Willow Creek Fence Project Recap
August 3, 2022
High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) hosted their first volunteer stewardship day of the season partnering with the US Forest Service (USFS) and Gunnison Valley Mentors (GVM) to build a buck and rail fence to protect a critical riparian area. The project took place along Willow Creek, a stream that feeds into the Taylor Reservoir, an area that contains significant wetland vegetation and is often frequented by moose.
HCCA was especially excited to host five volunteers from GVM’s summer work crew of middle school aged girls gaining valuable social and professional skills. They learned about our local public lands and the management that takes place focusing on watershed and wildlife health. Volunteers learned how to use hand tools to build a fence and enjoyed getting their feet wet in Willow Creek. Over the course of four hours the volunteer crew helped build 75 feet of fence along the sensitive riparian area where cattle grazing occurs.
The crew enjoyed their lunch sponsored by Firebrand Deli, surrounded by the beautiful backdrop of the Continental Divide and Collegiate Peaks. The first stewardship project of 2022 was a productive, safe, fun, and educational day. HCCA has several stewardship days that any member of the public can get involved with and have a stake in protecting our shared public lands. You can sign up directly at https://www.hccacb.org/stewardship.
