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Hello
Friends of FDRD, Wow
- what a great time I had at the Annual Party! Thanks to the 120
community members that provided a room full of energy and excitement as
we head into the 2007 Summit County summer volunteer season. We
are actively recruiting for our summer volunteer efforts, especially our
Forest Stewards Program, including Crew Leader, Ranger Patrol, Outreach
Educator, Youth Steward, Family Steward, and Adopt-A-Trail efforts.
Read on to learn how to get involved in this ongoing program, in its
second year. As
well, we are very pleased to announce that we are initiating a hiring
process for a Volunteer Coordinator position. This very important
position will provide the additional infrastructure needed to keep up
with our program growth. Please see “What Happening” Section
to learn more about this position. The
next community event that FDRD will participate in is Earth Day Action
Fair, on Sunday, April 22. Please see “Dates To Remember”
below, for details. For more information about FDRD, visit our website at www.fdrd.org. If you have any feedback, suggestions, and ways to improve this newsletter, please share them with us. ENJOY!!
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WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE
FOREST STEWARDS PROGRAM
“Participating
in the Forest Steward program provides an excellent opportunity for me
to share our great county with our visitors and guests and to educate
them on the wise use of our resources, so that many others may enjoy
them in the years to come.” Linda Tatem, Forest Stewards Outreach Educator See “What’s Happening” Section, below, and follow link to complete an application (due April 23) and to find out how you can join Linda and the 19 other Inaugural Stewards in the Forest Stewards Program efforts in 2007! |
WHAT’S
HAPPENED
National Forest Foundation’s (the NFF) Ski Area Contribution Program (SCP) – FDRD has received grant funding from the NFF’s SCP for our Service Project Season Program. This program is funded through Copper Mountain Resort’s (Copper) $1 per night lodging program and the NFF’s fifty cents-to-the-dollar match. These funds will support the continued development of a series of eight service projects and Volunteer Celebration Day, the compilation of the Summit County Summer Volunteer Calendar, the participation in Forest Stewards Program Crew Leader training, the coordination of DRD “on-demand” projects and the Mahan Lake Project, participation in kiosk installation projects, and related marketing to promote these efforts. This Program is projected to produce more than 3,700 volunteer hours in 2007. This is a very big step for our organization as we continue to grow capacity of our programs and related infrastructure to support this growth. FDRD is thrilled to grow our relationship with these two key partners. We would like to thank Copper, the Guests of Copper, and the NFF for their generous support of our efforts. _________________________________________________________
Friends
of the Dillon Ranger District representatives, Jason Looby (Family/Youth
Steward), left, and Linda Tatem (Forest Steward), right, share with Kurt
Steuer and Leigh Girvin, center, the many exciting FDRD summer volunteer
opportunities at FDRD’s 3rd Annual Party and Membership
Drive FDRD’s 3rd Annual Party - Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD) would like to thank the Summit County community for making our 3rd Annual Party and Membership Drivea huge success. The energy and enthusiasm that evening was a great kick-off to Summit County’s 2007 volunteer season. Over 120 community members and 18 organizations dedicated to local natural resource management, participated in the celebration. These organizations included Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Keystone Science School, Summit County Open Space and Trails, Frisco Recreation Open Space and Trails, Bicycle Colorado, Summit County Off-Road Riders, Summit County Environmental Education Roundtable, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, Breckenridge Nature Series, Friends of Breckenridge Trails, Friends of the Lower Blue River, Blue River Group of the Sierra Club, High County Conservation Center, Continental Divide Land Trust, Blue River Watershed Group, Colorado 14ers Initiative, and Colorado State University – Wildlife Master Program. That evening, these participants became FDRD members, renewed their membership, and signed up for these organizations’ efforts this summer, including FDRD’s Forest Stewards Program and eight service projects. One participant became an FDRD Board Member. Thanks to the evening’s local sponsors — Copper Mountain Resort, Vail Resorts, Backcountry Brewery, Hearthstone Catering, Mi Zuppa-Breckenridge, Subway Sandwiches, City Market, Safeway and Nobel Sysco - for providing exciting door prizes (season ski passes!) and tasty treats throughout the evening. In addition to FDRD’s 105 members, 1,154 volunteer service days, and over 70 local partners and sponsors, FDRD would like to thank The Summit Foundation, National Forest Foundation, Copper Mountain Resort, Town of Frisco, Alpine Bank and the Forest Service for their generous support of our organization and programs. We look forward to a fun and successful 2007 summer volunteer season with all our supporters! |
WHAT’S HAPPENING
FDRD Contract Position – FDRD is currently hiring for a Volunteer Coordinator contract position for 2007. This position will oversee FDRD’s Service Project Season Program, including coordination of eight service projects and “on-demand” projects, compilation of the volunteer calendar, and participation in Forest Stewards Program Crew Leader Training and kiosk installation projects. Contact Kathryn Davis Grohusky at kgrohusky@hotmail.com if you are interested in this contract position. Volunteer Calendar – FDRD is compiling this 3rd Annual Volunteer Calendar. Look for it to role out in May. We hope it is a useful resource as you determine ways to give back by participating in the volunteer efforts of the many wonderful non-profit organizations dedicated to natural resource management in our community! Last year, 33 organizations participated in this calendar and a few of them have started to add their dates to the calendar, via our website. If you are one of these organizations that has not, please follow procedures here. Deadline for including dates is April 15. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to showcase your volunteer efforts! Krystal Conversation with FDRD – On April 5, at 10:00 AM, Krystal 93 will feature FDRD in a 15 minute (uninterrupted) conversation about our organization, our upcoming efforts, and our amazing volunteers, members, partners, and sponsors. Tune into 93.9 on your FM dial and tell you friends to do so, too. ____________________________________________________________ Forest
Stewards Program Update The Forest Stewards Program includes 6 initiatives: Crew Leader, Ranger Patrol, Outreach Educator, Adopt-A-Trail, Family Stewards, and Youth Stewards. We are currently recruiting for these efforts (including those below) and hope you will consider joining us for the 2007 season. Application deadline is April 23 and our first training is May 12. Click here to complete an on-line application and for program details (including 2006 photos, testimonials, and impacts). This exciting program is a great way to get involved in an ongoing effort with friends, family, and co-workers. The
Town of Frisco Mt. Royal Adopt-A-Trail Project Join the Town of Frisco and FDRD as we team up to maintain and patrol one of Frisco’s gems – the Mt. Royal Trail. Volunteers are needed for the following trial maintenance days: June 23, July 21, Aug 25, and Sept 15. In addition, as a part of Frisco’s Adopt-A-Trail effort, we are currently recruiting for one crew leader and one ranger patrol to participate in the Forest Stewards Program. VOC/SCOSAT/FDRD
Crew Leader Training
– Join Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), Summit County Open Space
and Trails (SCOSAT), and FDRD as we co-host this annual crew leader
training in Summit County. Mark your calendars for this most
excellent 3 day experience – June 29 - July 1. Both individuals
and organizations are encouraged to participate in this exciting
training and education opportunity – it’s a great way to improve
your trail-building skills and grow your organization’s stewardship
efforts on our public lands! FDRD is very excited to continue this
effort, in its second year, with VOC and SCOSAT and looks forward to
similar collaborative efforts with other local organizations.
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DRD HAPPENINGS DRD’s Newest Staff Member – DRD and FDRD would like to congratulate Cindy Ebbert, Dillon Ranger Station’s new Wilderness-Trails-Dispersed Recreation Manager For over three years, Cindy held the DRD summer seasonal position, Lead Wilderness Ranger. In the winters, she took to the slopes, as a member of Copper Mountain Resort’s Ski Patrol. In this new position, Cindy will oversee the efforts on Summit County’s National Forest trails, including dispersed recreation and road maintenance. She will supervise the field crew – wilderness ranger, trail crew leader, and jeep patrol – and will act as the wilderness coordinator for the Ptarmigan and Eagles Nest Wilderness Areas. She starts her new duties on April 30. With
Cindy’s vast experience, she is sure to excel in this much-needed DRD
staff position. DRD and FDRD look forward to working with Cindy in
this increased capacity. Stop in to say hi (after April 30th)
and congratulate her on her new position! DRD
Job Openings – DRD is currently hiring for the
following position: · Summer Seasonal Employee – Hill Foundation Crew Leader – mid-May – mid-August, 2007. Each year, the John J. Hill Memorial Fund provides opportunities for under-serviced youth to gain work experience in an outdoor setting. This contract position will lead 2 – 3 youth crew in the following efforts: weed pulls, fence building and removal, litter pick up, campsite restoration, fire pit installation at Green Mountain Reservoir, and trail maintenance. Duties include vehicle transportation to project sites and youth mentoring, including career and life skills building. If interested, please contact Ken Waugh at 970-262-3446. |
DATES TO REMEMBER
(mark your calendars!) Local
Happenings - Events · Monday, April 2 – 5PM – Deadline for cover letter/resume – Technician – Summit County Open Space and Trails Department. Full time, six month seasonal position starts mid to late April. For more information call (970) 668-4060. · Sunday, April 22nd – Earth Day Action Fair - 10am to 2pm - Frisco Recreation Building, 110 3rd Street. This 3rd annual event features local environmental organizations and businesses that have action-oriented ideas, products and resources for living in harmony with the planet. Workshops, kids' activities, the Green Scene Awards and the Recycled Fashion Show are all integral to this popular fair. Call 668-5703 for details. FDRD’s
2007 Summer Event Schedule – “Join In On The Fun”
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NEXT BOARD MEETING
(FDRD Board Members will meet on the first Monday of each month at DRD at 6PM) Monday,
April 2, at 6:00 PM at the Dillon Ranger Station.
Open to our members and other interested parties. To RSVP or to
include potential agenda items for FDRD Board consideration for future
meetings, contact Guff at guffvanvooren@msn.com
by Sunday, April 2. |
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We
hope the energy and excitement generated at the Annual Party spills into
our summer volunteer season! Please join us in giving back to
Summit’s Greatest Gift – Our Local National Forest Lands. We
are very thankful for the community support we have received in the past
three years, and hope our volunteer efforts provide opportunities to
connect you to our community and to our local National Forest lands.
See
you on the trails! With
sincere thanks,
Guff
Van Vooren Executive
Director Friends
of the Dillon Ranger District |