The USDA Forest Service will have crews doing trail maintenance at multiple locations in the Snowy and Sierra Madre Ranges this summer. In anticipation of that work, the Forest Service has partnered with Common Outdoor Ground (COG), a community organization in southeast Wyoming, to hike or ride trails and assess trail conditions using a consistent approach.
The Rapid Trails Assessment Program will be focused on Platte River and Savage Run Wilderness trails, as well as on Sheep Mountain. If enough volunteers are available, trails assessment is also desired in Encampment River and Huston Park Wilderness areas.
An orientation meeting for interested volunteers will be held on Tuesday, June 4, at Fire Station #3 in West Laramie from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Representatives from the Forest Service and COG will explain the event, go over what sort of data needs to be collected, and identify group leaders.
The plan is for COG and identified group leaders to hike or ride trails at multiple locations on Saturday, June 22 and collect data.
Those who are interested in helping collect trail information but cannot participate on June 22 should still attend the informational meeting or connect with the contacts below, to explore if alternate plans can be arranged.
This unique partnership was established to ensure that trail crews can maximize efficiency this summer with up-to-date information about where repairs are necessary, and where downed trees are obstructing trails.
For more information about volunteering for the trail assessment event:
* Chad Grossenburg, Recreation Management Specialist with the Medicine Bow National Forest Central Zone, chad.grossenburg@usda.gov, (307) 745-2405
* COG Steering Committee, commonoutdoorground@gmail.com, message on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/commonoutdoorground
Common Outdoor Ground is a community organization providing volunteer support for sustainability of outdoor spaces in southeast Wyoming. COG wants to partner with existing groups and land managers to work toward common goals. Those commonalities include:
* Supporting access to public lands and multiple-use of those lands
* Supporting and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation
* Facilitating the organization and training of volunteers/pooled resources
* Assisting land managers and partner organizations in meeting natural resource objectives
* Promoting responsible and informed outdoor ethics
COG has an agreement with the Medicine Bow National Forest to help coordinate volunteers and resources for multiple work days and events in 2019.
Jeff
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