The Forest Service division of the US Department of Agriculture has united with the University of Wyoming and other groups to recruit volunteers to aid in some natural environment projects this Public Lands Day.
Public Lands Day was established in 1994 and serves to celebrate the connection between people and their natural environment through volunteering and aiding in numerous natural projects hosted by the state and nation.
“It’s all about getting people out of their homes and into the natural green places around their states,” Allison Hetterring, a representative of the National Parks service said. “Agencies all over the US try to find ways to secure volunteers and getting as many people helping without projects as possible.”
Public Lands Day is heralded as the largest single-day volunteer effort for American public lands.
“The amount of volunteers is always astounding. We pride ourselves on the support for this project that we get from those who dedicate their time and effort,” Hetterring said.
Aaron Voos is the Public Affairs representative for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland section of the Forest Service.
“We’re looking at getting as many active and engaged volunteers as possible,” Voos said. “That’s why we’re so excited to be working together with the University of Wyoming on this.”
Volunteers with UW and around Laramie are needed for four projects that require varying levels of experience and labor.
Volunteers are asked to meet between 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on the morning of September 25 in the UW Union parking lot.
The first project volunteers can accept is “Old Trail Naturalization,” where volunteers will work to rehabilitate old sections of trails on Pole Mountain in the Medicine Bow National Forest.
“Naturalizing trials is all about giving back the paths we have used to nature to reclaim,” Hettering said. “Taking trials that are no longer used and helping set up the process of nature taking them back over for growth and regrowth.”
The second project is “Wildlife Friendly Fencing.” The Mule Deer Foundation will lead volunteers to remove old fences and install more wildlife compatible fencing around Pilot Hill Recreation and the Wildlife Habitat Management Areas.
“The goal with the second event is to update the fencing in order to make sure we keep that boundary in place, but make it safer for the wildlife who come across this boundary,” Voos said.
The third project follows similar lines with volunteers focused on removing unnecessary old fence sections near Pilot Hill Recreation in the “Old Fence Removal” project.
Finally, the “Trail Clean-Up” project will see volunteers doing general cleaning and caretaking on the trail to Hidden Falls in Curt Gowdy State Park.
“Simple cleaning is an imperative part of public lands caretaking. That’s what this project is all about,” Hetterring said.
No matter the project, this will be an all-day event and includes transportation if needed for UW-affiliated volunteers along with provided food, tools, and work gloves. Lunch and doughnuts will be offered for all volunteers.
Most projects are expected to be completed by 2 p.m. on the 25; however, the “Wildlife Friendly Fencing” project is expected to last longer. Prospective volunteers interested in the “Old Trail Naturalization” project should expect a short hike to the work site.
It is important for all workers to wear comfortable clothing that can handle the weather as well as the work conditions.
“Keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan accordingly. You want to have non-restrictive clothing for the work, but something warm if the weather turns cold,” Hetterring said.
For more information, the Laramie Ranger District of the Forest Service can be reached at (307) 745-2300 or be visited at 2468 Jackson St. in Laramie.
