UW, Others Team Up With Local Forest Service for Public Lands Day Events

The University of Wyoming and other organizations have teamed up with the Laramie Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service to host local volunteer events on National and Wyoming Public Lands Day Saturday, Sept. 25.

Known as the largest single-day volunteer effort for America’s public lands, the day highlights the importance of public lands nationally and in Wyoming, as well as acknowledges the multiple uses of public lands.

Sponsors of the service day are UW’s Service, Leadership and Community Engagement office; the UW Outdoor Program; Common Outdoor Ground (COG); Curt Gowdy State Park; the Mule Deer Foundation; Pilot Hill Inc.; Southeast Wyoming Climbers Coalition; the U.S. Forest Service; Wyoming Conservation Corps; Wyoming Game and Fish Department; and Wyoming Pathways.

Volunteers are needed to assist with four events near Laramie. Two of the projects will take place on the Pole Mountain unit of the Medicine Bow National Forest; one on the Pilot Hill Recreation Area; and one at Curt Gowdy State Park.

The projects are:

-- Old trail naturalization: Under an agreement with COG, old sections of trail on Pole Mountain will be rehabilitated because of new reroutes. Those who want to help with this project should anticipate a short hike to get to the worksite.

-- Wildlife-friendly fencing: The Mule Deer Foundation will lead a project to remove old fencing and install wildlife-friendly fencing on national forest land. The fence segments are near Pilot Hill Recreation and Wildlife Habitat Management areas.

-- Old fence removal: Sections of unnecessary old fence will be removed within the Pilot Hill Recreation Area.

-- Trail cleanup: General cleanup will take place on the trail to Hidden Falls in Curt Gowdy State Park.

Registration for the projects is available online through UW Connect.

Volunteers should meet between 8:30-9 a.m. in the Wyoming Union. Groups then will head out to their respective worksites. Partner representatives will help facilitate the workday.

The full-day event includes transportation, if needed, for UW-affiliated volunteers. Carpooling is encouraged for all others. Tools and work gloves, if needed, will be provided. Doughnuts and lunch will be provided for volunteers.

Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, and long-sleeved shirts and pants are recommended. Volunteers also should bring water.

Most work should be completed by 2 p.m., although the Mule Deer Foundation fencing project will last longer.