Background:

I wasn't planning on attending the Mount Evans Group, (MEG) Sierra Club meeting that night. I was a little burned out and had a lot to get done. But it was early April and the last meeting before Earth Day, 2004. So I dragged myself down to the EvergreenRec.Center anticipating a routine meeting with all the usual members.

As I walked through the door, I was surprised to see a uniformed Forest Service Representative there. Why is the Forest Service at a Sierra Club meeting, I wondered? It was a legitimate question, as we don't always see eye to eye. So, with some skepticism, I sat down.

What he had to say and why, changed my life. The man was Ralph Swain, the Region 2 Wilderness, Wild & Scenic and Trails Manager. In Colorado, the USFS manages 35 of 41 designated wilderness areas. If it involves wilderness, it involves Ralph Swain.

Ralph came that night to involve MEG in the Walk for Wilderness - a Celebration of the 40 th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The Wilderness Act established the National Wilderness Preservation System, of which the Mount Evans and Lost Creek Wildernesses are a part of. We did get involved, along with several other organizations, to successfully host the Evergreen Walk for Wilderness. Over 285 people participated in the walk and we raised over $3,500.00.

But this was only the beginning. In 2005, Ralph assisted us in submitting and being awarded a matching funds grant from the National Forest Foundation to provide volunteers stewards in the Mount Evans Wilderness.. The first summer was incredible, we got a lot done and we were hooked. In November of 2005, we applied and received our 501(c)(3) non-profit designation as the Friends of Mount Evans & Lost Creek Wildernesses (FOME & LC). In April of 2006, again with his guidance, we were awarded a second grant from the National Forest Foundation to continue our stewardship work. We have an amazing group of volunteers and our ranks are growing all the time. Our volunteers are hikers, backpackers and equestrians who reside in the foothill communities as well as the Denver and Colorado Springs metropolitan areas.

2006 Accomplishments:

In 2006, our volunteers contributed over 2500 hours providing wilderness education and Leave No Trace ethics, trail work and wilderness character monitoring. Our wilderness character monitoring involves three components: 1) Inventorying and mapping non-native plant species and invasive weeds; 2) Air Quality Monitoring and 3) Campsite Inventorying. While our 2007 program will again involve wilderness education and the never ending trail work, a primary focus of our volunteer efforts will be directed towards Wilderness Character Monitoring, with particular emphasis on our inventorying, mapping and control of non-native plants and invasive weeds.

The Real Threat of Non-Native Species and Invasive Weeds:

Non-native plants have been identified as one of the four greatest threats to our public lands by former Forest Service Chief, Dale Bosworth. Ever wonder where they came from and how they get into the Wilderness? Many non-native plants were imported as "ornamentals". Non-native species lack the natural predators and enemies such as insects or disease to control them. It's this advantage that ensures their survival, their ability to establish and to spread.

Once established they are nearly impossible to eradicate and they spread easily, "hitch-hiking" on clothing, gear and tire treads. In the Wilderness, seeds also spread from backpacks set on the ground while eating lunch or taking a break, on boots and socks and through non-weed free certified stock feed and manure. Once they've arrived, establish and start spreading, they crowd out native plant species critical to the survival of wildlife. Many of these plants are toxic or poisonous and therefore not suitable food sources. In riparian or aquatic environments, invasive weeds choke alpine lakes and streams, consume thousands of gallons of water and rob birds of habitat and nesting opportunities. For example, a mature tamarisk plant can consume up to 350 gallons of water each day. Yikes!

How You Can Help:

Non-native plants and invasive weeds are a real threat. If you want to help, FOME & LC is conducting weed training on at 8:30 AM on Sunday, June 6, at the South Platte Ranger District at 19316 Goddard Ranch Court off 285 in Morrison. Weed specialist Denny Bohon will teach you how to identify weeds and what appropriate control measures are needed based upon the weed. This will be followed by Ralph Bradt, Lead Wilderness Ranger for Lost Creek and Mount Evans Wildernesses, providing instruction on using a GPS for mapping. There is no charge for this training but FOME & LC requires you to commit to three volunteer days 2007. Here is the invasive weeds plan for 2007:

Invasive Weed Project Plan for 2007:

1) In July we will complete the inventory and mapping of weeds in the Lost Creek Wilderness.

2) Re-inventory trails where weeds were found in 2006, consisting of 8 trails in Mount Evans and 6 in Lost Creek, to determine current infestation concentration and spread. Weeds found in 2006 were musk thistle, Canada thistle and yellow toadflax and orange hawkweed.

3) Begin both chemical and non-chemical control measures as required by the Forest Service. In all cases, as trails are inventoried, FOME & LC will provide weed reports and location coordinates to the appropriate Forest Service weed specialists for mapping and management planning.

We hope you will consider FOME & LC as your choice for Your Hub's Community Giving Award Recipient. If you choose FOME & LC, all funds will go to the Weed Police program and we will provide you with an end of the season report on our progress, weeds found and treated. Regardless, we encourage you to get involved and volunteer. If Wilderness is your passion and you wish to help us ensure the Mount Evans & Lost Creek Wildernesses are available for future generations in the same condition as you experienced, we have the opportunity for you. For a complete list of opportunities available, to contact us or to register to attend our Volunteer Kick Off Night at Beau Jo's Pizza on Wednesday, May 2 nd, please visit our website at www.fomelc.org or contact me personally via email at Lee@fomelc.org.