I could explore in this journey to heal and rejuvenate our eco-system.

Sustainable Hiker was born out of this journey. Over time, I aim to bring awareness to all our work that helps the land and water we love and need, from stewardship to advocacy for our natural resources and environmental conservation.

Let’s all continue to seek ways to support the outdoors beyond the vastly important trail and eco-system work we do as volunteers. If you would like to explore other paths, please let me know. As more of us go beyond the trail and learn about other levers we can pull to affect positive change, the same will happen for stewardship.

Sincerely,

Tom Koehler

Sustainable Hiker

VOC and Xcel Energy Look to Future of Colorado’s Outdoors

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 23:17:00 GMT

VOC and Xcel Energy Look to Future of Colorado’s Outdoors

Now in our 35th season of stewarding Colorado’s public lands, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is looking to the future and our many partners to help shape the next 35 years of stewardship. As we celebrate this milestone, we believe it’s important to consider what Colorado will look like over the next three decades and how different factors will impact the ways in which we care for our state’s public lands and natural resources.

Colorado’s population is expected to continue to grow, along with drought, wildfires, and extreme weather, making it more important than ever that we prepare for these impacts now. VOC has years of experience in organizing volunteer restoration efforts in response to fires and floods, and we now have several projects in place to thin forests and reduce the severity of these disasters in the first place.

These efforts are especially important as outdoor recreation on public lands is a growing economic driver in our state, generating $28 billion in consumer spending and supporting 229,000 direct jobs. With proper stewardship, the outdoor economy can continue to thrive in Colorado and support many jobs and tourism in the state. We will consider these factors and many others as we hold our strategic planning retreat with our Board and distinguished guests in July to help shape the next three years of our work.

VOC is not alone in looking to the future. Our partners at Xcel Energy recently became the first major U.S. electric company to announce a vision to produce carbon-free electricity for all of their customers by 2050 . At the same time, they announced a new interim target to cost effectively reduce carbon emissions 80 percent (from 2005 levels) by 2030.

Xcel has already reduced carbon emissions by 35 percent since 2005 and has been dedicated to supplying cleaner energy to the customers and communities they serve. Xcel Energy has also demonstrated their commitment to the environment in partnership with VOC: the company has contributed funds, as well as volunteers, each year since 2012.

Xcel Energy volunteers have helped build sustainable trails, remove invasive weeds and flood debris, plant garden beds, and thin forests to improve forest health. Their grants have helped fund many more stewardship projects throughout the state, making a significant difference for the health and sustainability of Colorado’s public lands.

In the years to come, we hope that more Colorado companies will recognize the role they can play in shaping our state’s outdoors for the better. With an eye towards the future and strong public-private partnerships like the one between VOC and Xcel Energy, we can work together to preserve Coloradans’ quality of life and care for our state’s natural resources, for today and the future.

Introducing Grossman Scholar: Jesse Wooten

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 23:49:00 GMT

Introducing Grossman Scholar: Jesse Wooten

Thanks to the generosity of former Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) Board Member Rick Grossman and his wife Susie, VOC is now able to offer four $5,000 scholarships each year to help make educational dreams possible for those involved in outdoor volunteer stewardship!

Two of the scholarships are reserved for non-traditional college students, such as 2018 Grossman Scholar Jesse Wooten. Jesse grew up backpacking with his father and, after working in the service industry for nearly a decade, decided to transition to a career in natural resources.

“I realized that the most important work I could ever aspire to do is help preserve and protect the parks and open spaces that have given me unspeakable benefits over the years,” he explained. In 2016, he started his outdoor career as a seasonal Park Technician in Austin, Texas, where he was promoted three times over the course of a year. This April, he moved to Colorado and became a Natural Resources Technician with Jefferson County Open Space.

Now, Jesse will be pursuing a Master's of Natural Resources Stewardship at Colorado State University (CSU), where he hopes to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to lead his own ecological restoration projects for a small county park system or private land trust. As Jesse put it, he “wants to foster biological diversity and healthy ecosystems and help protect, restore and preserve parks and open space to ensure that our children and theirs can continue to enjoy places that are wild and natural.”

With Jesse's clear enthusiasm for nature and commitment to stewardship, we are excited to award him the Grossman Scholarship and can't wait to see what he accomplishes for Colorado!

VOC Awards 2018 Volunteers, Partners

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 00:12:00 GMT

VOC Awards 2018 Volunteers, Partners

On Saturday, October 27, 2018, five individuals and two organizations were recognized for their achievements in caring for the outdoors by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), a nonprofit dedicated to motivating and enabling people to become active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.

The awards signaled the end of VOC’s volunteer season, in which nearly 5,000 Coloradans participated in close to 100 stewardship projects on public lands. The projects took place across the state in well-known locations such as Mount Elbert and Genesee Park, and included trail construction and maintenance, ecological restoration, and invasive species management.

“Each recipient has made an outstanding contribution to caring for Colorado,” explained Dean Winstanley, Director of Statewide Stewardship for VOC, “With growing challenges from overuse and limited funds, the outdoors need dedicated citizens and organizations like them at the forefront of stewardship efforts.”

This year’s awards include:

Land Manager of the Year: Awarded to Beau Clark, Trails Volunteer Program Lead with Boulder County Open Space & Mountain Parks, for outstanding collaboration, support and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship;

Partner Organization of the Year: Awarded to the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, a national nonprofit that promotes and protects the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, for outstanding collaboration on VOC’s “Independent Stewardship for Trails” training;

Youth Volunteer of the Year: Awarded to high school senior David Sispera for demonstrating outstanding dedication to outdoor stewardship as a long-time participant in VOC’s Cairn Youth Program, contributing over 150 volunteer hours;

Unsung Hero: Awarded to Traci Case for providing outstanding support in her 16 years of volunteering with a positive, can-do attitude;

Roni Sherb New Volunteer of the Year: Awarded to Sean Mallory for outstanding dedication to outdoor stewardship in his two years of volunteering, with more than 30 projects completed;

Curt Chitwood Volunteer of the Year: Awarded to Nancy Clark for outstanding volunteer leadership and continued dedication to stewardship since 2004; and

Steve Austin Mentor of the Year: Awarded to Erin King for exemplary leadership in teaching stewardship practices to new volunteer leaders.

As Colorado’s population continues to grow, many more Coloradans will be asked to step up to support outdoor stewardship efforts. Click here to view more photos from the event and visit www.voc.org/get-involved to learn more about how to care for the outdoors with VOC.

Board Member Jim Bedwell: We can prevent forest fires

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 00:18:00 GMT

Board Member Jim Bedwell: We can prevent forest fires

Jim Bedwell is former director of Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources for the U.S. Forest Service and serves on the Board of Directors for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC).

Original article from The Gazette, September 9, 2018 . Photo by Gabriel Scarlett/The Denver Post.

The fires burning our beloved state and beyond are on everyone’s mind. Since June 1, The Gazette has published more than 50 articles about multiple wildfires — some now contained, some still blazing through once-beautiful landscapes and threatening homes, schools, and businesses. Some articles have suggested that little can be done to reduce the reach and effects of wildfires. I strenuously disagree, and I urge all Coloradans to do their part.

We’ve seen the human and economic devastation as livelihoods are destroyed and tourism dollars drop, from countless July Fourth fireworks being canceled and smoke blurring our beautiful scenery, to the temporary closures of Silverton’s Narrow Gauge Railroad and the San Juan National Forest, valued not only for its recreation income but also for its intrinsic value as part of Colorado’s outdoor-loving identity.

We’ve also seen the state come together: donating goods, offering shelter, and caring for firefighters — many of whom are volunteers.

But when the blazes are contained and the headlines fade, we cannot grow complacent. The problems caused by fire persist long after the flames recede, their scars visible on the blackened and barren land, now increasingly vulnerable to floods and mudslides.

In working with the U.S. Forest Service for over 35 years, I’ve seen wildfires grow worse year after year — along with the funds and resources to tackle them: more than 50 percent of the Forest Service’s budget has been used for wildlife suppression in the past few years, compared with only 14 percent two decades ago. Congress acted to address the suppression funding costs in the FY 2018 Omnibus funding bill and provide additional authorities to treat vegetation to reduce wildfire risk, but this alone will not reduce the effects of wildfire we have seen over the past two decades.

These issues will only worsen if we do not continue to act. Communities and homeowners must continue to work on defensible space around their homes and businesses, and support restoration efforts in forests, watersheds, and along utility corridors. Volunteers have always been important in managing the 14.5 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands in Colorado, but now they are indispensable. Prevention, mitigation, and restoration must be a year-round effort — and it must involve all Coloradans.

Nonprofit groups like Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado have demonstrated the efficacy of everyday people in fire/flood restoration and mitigation: in 2011, more than 500 volunteers seeded 240 acres of land after the Fourmile Canyon fire to prevent erosion and invasive weeds; in 2012 and 2013, they worked with the community-led High Park Restoration Coalition to train dozens of volunteers in fire restoration techniques and recruited hundreds to restore burn areas from the High Park and Waldo Canyon fires; and in 2014, 35 percent of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s volunteer projects were devoted to recovery efforts, contributing over $1 million in donated labor on the Front Range alone.

These recovery efforts involve thousands of individuals and dozens of local partnerships — and many continue to this day, years after the initial disaster.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado has utilized over 100 volunteers this year to thin nearly 60 acres of forest to improve the area’s resiliency and remove dead trees that would fuel fires.

So ask yourself “What am I doing to help?”. If we wish to see fewer fires — or at least less severe fires — in the coming years, we need the state to work together and take a long-term, hands-on approach to forest restoration and prevention.

With everyone involved, we can prevent future loss of life and preserve the lands that sustain our state’s culture, quality of life, and economy — ultimately protecting the Colorado we all love.

VOC Launches Stepping Up Stewardship Toolkit

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 00:25:00 GMT

VOC Launches Stepping Up Stewardship Toolkit

All of us at Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) are excited to announce the launch of our Stepping Up Stewardship Toolkit , an online collection of resources to help any organization start, enhance, or expand volunteer outdoor stewardship efforts!

For 34 years, we've been utilizing volunteers to maintain parks, trails, and public lands throughout the state - but with increasing visitation and limited resources, land management agencies need more organizations and more volunteers to tackle the ever-growing needs facing our state's natural places.

By sharing our own proven practices in organizing, managing, and training volunteers, we hope to expand other organizations' capacity to tackle the most pressing outdoor stewardship work.

The Toolkit offers free, in-depth step-by-step how-to guides on topics such as project selection, volunteer recruitment, and working with youth. Stewardship groups, whether new or established, can complement the knowledge found in each guide with ready-to-use templates and checklists, hands-on training in leadership and technical skills through our Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI) , and customized additional assistance, if needed.

While the guidance provided by the Toolkit was developed over decades of working in Colorado, we hope that much of the information will be applicable to groups across the country and we are proud that the Toolkit has already garnered support at the state and national level.

"Volunteers play a vital role in helping care for national forests and grasslands, and the USDA Forest Service simply cannot fulfill our mission without their service,” said Susan Alden, Partnership Liaison for the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region, “The Stepping Up Stewardship Toolkit is a terrific resource that will help us collaborate more effectively around volunteer service on public lands, as it guides program and volunteer workforce development from project inception to celebration."

Luis Benitez, Director of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, acknowledged the importance of hands-on stewardship to the state as a whole: "Outdoor recreation, a multibillion-dollar economy in Colorado, depends on access to safe and healthy natural areas. By expanding the ability to care for these places, the Stepping Up Stewardship Toolkit supports the state's economic future and identity as an outdoor recreation destination."

Explore the Toolkit at www.SteppingUpStewardship.org , download and use the materials, spread the word, and give us your feedback!

With more of us actively caring for the outdoors, we will ensure the next generation will find these outdoor places at least as good - if not better - than what we inherited.

5 Benefits of Being a VOC Crew Leader

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 00:41:00 GMT

5 Benefits of Being a VOC Crew Leader

You’ve seen them on our volunteer projects: the people in blue baseball caps handing out tools, demonstrating safety techniques, and instructing others how to slope a trail or where to move a boulder. They’re the Crew Leaders – and they’re all volunteers.

We couldn’t do a single project without them: to safely and effectively manage outdoor stewardship projects, we need at least one Crew Leader for every 8 to 10 volunteers. So, whether it’s a project with 20 or 120 volunteers, it simply wouldn’t happen without the support of our volunteer Crew Leaders.

Which is why we’re always looking for the next cohort of Crew Leaders, whom we teach the ropes to at our two-day Crew Leadership for Trails training, the last of which takes place later this month on July 21 and 22 in Morrison and Evergreen.

But enough about how they help us – we want to talk about what’s in it for you! Anyone can be a Crew Leader, and beyond what you’ll help accomplish for Colorado, there are many other, personal benefits of serving as a Crew Leader with VOC:

The Crew Leader Community

When you become a Crew Leader with VOC, you join a unique community of welcoming, likeminded individuals from across the state. From retirees to millennials and everyone in between, our Crew Leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and are always willing to offer support to one another, whether you’re brand-new or have been volunteering for years.

As a Crew Leader-in-training, you’ll feel that camaraderie from the beginning as you mentor under experienced Crew Leaders on projects. Once you feel comfortable enough to lead on your own, you’ll be officially certified as a VOC Crew Leader and have a seat at events reserved for our most dedicated volunteers, including our annual summer potluck for volunteer leaders and our end-of-season Awards & Appreciation Night .

Many Crew Leaders host happy hours and get-togethers of their own, too. We’ve had people meet lifelong friends and even romantic partners through the Crew Leader community; and while we can’t promise that you’ll find your future spouse, we can guarantee that you’ll get to know some very fun and fascinating people!

First Dibs on Volunteer Projects

Forget about waitlists and setting an alarm to register; Crew Leaders get a sneak peek of the year’s projects at our annual Team Night in February and can sign up to lead on any volunteer project at any time!

Plus, since you’re only expected to lead on two projects each year, this insider knowledge will help you identify all the projects you want to participate in, even if it’s just as a regular volunteer.

Stewardship Behind-the-Scenes

While volunteers learn a lot about trails on VOC projects, Crew Leaders learn even more: after all, they’re the ones teaching the volunteers! In your initial training, you’ll learn the basics of building and maintaining sustainable trails and put your knowledge to the test in the field. Armed with a take-home trail manual, your understanding of trail stewardship will only deepen as you continue to lead volunteers on a variety of terrain and trail types.

You’ll also have the chance to learn firsthand from VOC’s Project Manager as well as the project’s land manager partner and Technical Advisor (who helps design the trail) about the different environments, their value to local communities, the threats to the trail and why it must be built or managed a certain way.

Finally, there are opportunities to take your knowledge of stewardship one step further through additional, optional hands-on trainings in trail design and technical skills – often available at a discount for our dedicated Crew Leaders!

Help Others Succeed

As a Crew Leader, you’ll work with people of all ages and fitness levels with varying degrees of experience in stewardship and nature itself; and lead them to achieve things they never thought possible.

Whether it’s lifting a large rock, feeling comfortable in a group of strangers, or simply spending a day getting dirty in the sun, one of the most rewarding parts of being a Crew Leader is guiding volunteers to break past their barriers and bask in a shared sense of accomplishment.

By the end of the day, you’ll see strangers become teammates and doubts turn into confidence – and know that you helped make it happen.

Personal & Professional Growth

Maybe you’re looking to boost your resume with volunteer and leadership experience. Maybe you’re looking to challenge yourself, learn something new, or utilize skills you don’t get to use in your day job. Or maybe you just want a reason to get out of the house and mix up your routine!

Whatever your ‘why’ is, serving as a Crew Leader is personally fulfilling: you can visibly see the positive impact your participation has on the environment and the skills you use in everyday life – communication, teamwork, leadership – will inevitably improve.

There are many reasons to become a Crew Leader with VOC, in addition to the remarkable difference you can make for Colorado’s outdoors. Find yours and begin your leadership journey today by signing up for our final Crew Leader training of the year on July 21 and 22!

Have a few more questions before you sign up? See our Crew Leader One-Pager and contact Dan at 303-715-1010 ext. 117 for additional information.

Trail Maintenance: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:50:00 GMT

Trail Maintenance: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Maintaining trails is a huge part of our work at Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and we’ve seen ‘em all, from meandering paths through the prairie to steep, rocky ascents and everything in between. Yet despite their myriad differences, you might be surprised to learn that trails have quite a bit in common when it comes to taking care of them.

That’s why when you volunteer with us or browse photos of our projects on Facebook, you’ll see a lot of people doing a lot of different things, from raking soil to tearing up a hillside, moving boulders, and building bridges. Yet while the work varies, the goal is always the same: to keep the trail in safe, sustainable working order.

Now you might be thinking, “What do you mean ‘sustainable’? Why does a path in the woods need so much maintenance?”

We’re glad you asked! But before we dig in (sorry, we couldn’t help it!), let’s back up and take a closer look at trails themselves.

The Importance of Trails

What’s your favorite trail? Why? It’s probably the places it takes you; the sights you see and the overall experience it gives you, whether you’re out for a stroll with the family or zipping down your favorite single track. But trails are more than just the way in which we explore our landscape; they’re also how we protect it and the very experience we came to enjoy.

In most cases, your favorite trail didn’t just appear; ideally, it was carefully planned and constructed to provide a route that would cause as little disturbance as possible to the natural environment and local species – and, of course, prevent you from getting lost in the woods and becoming a mountain lion’s next meal.

Other trails may follow old roads or were simply worn in over time by people looking to get from A to B. Regardless of how it may have been created, a trail is a human creation with consequences for the habitat in which it exists. It must be maintained over time to ensure it continues to provide the intended user experience while keeping people, wildlife, and habitats safe.

The Threat to Trails

If trails protect people and the environment, how do you protect the trails? We often hear about the impacts of overuse, but there’s another threat to our trails: water. That’s right; the rainfall and snowmelt that is critical to Colorado’s environment is also often considered Trail Enemy #1 – and it all boils down to erosion.

When water collects on a trail, you get puddles and mud. No one likes soggy boots, so visitors will often go off-trail to avoid the wet patches, widening the path and harming vegetation. Water might also travel along a trail, carrying away soil to create ruts and expose roots and rocks, ultimately transforming the trail into an unpleasant and potentially dangerous route.

Erosion not only impacts a trail user’s safety and overall experience, but it also adds sedimentation into nearby streams. This can reduce the water quality within the larger watershed – a growing problem in Colorado!

A good trail designer will do their best to eliminate these erosion problems from happening in the first place by carefully aligning the trail on a hillside so that water can flow across it, rather than down it, or by planning appropriate structures to support a new trail or restore an existing one.

Trail crews also have an important role to play. Crew Leaders and their crews ensure the design of any trail construction or maintenance project is implemented successfully, building and maintaining the trail with specific structures and to appropriate standards, ensuring that the work is of high-enough quality to hold up over time.

But even the best-designed and built trails need routine maintenance to prevent erosion, especially since these issues are easily exacerbated by human behavior: user traffic can wear down the center of the trail, potentially creating new spots for puddles; people may take shortcuts, opening new avenues for water flow; or a type of recreation may become popular that the trail wasn’t initially designed for.

Add in storms and Colorado’s unpredictable weather, and it’s easy to see how a trail can get reshaped over the seasons. If left untended, a trail can completely deteriorate into an unsafe and unpassable mess, no longer serving its original (and important!) purpose.

Maintaining a Trail

That’s why regular trail maintenance is so important. With limited resources from land management agencies, volunteers are needed to reshape the trail’s surface to keep water flowing off the trail; build drainage structures to further divert water; and build rock/timber steps, walls, and other structures to preserve the integrity of the trail’s slopes and surface and mitigate the forces that create erosion.

Of course, moving boulders and building walls is a lot more work than the previously mentioned tasks. It might make for a great photo-op, but this type of maintenance takes more muscle, money, time, and training to accomplish.

In addition, a trail can erode to the point where it’s no longer reparable. In that case, the only way to salvage the route is to close the dilapidated trail and build a new one – a process that requires redesigning the trail, time-extensive impact studies, thousands of dollars, and hundreds of volunteers.

By starting with sustainably-built trails and completing the smaller, less-glamorous tasks on a regular basis, the more time, money, and resources we can save – things that are already in short supply for our public lands.

In Conclusion

We hope this blog helped you look at trails in a new light. You now have the knowledge you need to hit the trails and impress your friends with facts about erosion and trail design! You can assess how water would travel on or off the trail; point out loose rocks exposed by erosion; or talk up the importance of a good drainage or erosion control structure.

You can also put that knowledge into action and get a closer look at the intricacies of trail design, construction, and maintenance by attending one of our volunteer projects or outdoor stewardship trainings ! We promise you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for trails and the people who care for them.

Introducing Grossman Scholar: Ella Douglas

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 01:00:00 GMT

Introducing Grossman Scholar: Ella Douglas

Thanks to the generosity of former Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) Board Member Rick Grossman and his wife Susie, VOC is now able to offer two $5,000 scholarships each year to help make educational dreams possible for those involved in outdoor volunteer stewardship!

The first scholarship is reserved for graduating seniors or currently enrolled college students who have participated in VOC's high school Cairn Youth Program, and we are proud to introduce Denver South High School's Ella Douglas as our very first Grossman Scholar!

Ella has participated in the Cairn program since 2016 and her strong academic skills, commitment to restoring and protecting the outdoors, and plans to pursue a career in an environmental-related field qualified her as an excellent recipient of the scholarship.

She was a straight-A student and will be attending the University of Colorado at Boulder in the fall to study Environmental Science and/or Environmental Engineering. In addition to VOC’s Cairn Youth Program, Ella has been involved in numerous volunteer programs throughout her high school career including Colorado Young Leaders and Denver South High School’s Unified Gym Games.

With Colorado Young Leaders, Ella maintained trails, hiked 14ers, and provided volunteer support for the Xterra Marathon; for the Unified Gym Games, she performed a variety of childcare work, which she credits with teaching her what it means to be a successful and influential leader. Ella’s involvement in VOC’s Cairn Youth Program is where her love for the environment grew. As Ella explained, “The environment is an area that I have been passionate about for a long time, and when I joined Cairn it became even more important to me. Cairn inspired me to want to do something in the environmental field.”

Ella’s overarching goal is to use the Grossman Scholarship to expand her love of learning and her knowledge of the environment in order to make the world a better place - and we have no doubt that she will succeed in doing so!

With Ella’s exemplary academic background, her impressive volunteer work, and her genuine love for the environment, we at VOC are proud of Ella’s accomplishments and know she will do great things for the outdoors in her future endeavors!

High school students interested in participating in the Cairn Youth Program can submit applications for the 2018-19 school year at www.voc.org/cairn; applications will close on July 31.

VOC has also opened applications for the second Grossman Scholarship, to be awarded to a non-traditional student who is pursuing postsecondary education in an outdoor-related field at an accredited 2- or 4-year college in Colorado. Applications will close on September 16.

Top 10 Projects We're Most Excited for this Summer

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 31 May 2018 01:24:00 GMT

Top 10 Projects We're Most Excited for this Summer

Summer is almost here, which means longer days to play outside, cool places to explore, barbeques galore, and of course, a new batch of volunteer projects! As you plan your outdoor adventures this year, schedule time for stewardship so you can give back to the parks, trails, nature, and wildlife that make summer in Colorado so enjoyable.

Not sure where to start? We’ve collected ten of our favorite projects taking place this July and August; there’s something for everyone, so check them out below and head over to voc.org/volunteer to see what else we have planned!

1. CDT Celebration & Herman Gulch Trail Restoration Series | August 4, 10, & 11 | Ages 14+

Shortly after Colorado’s birthday on August 1, we’ll celebrate another milestone: the 40th anniversary of the Continental Divide Trail! To commemorate the occasion, volunteers will give the Herman Gulch Trail, located just off I-70 near the Loveland Ski Area, some critical TLC – then toast to the trail, and their hard work, with a post-project happy hour sponsored by Colorado Native. Registration opens June 1 >>

Bonus: Volunteers can return the following Friday or Saturday for additional maintenance with one of VOC’s most skilled volunteers, Steve West.

2. Women Only Trail Construction @ Floyd Hill | July 7 | Ages 12+

VOC’s female staff members and volunteer leaders are stoked to provide this one-of-a-kind opportunity for girls and women to get outside, get dirty, and give back! Created by women for women, we’ll be building a brand new trail near Denver with up to 100 outdoorsy ladies – and a few special guests celebrating women’s achievements in the outdoors. Open to girls as young as 12, it’s a great way to introduce yourself, your daughter, or your girlfriends to stewardship in a welcoming, supportive environment. Registration opens June 1 >>

3. Continental Divide Trail Reroute @ Alpine Tunnel | July 20-22 | Ages 18+

It’s our 4th consecutive year rerouting this part of the CDT, just west of Salida. There’s a reason volunteers keep coming back: wildflowers are in bloom and the remote, rugged setting offers an intimate weekend in nature while the altitude provides a welcome retreat from the summer heat. Plus, the drive to the project is half the fun, with ghost towns and hot springs along the way. Registration opens June 1 >>

4. Breckenridge Family Camping & Trail Construction | July 28-29 | Ages 6+

We look forward to this project every year! Our unique Family Camping trips take kids ages 6-11 on fun, educational adventures while those 12 and up work on the trail; then, at the end of the day, everyone comes together for s’mores and stories around the campfire. Plus, you can walk from camp to downtown, should you wish to explore in the evening. Registration opens June 1 >>

5. Trail Restoration @ State Forest State Park | August 4 & 5 | Ages 16+

We’re excited to be working in Colorado’s largest state park, which is also the moose-viewing capital of Colorado! State Forest State Park, about two hours east of Fort Collins, offers a backcountry feel as volunteers build bridges, turnpikes, and other structures to carry the Ruby Jewell Trail through precious wetlands and reduce the impacts of erosion. Between working and enjoying meals from our volunteer Crew Chefs, you’ll have the chance to visit alpine lakes – and maybe see a moose or two. Registration opens June 1 >>

6. Trail Construction @ Floyd Hill w/ Colorado Native | August 25 | Ages 12+

This is the final of three projects taking place at Floyd Hill Open Space this year, and as we continue our work in 2019, volunteers can make their mark on a new trail system that will ultimately connect to Clear Creek Canyon and the Peaks to Plains Trail, offering miles of hiking and mountain biking! Tasks are appropriate for volunteers as young as 12, and Colorado Native will be sponsoring a celebratory post-project happy hour with free beer for volunteers 21+. Registration opens June 1 >>

7. 14er: Redcloud and Sunshine Trail Restoration | August 17-19 | Ages 16+

It’s our 3rd time hosting this three-day project in which volunteers restore the main route to two of Colorado’s “fourteeners” (14,000-ft. peaks). Nestled between the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests in southwest Colorado, it’s worth the drive: the rugged terrain makes this the perfect project for volunteers looking for a good workout – and even better views. Registration opens June 1 >>

8. Half-Day Ecological Restoration @ James Peak | July 21 | Ages 8+

Volunteers have been digging up invasive (yet pretty!) oxeye daisies from the James Peak Wilderness Area near Nederland for nearly 10 years. It’s our only half-day project this summer, making it an easy way for volunteers young and older to get their feet wet and make a BIG difference for the outdoors in just a few hours. At noon, we’ll wrap for lunch against the beautiful backdrop of James Peak. Registration opens June 1 >>

9. Trail System Construction @ Silverthorne | August 11 & 12 | Ages 14+

We’ll be creating a new loop for mountain bikers outside the Eagles Nest Wilderness near Silverthorne, connecting two existing trails in the Salt Lick system. With easy access to the trail and to town, we’re looking forward to a weekend of camping and exploring this popular Summit County destination. Registration opens June 1 >>

10. Trail Construction @ Urad State Wildlife Area | July 21 & 22 | Ages 14+

As Colorado’s newest State Wildlife Area, Urad’s undisturbed beauty feels a world away, even though it’s only an hour’s drive from Denver near Berthoud Pass and the town of Empire. To preserve this pristineness, we’ll be repairing an existing trail as well as building a new, sustainable hiking trail for visitors and anglers to enjoy the area while protecting the local fish and wildlife. Registration opens June 1 >>

There is no shortage of amazing places to explore in Colorado, and we encourage everyone to do their part in ensuring that these places remain beautiful, healthy, and accessible for summers to come.

If the projects above don’t meet your needs, view the rest of our projects at voc.org/volunteer or contact Jamie Burke at 303-715-1010 ext. 116 for help finding the right project for you!

Cairn Youth Program Student Spotlight

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 16 May 2018 01:33:00 GMT

Cairn Youth Program Student Spotlight

Each school year, we guide 30+ high schoolers in monthly stewardship and educational activities throughout the Front Range in our award-winning Cairn Youth Program. The 2017-18 class graduated from the program on May 10 and applications for next year open later this month.

As we prepare to welcome a new group of students, we asked Ivy - a senior at Kent High School and a Cairn graduate - about her experience with the Cairn program.

How long have you been in the Cairn program? Why did you originally decide to join?

This was my first year with the Cairn program. The main reason I decided to join was that I wanted to do something that would allow me to meet people outside of my school who were interested in some of the same things I was, as well as give me more opportunities to go outdoors.

What was your favorite part of the Cairn program? What did you enjoy most?

My favorite part about the Cairn program was meeting and getting to know the other Cairn students, and getting to explore new places in Colorado. In Cairn, you are with a group of high-schoolers who are all drawn to the outdoors in some way. It is a great way to meet some really cool people while doing something outdoors. Plus, Cairn is a great way to explore beautiful places in Colorado where you have never been before, and might not otherwise go.

Is there a specific memory, experience, or story that stands out?

The overnight project in September is one of my favorite memories. It was a great way to get to know people, and it was lots of fun.

How has your knowledge and/or passion for the outdoors changed throughout your experience with the Cairn program?

During one project for fire mitigation, we were shown two photos of the forest we were working in; one was from before there had been much human involvement in the forest, and one was from the era when people tried to prevent forest fires as much as possible. The pictures looked like two completely different forests. It made me realize how human involvement can transform an ecosystem into something completely different, which is why we must be aware of our impacts on the environment and ensure that we are being responsible.

What would you tell other students thinking about joining the Cairn program?

I would say join sooner rather than later! I thought about joining the Cairn program for a while, but I didn’t join until my senior year. Now I wish I had joined earlier.

In your opinion, why are programs like Cairn important? Why should other students participate?

In Colorado, there are lots of people who are enthusiastic about the outdoors. While this is a great thing, it also requires us to maintain the environments that we engage with. It is important to maintain trails and preserve the environment so that we don’t alter it through overuse.

Do you have any advice for the students who will be new to the Cairn program next year?

Do your best to make every project you can. The year goes by really fast, and even if you miss just a couple projects, it feels like a lot.

What are your plans after high school?

I plan to take a gap year before attending Whitman College.

Do you plan to stay engaged in experiencing or caring for the outdoors? How?

Yes. I will always continue hiking, skiing, camping, throughout college and afterwards. Since volunteering outdoors is a great way to explore new places while giving back, I think I will look for opportunities to do something like VOC wherever I end up.

Thank you to Ivy and all of our Cairn students and mentors for a fun and successful year! Keep an eye on voc.org/cairn for our 2018-19 student and mentor applications!

Thank You to VOC Crew Leader: John Scott

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 01:38:00 GMT

Thank You to VOC Crew Leader: John Scott

We are sad to say farewell to John Scott, who has contributed to more than 100 projects in his 17 years of volunteering! John is moving to Chicago in May for work and, although he will miss the mountain views and friends he's made, he is looking forward to shaking things up and pursuing volunteer opportunities with the Nature Conservancy.

John was our 2007 Volunteer of the Year and has worn every hat from Crew Leader to Team Lead, Crew Leader Manager, and OSI Instructor, all in the name of bettering his crew leadership and expanding his trail-building knowledge.

John's favorite projects included those in the Breckenridge/Frisco/Dillon area, where he has been able to work with the same project team (including volunteers and land managers) for more than 10 years, and will miss VOC's "spirit" the most.

In John's words, "So many volunteers come out every year on their first project and go away feeling really great about what they did. Most don’t always come back, but I think that “spirit” they take with them lasts them longer than we may know. I remember a volunteer that came up to me one day to shake my hand. He said that 4-5 years previous I had been his crew leader with him and his family on a project. He said they had a great time and that after that project his daughter (who was in High School) decided to focus her college career on environmental management. He said it was the best thing he had ever done to take his kids out on a VOC project."

It is this ability to teach volunteers about trails and invest them in caring for Colorado that has made crew leading so rewarding for John, in addition to the great volunteers and volunteer leaders he's met along the way. To whom he would like to say...

Everything has a thing…
WWGWD
Don’t worry. You can’t get lost!
We all rise to our highest level of incompetence.
We are all wizards of the greatest magnitude.
The best knife material is Damascus Steel!
Many hands make light work.
Do you know your SCAT?
TOTO
CUSS
KISS
It’s not good-bye, it’s just so long for now………

All of us at VOC thank John for his outstanding commitment to the outdoors, and wish him safe travels and happy trails on his next adventure!

To learn more about becoming a volunteer leader with VOC, click here or contact Dan Williams .

Living Our Values: Earth Day Resolutions

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 02:02:00 GMT

Living Our Values: Earth Day Resolutions

On April 22, thousands of people across the globe celebrated, and took action to care for, the planet we all call home. Now in its 48th year, Earth Day has become the largest secular holiday in the world, demonstrating how humans’ connection to, and need for, nature is a truly universal experience.

Of course, our commitment to the natural world should extend beyond just one day: if we wish to preserve our environment for generations to come, it’s important that we consider the impact of our actions in everything we do.

That’s why this Earth Day is particularly special for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC). In addition to kicking off another season of hands-on volunteer projects to care for our public lands, Earth Day also marks the start of a series of initiatives we are implementing to ensure that we “live our mission” both on projects and behind-the-scenes.

As you review the changes we’re making and what you can do to help, we encourage you to think about your own Earth Day resolutions and the changes you can make to live more in alignment with your nature-loving values.

Reduce

What We’re Doing on Projects: Every person who volunteers with us must sign a waiver for each project. While this can be done electronically when you register, it only applies to individual registrations (not groups) and many people end up needing paper waivers the day of the project. To help save more trees, we’ll be updating our language to encourage people to register individually and refrain from printing the waiver.

How You Can Help: If you and a friend are planning to attend a project together, encourage your friend to register separately so that they can electronically sign the waiver. While you will receive a copy of the waiver in pre-project emails for liability purposes, you do not need to print it. Instead, you can log in to your voc.org account at any time to electronically sign the waiver; we will also bring a few blank waivers with us to the project for those who have not signed the waiver electronically.

Reuse

What We’re Doing on Projects: From sandwiches to coffee and snacks, each VOC project produces lots of plastic and non-recyclable waste. To reduce our use (and our costs!), we’ll be emphasizing the importance of everyone bringing their own reusable containers in our pre-project communications to volunteers, including sharing links to places where you can purchase reusable sandwich and snack bags, water bottles, coffee cups and more.

How You Can Help: Consider bringing your own supplies to the project, including a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, cloth napkin, cutlery set, and lightweight containers or reusable snack bags. If you happen to be able to discount or donate any of these items for our volunteers, please let us know!

Recycle

What We’re Doing on Projects: We’ve always had recycling bins on our volunteer projects, but you can expect to see more of them, prominently marked and clearly labeled with what can and can’t be recycled to encourage increased and proper use. We’re also adding a compost bin to our Operations “Ops” Center, where our volunteer Crew Chefs organize and prepare food, to keep even more waste out of landfills.

How You Can Help: If you don’t see a recycling bin, or you’re not sure if an item can be recycled, just ask! And, of course, share this information with other volunteers on the project. You can also reduce your waste in the first place with the tips above!

Outside of projects, we are also planning to switch most of our building lighting to LEDs, set up systems for composting and hard-to-recycle items in our office, provide visitors with public transit directions, offset our carbon footprint through credit programs, and give employees one paid day off to volunteer in their communities.

If you’re feeling inspired to do more yourself, check out our friends at the Alliance Center who have lots of recommendations on how to live in a more sustainable way at thealliancecenter.org/act-now.

What Earth Day resolutions will you make? Tell us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , or LinkedIn , and sign up for our e-newsletter for more stewardship news and tips!

VOC Board Member: Gerald Free

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:08:00 GMT

VOC Board Member: Gerald Free

Each year, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) puts more than 5,000 volunteers on the ground to care for Colorado’s natural places from city parks to open spaces, grasslands, foothills, and alpine peaks.

But the people behind-the-scenes are just as important to our success. To celebrate their contributions and help you get to know them better, we’ll feature different members of our Board of Directors from time to time. Today, we’re putting Gerald Free in the spotlight!

Gerald is the Director of Integrated Planning (DJ Basin) for Noble Energy and is passionate about the outdoor life in Colorado. He’s an outdoorsman by nature; he and his family enjoy hiking, winter sports and experiencing the great outdoors near his home in Evergreen. He’s taken that love and commitment to the Colorado lifestyle to his work with VOC.

After volunteering for several VOC projects, he embraced an opportunity to join the VOC board in 2017. Gerald is proud to represent Noble Energy, an oil and gas company, on the board of VOC, because it demonstrates Noble’s commitment to ensuring Colorado remains a great place to live, work and explore.

Environmental stewardship is a huge part of the way Noble does business in Colorado, a state with some of the strongest environmental regulations and standards in the country. “I’ve worked in other states, and I can tell you that the commitment to protecting the environment in this state is second to none,” said Gerald. “We’re all proud to call Colorado home, and volunteering with VOC, as well as providing financial support to the organization, is important to Noble and its employees.”

In addition to direct financial support, Noble has also donated computers, audio visual equipment, office furniture and a project vehicle for the VOC Headquarters Office (at the Dos Chappell Bathhouse) inside Denver's Washington Park. As VOC’s Director of Community Relations & Strategic Partnerships, Anna Zawisza, explained, the Ford F150 truck could not have come at a better time. “As VOC’s current fleet began showing its age, we were facing the very real possibility of a substantial capital outlay to purchase a new used vehicle. The donated truck, affectionately named ‘Noble’, quickly became the vehicle of choice for our field staff and in just five short months, traveled 6,000 miles across the state. We cannot begin to thank Noble Energy enough for this generous donation.”

In 2017, Gerald and a group of Noble employees worked on a number of VOC projects including the Wigwam Trail in the 120,000-acre Lost Creek Wilderness Area, about 60 miles southwest of Denver. Employees sweated it out building trails and stream crossings and are looking forward to more outdoor volunteer projects in 2018.

Join Gerald and volunteers of all ages and abilities in caring for Colorado this year by signing up for one of our 50+ public volunteer projects at www.voc.org/volunteer!

The Stewardship Solution

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 14:53:00 GMT

The Stewardship Solution

Public lands have been a big topic in our national news lately, with companies like Patagonia raising their voices in response to policies for places such as Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. You might’ve noticed it closer to home in Colorado, too, as full-page ads by the outdoor industry are running in the Denver Post to urge Colorado’s Congressional delegation to protect America’s public lands and national monuments.

9 Reasons to Volunteer with VOC

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 02:19:00 GMT

9 Reasons to Volunteer with VOC

The New Year has arrived and we have big plans here at Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC). With nearly 100 volunteer projects on our calendar, we’ve got a lot to do… and we want you to join us!

Whether you’re an avid outdoorist or new to the whole nature thing, there’s a place for you with VOC. As you think about the year ahead – the hikes and trips you’d like to take and fulfilling those New Year’s Resolutions – why not make giving back to Colorado part of your plans?

Not convinced? Here are 9 benefits of volunteering with us:

Get outside without the hassle. Many people want to spend more time outside, but don’t know where to start. At VOC, we make it easy: all of our projects take place in beautiful locations, providing opportunities to explore trails and open spaces, and our team takes care of everything from cooking to finding and reserving a campsite. All you need to do is show up!

Spend quality time with friends and family. With group volunteering opportunities and projects for children as young as six, volunteering with VOC is a great way to unplug, unwind, and spend time together. By the end of the day, you’ll feel closer to one another and you will have made a huge difference for Colorado!

Learn about your environment. You might be surprised by what you don’t know! All of our volunteer projects address a critical need on public lands in Colorado, and you’ll learn firsthand about each area’s unique ecology as well as the maintenance challenges faced by land managers, such as invasive species or how erosion harms the sustainability of a trail.

Discover Colorado’s diverse landscapes. Let’s be honest: our state is stunning! With projects from the plains to the mountains, our volunteers explore everywhere from well-known destinations like Red Rocks and Hanging Lake, to hidden gems in every corner of the state – so you always know a good spot for your next trip!

Challenge yourself. There’s something rewarding about trying something new: whether you’re planting a garden for the first time, pushing yourself physically on a high-altitude project, or learning backcountry cooking techniques as a volunteer Crew Chef, our projects can help you push past your limits.

Play outside guilt-free. Our footsteps have an impact on our state’s wild spaces, and that impact must be offset with hands-on stewardship if we wish to preserve these places for generations to come. So, in the words of long-time volunteer Steve West, “Spend one day giving back and you can hike anywhere in the state of Colorado, guilt-free.”

Build new relationships. Ask any VOC volunteer and they’ll tell you that one of the best parts about volunteering is the people you meet. Our volunteers come from all walks of life: teens and seniors work side-by-side; brand-new volunteers mingle with those who have been with VOC for decades; and together, we’ve created a welcoming, supportive community for anyone who wants to take care of Colorado.

Earn bragging rights. When you spend a day pulling weeds or maintaining a trail, you immediately see the difference your work makes. You walk on the trail you built; you return months later to see the tree you planted grow taller, or the trail you closed now unrecognizable under native grasses. Besides your own instant gratification, you get to show off envy-worthy selfies (everyone looks gnarly holding a pickaxe or wearing a hard hat) and bring friends back to say, “I built this.”

Clear your mind. We all need to escape the drudgery of the daily grind sometimes, and spending time in nature has been proven to make people healthier and happier. So put down your phone, pick up a tool, and join us for a day outside to reconnect with yourself, each other, and the Earth.

If you’re ready to get started, check out our volunteer calendar and register for a project! You can always email or call us at 303-715-1010 if you'd like help finding the right project for you.

Then, sign up for our VOC Voice e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook to stay in the loop about upcoming projects!

2017: A Year in Review

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 02:33:00 GMT

2017: A Year in Review

2017 was a big year for Colorado: we were the first state to celebrate our own Public Lands Day; our outdoor industry generated $28 billion in consumer spending; we ranked #1 in the Center for Western Priorities’ Conservation Scorecard; and our state became the new home of the Outdoor Retailer show, an estimated economic impact of $45 million.

These achievements, along with the challenges presented by reports of vandalism, damaged ecosystems and worn-down trails from across the state, made Colorado’s outdoor places – and how to care for them – the subject of a statewide conversation.

That discussion is sure to continue well into 2018; to prepare for it, let’s take a look at the changes and achievements we saw this year at Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) that will guide our efforts to engage even more people in caring for Colorado next year.

In the Office

We welcomed new faces both on and off the trail this year as we hired our first full-time Finance and Administration Director, grew our full-time Project Manager ranks, and welcomed four new employees to the team as well as four new Board members! Our staff presented ways to involve youth in stewardship at the Colorado Open Space Alliance (COSA) Conference; and in her 10th year leading VOC, our Executive Director traveled to Brazil to share insights on volunteer stewardship and was recognized as a 2017 Thought Leader by the Denver Business Journal. We also had our most successful Uniquely Colorado and Colorado Gives Day to date – raising more than $27,000 and $50,000 respectively!

In the Field

This was a big year for our volunteer projects: after 33 years, we hit our 1,000-project mark and celebrated this Grand Milestone with seven signature opportunities across Colorado – from Hanging Lake to our state’s tallest 14er, Mt. Elbert – and special swag provided by Colorado Lottery.

We also hosted three Family Camping projects; donned costumes for our October project at Cascade Creek; and partnered with the National Forest Foundation, Friends of Dillon Ranger District (FDRD), Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI), Colorado Mountain Club, and REI to restore the Quandary Peak Trail.

Our volunteers had a big year, too: long-time volunteer Steve West was featured on 9News for his dedication to Colorado’s trails; Jake Isaacson was the 9th volunteer in VOC history to reach 200 projects; 15 people joined our Volunteer Leader ranks; and more than 300 people were trained in stewardship skills through our Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI).

By the end of the season, we had engaged more than 5,000 volunteers in building and restoring nearly 19 miles of trail, removing 19 acres of invasive weeds, planting nearly 3,000 plants, and more! Check out our 2017 Year-end Report for more season accomplishments >>

In the Community

Each year, we involve everyday people in stewardship beyond our public volunteer projects: this year, we worked with 30 companies and youth organizations on custom SWAT (Stewardship with a Team) projects; graduated 30 students from our high school Cairn Youth Program and welcomed 31 new participants; and continued our three-year program with Lake International Middle School, aimed at closing the ethnic and economic “adventure gap” by providing regular stewardship projects and educational opportunities for their 2019 class. We also began planning a collaborative initiative, funded by the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Inspire grants, to help Denver’s Westwood community create outdoor education and recreation opportunities for local youth and families.

In the Industry

This year, VOC took on a variety of initiatives aimed at building capacity and collaboration within Colorado’s stewardship community: the Colorado Outdoor Stewardship Coalition (COSC), a group which VOC helped form in 2010, began developing shared metrics and a statewide database of outdoor stewardship organizations for the Statewide Stewardship Initiative (SSI), and we also partnered with the El Pomar Foundation and others to deliver discussions on the future of Colorado’s outdoors through the Naturally United Retreat for Leaders in Outdoor Stewardship and the Caring for Colorado in the Age of the Anthropocene salon.

We also teamed up with the Colorado Tourism Office to share “DIY Stewardship” tips with visitors and residents alike via our YourCO mobile app; began working on a universal campaign designed to instill a stewardship ethic across Colorado; and started developing the Stepping Up Stewardship toolkit, an online set of resources to help groups of any size start or improve their volunteer stewardship programs.

In Conclusion

We got a lot of wheels turning this year and while we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, we’re even more excited to see what we will achieve next year with the help of our many partners, volunteers and supporters.

You, too, can be a part of the stewardship solution in 2018. Sign up for our e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and/or LinkedIn to stay in the know about stewardship trends and ways to get involved, including our 2018 volunteer projects and trainings! You can also make a New Year’s commitment to Colorado right now with a tax-deductible, year-end gift to VOC.

Finally, all of us at VOC would like to thank everyone who helped make 2017 a great year for outdoor stewardship! We can’t wait to see you in 2018!

Winter Stewardship Tips

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 02:45:00 GMT

Winter Stewardship Tips

With the project season behind us, winter is on its way! And although we can’t build a trail in the snow, there are still many ways to practice outdoor stewardship in the off-season. So while you plan your trips to the slopes and shopping malls, please keep these tips in mind:

On the Trail

Whether you’re hiking, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing, snow provides great protection for delicate trails! But it’s not foolproof:

Research the area you plan to visit beforehand to make sure your preferred recreation is permitted.
If snowmobiling, avoid areas where the snow is too low to cover vegetation. Otherwise, you are sure to damage the soil beneath your tracks.
If it poops, you scoop! The snow isn’t hiding anything. Whether it’s yours or your dog’s, waste introduces foreign substances to the environment and contaminates snow melt and waterways. Plus, nobody wants that surprise in a snowball…
Carpool to the mountains or explore public transit options, like the Winter Park Express from downtown Denver. Not only will you reduce emissions, but you’ll avoid infamous I-70 traffic!
Sleeping in the snow? Return your campsite to its natural state by destroying any snow walls, shelters or other structures you may have built.
If you find yourself in need of gear, save money and resources by looking into options for renting it; purchasing it secondhand; or repairing what you already own!

Out & About

Holiday shopping can be stressful, but going green in your gift-giving doesn’t have to be. Whether shopping for a stewardship scrooge or the most eco-conscious person you know, use these tips as a starting point:

Be smart about online shopping. It’s convenient, but it can have its downsides: items might ship from the other side of the world, wrapped in layers of non-recyclable plastic and Styrofoam. Try to look for products made closer-to-home and combine packages when possible.
Don’t believe the myths – your car does not need to idle before driving. It was true when cars had carburetors, but unless your vehicle is from the 70s, there’s no need to use this outdated technique. Save money, time, fuel and fresh air – it’s a win-win!
Despise scraping snow off your car? Slippery streets make you nervous? Make the bus (or train) your new best friend.
Going to the mall? Bring your own bags! They’re sturdy, and there’s no logo to give away what you just bought. Plus, they’re reusable so they won’t end up in the garbage, or worse yet, hanging on trees or clogging waterways.
Sneak in sustainability. Have you been trying to convince a loved one to use a reusable water bottle or coffee cup? Give them a gift that keeps on giving! Check out options like bamboo cutlery, fun reusable food containers or tiny bags that open into sizeable ones.
Get crafty. You don’t have to make your own gifts, but anyone can make their own wrapping paper! Reuse newspaper, magazines, or the wrapping paper from your office’s holiday party.
Think long-term. It can be tempting to buy cheap tchotchkes and gag gifts. But will they end up in the landfill after a good laugh?

At Home

We love the outdoors, but we’ll be the first to admit that one of the best parts of winter is staying inside with a warm mug of cocoa. Even from the comfort of your sofa, you can take steps to be a good steward:

Be lazy. If you still have leaves on your lawn, keep them there! They provide warmth and shelter for soil and critters, and eventually decompose to return necessary nutrients to your yard.
When decorating for the holidays, opt for LED lights to reduce your energy use and skip the artificial Christmas trees. These plastic trees can’t be recycled and often come from overseas, while a locally-grown tree can be turned into mulch afterwards. (One study found that you’d have to use your fake tree for 20 years to make it the more eco-friendly option!)
Make an eco-friendly feast by combining your cooking as much as possible; recycling your cooking oil into biofuel at a local facility; and opening the oven to heat your house afterwards.
Don’t be salty. Opt for sand instead, as rock salt and urea-based de-icers result in harmful runoff to habitats and waterways.
Give your thermostat a break. Use weatherstrips to seal gaps and stop drafts.
Get in the giving spirit! Considering stewardship organizations like VOC in your year-end giving is a great way to support stewardship of your favorite places, even if the off-season.
Make a different New Year’s Resolution. Think about what would be meaningful to you as an environmental steward and make a commitment for the New Year. Ideas include – Meatless Mondays, ditching straws, riding a bike or carpooling to work once a week, getting a home energy audit and following through on the recommendations, or starting a "Green Team" at work!

And finally, remember that stewardship is supposed to be fun – and accessible. Not all of us have the space for solar panels, access to public transit, or the funds for an electric car. But you don’t need to do it all to be a good steward – just do what you can. Our beautiful outdoors, wildlife and natural resources will thank you!

History of VOC: How We Reached 1,000 Projects

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 03:00:00 GMT

History of VOC: How We Reached 1,000 Projects

This year, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) completed our 1,000th volunteer stewardship project and designated 2017 as our Grand Milestone season. Since we started more than 30 years ago, our volunteers have touched nearly every corner of Colorado, building and improving trails; managing invasive species; and restoring the land after natural disasters.

Of course, a lot has changed since we first encouraged Coloradans to get their hands dirty in 1984. To share how we got to our Grand Milestone, let’s take you back to our roots.

1980s: The Early Years

Colorado looked a lot different when VOC was founded: Footloose was in theaters, CD players were a new invention, and 2.3 million fewer people lived here. We had less public land, too, with 13 fewer state parks and only half of our state’s National Wildlife Refuges and National Wilderness Areas. But even then, Coloradans recognized the need for stewardship.

Thus, VOC was founded in 1984 with inspiration from the Appalachian Mountain Club’s National Volunteer Project, an initiative that ultimately led to the development of multiple trail stewardship organizations across the country.

Our first year, we engaged nearly 200 volunteers in just three projects. Two years later, we pioneered our Crew Leader and Project Team structure and, by the end of the decade, we had expanded our projects to 10 and were involved in more than just trails; receiving the prestigious Department of the Interior’s Take Pride in America Award.

1990s: Expanding Stewardship

While big hair left with the 80s, big projects continued to be a mainstay of VOC throughout the 90s. We hosted a 1400-person project at Chatfield State Park; a 1200-person project at Sand Creek; and planted 10,000 trees with more than 1,000 volunteers in a single day!

But that wasn’t the only way we were thinking big: in the 90s, VOC began working with likeminded Coloradans to develop stewardship organizations that would be able to tackle more specific and/or local needs; this resulted in the launch of Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) in 1995 and the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) in 1997.

By the end of the 90s, VOC had grown to 7 employees and raised capital to restore a historic city park bathhouse into our beautiful office space in Denver’s Wash Park.

2000s: The VOC We Know Today

With a new millennium came a new model for VOC. To reach more volunteers and care for more places, we began to diversify our program offerings and implement weeklong projects; youth projects, including our high school Cairn Youth Program; and custom corporate projects – all now staples of VOC!

VOC’s Blueprint for Outdoor Stewardship helped to guide the development on an online volunteer clearinghouse and the establishment of the Colorado Outdoor Training Initiative (COTI) which would come under VOC’s wing as the Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI) in 2007.

VOC volunteer leaders were instrumental in raising funds to establish VOC’s Operations Center, which houses all of VOC’s tools and project equipment; and we established our first volunteer partnership office in the San Luis Valley.

By 2009, we had completed more than 200 projects throughout our 25-year history and the volunteer season was beginning to look much more like it does today.

2010s: Change and Collaboration

VOC started the decade with the development of the Colorado Outdoor Stewardship Coalition (COSC), a group of 30+ nonprofits and land managers that would host the first Colorado Stewardship Forum and release five studies on the impact of volunteer stewardship over the next few years.

After celebrating our 30th anniversary, we rebranded with a new logo in 2015 and hosted our first Uniquely Colorado event. Then, we developed even more initiatives to spread stewardship, including the Steve Austin Training Scholarship, our YourCo mobile app, and youth programs with Lake International Middle School and Denver’s Westwood neighborhood.

This year, a barrage of headlines about overuse and vandalism in some of our state’s most beautiful places shone a spotlight on the challenges facing Colorado. Against the backdrop of our Grand Milestone, VOC took on a variety of initiatives to expand stewardship throughout the state and into the future: we hosted a day-long discussion with land managers and stewardship organizations at the Naturally United retreat; started a partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office to inspire locals and visitors alike to care for Colorado; began compiling our best practices into a toolkit for organizations to start or enhance their own volunteer stewardship programs; and began developing a statewide campaign to promote stewardship.

2018 & Beyond: The Future of Stewardship in Colorado

As we move into 2018, VOC is exploring new ways for everyone – individuals, businesses and organizations alike – to find their place in caring for Colorado’s outdoor places. Our state’s physical and political landscapes will continue to change but, just as we’ve done for 33 years, VOC will be ready to adapt and evolve to meet Colorado’s changing needs.

To stay up to date with what we’re doing to care for Colorado’s public lands and what you can do to help, follow us on Facebook and sign up for our e-newsletter to be the first to hear about our 2018 project schedule and other stewardship initiatives. If you’d like to support our stewardship efforts today, consider scheduling a Colorado Gives Day donation here .

Recreate, Restore, Repeat: The Cheyenne Mountain Run

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 03:08:00 GMT

Recreate, Restore, Repeat: The Cheyenne Mountain Run

On Saturday, October 21, nearly 300 people will gather in Cheyenne Mountain State Park just outside of Colorado Springs for a truly unique trail race: the Cheyenne Mountain Run . Now in its third year, the race gives runners exclusive access to the Dixon Trail, a yet-to-be-completed route to the top of Cheyenne Mountain.

But the race is more than just a sneak peek at a long-awaited trail: Dick Standaert, former park ranger and volunteer with the nonprofit Friends of Cheyenne Mountain State Park (CMSP), created the race to raise funds for the trail’s construction. As the trail is built, the race course lengthens: it will eventually be a nearly 13-mile race to the 9,354’ peak, a likely hit with endurance enthusiasts across the country.

Yet given the trail’s economic potential, some may wonder why a fundraiser is even necessary to support the route to the summit. Quite frankly, building a trail is more expensive than you might think! Estimates for the Dixon Trail range from $80,000 to the hundreds of thousands – a hefty price tag for Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW), which operates the park and oversees the trail’s construction.

With state funding in short supply, CPW has turned to community partners for help. They’ve proven to be the key ingredient in funding and building the Dixon Trail: in the past few years, the Cheyenne Mountain Run raised $13,000 for the trail while nonprofits Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) raised additional funds and enlisted more than 300 volunteers to build nearly half of the trail, with about 1.5 miles still to be completed.

Thanks to partnerships like these, the route to the summit is expected to be completed in the next few years. This is good news for the many people who have long-awaited the Dixon Trail’s completion, eager to hike and bike on new trails.

Yet new trails bring new responsibilities. Just as land managers like CPW struggle to find the funding for new trails, there are few resources to maintain these trails and keep up with the impact of recreation. This is where outdoor stewardship organizations, like VOC and RMFI, must collaborate with recreation groups, like the Cheyenne Mountain Run, to achieve a healthy balance between recreation and restoration. While volunteers build and sustain trail systems, recreation groups can encourage people to preserve the resources they use through responsible recreation.

VOC and RMFI are sponsoring the Cheyenne Mountain Run this year to unite the two trail-loving groups. Through this partnership, hundreds of trail runners will learn about the immense amount of work volunteers have contributed to the trail’s construction and the need for more recreationalists to practice active stewardship.

Whether you’re a bird-watcher, a horseback rider, or just someone who enjoys the outdoors, there’s a way for everyone to play a part in developing this important trail. You can register for the Cheyenne Mountain Run’s 3-mile or 10-mile distance and/or get involved with stewardship organizations, like VOC and RMFI , through volunteering or donating to support trail construction and maintenance projects across Colorado.

Together, we can explore, enjoy and restore our favorite outdoor places.

Follow us on Facebook and check out the photos from VOC’s 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 Dixon Trail projects. And, if you participate in the Cheyenne Mountain Run, keep an eye out for fellow participant Jeff Trujillo, one of our long-time Board Members and volunteers!

Hanging Lake: Past, Present & Future

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 03:17:00 GMT

Hanging Lake: Past, Present & Future

In Colorado, Hanging Lake is known as a must-see destination. Whether a native or a newcomer, you’ve likely heard about the aquamarine water and cascading falls that put this area at the top of Colorado bucket lists. But you also may have read the recent headlines about increased crowds, overflowing parking, graffiti, and visitors breaking rules - from swimming in the lake to walking on the famous fallen log or bringing their dogs along.

A few weeks ago, Hanging Lake made headlines again when the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) proposed a new management plan for the area, including a reservation and shuttle service to limit daily visitors to 615 people.

But let’s back up: how did we get here? To understand the predicament facing Hanging Lake, we need to go back to the beginning.

Discovering Hanging Lake

How people came to discover Hanging Lake is a bit of a mystery: early tales tell of a man searching for gold in Glenwood Canyon, who stumbled upon a dead horse at the opening of a gulch (the presumed origin of Dead Horse Gulch). When the man followed the gulch, he came upon the turquoise, bowl-like basin “hanging” on the cliffs below.

While historians can’t confirm this, they do know that the lake and surrounding area served as a private homestead for Thomas F. Bailey in the early 1900s, who arguably had the best backyard in the West until 1912, when the town of Glenwood Springs purchased it for $953.

Growing Popularity

Under the ownership of Glenwood Springs, the area became known as Hanging Lake Park and soon began attracting visitors from across the state. To support its newfound popularity, in the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built foot bridges and a rain shelter to make the area more accessible – and resilient – to hikers.

In 1945, Hanging Lake became a true tourist destination with the opening of the Hanging Lake Resort, complete with a café, gas station, cabin rentals, and horses and burros to take visitors to the lake. The resort thrived – and tourism grew – for 23 years until 1968, when the resort closed to make way for the construction of I-70. Though the area returned to the protection of the USFS in 1972, the new highway only opened the area to more visitors.

Forty-five years later, Colorado’s population has doubled and visitation has exploded: up to 1,100 people hike the 1.2 mile-trail each day for a whopping total of 150,000 annual visitors – up from 99,000 just two years ago.

Unique Beauty, Unique Challenges

So what has made Hanging Lake a must-see for over 100 years? It seems like a silly question, but it’s more than just beautiful: geologically-speaking, Hanging Lake is a rarity. Located on a fault line, the lake was formed when part of the valley floor fell away and water filled the area, depositing travertine. A form of limestone rich in calcium carbonate, it is travertine that creates the lake’s stunning color and makes it such a delicate ecosystem: travertine layers are easily damaged by human contact and the oils found on our skin.

It is for this reason that rules have been established at Hanging Lake: dogs, even the best-behaved ones, introduce foreign substances to the fragile ecosystem and going off-trail widens the path and destroys the local habitat, home to rare hanging gardens and one of few breeding sites for Black Swifts.

Yet visitors have continued to break these rules for years: some due to a lack of understanding, others in search of a shareworthy selfie. This delinquency, coupled with exponential use and diminishing maintenance funds, have put Hanging Lake in today’s precarious position.

What You Can Do

The USFS’ new management plan is the result of decades of discussion on how to solve the problems, but it is only part of the solution. There are still limited resources to address these challenges, which is why every Coloradan can and should play a part in preserving this state icon. In addition to responsible recreation, they can take a page from the 1930s Conservation Corps and play an active role in building and maintaining trail infrastructure to preserve both the natural habitat and the user experience.

That’s exactly what nearly 80 volunteers did earlier this month: led by nonprofits Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV), these everyday Coloradans constructed 40 ft. of fencing, built multiple rock walls, restored 14 water bars, repainted vandalized benches and bridges, and constructed 55 rock steps and 23 large stepping stones in just one weekend! Their efforts will go a long way to preserve Hanging Lake, but it’s not a one-time fix: VOC and RFOV worked to restore the trail in 2010 and 2011, and RFOV will continue to send volunteers to maintain the area each year.

Beyond Hanging Lake

Hanging Lake is only one example of how Colorado’s outdoor places are being challenged by population growth, budget cuts and irresponsible use. With 35% of our state’s lands being public, the maintenance needs are simply too vast for any organization or agency to tackle alone.

But together, we can keep our beloved natural places beautiful, healthy and accessible for generations to come.

We invite you to join us on a volunteer project to see the difference that passionate individuals can make when they work together. If you can’t volunteer, you can still make a positive impact by donating, teaching others how to be responsible stewards, and standing up for Colorado’s public lands whenever you can.

Photos courtesy of volunteer photographer Sharon Menard. Click here to see more photos from our Hanging Lake project!

VOC Crew Leader: Ryan Durham

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 03:29:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Ryan Durham

Ryan works with volunteers to move a boulder.

From Crew Chefs to Crew Leaders, volunteer leaders are critical to the success of VOC projects. To celebrate their inspiring work and help you get to know them better, we’ll feature different volunteer leaders from time to time. Today, we’re putting Crew Leader Ryan Durham in the spotlight!

Originally from Tennessee, Ryan moved to Colorado in 2008 and volunteered on his first VOC project, Ecological Restoration at Bear Creek Park , in 2015. He quickly jumped into Crew Leader Training the next year to learn how to lead volunteers and ensure they have a fun, safe and rewarding experience. With a full-time job at Sling TV, Ryan still found time to go full speed ahead with seven VOC projects in 2016 and 10 already this year!

Ryan demonstrates Crew Leader techniques to new trainees.

Volunteer Photographer Christine Carlson interviewed Ryan on our Pikes Peak South Slope Trail Construction project earlier this year. Here’s what she discovered:

Why did you choose to become a Volunteer Crew Leader for VOC?

“I really believe in VOC's mission and wanted to broaden my impact to help enable more people to become active stewards of our great state.”

What do you like most about being a Crew Leader?

“I like the challenge of managing a new crew each project. It really tests my management skills because you never know what type of crew you will get. What I realized though, is no matter what the crew make-up turns out being, every crew can be successful.”

What makes a great crew member?

“People who are excited to be outside in our beautiful state are the best crew members. They bring joy and enthusiasm to the work we do. You don't have to know how to build a trail, know the names of the tools, or be the strongest, you just need to have enthusiasm!”

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a Crew Leader?

“Being able to lead a team has made me realize that volunteering for VOC is really a win-win-win for all involved. You win; you get to have an amazing experience camping, hiking, and building a trail! VOC wins; they get wonderful people to come into the mountains to help sustain the natural beauty. Colorado wins; the state has more active stewards!”

Why should Coloradans become volunteers for VOC?

“VOC's main goal for volunteers is to have fun! Volunteers come from all over Colorado, from all different backgrounds and professions. The one commonality that we all share is our love of nature and our enthusiasm for Colorado's natural resources. The camaraderie that is built on a project can turn into relationships that can last for years!”

Ryan with young volunteers on our First Creek Trail Construction project this April.

When he’s not working or volunteering, you’ll find Ryan watching baseball, playing softball and basketball, or binge-watching top TV shows. But if you are volunteering, it won’t be hard to find him: he’ll be attending our Austin Bluffs Trail Restoration in Colorado Springs, Red Rocks Trading Post Trail Restoration, Firefly Trail Construction in Greeley, and Fox Meadow Trail Restoration at Barr Lake State Park later this year. We truly couldn’t do our work without trained volunteer leaders like Ryan, so if you see him, be sure to say hi and thank him for his commitment to Colorado’s outdoors!

To learn more about becoming a volunteer leader with VOC, click here or contact Dan Williams at dan@voc.org .

10 Stewardship Tips for Fall Drives & Hikes

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 04:28:00 GMT

10 Stewardship Tips for Fall Drives & Hikes

People will soon be flocking to the mountains to ooh and ahh at the famous foliage that paints our landscape, and while there’s no shortage of articles suggesting the best sights to see, we wanted to share something new: how to be responsible (and still have fun!) on your fall drives and hikes.

Know Before You Go

Do your research before bringing your dog, mountain bike or fishing pole. Each trail is home to a different ecosystem, with different rules to protect it. If Fido or your favorite activity is allowed, follow the guidelines set by the land manager, pick up after your dog, and keep them on a leash.

We know, dog lovers – we love them too. But dogs love terrorizing wildlife, trampling plants, and eating things they shouldn’t. Plus, a leash prevents them from getting lost or coming face-to-face with an angry raccoon.

Reduce Emissions

Whether you’re driving the entire trip or just to the trailhead, keep Colorado’s air clean by carpooling with friends or fellow sightseers via sites like Nextdoor or MeetUp. If you’re in the Denver Metro Area, check for ozone alerts and consider rescheduling if reduced driving is recommended. Finally, aim to visit at low-traffic times: not only will this make for a more enjoyable experience, but you’ll reduce emissions by lessening the time your car (and others!) have to idle in traffic.

Balance Your Impact

Once you get to the trailhead, split into groups of no more than four or five people. This helps reduce your group’s impact and makes it easy to stay in a single-file line: your group can hold a conversation without anyone backtracking or cutting the trail to catch up. If you’re worried you’ll miss talking to your BFF, set a meeting point further down the trail and switch groups so everyone has a chance to hang out.

Stay the Trail

Trails were built for a reason. They confine people’s impact to a designated area, preventing damage to the surrounding ecosystem. So please, avoid social trails (those unofficial-looking paths created by people wandering off trail) and resist the urge to jump in leaf piles; fallen foliage provides necessary shelter and nutrients for many Colorado critters. If you’re traveling with kids, play Follow the Leader to help them stay in a single-file line.

Stop Hitchhikers

No, we’re not talking about people on I-70. We’re talking about the invasive plants and insects that want to use you as their personal tour guide to new places in Colorado. Since mud and dirt is one of their favorite methods of travel, you can help stop their spread by thoroughly washing your equipment, shoes, vehicles and animals before entering and exiting an area.

Be a Good Neighbor

It might be tempting to exclaim that you’re “king of the world” at the top of the trail, but you wouldn’t want someone yelling in your neighborhood, so don’t do it to wildlife. If you want to listen to music, use headphones (though we recommend enjoying the sounds of nature instead).

Picnic Properly

If you’re bringing fuel for your fall excursion, follow the Leave No Trace guidelines and pack it in, pack it out! Reduce the waste you bring in the first place by purchasing your trail snacks in bulk and bringing reusable dishes, silverware and napkins. Plan on bringing all your trash home with you (even if it’s compostable) as well as some other people’s trash - because if you don’t help pick up trash on the trail, who will?

If You Gotta “Go”

Go responsibly! All human waste should be discarded and covered in a cathole dug 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 ft. away from trails, campsites, and water sources like streams. If taking your toilet paper home with you seems gross, just think about it blowing away in the wind. It doesn’t exactly complement the fall colors.

Educate Others

Help reduce Coloradan’s collective impact by teaching others how to care for the outdoors. Share this article and talk to others you encounter on the trail who may not be familiar with stewardship practices. Just be polite and informative when you do so; being condescending will only make people less receptive to your message.

Educate Yourself

There’s more to stewardship than these ten tips. Continue to educate yourself about how to reduce your impact on the outdoors by reviewing the 7 Leave No Trace principles on LNT.org and learning activity-specific tips for everything from horseback riding to sand duning at TreadLightly.org .

We hope you found this article useful; if you want to do even more for Colorado and see the fall foliage in a new way, register for one of our many fall stewardship projects across the state and learn firsthand what it takes to maintain Colorado’s outdoors!

Uniquely Colorado Tickets on Sale

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 05:17:00 GMT

Uniquely Colorado Tickets on Sale

On Tuesday, October 10, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) will host our 3rd Annual Uniquely Colorado event at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms in the Green Farm Barn.

The night will serve as a culminating celebration event for VOC's 2017 project season and Grand Milestone of completing 1,000 stewardship projects in Colorado. The evening will feature live music from Boulder bluegrass band Mayhem Gulch, a short program featuring guest speaker Cathy Ritter, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office, delicious food and drink, and exciting getaway packages including an Aspen ski trip, 10th Division Mountain Hut escape, and a Denver urban retreat.

A special thank-you to our sponsors for their generous support:

Grand Sponsor - Colorado State Bank and Trust
Protector Sponsor - Colorado Lottery
Steward Sponsor - Alpine Bank
Sustainer Sponsors - Aspen Skiing Company and Suncor

Early bird tickets will be on sale until October 3rd, at which point the price will increase. View photos from our 2016 and 2015 events and click here to purchase yours today and help VOC celebrate all that is Uniquely Colorado!

VOC Receives $25,000 Grant from Xcel Energy Foundation

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 05:22:00 GMT

VOC Receives $25,000 Grant from Xcel Energy Foundation

Denver, Colorado – June 29, 2017 – Colorado’s largest outdoor stewardship organization, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), is proud to announce receipt of a $25,000 grant from Xcel Energy Foundation to address high-priority stewardship needs across the state.

The grant is just one of many that Xcel Energy Foundation awarded earlier this month through their Focus Area Grants, which include funds for STEM education, economic sustainability, and environmental stewardship programs that promote the restoration and preservation of public lands and natural resources. VOC will use the grant to provide critical support for close to 90 outdoor volunteer projects, which will engage nearly 5,000 volunteers in trail construction and maintenance, invasive species management, and habitat restoration work.

“Our success relies on strong corporate community partners,” said Anna Zawisza, Director of Community Relations and Strategic Partnerships for VOC, “With more businesses and job-seekers moving to Colorado, we need companies like Xcel Energy to take action and support the outdoor places where their customers and employees live, work and play.”

As part of their support, Xcel Energy employees and customers will participate in a volunteer project at Chatfield State Park this September, aligned with their annual Day of Service and led by VOC. It will be the fourth consecutive year that Xcel Energy has partnered with VOC for the Day of Service; in years past, employees have recruited community members to construct a trail in Cherry Creek State Park, remove flood debris and invasive weeds, and participate in forestry management projects at Genesee Mountain Park.

“We greatly value the work that VOC does for Colorado,” explained Kynnie Martin, Senior Foundation Representative for Xcel Energy, “Through this grant, we can positively impact both the environment and the economy in the communities we serve.”

To learn more about corporate sponsorship and volunteering opportunities, visit www.voc.org or contact Anna Zawisza at anna@voc.org or 303-715-1010 ext. 125.

About Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to motivating and enabling people to be active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Since 1984, VOC’s award-winning volunteer, youth, and leadership training programs have engaged nearly 110,000 people of all ages in caring for Colorado’s outdoors – a total donated labor value of $22 million. Such volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact on Colorado through hands-on work in fire and flood restoration, trail building and maintenance, tree planting and re-forestation, and more. For more information, visit www.voc.org or call 303-715-1010.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. Through its foundation, Xcel Energy supports activities in four important focus areas: STEM education, workforce development, environmental stewardship, and access to arts and culture. In 2016, Xcel Energy invested over $13.9 million to support communities across its service territory.

Media Contact

Kellie Flowers, kellie@voc.org , 303-715-1010 ext. 130

VOC Receives Grant for National Forest Trails

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 05:40:00 GMT

VOC Receives Grant for National Forest Trails

The organization is one of three in the state of Colorado to receive the coveted grant

Denver, Colorado – June 27, 2017 – Colorado’s largest outdoor stewardship organization, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), is a proud recipient of a National Forest System Trail Stewardship Grant, awarded by the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance (NWSA) in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service , American Hiking Society , Back Country Horsemen of America , the International Mountain Biking Association , the Blue Ribbon Coalition , and the American Motorcyclist Association .

Of 90 submissions, 23 grants were awarded – 3 of which went to Colorado based organizations including VOC, the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance and Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD) . The grants are designated to reduce the backlog of maintenance needed on trails in the National Forest System, which includes 14.5 million acres of national forests and grasslands in Colorado. VOC will use the NWSA grant to engage nearly 200 volunteers in maintaining and improving at least five miles of trail in three of Colorado’s national forests.

“These projects are critical in supporting the U.S. Forest Service’s increased trail maintenance needs in Colorado,” said VOC’s Director of Statewide Stewardship, Dean Winstanley, “We will put the funds to use immediately this summer with three impactful boots-on-the-ground projects.” VOC will enlist 100 volunteers to repair rock steps and improve drainage features on the Herman Gulch Trail in Arapaho National Forest, a part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST). VOC will also restore the Hanging Lake Trail in the White River National Forest, involving 50 volunteers in partnership with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) , and engage 50 volunteers in rerouting a portion of the Cascade Creek Trail System in San Isabel National Forest to improve public safety and access.

Each project is expected to reduce 10-15% of the backlogged maintenance for each national forest, expand access to public lands, reduce the risk of harm to natural resources, improve public safety, and reduce future deferred maintenance costs. Altogether, the 23 grants are expected to engage more than 2,500 volunteers in maintaining over 1,200 miles of trail across the country. To learn more about Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) or to register for one of the grant-funded projects, visit www.voc.org/volunteer.

About Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to motivating and enabling people to become active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Since 1984, VOC’s award-winning volunteer, youth, and leadership training programs have engaged nearly 110,000 people of all ages in caring for Colorado’s outdoors – a total donated labor value of $22 million. Such volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact on Colorado through hands-on work in fire and flood restoration, trail building and maintenance, tree planting and re-forestation, and more. For more information, visit www.voc.org or call 303-715-1010.

Media Contact

Kellie Flowers, kellie@voc.org, 303-715-1010 ext. 130

VOC Receives Donation after Sportswear Company Poses in Hanging Lake

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 05:45:00 GMT

VOC Receives Donation after Sportswear Company Poses in Hanging Lake

We appreciate the donation, not the action. If you want to help Hanging Lake, give today at voc.org/supportVOC or plan to register for our Hanging Lake Trail Restoration project on Sept. 9-10... oh, and stay off the log!

Original story from KRDO.com >>

Holly Morrison, KRDO, Glenwood Springs - A sportswear company based out of Brazil issued an apology on Thursday after an Instagram photo of its models standing in Hanging Lake received major backlash.

Liquido Active posted the photo of their commercial filming on Wednesday but have since deleted it after the massive amounts of negative feedback.

The photo shows a photographer wading in the water, taking pictures of models sitting on the famous log that runs across the top of the water.

A well-known Instagram account that bashes people who disrespect nature in Colorado even took a shot at Liquido Active.

The company posted an apology on social media on Thursday stating in part, "We have learned a hard, painful lesson to research our photo shoot destination spots."

Liquido Active also said that it has made donations to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Volunteer for Outdoor Colorado. However, Hanging Lake is under the jurisdiction of White River National Forest, not CPW.

It is being reported that the Forest Service has launched an investigation.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Receive Beacon Award

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 31 May 2017 05:53:00 GMT

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Receive Beacon Award

The American Recreation Coalition (ARC) award recognizes successful efforts to use technology in improving outdoor recreation.

Washington, D.C. – May 31, 2017 – Colorado’s largest outdoor stewardship organization, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), was one of four organizations receiving a 2017 Beacon Award by the American Recreation Coalition (ARC) The Beacon Award recognizes outstanding successes in harnessing the power of technology to improve public recreation experiences and federal recreation program management; VOC was recognized in partnership with the Colorado Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the creation of the Public Lands Champion digital badge, available through the YourCO mobile app.

The YourCO mobile app, available on iPhone and Android , was launched by VOC in 2015 as part of a broader “DIY Stewardship” movement to encourage people to become active stewards of Colorado’s outdoors in their daily lives. The app offers fun and easy tasks, like picking up trash or using public transit, and rewards users with digital badges and prizes along the way.

The newest badge to be made available is the Public Lands Champion Badge, developed in partnership with the BLM Colorado State Office. The badge promotes education and stewardship of Colorado’s public lands and guides users to important BLM youth initiatives such as the Junior Ranger Program and Junior Explorer booklets.

The technology was recognized with the Beacon Award for its unique approach to making stewardship accessible to people of all ages and abilities; the app has been downloaded 1,000 times and 1,860 badges have been earned. Ann Baker Easley, Executive Director of VOC, accepted the award at the Partners Outdoors 2017 conference in Washington, D.C.

“It’s an honor to receive the 2017 Beacon Award for our YourCO app and digital badges,” said Easley, "VOC is always exploring ways to engage more people in both hands-on and DIY stewardship. We hope that the YourCO app and our partnership with the Bureau of Land Management can serve as an inspiration for other outdoor stewardship organizations and land managers to join together and utilize technology to serve our public lands.”

The 2017 Beacon Award was also awarded to Katherine Kassander of the Bureau of Land Management Eastern States-Northeastern States District, the Northern Region of the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the National Park Service.

To learn more about Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, visit www.voc.org. To learn more about the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado, visit www.blm.gov/colorado .

About Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)

About Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

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. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.

About the American Recreation Coalition

The American Recreation Coalition is a nonprofit, Washington-based association providing a unified voice for recreation interests on issues such as public land management. ARC’s membership is more than 100 organizations, including national and regional associations and corporations that represent a major share of the $650 billion a year recreation/leisure industry and enthusiast groups representing millions of recreationists. Since 1979, ARC has forged public-private partnerships to enhance and protect outdoor recreation opportunities and resources. ARC conducts research, organizes national meetings and disseminates information, including through its Web site www.funoutdoors.com . ARC plays a leading role in key coalitions, including the Coalition for Recreational Trails, and leads efforts to celebrate June as Great Outdoors Month® including National Get Outdoors Day, a national effort to invite children to enjoy healthy, active outdoor lives.

Media Contact

Kellie Flowers

303-715-1010 ext. 130

kellie@voc.org

Brink Messick Leaves San Luis Valley Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator Position After 5 Years

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 17 May 2017 06:00:00 GMT

Brink Messick Leaves San Luis Valley Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator Position After 5 Years

Messick has been a key figure in volunteer outdoor stewardship efforts for the region.

Monte Vista, Colorado – May 17, 2017 –The state’s largest outdoor stewardship organization, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), announced today that Brink Messick will leave his position as Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator effective Sunday, May 21, 2017. The position is jointly funded by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is critical to the development of volunteer resources and stewardship projects across the San Luis Valley.

Messick’s work has had a measurable impact on the region’s natural spaces and public lands in the past five years, and will continue to do so through local programs that Messick helped establish. He was instrumental in coordinating 147 volunteer opportunities across the San Luis Valley – including clearing illegal dump sites, removing invasive species, constructing new trails and fences, and improving wildlife habitat – collectively engaging 1,898 volunteers for a total of 42,437 hours valued at more than $1.1 million.

Messick also partnered with the BLM’s San Luis Valley field office on the design and construction of more than 25 miles of trail to provide new access to natural spaces and opportunities for recreation. He helped found the Crestone Wilderness Stewards, a local volunteer group dedicated to assisting with management and maintenance of wilderness areas in the Upper San Luis Valley including the Sangre De Cristo Wilderness Area, a 220,803-acre area managed by the USFS and National Park Service.

“We greatly appreciate the passion that Brink has brought to volunteerism in the San Luis Valley,” said Mike Blakeman, Public Affairs Specialist for the Rio Grande National Forest, “Not only has his work had a tangible impact on many of our public lands, but he has helped us motivate the local community and inspire an ethic of stewardship that will continue to improve the land for years to come.” Messick is leaving in order to spend time with his newborn daughter, pursue art, and continue his passion for the outdoors through part-time work with the Colorado Mountain Club.

Messick’s departure provides an opening for a new Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator to support the volunteer stewardship efforts of VOC, the USFS and the BLM in the San Luis Valley. The position is based out of the Rio Grande National Forest Headquarters in Monte Vista, CO and reports directly to the USFS and VOC. Candidates with prior experience in volunteer management, project planning, and outdoor stewardship are encouraged to apply at www.voc.org/join-our-team.

“The partnership with the USFS and the BLM in the San Luis Valley is just one way we’re able to broaden outdoor stewardship efforts in Colorado,” explained Dean Winstanley, Director of Statewide Stewardship for VOC, “Taking care of our state’s lands is too big a task for any one organization. Together, we’re able to streamline efforts, engage more people, and ultimately have a bigger, more positive impact on Colorado’s outdoors.”

To learn more about Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, visit www.voc.org. To learn more about the U.S. Forest Service’s work in the San Luis Valley, visit www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande . To learn more about the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado, visit www.blm.gov/colorado .

About Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)

About United States Forest Service (USFS)

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 30 percent of the nation’s surface drinking water to cities and rural communities and approximately 66 million Americans rely on drinking water that originated from the National Forest System. The agency also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

About Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Media Contact

Kellie Flowers

303-715-1010 ext. 130

kellie@voc.org

VOC Partners with Colorado Tourism Office for Field Guide, Sustainable Tourism

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 04 May 2017 06:04:00 GMT

VOC Partners with Colorado Tourism Office for Field Guide, Sustainable Tourism

The Field Guide encourages locals and tourists to visit lesser-known locales in an effort to preserve the state's resources and boost local economies.

On Thursday, May 4, 2017, the Colorado Tourism Office gathered to launch the new Colorado Field Guide , a customizable collection of off-the-beaten-path itineraries. The guide is part of a broader movement to foster sustainable tourism in the state: as Colorado continues to grow as a home and as a tourist destination, some of our state's most beloved places are being overworked and the towns overburdened.

The Colorado Field Guide is designed to alleviate this problem by directing traffic away from popular places to hidden gems in lesser-known destinations like Lamar or La Junta. Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is proud to partner with the Colorado Tourism Office on this initiative by including our 50+ volunteer stewardship projects in the Guide as well as DIY Stewardship tasks through our #YourCO app.

Learn more about the sustainable tourism initiative in this Denver Post article and view the Colorado Field Guide here .

4 Things You Can Expect from the High Line Canal’s Vision Plan

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 02 May 2017 06:30:00 GMT

4 Things You Can Expect from the High Line Canal’s Vision Plan

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is committed to supporting those who work towards the improved recreation and restoration of our public trails.

Original article from 5280 Magazine, April 28, 2017

When the High Line Canal Conservancy set out to create an updated plan for the 71-mile National Landmark Trail, the nonprofit was tasked with managing a unique and broad set of dilemmas . The extensive system cuts through 11 of Denver’s governmental jurisdictions and boasts more acreage than New York City’s Central Park. After reaching out to the community through open houses, events, strategic sessions, and an online survey, the group crafted a unified vision that would ensure the Canal is protected and enhanced for generations to come. The 125-page Community Vision Plan —formally released on Friday, April 28—and the additional summary booklet was written with the help of more than 35,000 community members in an effort to propel this 134-year-old trail into the future.

The need for the Conservancy and the Community Vision Plan grew from a shift in the trail’s primary usage. When construction was completed in 1883, the High Line Canal was intended as an irrigation ditch for the adjacent farmland. Since 1970, portions have been opened up for recreational use—think walking, biking, or running—even though the canal is still owned by Denver Water. As the plan states, “the Canal never reached its full potential as a reliable water supply system,” as a large percentage of the water it does get evaporates or seeps out completely. Now, the Canal is primarily a recreational asset, with more than 500,000 annual users and 350,000 residents located within one mile of its trail.

The Community Vision Plan outlines guiding principles and strategies that will lead the canal and its stewards into the future. The principles were crafted to ensure that the canal will be natural, connected and continuous, varied, managed, and enhanced. Here’s what community members will see as a result of the Vision Plan, as the agencies involved begin their next phase of planning:

New and Improved Flow

In an effort to improve efficiency and water quality, Denver Water, in coordination with Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, has been working to implement stormwater drainage to the Canal. If you’ve walked along this pathway, you’ve probably noticed that water does flow through the ditch. Most of this moisture is from stormwater or overhead flow, such as rain. Based on a 2014 feasibility study conducted by RESPEC Consulting , the stormwater, collected and redirected from existing neighborhood runoff along the Canal, not only improved the water’s quality, but demonstrated that this natural flow would bring 100 more wet days to the canal a year, therefore supporting the varied ecosystems that the Canal hosts.

Neighbors of the Canal may begin to see demonstration projects in neighborhoods from Wellshire to Greenwood Village to continue testing the feasibility of directing stormwater to the Canal. Additionally, about 70 customers still remain on the Canal’s original irrigation program, so transitioning them to new water sources will be a priority.

Photo by Jamie Mandell

Renovated Infrastructure

In order for the Canal to reach its full potential, it will likely see its fair share of renovation and restoration. One main problem that the Conservancy and community noted was that the trail was not meeting its potential for connectivity along its 71 miles. As it stands, the trail has several disruptions, including dangerous crossings at 80 busy roads, four of which are major highways, and a number of major gaps created by varied ownership of the trail’s land.

Fixing these gaps is a priority that’s already underway. Nine road crossings are being upgraded—including an underpass being built at Hampden Avenue and University Boulevard—10 connections to other trails are being made through the addition of trailheads and signage to help create a regional system, improvements are underway for pedestrian bridges, and partnerships with new building developments are in process.

The new signage will not only make connections clearer, but will also be used as part of the Conservancy’s mission to enhance the trail. Users should expect the signage to be directional and educational, outlining information about the trail’s legacy and the ecosystems present. An app might even make an appearance in the future.

More Programs to Embrace the Trail’s Diversity

It’s difficult to create a unified vision for something as vast as the High Line Canal. The trail is adjacent to 72 greens spaces, including small parks and state parks, and is home to 199 species of birds, 28 species of mammals, 15 species of reptiles, and 23,760 trees that are greater than six feet in diameter. In order to ensure that no habitat is compromised, the Vision Plan distinguishes five character zones—Wild Canyon, the Rolling Foothills, the Wooded Village, an Urban Refuge, and a Prairie Retreat—with the thought that management and enhancement of each section will be better met by the Canal’s distinctive communities. One strategy aligns the Conservancy with local educational programs, such as the nonprofit Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) , to develop an educational strategy for the next generations of trail users. Expect new programming and partnerships to develop, increasing the Canal’s visibility and cultural importance.

New Opportunities to Get Involved

The Conservancy, 11 jurisdictions, and Denver Water all hope that this Vision Plan triggers momentum for the High Line Canal to reach its full recreational potential. One way they hope to kickstart this effort is by adding new ways for individuals, communities, and local organizations to get involved. Their new membership program— High Line Heroes , which launched with the Vision Plan on April 28—will allow citizens to be directly involved in making decisions about the canal’s future. Members who join this program at different donation levels will receive unique swag and access to events. Other existing programming, including events with ELK and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado—an organization that creates opportunities for Denver youth to assist with restoration projects—as well as the Conservancy’s Walk2Connect program, which encourages individuals to walk all 71 miles of the trail in 14 walks, will continue. Community members can also expect to see new family-friendly events, ranger programs, summer internships, biking and running groups, and more.

Read on 5280.com >>

Danielle Piscatelli Receives Steve Austin Training Scholarship

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 02 May 2017 06:10:00 GMT

Danielle Piscatelli Receives Steve Austin Training Scholarship

Each year, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) awards emerging leaders in outdoor stewardship with the Steve Austin Training Scholarship. The scholarship offers recipients the opportunity to improve both their leadership and stewardship skills with $160 in waived fees towards our Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI) training programs.

This year, we are proud to announce that the scholarship will be awarded to Danielle Piscatelli, who has been involved in volunteer trail work for nearly 20 years! Working part-time as a backpacking guide, Danielle has volunteered with numerous federal and state organizations to build trails across the country. She even spent three weeks in Siberia building trails around Lake Baikal!

Now living in Colorado, Danielle is looking forward to using the scholarship to learn specific technical skills and engage youth in stewardship. All of us at VOC are excited to have a dedicated steward like Danielle join our volunteer leaders in outdoor projects throughout the state!

To learn more about training opportunities offered through VOC, click here.

To learn more about the Steve Austin Training Scholarship, click here.

Colorado Public Lands Day is May 20

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 06:35:00 GMT

Colorado Public Lands Day is May 20

In 2016, Governor Hickenlooper signed a bill that made Colorado the first state in the country to establish a holiday in honor of the state's public lands. From now on, the third Saturday in May will be recognized as Colorado Public Lands Day and Coloradans are encouraged to enjoy all that our state's parks, forests and monuments have to offer.

Of course, our public lands can only be enjoyed if they are taken care of. Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) invites you to show your appreciation for our public lands by taking part in one of three outdoor stewardship projects on the inaugural Colorado Public Lands Day, Saturday, May 20.

The projects offer something for everyone, young and old, from the Front Range to the Southern Mountains. Volunteers will get to explore the beauty of Colorado's public lands while learning what it takes to keep them beautiful for generations to come.

Dedisse Park Trail Construction (Evergreen)

Volunteers will reroute the existing Dedisse Trail, creating a sustainable route that will provide a more enjoyable and safer connection to Alderfer-Three Sisters. Work will involve basic new trail construction, along with some restoration and possible closure work. This project is perfect for volunteers of all shapes, sizes and skill levels! Register now.

Young Stewards Program at High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland)

This project is designed just for families with children ages 6-12! Participants will help with some native grass planting, learn about what it means to be a good steward, and go on a fun nature hike! This project will be a fantastic way to introduce your child to volunteering while enjoying fun outdoor activities and family bonding experiences. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register now.

Eastern San Luis Valley Trail Construction (Crestone)

This two-day project offers something for everyone, no matter your level of experience. The relatively loose soil in the area makes for easy digging, but may require additional structures and rock armoring in places to ensure the sustainability of the trail. There will be duties that range from light shovel work and raking, to moving large rocks and building rock monowalls and armored drains - and you'll all learn what those are! Register now.

Show your love for the Colorado outdoors on the very first Colorado Public Lands Day, Saturday, May 20, 2017.

Contact

Kellie Flowers, kellie@voc.org , 303-715-1010 ext. 130

VOC Celebrates Grand Milestone: 1,000th Outdoor Stewardship Project

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 06:39:00 GMT

VOC Celebrates Grand Milestone: 1,000th Outdoor Stewardship Project

In collaboration with other partners, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado spearheads seven projects in 2017 to celebrate The Grand Milestone and enhance the outdoor stewardship community.

Denver, Colorado – April 17, 2017 -- In its 33rd year of outdoor stewardship in the state, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) will mark its 1,000th volunteer project with a “Grand Milestone” celebration that includes multiple outdoor stewardship projects, starting on Earth Day, April 22, at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

As the state’s largest volunteer outdoor stewardship organization, VOC has worked with more than 110,000 volunteers in Colorado’s outdoors for a total donated labor value of nearly $22 million. Since 1984, these volunteers have worked with VOC and its partners in 48 of Colorado’s 64 counties to build and repair trails, restore fire and flood damaged areas, and plant community gardens.

“There has never been a more critical time to come together for environmental stewardship,” explained Ann Baker Easley, Executive Director of VOC, “Colorado’s exponential growth brings new stresses to our state’s natural resources and magnificent landscapes, but it also offers opportunities to work together and create more sustainable outdoor experiences for Coloradans, both new and old.”

One such opportunity is VOC’s first Grand Milestone project, scheduled for Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Aurora, one of the nation’s largest urban refuges. Volunteers will join together to build 6,600 feet of new trail along First Creek to create a more enjoyable, sustainable experience for the NWR’s thousands of visitors. This family-friendly project welcomes volunteers as young as 10, and promises a meaningful Earth Day experience and a memorable kick-off to the Grand Milestone celebration.

The Earth Day project is just the first in a series of seven unique projects celebrating The Grand Milestone. Project locations include the Denver area as well as Colorado Springs, Buena Vista, Glenwood Springs, Del Norte, Breckenridge and as far afield as Steamboat Springs. The Grand Milestone will culminate in VOC’s annual Uniquely Colorado event, which will take place on Tuesday, October 10 at the Green Farm Barn on the grounds of the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farm.

On top of the Grand Milestone series, VOC is offering more than 50 other volunteer projects throughout the state this year. Among its many projects, VOC will include something for everyone: all skill levels, all ages, an afternoon close to home or a weekend in the mountains. “There’s no better way to enjoy Colorado than being outdoors,” said Jeff Trujillo, a volunteer and Board Member, “And there’s no better way to take care of Colorado than digging in the dirt, planting native species, or repairing a trail so that everyone can continue to enjoy what our beautiful state has to offer.”

To volunteer or learn more about Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), visit www.voc.org or call 303-715-1010.

BLM and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Team Up to Develop a ‘Public Lands Champion’ Digital Badge

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 06:43:00 GMT

BLM and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Team Up to Develop a ‘Public Lands Champion’ Digital Badge

The Public Lands Champion badge will promote the importance of Colorado’s public lands.

DENVER, Colo., – Take the Junior Ranger pledge vowing to teach family and friends how to love and protect the outdoors, or research public land areas in Colorado, or volunteer on an outdoor stewardship opportunity to care for public lands. These are just a few of the simple and fun activities anyone can do to help them earn their Public Lands Champion digital badge (pictured right). The Public Lands Champion badge was developed in partnership between the statewide nonprofit Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

“The Public Lands Champion badge is designed to encourage and reward people – especially kids – for learning about and experiencing Colorado's public lands to then help promote their importance to others,” said Anna Zawisza, VOC’s Director of Community Relations & Strategic Partnerships. “Colorado’s public lands need our support, and more importantly, the next generation of stewards. This badge is a great way to teach kids about public lands, while also spending more time outside together as a family enjoying our state’s incredible public lands!”

To get started, users simply download VOC’s YourCO mobile app from the App Store or Google Play. Once logged in, people can find the Public Lands Champion badge under the “badges” tab and start completing tasks – each worth a certain amount of points – associated with the badge. Once the badge is earned, it can be easily shared on social media as a way to inspire others with a little friendly competition. As an added incentive, various prizes – such as reusable water bottles and lunch bags – will be awarded periodically to lucky badge earners.

This newest digital badge rounds out the 16 other digital badges available through the YourCO mobile app designed to build an ethic of stewardship among all Coloradans.

About Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to motivating and enabling people to be active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Since 1984, VOC’s award-winning volunteer, youth, and leadership training programs have engaged more than 110,000 people of all ages in caring for Colorado’s outdoors – a total donated labor value of $22 million. Such volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact on Colorado through hands-on work in wildfire and flood restoration, trail building and maintenance, tree planting and re-forestation, and much more.

About the Bureau of Land Management: Colorado

The BLM manages 8.3 million acres of public lands and 27 million acres of federal mineral estate in Colorado, ranging from alpine tundra, colorful canyons and sagebrush steppe to mountains rising more than 14,000 feet above sea level. BLM Colorado manages this land for a variety of uses like recreation, energy development, conservation, wild horse and burro habitat, cultural resource protection and livestock grazing. The BLM works to balance these multiple uses and interests to sustain the health and productivity of BLM lands now and for generations to come.

Media Contact:

Kellie Flowers

kellie@voc.org

303-715-1010, ext. 130

Volunteers, Partners Recognized for Exceptional Leadership

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 01:26:00 GMT

Volunteers, Partners Recognized for Exceptional Leadership

On Friday, November 11, VOC welcomed over 100 leadership volunteers to The Posner Center for its 2016 Appreciation & Awards Night. The event honored a number of dedicated volunteer leaders and organizational partners, and highlighted individuals who made significant contributions to VOC this season with a dinner and special presentation of awards.

In honor of Veterans Day, VOC kicked off the event by thanking and giving special attention to veterans in the room. VOC's Projects & Trainings Manager, Dan Williams, then began the official program by remarking on the season's highlights and accomplishments before officially welcoming its 16 newest crew leaders into the ranks! New 2016 crew leaders include: Jeanetta Bachand, Ryan Durham, Geoﬀ Frazier, Christine Gallager, Erick Gallager, Martin Herz, Erin King, Arthur Knapp, William Mateo, Michael Mattice, Roger Mutz, Karen Phillips, Joseph Villarosa, Emma Walker, Nathan Wieland, and Gary Williams.

The program continued with the recognition of volunteer leaders who reached VOC project participation milestones in 2016. These milestones and individuals include:

The McLeod Club (25 projects): Jeanetta Bachand, David Belenky, Cindy Bond, Garrett Bourcier Jay Corbett, Dylan Kintish, Robert Kochevar, Lisa Thilker, Ellen Urell
The Pulaski Club (50 projects): Bill Cort, Sigrid Freese, Miller Hudson, Alice Jennison, Kitty Martin, Carl Quist, John Stidman, Dave Weaver, Claudia Winkler
The Austin Club (75 projects): Wes Go, Stuart Miner, Jim ‘Patch’ Patchell, Dave Riter, Mick Syzek
The Century Club (100 projects): Gordon Carruth, Donna Driscoll, Terry Gimbel, Paul Smith
The Mt. Elbert Club (200 projects): Becky Hubbarth, Wayne Zahm

VOC staff rounded off the program by honoring its "Of the Year" award recipients and providing a 2017 Outdoor Stewardship Season Preview. The "Of the Year" recipients include:

Partner Organization of the Year (awarded for outstanding collaboration and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship) – Synergy Ecological Restoration
Land Manager of the Year (awarded to an agency for outstanding collaboration, support and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship) – City of Colorado Springs
Young Volunteer of the Year (awarded for outstanding volunteer leadership and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship as demonstrated by a young volunteer) – Thomas Wall
Cairn Mentor of the Year (awarded for exemplary leadership in teaching and conveying stewardship practices to Cairn participants) – Dylan Kintish
Roni Sherb New Volunteer of the Year (in honor of the late Roni Sherb, awarded for outstanding volunteer efforts and dedication to outdoor stewardship during their first years for involvement with VOC) – Karen Phillips
Steve Austin Mentor of the Year (awarded for exemplary leadership in teaching and conveying stewardship practices to new crew leaders and volunteers) – Jim "Patch" Patchell
Curt Chitwood Volunteer of the Year (in honor of the late Curt Chitwood, awarded for outstanding volunteer leadership and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship) – Tim Zvada
Unsung Hero of the Year (awarded to a VOC volunteer who provides outstanding support and service in a behind-the-scenes role for the organization) – Jeff Trujillo

On behalf of the VOC staff, we extend our sincere thanks to each and every one of our devoted volunteer leaders, individuals, and partners who make our work possible!

*A special shout out to our sponsors who made this event possible: Avery Brewing, Behm Investment Management, Colorado Native, Joy Wine & Spirits, King Soopers, MillerCoors, The Posner Center, and Serendipity Catering*

El Pomar Foundation Awards VOC

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 01:36:00 GMT

El Pomar Foundation Awards VOC

Four outstanding nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado were honored on October 2 as part of El Pomar Foundation's Awards for Excellence presentation ceremony in Black Hawk, including VOC. VOC received the Award for Excellence for the Metro Region in 2016. The award includes a $25,000 grant.

Check out the video that honored VOC during the 2016 Awards for Excellence ceremony!

"VOC is delighted to be selected as a 2016 El Pomar Awards for Excellence winner," said VOC's executive director, Ann Baker Easley. "This award reflects VOC's long-standing commitment to creating opportunities, tools, and strategies for people of all ages and walks of life to care for Colorado's outdoors."

El Pomar Foundation, based in Colorado Springs, is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in the Rocky Mountain West. El Pomar contributes approximately $20 million annually through grants and programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations involved in health, human services, education, arts and humanities, and civic and community initiatives.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Lockheed Martin, and The Mission Continues Team Up to Restore a Trail at Cheyenne Mountain State Park

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 01:30:00 GMT

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Lockheed Martin, and The Mission Continues Team Up to Restore a Trail at Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Colorado Springs, Colo. – On Friday, October 7, 32 volunteers led by the statewide nonprofit, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), took part in an important trail restoration effort at Cheyenne Mountain Park.

Volunteers were with Lockheed Martin and The Mission Continues, who are working together to expand opportunities for veterans to continue serving their communities.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park, just south of Colorado Springs, is nestled in the beautiful landscape that inspired the song, "America the Beautiful." Due to the popularity of the park and its 20 miles of top-notch hiking and biking trails for all fitness levels to enjoy, significant erosion and trail widening has occurred overtime. In addition, a couple of regional trail races are taking place later this year, and unfortunately there’s not nearly enough park staff to contribute to the upkeep.

“Volunteers are crucial to Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s efforts and mission,” said project manager with VOC, Eric Falk. On this project, volunteers helped maintain trail tread, clear trail corridor, and repair small erosion-control structures on three different sections of trail – totaling 1,700’.

Among the volunteers on the project was Rick Walker, Lockheed Martin Civil, Commercial and International Ground Director. “Being able to partner with The Mission Continues and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado on this event, furthers Lockheed Martin’s commitment to serving our military and veterans, as well as all of our communities,” said Walker. “It was great to see so many people come to support this community effort and better Colorado’s outdoor recreation.”

The work accomplished on this project will help reduce the erosive impacts of water and of high volume trail use at Cheyenne Mountain State Park – going a long way in defining a sustainable and complete trail for users to enjoy for generations to come.

Contact:

Kellie Flowers, kellie@voc.org , 303-715-1010, ext. 130

About Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to motivating and enabling people to be active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Since 1984, VOC’s award-winning volunteer, youth, and leadership training programs have engaged nearly 105,000 people of all ages in caring for Colorado’s outdoors – a total donated labor value of $21 million. Such volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact on Colorado through hands-on work in fire and flood restoration, trail building and maintenance, tree planting and re-forestation, and more.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 98,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

About The Mission Continues

The Mission Continues, a 501 nonprofit organization, empowers veterans facing the challenge of adjusting to life at home to find purpose through community impact. They deploy veterans on new missions in their communities, so that their actions will inspire future generations to serve.

Hentzel Park Natural Area Benefits from Volunteers

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 01:40:00 GMT

Hentzel Park Natural Area Benefits from Volunteers

107 volunteers with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado and Colorado Native Brew Crew donated 583 hours to restore trails, close social trails, haul away debris, and more.

Denver, Colorado – 107 volunteers led by the statewide nonprofit, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), gathered at Hentzel Park Natural Area on Saturday, September 24 to restore and protect trails on one of the last known parks with undeveloped sand prairie in Denver.

The effort was hosted by VOC, and volunteers were from throughout Denver and from AC Golden Brewing Company’s Brew Crew, a group of beer drinkers and fans of Colorado Native Lagers.

Due to the popularity of Hentzel Park Natural Area, many social trails – unofficial, user-created trails – have developed along a section of the park. Overtime, these social trails have led to increased damage to the surrounding ecosystems and erosion into Cherry Creek.

Volunteers worked very hard and in just a few hours were able to close approximately 1,800 feet of social trail, construct 150 feet of fence, remove old wire caging around trees and paint them to discourage beaver damage, and build a small section of timber steps. These accomplishments will allow local residents to continue to access this public space without causing undue impact to the native species that inhabit this area.

“Less erosion, less impact, healthier park,” said VOC project manager, Joe O’Brien.

Among the volunteers on the project was president of AC Golden, Glenn Knippenberg. “Colorado Native has a long history of partnering with VOC on stewardship efforts, especially those focused on protecting and restoring Colorado’s watersheds,” said Knippenberg. “We are proud to have once again supported VOC in their efforts. Given that our brewing process uses only Colorado sourced materials, we feel strongly about giving back to our state and its natural resources.”

Following the project, volunteers enjoyed a happy hour hosted by Colorado Native.

About Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to motivating and enabling people to be active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Since 1984, VOC’s award-winning volunteer, youth, and leadership training programs have engaged nearly 105,000 people of all ages in caring for Colorado’s outdoors – a total donated labor value of $21 million. Such volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact on Colorado through hands-on work in fire and flood restoration, trail building and maintenance, tree planting and re-forestation, and more.

About AC Golden Brewing Company

AC Golden Brewing Company brews beers made with 100% Colorado ingredients – water from the Rocky Mountains, barley from the San Luis Valley, Colorado grown hops, and the oldest strain of brewing yeast in the state.

Contact:

Jessica Frazier, jessica@voc.org, 303-715-1010, ext. 130

Steve Austin Training Scholarship Recipients Announced

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 01:45:00 GMT

Steve Austin Training Scholarship Recipients Announced

The recipients of the Steve Austin Training Scholarship have been announced! The Steve Austin Training Scholarship is designed for new or experienced VOC leaders who are interested in enhancing their leadership and stewardship skills through VOC's premier Outdoor Stewardship Institute. The scholarship provides up to $160 in waived fees to each award recipient and may be applied toward any training fee(s). The Steve Austin Training Scholarship is in celebration of Steve Austin, who has made extraordinary community service contributions in caring for Colorado's outdoor natural resources.

The scholarship winners are:

Dymytro Obraz: Dymytro enjoys all outdoor activities, and relishes the opportunity to give back to Colorado's natural resources that he uses. He has been volunteering with VOC for about five years, and especially loves high-alpine wilderness projects! He is excited to become a crew leader, as he believes it is the next logical step in continuing his volunteerism with VOC.

Bob Powers: Bob has been a volunteer at Castlewood Canyon State Park for six years. Most of his efforts involve trail maintenance, special outdoor projects, and leading school group educational hikes. Some of the projects have involved VOC leadership which he found to be very instructive. He is looking forward to the learning experience he can get through the Steve Austin Training Scholarship and taking that knowledge to others.

Joseph Villarosa: Having grown up near Los Angeles, Joseph wasn't truly

exposed to the outdoors until moving to Denver to serve as a Team Leader for AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. It was through AmeriCorps where

he discovered a deep love and appreciation for everything the outdoors has to

offer. With the Steve Austin Training Scholarship, Joseph intends to improve his skills, build up his knowledge, and gain more experience in outdoor stewardship.

He hopes to continue to make a difference and inspire others to get outside and

do the same!

VOC Crew Leader: Karen Phillips

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 01:57:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Karen Phillips

VOC likes to regularly highlight our many amazing volunteer leaders so that we can share with their backstory and all the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors. Here, we'd like to put Ccrew Leader, Karen Phillips, in the spotlight!

Karen first heard about VOC during her two years as a member of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program, where she served on multiple projects doing environmental stewardship and trail work. After completing AmeriCorps NCCC and moving to Colorado, she volunteered on her first VOC trail project in the summer of 2013.

"AmeriCorps NCCC introduced me to the importance of environmental stewardship, and volunteering with VOC each summer since has helped me continue to build my passion for protecting Colorado's wonderful natural resources," said Karen.

In 2015, after volunteering with VOC for two years, Karen decided that she wanted to challenge herself and take on more of a leadership role. She signed up for the Crew Leader training and became a Crew Leader at the end of last summer!

Karen is a full time staff member with AmeriCorps NCCC. She loves biking around Denver, hiking, camping, and exploring all of the beauty and adventure that Colorado has to offer.

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a crew chef or leader? Click here!

VOC Crew Chef: Barb Molitor

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 02:02:00 GMT

VOC Crew Chef: Barb Molitor

We like to put different VOC volunteer leaders in the spotlight in order to recognize the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors. Here, get to know our featured volunteer leader, Barb Molitor!

Barb has a fun, yet essential role on the VOC Project Team -- keeping hundreds of hardworking volunteers happy and well-fed! As a volunteer Crew Chef, Barb plans meals and menus, prepares food, and manages outdoor cooking areas.

Barb hails from Aurora, Illinois, and now resides in Aurora, Colorado. She comes from a long line of good cooks, and inherited her love for the outdoors and cooking from her family.

"I was always taught to be a good steward of the land we occupy," Barb said. "Fast forward a 'few' years and here I am in Colorado doing all the outdoor activities I love!"

Barb first began volunteering and cooking outside with the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC). A friend who she knew through CMC also happened to be involved with VOC, and one time Barb joined that friend on a VOC project -- and knew immediately she wanted to be a part of the VOC team. A few years later, Barb received a call from VOC to become a Lead Crew Chef, and it took her 'less than a second' to accept the offer and begin her training.

Eighteen years later, Barb is still joyfully cooking for VOC volunteers! She often enjoys creating new recipes -- like her watermelon gazpacho and concoction of warm Feta, lemon zest, lemon juice, and fresh thyme -- and testing them on friends before she rolls them out on projects. Additionally, Barb has learned to adjust her recipes to accommodate volunteers with allergies or dietary restrictions.

"Occasionally, there are 'MacGyver moments', when a piece of equipment or food item missed the truck or there's a stove that doesn't light," said Barb."But, I have the best tool team in the world to fix things or help in the kitchen!" She also noted that the mix of great volunteers, project partners, and staff she gets to meet and work with time and time again makes those chaotic moments all worth it.

"I am so blessed to spend quality time in the outdoors putting smiles on peoples' faces.

Nobody has a view from their kitchen window that can compete with mine. I'm looking forward to many more years with VOC," said Barb.

Someday soon, you can read about Barb's adventures on the trail in her book that she is currently writing!

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a crew chef or leader? Click here!

VOC Volunteer Leader: Wes Go

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 02:04:00 GMT

VOC Volunteer Leader: Wes Go

Wes' leadership skills and involvement with outdoor stewardship all came together when he started volunteering at a local environmental center in New Jersey and joined an outdoor club. In order to lead trips for the club, he was required to learn First Aid and CPR. He decided to take his wilderness safety training a few steps further, though, and also completed training to become an instructor, EMT and firefighter, volunteering for the local Red Cross, ambulance squad and fire company, respectively. Nowadays, he volunteers on a search and rescue team.

Wes grew up in New York City, and a ski vacation to Colorado in the early 1990s is what cemented his love for the Rocky Mountains. When an opportunity to relocate to the metro Denver area arose 18 years ago, he and his wife snapped it up. The following spring, Wes' employer sponsored a tree planting project with VOC and needed volunteers and a crew leader for the day. "I made the 'mistake' of asking what was required of the crew leader, and was promptly assigned the job," said Wes. Thus, began Wes' relationship with VOC. By the end of that season, Wes had worked five projects and graduated from crew leader training. A year later, he had also become an OSI Instructor and, a year after that, a Technical Advisor.

"As a technical advisor, I love tackling the challenge of laying out trails and writing up construction notes for crews," said Wes.

In 2001, his wife was recruited to become a Crew Chef after assisting in the kitchen on a project. She agreed only if Wes would go through training alongside her. To this day, Wes continues to serve as Crew Chef once or twice a year, practicing his love of cooking for tired and hungry crowds.

Wes has also tried his hand as a Tool Manager and Team Lead on a few projects, but finds himself returning most often as a Crew Leader. He enjoys interacting with crews and making their VOC experiences -- a first for a majority of them -- fun and memorable.

"VOC offers the best chances to be a steward of the public lands on which I am already an active user hiking, climbing, biking and skiing," said Wes. Away from VOC, Wes is a geospatial scientist and engineer for a satellite remote sensing company.

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a crew leader? Click here!

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Launches 'Faces of VOC’ Marketing Campaign to Inspire Coloradans to Care for State’s Natural Resources

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 02:06:00 GMT

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Launches 'Faces of VOC’ Marketing Campaign to Inspire Coloradans to Care for State’s Natural Resources

The statewide nonprofit, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), recently announced the launch of a new marketing campaign with an important public service announcement that will be featured in 2017.

The campaign, called "Faces of VOC", will engage local business owners, athletes, elected officials, community leaders, and celebrities to help generate excitement about the importance of caring for Colorado’s outdoors. Former Colorado Senator, Mark Udall; world-renowned rock climbers, Tommy Caldwell and Paige Claassen; television star of The Bachelor 2016 , Ben Higgins; and president of Colorado College, Jill Tiefenthaler, are just a handful of the VOC “faces” who will volunteer on a VOC outdoor stewardship volunteer project this summer – as a way to inspire others to do the same.

The Faces of VOC campaign will run across VOC’s various marketing platforms next year.

“VOC believes that everyone can play a part in caring for Colorado, and our outdoor volunteer projects make it fun and easy,” said Ann Baker Easley, VOC’s executive director. “Colorado depends on volunteers to help offset the impact of increasing usage due to our growing population, as well as natural disasters that affect our spectacular wild places. It is our hope that these ‘famous faces’ will inspire action and reinvigorate Coloradans from all walks of life to give back to the public lands, trails, parks, and peaks that we value so much.”

VOC’s volunteer opportunities offer something for everyone, including families and youth, corporate employees, young professionals, community groups and schools, outdoor recreationalists, and backcountry enthusiasts. To add to the volunteer experience, many projects include free camping and meals. No experience or training is ever needed to participate. Those interested in volunteering can browse and register for projects at voc.org/volunteer.

VOC Crew Chef: DeDe Williams

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 31 May 2016 02:08:00 GMT

VOC Crew Chef: DeDe Williams

We like to put different VOC volunteer leaders in the spotlight in order to recognize the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors. Here, we are excited to feature Crew Chef, DeDe Williams!

Good food = happy campers.

Behind every meal that is served on VOC a project, there is a volunteer Crew Chef with a unique story. Here's DeDe's story.

DeDe first became a VOC Crew Chef in 2009, after having served as a Crew Chef Helper on a 4-day project in Ouray.

"On that project, I worked with one of the most outstanding people I've ever met: Tom Ledgerwood," said DeDe. "Tom showed me how to plan a meal, how to shop, what to pack, and how to cook and clean up." After working with Tom on several more VOC projects, DeDe decided to become a head crew chef.

DeDe is a big advocate of VOC's overnight projects, and encourages everyone she meets to try the experience at least once. "The people are wonderful, you make new friends, and the food is very good. I think we make the best coffee over the camp stove using old fashioned percolators!"

Although being a Crew Chef requires getting up before sunrise to prepare breakfast, and working late to finish the dishes, Dede says having volunteers thank her for filling their bellies makes it all worth it.

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a crew leader? Click here!

VOC Honored with 2016 El Pomar Award for Excellence

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 27 May 2016 02:11:00 GMT

VOC Honored with 2016 El Pomar Award for Excellence

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is a recipient of the distinguished El Pomar Foundation's Awards for Excellence for the Metro Region in 2016. The award includes a $25,000 grant.

VOC will be among a select few other outstanding nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado honored during El Pomar Foundation's Awards for Excellence Presentation Ceremony and Dinner on October 2 in Black Hawk.

"VOC is delighted to be selected as a 2016 El Pomar Awards for Excellence winner," said VOC's executive director, Ann Baker Easley. "This award reflects VOC's long-standing commitment to creating opportunities, tools, and strategies for people of ages and walks of life to care for Colorado's outdoors."

Colorado to Be First State to Officially Celebrate Public Lands – and Why It Matters

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 20 May 2016 02:14:00 GMT

Colorado to Be First State to Officially Celebrate Public Lands – and Why It Matters

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, and as the unofficial kick-off to summer, many Americans will begin vacation adventures that will take them to our nation’s spectacular public lands. In perfect timing, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill this month that establishes a new state holiday to commemorate Colorado’s federal, state, and local public lands. Starting in 2017, the third Saturday in May will be Colorado Public Lands Day.

Colorado has 24 million acres of national public lands, comprised of national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and BLM-administered public land. The outdoor recreation industry generates more than $13 billion in economic activity a year and supports 125,000 jobs in the state.

To celebrate the new bill that is vital to Colorado’s way of life and businesses, the statewide nonprofit organization Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) encourages everyone to partake in one of its many volunteer opportunities throughout the state to help keep Colorado’s public lands healthy and thriving. VOC offers opportunities for all ages, skills, and interests. Activities range from planting trees and gardens, to removing invasive plants and revegetating fire-scarred land, to building trails and restoring wildlife habitat.

“Here at VOC, we are deeply proud and pleased that Colorado is leading the nation in establishing a Public Lands Day, acknowledging just how valuable our public lands are,” said Ann Baker Easley, VOC’s executive director. “It represents our desire to protect the irreplaceable areas where we hike, fish, explore, camp, climb, bike, paddle, and just relax. People travel to Colorado from around the world to recreate at our natural treasures, and it’s so important that we care for them so they are here for future generations.”

It is VOC’s hope that the passage of this bill will also spark constructive conversations about responsible management of Colorado’s public lands.

“Public lands mean we, the public, have a responsibility to protect and preserve these lands,” said Baker Easley. Bipartisan support for Public Lands Day – especially at a time when politics often cause much division and strife – is a superb indication of the passion Coloradans have for outdoor recreation on public lands, as part of a fit and fulfilling lifestyle.”

Those interested in giving back to Colorado’s public places can explore and register for more than 50 volunteer opportunities via VOC’s volunteer calendar at voc.org/volunteer. Places to volunteer include Denver-area parks and open spaces, famous ‘fourteener’ trails, Wheeler Geologic Area, Red Rocks, Urad Lake which is Colorado’s newest State Wildlife Area, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Continental Divide, and many more. VOC volunteer opportunities are open to the public, and no experience or training is necessary.

Grow Local Colorado and VOC Team Up for the 5th Year to Grow Vegetables Helping Residents and Families in Need

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 16 May 2016 02:16:00 GMT

Grow Local Colorado and VOC Team Up for the 5th Year to Grow Vegetables Helping Residents and Families in Need

For five years, the statewide volunteer organization Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) has partnered with Grow Local Colorado to grow vegetables in Denver’s city parks, at the Colorado Governor's Mansion, and at various community nonprofits.

In late May, another fruitful season of growing local produce will begin. During the evening hours of May 24 and 26, VOC volunteers will head to Observatory Park and Friends of the Haven – a therapeutic community shelter that provides rehabilitation services to women with addiction issues – to plant edible gardens that create healthy, sustainable communities. In the fall, VOC volunteers will harvest these vegetables and then donate them to local food banks, shelters, and families in need.

Volunteer work on VOC’s gardening projects with Grow Local Colorado is always fun, easy, and child-friendly. Tasks involve preparing the garden beds, weeding, working the soil, and planting vegetable seeds and seedlings. Gloves, shovels, and plants are provided, and all volunteers need to bring is a willingness to get a little dirty.

Since 2011, in collaboration with Grow Local Colorado, which provides seedlings, gardening tools and expertise, 650 VOC volunteers of all ages have contributed more than 1,500 hours of time to grow, harvest, and donate 19,738 pounds of fresh produce, valued at $38,520. In 2013, VOC began helping take down the gardens by cutting up the plants before they go into Grow Local Colorado’s compost piles – eliminating 30 truckloads of compostable waste from going into the landfill!

“VOC has been an incredible partner over the past five years. Because of them our gardens have been planted in a timely, efficient, and meticulous manner,” said Barbara Masoner, Co-Director of Grow Local Colorado. “And, the VOC staff is a joy to work with; they are always prepared, organized and, best of all, enthusiastic. VOC shares our goals of healthy gardens, a healthy environment, and healthy Colorado residents. It would be difficult if not impossible to start and end our grow season without VOC’s fabulous volunteers. We are so grateful for all VOC does to make our state green and beautiful.”

VOC and Grow Local Colorado look forward to many future projects together, and a continued partnership that supports both the local economy and community.

7 Rad Reasons to Become a VOC Crew Leader!

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:20:00 GMT

7 Rad Reasons to Become a VOC Crew Leader!

With the heart of project season right upon us, it's time to ramp up for another incredibly rewarding and successful season of caring for Colorado -- and we need your help!

A very fun and extremely important volunteer leadership role within the VOC community is our crew leader position. Ask any of our crew leaders -- like Robin Donner, Denny Farrell, and Stephanie Jarvis, to name a few -- what they love most about serving in this role and you'll see that they boil it down to eight rad reasons:

Meet and get to know the most amazing people who share your passion for conservation service and the outdoors. New to town? Want to meet new friends or just expand beyond your bubble? You'll meet great volunteers and fellow leaders on projects!
Learn valuable skills. Build your resume with marketable leadership experience and practical work skills.
Make a tangible impact and a REAL difference. Crew leaders contribute in a major way to the productivity and sustainability of VOC's projects.
Visit beautiful places around Colorado. Enjoy, explore, and crew lead on projects all across the state.
Get a cool hat. That's right, all crew leaders receive a coveted CREW LEADER baseball cap embroidered with the VOC logo!
Receive VIP registration. Volunteer leaders are able to register for all VOC projects as soon as they open in early March. This special perk is available whether wanting to lead on a project, or simply volunteer.
Enjoy exclusive socializing and recognition events, from a mid-season potluck to Volunteer Awards & Appreciation Night in the fall.

The best part is that we're holding a crew leader training later this month, and we want YOU on board! Register now for the VOC Crew Leader Training on August 26-27 in Evergreen and learn more about VOC leadership.

VOC Crew Chef: Gail Ferber

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 03 May 2016 02:30:00 GMT

VOC Crew Chef: Gail Ferber

Every month we put a different VOC volunteer leader in the spotlight in order to recognize the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors. In April, we are excited to announce Crew Chef Gail Ferber as our Featured Leader!

Gail's interest in nature and the outdoors began in her childhood. She grew up outside of Chicago to a mother who loved birds, wildflowers, and trees. Her father loved cowboys and the West, and she and her family spent many summers camping in Colorado. When it came time to find a college, she chose the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley - and after graduation became a permanent state resident!

"I spent the majority of my career as a statistical analyst for the Department of Labor and Employment, retiring in 2007," said Gail. "Since the 90s, I have volunteered for Denver Digs Trees performing site and tree survival inspections, working and managing various tree distributions." One time, in preparation for a large tree distribution, she enlisted her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend (now husband), Dan Williams, to help out. "Shortly after, Dan started working for VOC and suggested that I owed it to him to try a VOC project," said Gail. Gail and Dan agreed that working as a Crew Chef would be a good fit for her, given Gail's interest and experience in cooking. Her first VOC project was at Genesee Mountain Park, and she later completed the crew chef training and certification course.

"Thus, began my VOC life. Last year, I served as a crew chef on five projects and worked alongside all the VOC cook greats: Rose, Lisa, Connie, and Janet," said Gail. "I love being a Crew Chef because I enjoy being outside, sometimes off the beaten path, and working as a team player. While preparing meals is not trail building, it is labor intensive and requires one to work as a team player. Plus, supplying meals to the 'troops' is definitely a contributing factor to making a positive impact on Colorado's natural habitat! I have enjoyed meeting and working with VOC people and plan to become a long-time volunteer," said Gail.

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a Crew Chef? Click here!

Local Teens are Emerging Leaders in Taking Care of Colorado’s Outdoors

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 02:32:00 GMT

Local Teens are Emerging Leaders in Taking Care of Colorado’s Outdoors

Nearly 75 volunteers of all ages spent their Saturday, April 23, at Chatfield State Park restoring an eroded trail located near the park’s Audubon Center – a bird sanctuary and educational center. This nature trail, heavily used by both park patrons and for Audubon Center programming, was in desperate need of repair.

Unique to this volunteer event was that the entire effort was organized and led by high school students participating in the statewide nonprofit Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s (VOC) Cairn Youth Program. Students accepted to the program spent the past nine months learning about community leadership, outdoor stewardship, and how to work with volunteers and land managers. The students planned the volunteer project, recruited volunteers of all ages to participate, went through crew leading training, and led crews of volunteers in the work.

This “final project” for the Cairn Youth Program participants – before they graduate from the program in May – comes at a time when Colorado's outdoor recreation industry is booming. The newly created Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry is helping Colorado’s outdoor industry thrive. This includes making sure Colorado is the kind of place where outdoor enthusiasts want to live, and creating more outdoor industry jobs that are based in Colorado.

“Our youth are the outdoor stewards of tomorrow. Many students enrolled in the Cairn Youth Program may end up pursuing careers in Colorado’s outdoor industry, which currently generates 125,000 jobs in the state and that number is only expected to grow,” said Ann Baker Easley, VOC’s executive director.

“In the meantime, these high school students are caring for Colorado’s natural resources that bring so much joy and value to our state. Outdoor recreation in Colorado is a multi-billion dollar industry, and to support this industry, Colorado’s outdoors must remain beautiful and sustainable. That’s where volunteers play a key role,” said Baker Easley. “We are extremely proud of the high school students in our Cairn program who have proven to be true outdoor stewardship leaders.”

View photos from this project on the Cairn Youth Program Facebook page.

VOC Crew Leader: Robin Donner

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 02:35:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Robin Donner

We love putting different VOC volunteer leaders in the spotlight in order to recognize the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors. In March, we are excited to announce Crew Leader Robin Donner as our Featured Leader!

Robin grew up in northwestern Illinois in a family of outdoor sportsmen where she learned to love nature and cast her first fishing lines at a young age. Vacations were to camping destinations in northern Wisconsin and the boundary waters above Lake Superior which also offered lots of wildlife viewing.

When Robin began a new job three years ago, she was given the ultimatum to move closer to Chicago. "I said 'thank you very much, but if I'm going to a major city, I want Denver and the gorgeous Rocky Mountains! It worked out, and here I am.'"

Robin's experience with VOC began soon after her move. The company whom she works for, Accenture, has a "corporate citizenship initiative" that offers its employees a chance to volunteer in their communities. At the time, Accenture had a corporate partnership with VOC, and its employees came out on a VOC project once or twice per season.

"That year, I did three VOC projects, plus a trail building training," said Robin. "I enjoyed it so much that I returned the following year, coming out on four VOC projects in 2015."

After a while, Robin decided she wanted to learn and do more with her time. She attended the Fire Restoration Skills Training as well as the VOC Crew Leader Training.

"What I love most about VOC work is the opportunity to get out to new and different locations throughout Colorado, that I might not venture to on my own," said Robin. "In my leadership role, I enjoy meeting like-minded people and learning their stories while working together to see a finished project. VOC gets me off the computer and out in nature!"

Professionally, Robin works as a business consultant. Outside of work and VOC, Robin's hobbies include skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, pottery making and other art-related activities, as well as volunteering with youth ministries.

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a Crew Leader? Click here!

Cairn Student of the Month: Davis Bonner

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 02:38:00 GMT

Cairn Student of the Month: Davis Bonner

We love putting our Cairn Youth Program students in the spotlight so that we can share their unique and inspiring experiences with you! VOC's Cairn Youth Program guides and challenges high school students to become caretakers of Colorado's extraordinary natural resources, and we couldn't be prouder of this year's young stewards. This month, we'd like to feature Davis Bonner!

Davis first got involved with VOC's Cairn Youth Program three years ago as a sophomore, after hearing great things from a teacher who had been a Cairn member when she was younger.

This recommendation came after I had expressed an interest in volunteering and the great outdoors, two things ubiquitous with VOC as a whole," said Davis. "Since then, I have attended every Cairn project I could and have enjoyed all of them very much."

One aspect that Davis particularly loves about VOC's Cairn Youth Program is the amount of time spent on the ground.

"With other volunteer organizations designed for a younger audience, the time spent actually working on the task at hand tends to be minimal, thus reducing the amount of work completed," said Davis. "With Cairn, we are able to make a real difference and huge impact on Colorado's outdoors by the end of the day!"

Davis finds great satisfaction in knowing that the work he does with Cairn will outlive him and his peers, and go on to benefit future generations.

When Davis isn't "counting down the days to the next site visit" with Cairn, he spends the majority of his time at his high school either putting on one of many theater productions, or tinkering in the tech lab. Outside of school, you can find him either working as a computer network technician at OCx Networks in Denver or capturing Colorado's beauty as a photographer.

Learn more about VOC's Cairn Youth Program for high school students.

The Importance of Riparian Habitat Restoration

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 02:47:00 GMT

The Importance of Riparian Habitat Restoration

By special guest writer, Allison P. Altaras, attorney with Otten Johnson Robinson Neff & Ragonetti P.C.

Did you know that Colorado is home to seven major river basins, each of which contains dozens of smaller rivers and streams? While each of these watercourses has its own unique ecosystem, many of them face similar challenges. Destruction of riparian habitats caused by erosion, pollution, the introduction of invasive species, wildfires, drought, and over-withdrawal of water is threatening many of Colorado’s rivers and streams. That is why VOC is excited to offer several riparian habitat restoration projects this year, including two at the Big Thompson Canyon in Loveland and one located along Cherry Creek in Parker.

Want to learn more about what causes the destruction of riparian habitats and what can be done to solve the issue? Check out this article by Allison Altaras, an attorney with a background in water law. Allison works for Otten Johnson, a leading commercial law firm in Colorado and a proud supporter of VOC!

What causes destruction of riparian habitats?

Destruction of riparian habits has many causes. Development of land bordering a watercourse can alter runoff patterns, contributing to erosion. It can also introduce pollutants to streams as water carries chemicals and debris from nearby paved surfaces. Irresponsible or unregulated recreational use of rivers and streams can cause further erosion by harming native vegetation and wearing down foot paths that erode river banks during heavy rains or high flows. Many of Colorado’s rivers and streams pass through private land used for farming and grazing of livestock. Like hikers, mountain bikers, fishermen, and rafters; livestock can also trample vegetation and wear down river banks in destructive ways.

Wildfires are increasingly prevalent in Colorado as drought conditions become more common. When a forested area is impacted by wildfire, protective vegetation is burned away and water is unrestrained in eroding steep slopes bordering rivers and streams. During spring snowmelt and heavy rains, water carries considerable amounts of ash and charred materials into Colorado’s watercourses. This in turn may alter water clarity and temperature, threatening fish, amphibian, plant, and insect species.

Introduction of invasive species is another major contributor to destruction of riparian habitats. Non-native trees like the Russian Olive and Tamarisk have wreaked havoc in many Colorado watersheds. The Russian Olive, a tree, and the Tamarisk, a woody shrub, both grow at alarmingly fast rates and consume vast amounts of water. Both plants begin growing back almost immediately after being cut if not treated with herbicides. They crowd out native vegetation and disrupt the balance of the riparian ecosystem.

Finally, prolonged drought conditions and over-withdrawal of water harms riparian habitats by lowering stream water levels to the detriment of aquatic species. Colorado’s system of water rights allows water users to divert water and put it to a “beneficial use” of their choosing. Beneficial uses may be consumptive (domestic use, irrigation) or non-consumptive (recreation, wildlife habitat) in nature. Some of these water rights are transmountain diversions, which means water is diverted from streams and sent through extensive pipelines to a different river basin, permanently removing it from the basin of origin. Several of Colorado’s river basins—the South Platte, Rio Grande, and Arkansas—are already considered “overappropriated”, meaning there is not enough water to satisfy all water rights in any given year. As climate change continues to cause more frequent and intense drought conditions, there will be less water to go around—including to riparian habitats.

What can be done?

Riparian habitat restoration efforts take many forms. Public education on the causes of riparian habitat destruction may be the single most important tool. VOC plays a significant role in public education efforts by encouraging responsible recreation practices. VOC builds and restores trails all over the state to encourage hikers, bikers, fisherman, rafters, and other outdoor enthusiasts to travel in areas that respect riparian habitats. Staying on marked trails and avoiding creating informal foot paths can go a long way toward protecting native plant life and reducing erosion.

It is also important to encourage responsible development around Colorado’s watercourses that takes into account impacts on riparian habitats. This may involve creating larger buffers between development and watercourses, requiring better water detention and water quality infrastructure components, and encouraging denser development with less sprawl and impermeable surfaces such as parking lots. This is often complicated by the fact that development is occurring on private or state- or federally-owned land. That is why VOC partners with both private landowners and public agencies to conduct riparian habitat restoration projects like tree plantings, vegetative buffer restoration, and making improvements to heavily-used areas along watercourses such as picnic areas, fences, bridges, and paths..

When it comes to invasive species removal and native vegetation restoration, VOC really shines. VOC has implemented numerous projects around the state aimed at removing invasive species and stabilizing and enhancing native vegetation. This often takes the form of stumping or pulling invasive weeds and planting native trees and shrubs in their place. These small shoots and seedlings need care and protection to thrive and eventually reinforce the banks of rivers and streams. VOC incorporates an educational component into all of its projects so its volunteers can go forth from their projects as ambassadors for healthy riparian habitats.

Additional Resources:

http://www.colorado.edu/geography/class_homepages/geog_4501_s14/readings/CG-Law2004.pdf

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/russian-olive

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Saltcedar%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/Recovery-Conservation-Plans.aspx

http://csfs.colostate.edu/media/sites/22/2016/02/ForestHealthReport-2015.pdf

http://cwcb.state.co.us/environment/watershed-protection restoration/Documents/CO_RiverCorridorProtectionFS.pdf

VOC Crew Leader: Denny Farrell

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 02:50:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Denny Farrell

We love putting different VOC volunteer leaders in the spotlight in each month in order to recognize the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors. We are excited to announce Crew Leader Denny Farrell as our February Featured Leader!

Denny's experience with VOC began two and half years ago when he was looking for a way to complete court-ordered community service.

"Being a Colorado native and an outdoor sports lover, I dug around for something that would fulfill my requirements while contributing something worthwhile to the outdoors we call home," said Denny. He came across VOC, and began knocking out his hours with a single-day project here and there.

"What I didn't expect was to discover a passion for the work and for the land itself. I have hiked and ridden these trails since I was a kid, but never did I stop to realize the amount of planning, design, maintenance, and expense involved with creating and maintaining them," said Denny. "I found that I not only loved the intense work, sweat, and blisters, but I also truly unearthed something in me that I didn't know was there before - stewardship."

Denny participated in many VOC projects over the next two years, and jumped at the opportunity to become a Crew Leader last summer.

"The projects, while all similar in nature, are each so diverse and different in their own way. It's a wonderful feeling to be out there working, constantly learning, and now teaching others how to care for what we would typically take for granted," said Denny. "It's amazing to visit these places; some quite remote, some right in my backyard, that I was never aware of in Colorado. I feel very privileged to be able to see our amazing state from this perspective. I have met some fantastic people, and am very excited to continue working with and teaching others the craft and skills necessary in trail creation and maintenance. It's quite a feeling to look back after a long, hard day on a section of trail, and say 'I built that,' and then do it all again. Plus, they make killer food to boot!"

Outside of VOC, Denny works as an IT manager for a nationwide homebuilder. He says his goal this year is to get his wife and two kids out on some VOC projects!

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a Crew Leader? Click here!

VOC Crew Leader: Stephanie Jarvis

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 02:53:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Stephanie Jarvis

We love putting different VOC volunteer leaders in the spotlight in order to recognize the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors. We are excited to announce Crew Leader Stephanie Jarvis as our January Featured Leader!

27-year-old Stephanie was introduced to VOC via a volunteer day with her company in 2014, and went on her first trail building opportunity at the end of that season.

"Being new to Denver, it seemed like a great way to get out, see places I wouldn't otherwise know about, and meet interesting people," said Stephanie. "I was also adjusting to city life, which doesn't include nearly enough shovels and dirt!"

She decided to go through VOC's Cerw Leader training because she wanted to learn more about what goes into outdoor stewardship projects, and then pass on the great experiences her Crew Leaders had given her.

"Both volunteering and crew leading with VOC have been immensely gratifying. What's better than a challenging and rewarding project in a beautiful place alongside great people?" said Stephanie.

Outside of VOC, Stephanie works as a geologist for ERO Resources, an environmental consulting company in Denver, and spends her free time hiking, playing in her garden, going to bluegrass shows, and attempting to keep her cat, Dante, adequately entertained.

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a Crew Leader? Click here!

Cairn Student of the Month: Olivia Wischmeyer

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 03:42:00 GMT

Cairn Student of the Month: Olivia Wischmeyer

Olivia's love for nature began when she was a small child, going on summer camping and hiking trips every summer with her family, and simply spending time outside in her backyard.

"Every sunny day was filled with growing our family garden or exploring my neighborhood on my bike. And the rainy days were made up of worm saving and splashing in the puddles," said Olivia.

As school became a heavier weight, she found it more difficult to get outside and continue immersing herself in the wonders of nature; however, after attending camp for several years in the Rocky Mountains and in Upstate New York - where she led a five-day backpacking trip through the Catskill Mountains - she rekindled her passion.

"I came home with an acute awareness of what the natural world needed. I realized more people must raise their voice for the life that has none. I came to see that despite the mindset of many Coloradans, the state was facing horrible destruction of its natural resources," said Olivia. "Through my work with Colorado Young Leaders, an outreach organization that mentors Colorado youth to grow their communities, I discovered VOC and signed up for Cairn last spring."

The more trails she restored and invasive weeds she eliminated alongside her Cairn comrades, the more empowered Olivia felt; as she describes it, "the weight of being unable to help the Earth was lifted and I felt that my shovel and my hands were making the world a little bit better."

"Cairn is not only a great way to educate teens about the natural environment, but it gives us the tools to help maintain it," Olivia said. "I hope to continue being a part of Cairn and VOC for as long as possible and I cannot wait for all the adventures to come. I love Cairn because it gives me a place to be myself and serve the environment around me. I have also seen more of Colorado this year than in my whole life!"

Outside of VOC, Olivia enjoy skiing, painting, playing guitar, cooking, serving her community, and exploring and learning about the world around her. She is vice president of the Colorado Young Leaders-Arapahoe Chapter Youth Advisory Board and vice president of the National Art Honors Society at East High School. She also served as the head recruiter for the Camp Rising Sun Colorado Alumni Association this year. Olivia hopes to intertwine environmental science and service into her future career path.

Learn more about VOC's Cairn Youth Program.

VOC Crew Leader: Dylan Kintish

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 03:46:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Dylan Kintish

VOC regularly highlights different VOC leaders, new and seasoned, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to recognize VOC Crew Leader, Dylan Kintish.

Dylan’s first experience with VOC was on a fire restoration project at Colorado Springs' Flying W Ranch in 2012, through his AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps service program. Following two years of AmeriCorps and some sporadic VOC projects in-between, Dylan moved to Denver and continued to volunteer more actively on VOC projects.

"I love the community aspect on all the projects, as well as the continually challenging and interesting work caring for our natural resources," said Dylan.

Dylan enjoyed serving as a team leader for AmeriCorps, especially on trail projects, and after spending more time with VOC he knew that he wanted to become a crew leader and take his volunteerism to the next level. He became a crew leader this past summer, and soon after became a mentor for VOC’s Cairn Youth Program to continue leading youth groups in the outdoors during the off-season.

Dylan is currently obtaining his master's of social work at the University of Denver. Outside of VOC, he pursues his love for the outdoors by serving as an intern for cityWILD, an outdoor education leadership program. He also enjoys running, music (both listening and playing percussion), and of course, exploring Colorado’s wild places every chance he gets!

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a Crew Leader? Click here!

VOC Crew Leader: Rosemary Thomas

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 03:57:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Rosemary Thomas

Rosemary's interest in trail building grew from her youngest son's experience with the Backcountry Trails Program within the California Conservation Corps. During that time, her son's letters home included stories of basic trail and rock work, as well as the construction of retaining walls.

"He introduced me to the various tools used in trail work and shared his stories of the brilliant night sky, the kiss of the sun, caress of the wind, bite of the night air, and the exhilaration of an afternoon thunderstorm. All of this stirred within me the longing to fall in love with the wilderness once again, and you can imagine my delight when I learned of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado," said Rosemary.

One of Rosemary's favorite aspects of volunteering with VOC is exploring remote parts of the state and working on trails that she otherwise might not have thought of or known about. As she puts it, "places where no light pollution convolutes the radiance of the Milky Way, where the quiet of the night is only interrupted by the yips of coyotes or an elk's bugle." Years of volunteering on well-organized projects amidst beautiful scenery and in the company of great people eventually inspired Rosemary to become a VOC Crew Leader.

"I love seeing people from all walks of life come together, work hard, and unwind. It's a pleasure to meet such folks, to guide them on the proper use of tools and techniques, and see how a rough piece of Earth transforms into a trail that looks like it has been in place for years," said Rosemary. "It fills me with tranquility to spend the day cutting new trail, restoring old trail, or fitting together the puzzle of the right rock placed perfectly to be stepped upon without falter for decades. And, it doesn't hurt that we're all well-nourished by a crew who prepares delicious meals!"

On a professional level, Rosemary serves as the statewide community planning coordinator for the STI/HIV/VH services section of the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. She enjoys spending time with her family that includes five adult children and five grandchildren.

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a Crew Leader? Click here!

Cairn Student of the Month: Kadin Mangalik

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 04:00:00 GMT

Cairn Student of the Month: Kadin Mangalik

Kadin grew up exploring the Colorado Rockies and has always loved spending time in nature. Two summers ago, he took a backpacking course with the National Outdoor Leadership School in Alaska, and the experience forever changed him.

"After spending such an extensive period of time in the wilderness, I gained an even greater appreciation for the beauty and peacefulness of the mountains. I realized how important it is to have these natural places and how incredible it is that Colorado has so many spectacular landscapes. I knew that these places were in danger or damaged by overuse, so I looked for ways in which I could get involved," said Kadin.

Kadin soon discovered VOC's Cairn Youth Program, and he believes it has been a great opportunity for him and his peers to make a difference for Colorado's outdoors. "While our efforts might seem small, after every project I feel like we have made a truly significant impact toward keeping a natural place natural for future generations."

Kadin's experience with Cairn has inspired him to pursue more conservation work. This past summer, he joined the Student Conservation Association's High School Crew Program and had the chance to revisit Alaska to participate in habitat restoration.

Outside of Cairn, Kadin enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking, mountain biking, and climbing. At school, he is involved with the cross country team and academic coaching program.

Learn more about VOC's Cairn Youth Program.

VOC Crew Leader: Skye Kreisler

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 04:04:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Skye Kreisler

Skye Kreisler discovered VOC in 2013 while looking for a rewarding way to utilize her employer's paid 'volunteer day'. She first came out for the Oxbow Trail Construction, which involved building a 1,700-foot section of new trail that was to ultimately connect 40 miles of trails from Golden to distant Loveland Pass.

"As a new volunteer, I wasn't 100% confident in what I was doing, but the crew leader on the project made my day fun, educational, and meaningful," said Skye.

She quickly decided to take her volunteerism to the next level, and began her path to become a VOC Crew Leader. During her Crew Leader training, she said that the instructor offered the advice to "truly listen to each individual, learn and use each person's name, and always start and end the day by thanking the crew." Skye said she's based her leadership style on that advice, having served on his crew that first day in 2013.

Skye is a firm believer that by promoting sustainably-built and maintained trails, VOC projects help minimize impact on the surrounding ecosystem while fostering in people a connection with the land and a respect for its stewardship.

"Once a volunteer has lugged a heavy hand tool, scraped away duff, installed a water bar, or hauled some boulders, they will never view any hiking trail the same way again. They will also look back on the day with a sense of accomplishment, realizing that they have contributed to something outside of themselves and made some new friends along the way. It is a great feeling," said Skye.

Outside of VOC, Skye is a full-time student majoring in Natural Resources Policy and Management via Oregon State University's online education program. Aspiring to become a land manager with an ecological conscience, Skye has worked seasonally as a state park ranger, natural resources technician, GIS intern for trails, and is trained as a wildland firefighter, chainsaw faller, and wilderness first responder. She enjoys backpacking, camping, running, kayaking, snowboarding, gardening, and playing guitar; and she hopes to crew lead and volunteer with VOC again this season every chance she gets!

Interested in learning more about VOC volunteer leadership or becoming a crew leader? Click here!

Cairn Student of the Month: Alli Gunther

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 04:11:00 GMT

Cairn Student of the Month: Alli Gunther

VOC's Cairn Youth Program guides and challenges high school students to become caretakers of Colorado's extraordinary natural resources.

Alli Gunther is currently in her second year with Cairn. According to Alli, she was never outdoorsy growing up, and it wasn't until she started reading books by Edward Abbey (an author and essayist noted for his advocacy of environmental issues) at the age of 15 that she became interested in the outdoors.

"That summer, I googled something along the lines of 'Colorado environmental internship', and that's how I learned about Cairn. I applied, and the rest is history," said Alli.

Before Cairn, Alli liked to romanticize the notion of how trails were constructed. She admitted she initially thought they were created naturally, with thousands of footsteps coming together to create a path. "So, Cairn taught me all about how trails are actually built and how to make them. I think Cairn has given me a lot of appreciation for the people who construct trails," said Alli. She spent last summer working for the Larimer County Conservation Corps, where she expanded her trail knowledge, and was recently nominated as Colorado Youth Corps Association's Corpsmember of the Year. She plans to someday pursue a career in natural resources, and admits she doesn't think she would've ended up on that path if she hadn't found Cairn.

"I really enjoy being able to visit and explore new areas around Denver. It's also pretty cool to meet people through the program that I never would've met otherwise," Alli added.

Outside of Cairn, Alli enjoys reading and hiking as often as possible. She is currently a senior at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins.

Click here to learn more about the Cairn Youth Program.

Volunteers Recognized for Exceptional Leadership

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 04:24:00 GMT

Volunteers Recognized for Exceptional Leadership

On Saturday, November 7, VOC welcomed over 100 leadership volunteers to Lucille’s Creole Café for the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner. The event honored a number of dedicated volunteer leaders and highlighted individuals who made significant contributions to VOC this season with a dinner and special presentation of awards. This year's "Of the Year" award recipients include:

Roni Sherb New Volunteer of the Year (in honor of the late Roni Sherb, awarded for outstanding volunteer efforts and dedication to outdoor stewardship during their first years for involvement with VOC) – Justin Farley
Curt Chitwood Volunteer of the Year (in honor of the late Curt Chitwood, awarded for outstanding volunteer leadership and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship) – Lisa Thilker
Partner Organization of the Year (awarded for outstanding collaboration and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship) – Colorado Young Leaders
Land Manager of the Year (awarded to an agency for outstanding collaboration, support and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship) – USFS: Salida Ranger District
Steve Austin Mentor of the Year (awarded for exemplary leadership in teaching and conveying stewardship practices to new crew leaders and volunteers) – Terry Gimbel
Cairn Mentor of the Year (awarded for exemplary leadership in teaching and conveying stewardship practices to Cairn participants) – Cody Bond
Young Volunteer of the Year (awarded for outstanding volunteer leadership and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship as demonstrated by a young volunteer) – Eric Paricio
Unhung Hero of the Year (awarded to a VOC volunteer who provides outstanding support and service in a behind-the-scenes role for the organization) – Ramona Bystrom

Additionally, volunteer leaders who reached VOC project participation milestones in 2015 were recognized. These milestones and individuals include:

The McLeod Club (25 projects): Andy Clark, William Goldrick, Barb Molitor, Rosemary Thomas, Christa Whitmore
The Pulaski Club (50 projects): Rose Beyer, Richard Martinez, DeDe Williams, Jeanne Wilson
The Austin Club (75 projects): Tim Gaines
The Century Club (100 projects): Ellie Baldwin, Lee Coveney

In a new "first" for the Volunteer Recognition Dinner, VOC paid tribute to long-time volunteer crew leader, Steve Austin, on his unprecedented accomplishment of serving on 300 VOC projects! A photo slideshow of Steve was presented, and heartfelt remarks about his unending dedication and leadership were made by VOC’s executive director, Ann Baker Easley, as well as fellow long-serving volunteer leader and close friend of Steve, Glenn Ward. Steve was honored with a proclamation from the Governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, forever declaring the date of the event, November 7, 2015, “Steve Austin Day”.

Finally, VOC welcomed its eight newest crew leaders into the ranks! Volunteer leaders who became certified in 2015 to serve in a crew leader or crew chef role include: Robin Donner, Denny Farrell, Stephanie Jarvis, Dylan Kintish, Skye Kreisler, Vinay Kumar, Rosemary Thomas, and Gail Ferber.

On behalf of the VOC staff, we extend our sincere thanks to each and every one of our devoted leaders. We couldn’t do what we do without the outstanding support and commitment of these outstanding individuals.

VOC Earns Top-Rated Award from GreatNonprofits

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 04:30:00 GMT

VOC Earns Top-Rated Award from GreatNonprofits

Reviewers Give VOC Five Stars for the Second Year in a Row

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) has been honored with a prestigious 2015 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.

GreatNonprofits is the Yelp of the nonprofit world, a public platform where volunteers, board members, collaborators, stakeholders, and donors can leave real feedback of their experiences with nonprofit groups. Thanks to the numerous 5-star reviews VOC received from a wide variety of people, VOC continues to stand out as the leading organization dedicated to motivating and enabling people to care for Colorado.

Read the rave reviews, and add yours!

Volunteer. Donate. Review.

About GreatNonprofits

GreatNonprofits is the leading site for donors and volunteers to find reviews and ratings of nonprofits. Reviews on the site influence 30 million donation decisions a year. Visit www.greatnonprofits.org for more information.

About Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to motivating and enabling people to be active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Since 1984, VOC’s award-winning volunteer, youth, and leadership training programs have engaged more than 100,000 people of all ages in caring for Colorado’s outdoors – a total donated labor value of $20 million. Such volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact on Colorado through hands-on work in wildfire land restoration, trail building and maintenance, tree planting and re-forestation, and much more. Learn more at www.voc.org.

Contact:

Jessica Frazier

jessica@voc.org

720-289-8244

Uniquely Colorado Event Coming to The Oxford Hotel October 20

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 04:58:00 GMT

Uniquely Colorado Event Coming to The Oxford Hotel October 20

On Tuesday, October 20, the statewide nonprofit Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) will host a first-time event at downtown Denver’s historic Oxford Hotel, featuring speakers, live music, and local wines and food. The event will benefit VOC, whose mission is to motivate and enable people to be active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.

The event, aptly named Uniquely Colorado, will feature renowned speakers, including Colorado’s first director of the newly created Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and world-class mountaineer, guide, educator and leader, Luis Benitez; and authors of Exposed: Tragedy and Triumph in Mountain Climbing. VOC will recognize REI as the Outstanding Partner of the Year. The event will also offer Colorado wines and Colorado-grown foods prepared top chef Steve Vice from McCormick's Fish House & Bar Further, and attendees will get to enjoy live music from Colorado’s The Outliers, who will perform on a pedal-powered stage. The event will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and the event program will begin at 6 p.m.

“We’re so excited to host this event to celebrate so many wonderful things that make Colorado unique,” said Ann Baker Easley, VOC’s executive director. “Along with all of the remarkable speakers, delicious local food, craft brew and wines, and fantastic music, Uniquely Colorado will be a great way for people to reconnect with VOC friends and meet new folks, as well as find out ways to get involved.”

VOC Cairn Mentor: Garrett Bourcier

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 14 May 2015 05:03:00 GMT

VOC Cairn Mentor: Garrett Bourcier

The Cairn Youth Program is an outdoor stewardship program for high school students, and its mentors serve as role models for the teens. From leading environmental education activities and helping facilitate monthly outdoor leadership experiences, to organizing field trips and other learning excursions, Cairn mentors help make a tangible difference in the lives of Colorado youth and strengthen their connection to the outdoors.

"It was during summers in college when I first got in involved with VOC," said Garrett. "Being an environmental studies student, I was looking for ways to meet people passionate about the Earth. I found it here, but after college, I wanted to have something that looked even better on a resume and that was when I found the Cairn Youth Program."

Now in his third year of being a Cairn mentor, Garrett says it has evolved far beyond just a resume-builder. "I love helping high schoolers take care of Colorado's natural resources and I like seeing their passion for preserving land and educating others about the work we do," he said.

Currently, Garrett is pursuing his master's degree focused in energy and sustainability at the University of Denver. "I still am working toward finding ways to better the planet and love the chances I get to go outside and relax in nature with the Cairn Youth Program," said Garrett. Apart from school and Cairn, Garrett enjoys photography, coaching and playing soccer, getting outside, and hanging out with friends.

Have someone in mind who you'd like us to spotlight so that we can share with others the inspiring work they do? Email Kellie with why that leader (new or seasoned!) should be selected.

VOC Crew Leader: Justin Farley

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 05:04:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Justin Farley

Justin was born and raised in the Adirondack mountains of Upstate New York. He studied environmental science at SUNY Plattsburgh. Upon graduation, he was accepted into the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program and was headquartered at the Denver campus. It was through Justin's time with NCCC that he discovered VOC.

"I was lucky enough to work with VOC as one of my projects during my first year. When I returned as a Team Leader to NCCC for my second year, I made sure that my team was assigned the VOC project," said Justin.

After his second year with NCCC, Justin moved to Boulder and worked a variety of jobs. Due to the flexibility of his work, he was available for many VOC projects. And, through his experience in AmeriCorps, he was able to quickly transition into becoming a VOC Crew Leader.

"I have always been and always will be completely in love with and a huge advocate for VOC," said Justin.

Currently, Justin works as a weather technician for Energy Resource Center, a nonprofit that helps Colorado families have safer, more energy efficient homes. In his free time, he enjoys playing pick-up lacrosse in Denver's Wash Park, camping, BBQs, breweries, and spending time with friends.

Have someone in mind who you'd like us to spotlight so that we can share with others the inspiring work they do? Email Kellie with why that leader (new or seasoned!) should be selected.

VOC's Commitment to Transparency Nets Guidestar Gold

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 05:07:00 GMT

VOC's Commitment to Transparency Nets Guidestar Gold

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) has received the GuideStar Exchange Gold participation level, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability provided by GuideStar USA, Inc., the premier source of nonprofit information. This level demonstrates VOC's deep commitment to nonprofit transparency and accountability.

"We have worked hard to showcase our progress toward our mission, and our long-held belief in being transparent about our work, to our constituents," said Ann Baker Easley, executive director of VOC. "As a GuideStar Exchange participant, we use their platform to share a wealth of up-to-date information about our work to our supporters and GuideStar's immense online audience of nonprofits, grantmakers, individual donors, and the media."

In order to be awarded the GuideStar Exchange logo, VOC had to fill out every required field of our nonprofit report page on www.guidestar.org for the Gold level of participation.

"I encourage you to check out our profile on GuideStar to see what we're all about," added Baker Easley. "We are engaged in exciting initiatives, and we are thrilled to have another platform for communicating our advancement and progress."

VOC Crew Chef: Laura Mapes

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 05:09:00 GMT

VOC Crew Chef: Laura Mapes

While Laura is relatively new to VOC, having just gotten involved in October 2013, she has already made a huge impression.

"I feel as though I've gained a family through VOC in the last year and a half," she said of VOC's tight-knit community. "Since moving to Colorado from Los Angeles in 2013, VOC has helped make Colorado a true home for me and my fiancé, Scott."

Laura's first project with VOC was the Pence Park Trail Construction and Reroute. She has since volunteered on a number of other trail restoration projects and is currently training to become a VOC Crew Chef.

"I'm so excited about becoming a Crew chef because laughter, satisfaction, and good friends can be founded through food. I look forward to being able to provide tasty meals to volunteers after they have been working hard on the trails," said Laura.

Aside from volunteering and her full-time position with global professional services firm Marsh & McLennan Companies in Denver, Laura enjoys snowboarding, cooking, brewing beer, and making new friends. Laura now lives in Aurora in a friendly, down-to-earth state where priority is placed on "quality of life and sustainable living." She is looking forward to exploring many new places in Colorado that VOC projects take her to!

Have someone in mind who you'd like us to spotlight so that we can share with others the inspiring work they do? Email Kellie with why that leader (new or seasoned!) should be selected.

VOC Technical Advisor: John Birkey

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 05:30:00 GMT

VOC Technical Advisor: John Birkey

John began volunteering with VOC as an Assistant Technical Advisor on the Mt. Goliath Alpine Interpretive Garden project in 1998. As a landscape architect, he enjoys applying his "day job" skills and talents to help with site planning and overall trail design and layout and environmental improvements on VOC projects. To date, John has served as the Technical Advisor on nearly 30 VOC projects and is a member of the McLeod Club.

This past project season, John enjoyed his role as Technical Advisor on the Tombstone Trail Restoration project at Steamboat Lake State Park. He looks forward to serving as the Technical Advisor on one or two projects this coming season.

"My favorite thing about VOC is seeing new places in Colorado I have never been before and working with like-minded people to achieve great results for agencies and the great state that we live in. I enjoy seeing the project through from start to finish and being a part of the design and helping to make outdoor places in Colorado more accessible and sustainable. I love walking a trail at the end of a project weekend and seeing the power of volunteerism. I learned from some great mentors over the years including Dos Chapell, Curt Chitwood, the legend Steve Austin (my crew leader trainer), Jim Cuthbertson, Eric Anderson and Tom Ledgerwood to name a few," says John.

John is a landscape architect and principal with Norris Design, a leading planning and landscape architecture firm. In his spare time, John enjoys hiking, climbing, and photographing the outdoors. He has reached the summit of all of Colorado's 54 14'ers and is now attempting to climb the 100 highest peaks in Colorado, with 80 completed. He also plays guitar in a band called Strike III.

Click here to learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

VOC Crew Leader: Terry Gimbel

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 05:37:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Terry Gimbel

Terry is a retired Colorado State Parks Ranger who lives in Walden, Colo., just 20 miles from the Wyoming border. She was introduced to VOC while working at Roxborough State Park in 1987 when VOC had scheduled the Carpenter Peak Trail Project. Because she was responsible for managing the trail system and wanted to learn more about maintaining and constructing trails, she decided then to participate in VOC's crew leader training in 1988 at Castlewood Canyon State Park. From there, she went on to become a VOC Crew Leader, Technical Advisor, member of various committees, OSI Instructor, and helped to develop curricula for several trainings.

Terry is also a regular donor to VOC, giving not only generously of her time, but also her financial resources. She received the Austin Club award in 2014 for her exemplary achievements over the years.

Now that Terry is semi-retired and working part-time, she enjoys spending more of her time cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, and of course, volunteering.

Thanks for all you do, Terry!

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

Fire and Rain: The One-Two Punch of Flooding After Wildfires

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 05:42:00 GMT

Fire and Rain: The One-Two Punch of Flooding After Wildfires

Colorado's arguably worst-ever wildfires in recent years left behind devastated landscapes of torched trees, charred woody remains, and large amounts of debris. Then came the torrential rains of 2013, unleashing an entirely new kind of disaster.

Unfortunately, fires and floods go hand-in-hand. While powerful afternoon rainstorms are a regular part of Colorado's summer, with fewer trees and shrubs to absorb the moisture or slow the runoff, our state is now at an increased risk of flooding, debris flow, and mudflows for several years. We've made great strides in helping our state recover and plan for the future (last year, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado dedicated 35% of its volunteer opportunities to flood and fire recovery); however, there is still plenty of work to be done.

"Recent natural disasters that have occurred close to communities are affecting us much more severely than if they were just happening in a wilderness area where there is less people. And it's not just the burn; it's what happens afterward," said Ann Baker Easley, executive director of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC). "This year, VOC will continue to devote significant volunteer efforts in areas still in need of restoration work, helping to rebuild stronger and smarter to help prevent further damage."

The physical aid of VOC volunteers enables public land agencies to get a lot of work accomplished without having to directly pay for it. "When we get volunteers out on the ground, it's actually valued monetarily in terms of the amount of work that's accomplished. VOC is able to accomplish more on a weekend with 40 volunteers than a public land agency may be able to accomplish in a year due to their limited amount of employees and funding," said Easley.

It didn't take long for the significant contributions of VOC volunteers to be felt at Jefferson County's White Ranch Park. "With the floods, we had four parks that were damaged. One particular trail has been closed since last September. Without the help of VOC, it would not have been possible to open up this trail as quickly as we did; we would've been extending this out until 2016," said Jason Crum of Jefferson County Open Space.

Watch this video to learn more about VOC's flood and fire restoration efforts and the importance of our volunteers, especially in the aftermath of disaster. Stay tuned for flood and fire restoration projects in our upcoming 2015 project calendar and on our website this spring!

VOC Crew Leader: Donna Driscoll

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 05:47:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Donna Driscoll

Donna was first introduced to VOC by the late and beloved Curt Chitwood in 1991 on the 10,000 Trees project. "Those were the old days before augers, when we dug the holes for the trees by hand," says Donna.

Donna says her initial interest in VOC was to simply step outside and do something fun, while the concept of giving back to Colorado and getting involved in protecting lands grew as she went on more projects.

"VOC offers a lot of diverse projects that provide fun opportunities as well as a chance to learn new skills," she says. One of Donna's most memorable projects was in Sand Creek in the Mesa Verde area. "I was amazed by the stunning views and cliff dwellings. Being an avid boater, I also enjoyed working on the headwaters of the Colorado River creating pools for habitats for indigenous fish and was humbled by standing atop one of the most important waterways in the nation."

While Donna is not entirely sure what prompted her to become a Crew Leader with VOC, she certainly has no regrets. "Perhaps I had the time in those days, but what a great decision it was. Over the years, being a Crew Leader has become more enjoyable and easier. It's delightful to see a group of people who often do not know each other and within minutes become a team. Volunteers continually amaze me by how quickly they pick up new skills such as building fences, planting trees, and creating trails," says Donna.

For 17 years, up until 2007, Donna was the volunteer bookkeeper under the leadership of VOC's late executive director (serving 1988-1999), Dos Chappell. She has also served as a VOC Stewardship Educator. When not busy with VOC and other activities, Donna spends her time on the eastern plains with a cat, pig, chickens, and an American bulldog who loves to accompany her hiking and skiing.

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC!

Volunteers Recognized for Exceptional Outdoor Stewardship Leadership

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 05:54:00 GMT

Volunteers Recognized for Exceptional Outdoor Stewardship Leadership

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Announces 2014 Outdoor Stewardship Leadership Awards

Eight award winners were announced by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado in late November, all whom were recognized for their leadership in motivating and enabling people to become active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Award winners were nominated by their peers.

“Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado engages thousands of volunteers on more than 55 outdoor stewardship projects every year, and we simply couldn’t do what we do without our extraordinary leaders,” said Ann Baker Easley, Executive Director for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. “The VOC staff extends a heartfelt thanks to all the worthy nominees who were considered; their accomplishments and exemplary service do not go unnoticed.”

The award winners are:

Roni Sherb New Volunteer of the Year – Ellen Urell

Ellen began volunteering with VOC last year and was quickly in training to take on a leadership role. In this short time, she has already attended 15 projects (nine this year alone), participated on the leadership development committee, and has become a certified crew leader manager. "VOC combines my enjoyment of the outdoors, volunteerism, and great people. Not much can be better than that," says Ellen.

Curt Chitwood Volunteer of the Year – Paul Smith

Paul has attended 60 VOC projects since 1999, and has filled several leadership roles over the years including crew leader and tool manager. Further, Paul’s energy, friendly attitude, and patience proved to be key features that allowed him to successfully lead youth volunteers on projects this past year.

A Coloradan since 1972, Paul enjoys the year-round recreation opportunities that the Rocky Mountains provide. "I like to play outside like everyone else. VOC's mission about motivating and enabling people to care for Colorado's natural resources really resonated with me, and is the main reason I decided to start volunteering,” says Paul.

Land Manager of the Year Award – Dick Gannon & Bob Finch / Denver Mountain Parks

Since 2010, VOC has been able to partner on 20 projects with Denver Mountain Parks, engaging 1,375 volunteers resulting in 10,492 in hours worked restoring and enhancing critical natural resources in highly impacted areas. Denver Mountain Parks has also been an important training partner over the years, enlisting their skilled employees to help instruct trainings via VOC’s Outdoor Stewardship institute.

Partner Organization Award – Southwest Conversation Corps: Salida Office

The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) - Salida Office manages youth conservation crews that serve on Salida's/Central Colorado's and the San Luis Valley's public lands, providing incredible service to their surrounding communities, youth participants and public land managers.

Outdoor Stewardship Institute of the Year Award – Tim Gaines

Tim began helping out on VOC trainings in 1999 and since then has participated in more than 30 trainings. As a long-time CPR & First Aid instructor for the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, he has brought a wealth of teaching experience to volunteers. Tim has a great sense of humor and is known for offering up some of his own past mistakes as fun teaching mechanisms for his students.

Steve Austin Mentor of the Year Award – Dave Riter

“Dave has gone above and beyond of what could be expected of him since he became a VOC crew leader.”

- Steve Austin

Dave’s hard work and dedication on projects and at VOC’s Operations Center is coupled with his warm demeanor and easygoing personality. It is these traits, along with his willingness to work with diverse groups of individuals, that allow him to effectively convey complex technical tasks to first-time volunteers.

Cairn Mentor of the Year Award – Garrett Bourcier

Garrett was first exposed to VOC as a participant in public projects in 2009 and has been a Cairn Mentor since 2012. In that time, he has been a dedicated and key contributor to the Cairn Youth Program, rarely missing monthly projects and excelling at motivating and teaching stewardship skills to youth volunteers.

Young Volunteer of the Year Award – Hussein Muya

Now in his third year with VOC’s Cairn Youth Program, Hussein has demonstrated dedication to caring for Colorado's outdoors and a strong spirit of volunteerism that goes above and beyond his basic commitments. As a three-year Cairn veteran, Hussein has become well versed with many tools and tasks related to outdoor stewardship, and can always be counted on to effectively share his knowledge with other youth volunteers.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Project to be Featured as an REI GeoStory

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 06:06:00 GMT

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Project to be Featured as an REI GeoStory

Volunteer for Outdoor Colorado’s (VOC) National Public Lands Day Cottonwood Trail Construction Project on September 27-28 was selected to be featured for an REI GeoStory. This is the second time VOC received a formal invitation from REI to have our work featured on their GeoStory stewardship. Promoted by National Geographic, GeoStories are interactive experiences that tell stories of outdoor locations stewarded with the help of REI funding. The film will be featured on REI’s stewardship portal. Check out the film!

REI helped fund this special project along with several other groups including: USFS-Salida Ranger District, Salida Mountain Trails, Xcel Energy, Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company, Oracle, Clif Bar & Company, National Forest Foundation, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and Climax Molybdenum Company, and Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation. More than 60 volunteers helped maintain a new section of trail connecting downtown Salida to the Arkansas Hills Trail System – providing safe and easy access for residents and recreational tourists.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the project, to our generous sponsors, and to The Branding Agency for their filming and editing work.

Cairn Student of the Month: Ben Papadopoulos

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 06:07:00 GMT

Cairn Student of the Month: Ben Papadopoulos

Between September and April, 30 Cairn students meet monthly with adult mentors and special guests to participate in volunteer outdoor stewardship projects, environmental education, outdoor adventures, and leadership training.

Ben Papadopoulos initially found VOC through his brother, who had previously participated in the Cairn Youth Program. Although Ben didn't know too much about it at the time, he was intrigued, and so followed up at his school's volunteering fair. "VOC immediately stood out to me. I've spent most of my life hiking, camping, and mountain biking in Colorado, and because of that I've always treasured our state's natural resources," said Ben. "Because Cairn helps maintain what I grew up exploring, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me. I think it's absolutely essential that a community role in environmental stewardship is emphasized."

Ben's favorite part of being a Cairn student is being able to work with a diverse group of people toward a common goal. "Cairn projects are an awesome way to build awareness and help stimulate a prolonged interest in maintaining Colorado's natural resources. It's also incredible to see how much can get accomplished, even with just a small group. The technical skills Cairn teaches, along with the educational aspects of the projects really make each project unique and impactful," said Ben.

Ben is currently a senior in the International Baccalaureate program at George Washington High School. His interests lie with just about anything in the outdoors. Ben has completed a full season with the Cairn Youth Program, and is currently participating in his second season while taking on more leadership responsibilities, including helping plan a January project in partnership with Denver Water.

Learn more about VOC's Cairn Youth Program.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Honored as a Top-Rated NonProfit

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 06:09:00 GMT

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Honored as a Top-Rated NonProfit

GreatNonprofits.org Award is based on Positive Online Reviews

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) announced in November that it has been honored with a prestigious 2014 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.

The top-rated nonprofits list is composed of organizations that have received at least ten positive reviews from stakeholders, such as volunteers, donors, or partners.

Read the reviews and add your story.

In addition to making the top-rated list, VOC will be added to GreatNonprofits #GivingTuesday Guide—an interactive guide to top nonprofits throughout the years.

About GreatNonprofits

VOC Crew Leader: Kathryn Gray Beck

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 06:13:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Kathryn Gray Beck

Kathryn began volunteering with VOC in 2010. Since then, she has served as a Crew Leader on several projects and is trained as an OSI Instructor. This year, she also was part of VOC's 30th Anniversary Celebration planning committee, helping VOC to successfully commemorate three decades of caring for Colorado at Denver's Confluence Park on August 23.

"I love the people, places, and purpose of VOC. In fact, it's hard to think of something I don't love about VOC," said Kathryn.

Kathryn's love of dirt and working outdoors began at a young age: she grew up on an Illinois farm raising pigs and growing corn and soybeans. Her life of stewardship began in 4-H and continued through two years of AmeriCorps service. Currently, she works for a nonprofit organization that focuses on early childhood development and education. She will begin nursing school in early 2015.

Kathryn and fellow Crew Leader, Adam Beck, were married this past January. Although they didn't meet on a VOC project, he did propose at Hanging Lake - the stunning location of a VOC project they volunteered on together while dating!

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

VOC Featured Leader: Honoring the Late Steve Hartwell

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 06:19:00 GMT

VOC Featured Leader: Honoring the Late Steve Hartwell

It is with great sadness that Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) shares with you the passing of one of our longtime volunteers, Steve Hartwell. Steve died on September 10, 2014 following a year-long battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we would like to pay a special tribute to Steve's life and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.

An 8th grade math teacher at Thornton Middle School in his day job, Steve always found time to give back and help make a difference through volunteering. His first project with VOC was on the Coyote Interpretive Trail in 2000. Shortly after, he trained as an Outdoor Stewardship Institute instructor and became a VOC certified crew leader and technical advisor. In 2006, he was awarded VOC's Volunteer of the Year Award. During that year alone, Steve volunteered on more than 19 projects and undertook several specialized technical trainings to hone his skills, including working with youth. He was a member of the Youth, Project Selection and Technical Advisors Development Committees, and also began leading VOC adopt projects in 2007.

Throughout Stephen's notable tenure with VOC, it was evident he most enjoyed tackling the hardcore, challenging projects. Just before he was diagnosed with ALS in the summer of 2013, he was hiking up high-altitude trails, bucking down trees, and crosscut sawing to help restore the Mt. Evans wilderness. Despite his diagnosis and the hardships of this debilitating disease, he continued volunteering with VOC that summer. At this time, Steve had completed more than 202 VOC projects and was awarded VOC's Mt. Elbert Award.

Steve could regularly be spotted with his favorite beer, Stout Guinness, and would often arrive at VOC for a project team meeting after a hard day of teaching math to middle school-ers, with his Guinness in hand! He was also very passionate about fostering the interest of math in all of his students. He approached his teaching as he did all of his interests - with intention and the knowledge that hard work pays off. In fact, a self-description posted on his school's website of what he expected of his students captured his 'you get what you put into it' philosophy well: "I give out homework every day. The homework usually requires 10 minutes of work. The only days that I do not give homework are on test days or field trip days. For nine years of teaching I have seen that students who do homework outscore students who do not do homework by a large margin. That is to say, students who do not do math homework do poorly on tests."

In his spare time away from VOC, Steve was also a dedicated youth hockey coach and guided and mentored young hockey players for over 10 years.

Steve is survived by his wife, Tai-Ping - who frequently volunteered with Steve on VOC projects - his son, Neil; his sister, Mary-Jo; and his brother, Kevin.

On behalf of the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado staff and volunteers, we extend our deepest sympathy on the untimely death of Steve, and may we all take solace in the quality of life he led and his profoundly meaningful contributions to his community.

(Photo credit: Jan Haus)

VOC Featured Leader: Ellen Urell

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 06:15:00 GMT

VOC Featured Leader: Ellen Urell

VOC regularly highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to recognize Ellen Urell.

Ellen discovered VOC on a community bulletin board at REI. After attending her first project in 2013, she was instantly hooked.

"VOC combines my enjoyment of the outdoors, volunteerism, and great people. Not much can be better than that," said Ellen. "I also love the fact that our projects provide immediate benefits for the entire community."

Fairly soon after she started volunteering, Ellen became interested in learning more about the process and science behind building trails. She contacted VOC about becoming a Team Lead so that she could hone her technical skills and further contribute on projects.

"Becoming a Team Lead has done just that, and so far it has been an amazing experience! I look forward to getting dirty on many more trails in the years to come," said Ellen.

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

VOC Crew Chef: Rose Beyer

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 06:17:00 GMT

VOC Crew Chef: Rose Beyer

For her first two years with VOC, Rose mostly worked on trail construction projects, and then one fall was asked to serve as a Crew Chef at a small event. She said yes, with no idea that this experience would lead to her new calling. Rose has since served as a Crew Chef on more than 35 VOC projects!

"What I enjoy most about being a crew chef are those early rises - emerging from my tent while it's still dark outside, and drinking my coffee as I catch a beautiful view of the early morning moon," said Rose.

While Rose is responsible for all meals on overnight projects, many volunteers would agree that Rose is best known for her variety of baked goods, "especially my carrot cake," she said.

In Rose's time away from VOC, she works as an engineering manager at Honeywell in Colorado Springs. She enjoys golfing with her work league, and baking cakes or cookies for her family and friends (the photo above features Rose and her "cake helper" mother alongside a wedding cake she created). "I am also a huge Parrothead. I try to get out and see Jimmy Buffet at least once a year," said Rose.

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado to Welcome Gov. Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov. Garcia on Colorado United Day

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 06:25:00 GMT

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado to Welcome Gov. Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov. Garcia on Colorado United Day

On Saturday, September 13, the statewide nonprofit Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), in partnership with Colorado Springs Utilities and Habitat Management Inc., will be leading volunteers in critical fire restoration efforts at the Waldo Canyon burn scar area. Gov. John Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia will address volunteers at the project site to mark Colorado United Day, a statewide day of service that commemorates the one year anniversary of last year’s historic floods.

Colorado United Day brings together volunteers from all over the state for a dedicated workday that continues recovery efforts in Colorado’s flood, fire and other disaster damaged communities. Colorado United Day was created by the Colorado Recovery Office and SERVE Colorado, the Governor’s Commission on Community Service.

"We appreciate the Governor and Lt. Governor’s leadership in ensuring Colorado recovers fully from these horrific natural disasters. VOC is committed to engaging volunteers for long-term recovery in Colorado’s flood and fire-damaged communities,” said Ann Baker Easley, VOC’s executive director. “The 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire was one of the most devastating events in Colorado Springs' history and its impact is still being felt today. Colorado United Day is a great reminder that Coloradans are resilient and determined to build back better and stronger.”

Volunteers on the Waldo Canyon project will help mitigate flooding and repair fire damage. These burn areas are now subject to erosion and mudslides which threaten Colorado Springs' municipal water supply, Highway 24, and public and private infrastructure. Work will involve removal of burned hazard trees, re-shaping the ground surface, sand-bagging, re-seeding, tree and seedling planting, and building erosion control structures to stabilize drainages.

Funding support for this project came from Colorado Springs Utilities, Xcel Energy, REI, Lockheed Martin,, Oracle, Clif Bar & Company, The Anschutz Foundation, Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation, and John G. Duncan Charitable Trust.

VOC Tool Manager: Robert "Rosie" Rosenzweig

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 06:27:00 GMT

VOC Tool Manager: Robert "Rosie" Rosenzweig

VOC regularly highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to recognize Robert (Rosie) Rosenzweig. For those who might not know Rosie by name, you might recognize him by his signature clothing style - shorts. Always shorts. Even in snow.

Rosie's first project with VOC was in 1993 in Winter Park. He had a very enjoyable and rewarding experience, and at that moment decided he wanted to do more. Unfortunately, he was working most weekends at the time, so could only participate in about one project per year. Despite his job, in around 1999 he made a commitment to volunteer on at least three projects annually. To make it feasible, Rosie would look at VOC's project calender as soon as it became available, and told his employer months in advance which weekends he would need off based on the projects he chose.

"I love the variety of people I meet and the work we do on VOC projects. I also like going to different parts of the state that I wouldn't normally go to," said Rosie.

In 2005, after more than a decade of volunteering, Rosie desired to take on a leadership position with VOC and signed up to be a part of the tool committee. For years, he has played a crucial role as Tool Manager, responsible for the management of project tools, including transportation of tools, project supplies, and crew chef equipment to the project site, as well as ensuring volunteer crews have the proper and operable equipment. Overtime, Rosie has been duly recognized with three awards for his outstanding leadership with VOC.

Since Rosie's retirement from his job in 2012, he has been able to up his VOC project commitment to around 10 per year (and wears shorts on each of them), in addition to giving back to other organizations.

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

VOC Tool Manager: Wayne Zahm

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 06:29:00 GMT

VOC Tool Manager: Wayne Zahm

VOC regularly highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to recognize Wayne Zahm.

Wayne's first project with VOC was at the Pine Valley Ranch in 1995. Since then, one project has grown to two, two to four, four to eight, and eight to now more than 30! He became a Tool Manager early on, and has been a critical component in organizing and stewarding VOC's operation center, recruiting fellow project team members, coordinating OcTOOLberfest, purchasing tools and gear needed throughout the season, and much more.

"Today, I’m still learning from the likes of Glenn Ward and Steve Austin in the many responsibilities of the tool leader position. None of this would have been possible without them and their support throughout the years," said Wayne. He has been recognized with various awards, including the Century Club award, Austin Club award, and Volunteer of the Year award. To honor his long-time dedication and commitment to VOC, he was presented with a handrcrafted, personalized sign (see photo) at a volunteer recognition dinner in 2013.

"VOC is my hobby and I enjoy every minute of it. Why? Because of the great folks - both volunteers and staff - that I’ve worked with in the past and continue to work with each new project season. They all make it the experience of a lifetime."

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

VOC Volunteer Leader: Paul Smith

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 06:43:00 GMT

VOC Volunteer Leader: Paul Smith

VOC highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to recognize Paul Smith.

Paul began volunteering with VOC in 1998 at an urban gardening project on Mt. Goliath, a mountain peak section of the Mount Evans area. Over the years, he has served as a Crew Leader, OSI Instructor, and Tool Manager on several VOC projects. His long-time career in facilities management has given him design and construction experience from the ground up, which nicely transfers to his hands-on work with VOC. In addition to volunteering for VOC, Paul is also active with other environmental stewardship organizations, including the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Colorado State Parks (mostnotably Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs), and the Colorado Trail Foundation.

"I believe that people who live in a community should participate in a community. It's a civic duty, and volunteering is a great way to fulfill that duty," says Paul. A Coloradan since 1972, Paul enjoys the year-round recreation opportunities that the Rocky Mountains provide. "I like to play outside like everyone else. VOC's mission about motivating and enabling people to care for Colorado's natural resources really resonated with me, and is the main reason I decided to start volunteering."

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

VOC Volunteer Leader: Stuart Miner

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 06:40:00 GMT

VOC Volunteer Leader: Stuart Miner

VOC highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to recognize Stuart Miner.

Stuart is not only the vice chairman of VOC's board of directors; he is a long-time volunteer with us, for more than 17 years! Depending on the VOC project, Stuart serves as an OSI Instructor, Crew Leader, Crew Leader Manager, or Team Lead. He is expert-level trained in many skill sets, including trail, drainage, and rock/timber work. For many years, Stuart managed VOC's in-house Crew Leader training program. While he likes the technical challenge of building a hard section of new trail or trail reconstruction, he believes the best part of volunteering is meeting and leading new people. "As a leader, it can be difficult to effectively direct a crew of people to complete tricky trail work or other environmental stewardship projects. But, the shared sense of tangible accomplishment and the look of satisfaction and pride on the faces of the volunteers is what I enjoy most," Stuart said. He is also a regular donor to VOC, giving not only generously of his time, but also his financial resources.

Stuart is president at EnviroFinance Group, LLC., a land reuse and redevelopment company. After living in Evergreen for almost 20 years, Stuart and his wife, Mary, built a home in West Highlands. "The new in-town home allows us to save on commuting, but it's now more important for me to get out and enjoy the beauty of Colorado's mountains," he said. Stuart is a member of the Colorado Mountain Club and enjoys fly fishing and telemark skiing in the backcountry.

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

VOC Crew Chef: Lisa Thilker

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 06:37:00 GMT

VOC Crew Chef: Lisa Thilker

VOC highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to give a shout out to Lisa Thilker.

Lisa has been a VOC volunteer Crew Chef since 2010 and an active volunteer on various projects since 2003. Some of those projects include building a buck and rail fence at Hot Sulphur Springs, constructing the City Park running path, planting trees in Summit County, and working on a special trail near Empire that was designed for people with disabilities. As a Crew Chef, Lisa has a fun, yet vital role on the Project Team - keeping volunteers happy and fed! he plans meals and menus, prepares food, and manages outdoor cooking areas.

"Being a Crew Chef for VOC is a a great fit for me and I love it! I get to help the great outdoors, which I spend a large amount of time in year-round, and I get to cook for other people. Who could ask for more? think VOC provides many wonderful opportunities for people to apply their unique skills and talents, and use them to pay it forward," said Lisa.

Lisa's introduction into her hospitality calling began as a hotel and restaurant manager upon graduating college. She later received her M.B.A. in finance and worked in corporate finance for many years. In her free time, Lisa enjoys hiking, skiing, and cooking.

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

VOC Volunteer Leader: Steve West

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 06:35:00 GMT

VOC Volunteer Leader: Steve West

VOC highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to give a shout out to Steve West.

Steve is a long-time VOC volunteer and full-time employee at Lockheed Martin. He serves as an OSI Instructor, Crew Leader, Technical Advisor or Team Lead, depending on the VOC project. Among Steve's impressive contributions to VOC is his involvement with launching the "adopt" program, wherein VOC's top, proven leaders undertake independent projects in partnership with land managers. For more than 10 years, he has served as an extraordinary partner in several VOC adopt programs, especially in the Mt. Evans Wilderness Area, in which he was instrumental in helping to restore and maintain trails.

Steve is also a regular donor to VOC at the Conservator Level, giving not only generously of his time, but also his financial resources. Such exemplary achievements over the years have earned Steve several honors, including the Mt. Elbert Club award, Mentor of the Year award and Volunteer of the Year award.

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

VOC Crew Leader: Michele Perkins

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 06:31:00 GMT

VOC Crew Leader: Michele Perkins

VOC highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to give a shout out to Michele Perkins.

Michele began volunteering outdoors when she applied and was accepted into the Student Conservation Association (SCA) in high school, and has been actively involved in environmental stewardship since! "SCA was my first real camping experience, as well as my first outdoor volunteering experience. During that time, I spent five weeks in a tent, saw a mountain lion, crawled through lava tubes, went for weeks without a shower, had a very sketchy bear encounter, went backpacking, built a lot of fencing, got knighted with a sledge hammer, met some great folks, and fell completely head over heels in love with both the outdoors and stewardship."

Michele spent her following summers volunteering for the Appalachian Trail Conservatory and U.S. Forest Service, and also worked as a Girl Scouts camp counselor teaching young girls to love the outdoors. "Then I got a real-world job, and my volunteering started to taper off because of limited vacation time," said Michele. "I found VOC when I moved to Colorado about 10 years ago, and was excited because of the project flexibility and variety. On every project, I always met great people, especially when I went solo. After volunteering for a few seasons, I became a Crew Leader. The more involved I got, the more friends I made. I have met some of the most fantastic and interesting people building trails. I now consider trail crew to be 'adult camp' and I look forward to going every summer!"

Michele received VOC's Mentor of the Year award in 2012 for her exceptional leadership and enthusiasm in guiding the next generation of outdoor stewards. And, ever the trendsetter for new and exciting things, Michele was quick to sign up for VOC's recently launched #YourCO digital badge program. "I think it's great to have goals to work toward, especially in stewardship. I signed up for the badge program as a fun way to stay motivated. It keeps track of the tasks I have completed and what I have left to do," she said.

Outside of volunteering, Michele works as a senior scientist/reviewer at EBI Consulting, an environmental engineering firm. She enjoys canoeing, theater, live music, reading, and traveling.

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Launches Digital Badge Program

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 06:48:00 GMT

VOC Volunteer Leader: Paul Smith

VOC highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to recognize Paul Smith.

Learn more about volunteer leadership with VOC.

Volunteers Recognized for Exceptional Outdoor Stewardship Leadership

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 06:58:00 GMT

Volunteers Recognized for Exceptional Outdoor Stewardship Leadership

DeDe Williams has been cooking healthy meals for hungry volunteers for six years as a volunteer Crew Chef with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC). During that time, she has given more than 1,000 hours in volunteer service, and fed thousands of volunteers. Williams’ dedication won her VOC’s 2013 “Volunteer of the Year” leadership award.

Williams was among seven award winners announced by VOC in late November, all recognized for their leadership in motivating and enabling people to become active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Award winners were nominated by their peers.

“As a volunteer organization that engages thousands of volunteers every year, strong leaders are essential to the work we do at Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. We are incredibly fortunate to have many outstanding leaders who volunteer their time teaching youth, leading volunteer crews, feeding volunteers, and more. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them,” said Ann Baker Easley, Executive Director for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado.

The award winners are:

Volunteer of the Year - DeDe Williams

Extremely passionate about caring for Colorado’s outdoors, DeDe Williams has been volunteering with VOC since 2008. Her contributions as a volunteer Crew Chef on 46 VOC outdoor stewardship projects have been invaluable. In addition to providing healthy meals to volunteers in project locations across the state, Williams has helped train several new VOC Crew Chefs and expand the team’s skills. Williams lives in Highlands Ranch.

Mentor of the Year – George Schamel

George Schamel has been a VOC volunteer since 2004. In 2012, he became a Certified VOC Crew Leader and has led volunteer crews on 25 stewardship projects, equating to hundreds of hours of volunteer service. Volunteers and leaders alike commend Schamel’s ability to lead, mentor, and motivate volunteers in rewarding stewardship work. Schamel lives in Conifer.

New Volunteer of the Year – David Riter

From the moment he began volunteering with VOC, David Riter’s contributions have been extensive. Since his first volunteer project in 2012, Riter has participated in 41 stewardship projects, and became trained and certified in multiple volunteer leadership roles. Riter’s kindness, upbeat attitude, and patient leadership have earned him much respect. Riter lives in Monument.

VOC Young Volunteer - Suzanne Steele

At age 18, Suzanne Steele has already proven to be a strong leader in outdoor leadership and is a role model for future young leaders throughout the state. As a participant in VOC’s Cairn High School Youth Program and as a volunteer Crew Leader she has demonstrated dedication to caring for Colorado’s outdoors and a strong spirit of volunteerism. Suzanne lives in Denver.

Cairn Mentor of the Year – Allison Stewart

Allison Stewart has been a dedicated supporter of VOC for many years. Most recently, she has served as a Mentor in VOC’s Cairn Youth Program, an outdoor stewardship leadership program for High School Youth. Stewart’s passion for helping youth become outdoor stewardship leaders is evident in the positive and encouraging relationships she has developed with Cairn students. Allison lives in Boulder.

VOC Partner Organization of the Year – Coalition for the Upper South Platte

The Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP), located in Lake George, is a nonprofit stewardship partner focused on protecting the water quality and ecologic health of the Upper South Platte Watershed. VOC and CUSP began partnering on fire restoration efforts in June 2012. Since then, VOC and CUSP collaborated on five stewardship projects in Waldo Canyon, providing opportunities for nearly 400 volunteers and contributing over 3,500 hours of fire restoration work.

Land Manager of the Year - Erik Nilsen

Erik Nilsen is a Natural Resource Specialist with the City of Lakewood and has worked closely with VOC since 2007. Over that time, VOC and Nilsen have engaged more than 550 volunteers in stewarding City of Lakewood parks. Nilsen is also a certified outdoor stewardship instructor with VOC’s training program, the Outdoor Stewardship Institute.

Youth Summit Inspires Kids to Become Outdoor Stewards

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 07:01:00 GMT

Youth Summit Inspires Kids to Become Outdoor Stewards

After four days of camping, outdoor leadership activities, and stewardship service projects, young participants in Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s Youth Stewardship Summit returned home inspired. Nearly 60 high school youth representing 22 cities in Colorado participated in the 4-day summit, held at Pickle Gulch Campground in Black Hawk in early August.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a statewide nonprofit volunteer organization that works to motivate and enable people to be active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. The Youth Stewardship Summit is among several youth programs offered by the organization, designed to encourage the next generation of stewards of Colorado’s outdoors and help youth develop a lifelong commitment to caring for the state’s natural resources. 2013 marked the first year for the event.

During the Summit, young participants had the opportunity to learn first-hand about land management challenges and critical stewardship needs in the state. They tackled numerous service projects in both the James Peak Wilderness and Golden Gate Canyon State Park, including building a new trail, restoring campground habitat, building tent platforms, and pulling acres of invasive weeds.

"The four days that I spent at the summit were very eye opening,” said Jonah Howe, an incoming junior at Grand Junction High School. “Not only did I get to help on stewardship projects like building stairs at a campsite and pulling invasive weeds, but I got to meet kids my age that were passionate about the outdoors and volunteering as well," he added.

Participants also had the unique chance to compete for grant dollars to fund the best project idea for getting Colorado kids engaged in outdoor stewardship. The winning team included students from the San Luis Valley, Pueblo, and Salida. Their winning project, “Like a Hike,” combines hiking with educational stops along the way to teach kids about skills in stewardship, camping, outdoor survival, and more. The team will work directly with the San Luis Valley Fish and Wildlife service to implement their project using a $1,000 grant award.

“It’s very exciting to see all the energy and ideas these kids have after participating in the Youth Stewardship Summit,” said Emily Fenwick, summit organizer and Youth Program Manager for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. “Many of the kids want to take what they’ve learned and start stewardship programs and projects in their own communities. They also appreciated the friends they made from all over the state and the many new experiences that helped them gain a greater appreciation for the outdoors,” she added.

Numerous supporters helped make this event possible, including The Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Outdoor Nation, Xcel Energy, The Starbucks Foundation, Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Foundation, New Belgium Brewery’s Youth Environmental Education Grant, and Clif Bar & Company. In-kind donations were provided by Colorado Mountain Express, CamelBak, and Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill.

VOC Volunteer Wins Governor's Service Award

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 07:03:00 GMT

VOC Volunteer Wins Governor's Service Award

Long-time Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado volunteer, Steve Austin, has been named the winner of the 2013 Governor’s Service Award for Outstanding Volunteer. He was honored at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, July 23 at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver.

Steve was the first member of VOC's Mt. Elbert Club, the highest award for VOC volunteers who have worked on 200 or more projects. He is an Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI) Instructor, a certified welder, and has designed several useful tools and gadgets that are used by trail workers throughout the state and nation. His sustained energy, gentle spirit, and incredible dedication inspires us and all Colorado volunteers.

Congratulations Steve!

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Recognized with Two Awards in October

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:07:00 GMT

VOC wins Governor's Service award and Colorado Open Space Alliance Award!

DENVER (October 23, 2012) – The statewide nonprofit, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) today announced it is the recipient of two distinguished awards:

2012 Governor’s Service Awards for Outstanding Non-Profit Organization

Gov. John Hickenlooper, along with representatives from Serve Colorado – the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, presented VOC with a Governor’s Service Award during a ceremony at the State Capitol. The awards are presented in recognition and appreciation to individuals, community/civic leaders, various organizations and Senior Corps for their outstanding contribution to volunteerism and service throughout Colorado.

2012 Blue Grama Award for Outstanding Achievement by an Organization

The Colorado Open Space Alliance recognized VOC with a Blue Grama Award for outstanding leadership achievement and contributions to the conservation of Colorado's open spaces. The Colorado Open Space Alliance is a statewide organization of publicly funded local and regional open space programs, working cooperatively to share information, create public awareness and foster partnerships needed to protect and preserve the special places of Colorado.

“Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is extremely proud to be recognized by each of these awards. Both awards are testimony to the intense enthusiasm that Coloradoans have for giving back to and caring for Colorado’s outdoors through volunteering. We’re honored to be able to give thousands of people the opportunity to do so every year. We extend a big thank you to our thousands of volunteers across Colorado who made this award possible,” said Ann Baker Easley, executive director for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado.

For more information about the Governor’s Service Awards, visit www.colorado.gov/servecolorado .

For more information about the Blue Grama Awards and the Colorado Open Space Alliance, visit www.coloradoopenspace.org .