SPRING INTO THE 2024 SEASON
Season Excitement
May is an exciting month at RFOV. The weather is warming up, we are in the process of onboarding all of our seasonal staff, and the kickoff of our first projects and trainings of the season begins! We can't wait to see you all out on the trails this year!
Volunteer Prize System
We are excited to announce a brand new volunteer prize system this season! See the breakdown below:
Attendance at 2 projects: receive an one-of-a-kind RFOV sticker
Attendance at 4 projects: receive a RFOV-branded Nalgene water bottle
Attendance at 6 projects: receive one RFOV T-shirt
Attendance at 7 projects: receive a RFOV hat
Crew Leaders Trained and Ready!
Last weekend, RFOV welcomed a new cohort of trail crew leaders. New staff, veteran staff, and volunteers all gathered together at Wulfsohn Mountain Park in Glenwood Springs. All things trail work were discussed - different leadership styles, breaking tread, rock work, plant identification, and more.
New This Year!
Are you interested in learning what RFOV's Professional Trail Crew does? We are offering 10 drop-in volunteer days in May and June. This is a unique opportunity to join our crew this season on their front-country projects. Volunteers need to commit to at least 4 hours. Email info@rfov.org to learn more!
RFOV HAPPENINGS
We are Hiring!
Do you like spending time in the outdoors and want to get paid to do it? We have one last opening on our professional trail crew! Join our amazing team and help complete trail work on world-class, popular trails like the Four Pass Loop.
Family-Friendly Fun at Silt River Preserve
RFOV is returning to the Silt River Preserve! Join us on Saturday, May 11 from 9 am - 3 pm in restoring this important town park and riparian area. We will be building on the work that volunteers have done over the past three years by planting native plants, restoring critical habitats, and building more trails throughout the preserve.
The first of three Little Explorer programs this season will be offered at Silt. This free program is for students ages 4-8 and includes structured nature activities while guardians volunteer. At Silt, we will be building our own paper binoculars, decorating them with items in nature, and going on a wildlife scavenger hunt.
Food at the end of the project will be provided by Burning Mountain Pizza & Subs!
Tuesdays on the Trail
Our Tuesday night series is back! This season we will be hosting a 3-night series at the Linwood Cemetery/Doc Holliday Trail on May 14, May 21, and June 4 from 4-8 pm. RFOV volunteers will continue the tradition of stewarding this historical landmark through the removal of old fencing, closing off social trails, formalizing existing trails, and stabilizing degrading slopes.
RFOV is partnering with the Roaring Fork Valley Destination Alliance (RFVDA) to offer voluntourism projects that are designed for visitors looking to join locals in becoming stewards of the destinations they are visiting.
Continued Work on Nancy's Path
Join us on Thursday, May 16 from 4-8 pm in Basalt! Dedicated in honor of Nancy Parker West, Nancy's Path is a public trail open to horses and hikers that is managed by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails and the Bureau of Land Management. Volunteers will begin a season-long effort to repair and improve the sustainability of this historic trail.
Mount Sopris Run-Off
Join Independence Run and Hike, and RFOV on Sunday, May 19, as we revitalize this historic trail race up and over the Crown in Carbondale. There will be a 25K and 10-mile race. The race starts at 8 am at Flying Dog Ranch and finishes at Rock Bottom Ranch.
$80 race fee. All proceeds benefit RFOV.
YOUNG STEWARDS
Spruce Up Your School
This spring, one RFOV program aims to give back to some of the most important outdoor spaces for youth - their school campus.Spruce Up Your School includes projects like establishing native wildflower pollinator gardens, maintaining nearby trails, grounds cleanup, weeding and planting, crafting natural play-scapes, and so much more.
In April, RFOV kicked off our season working with Basalt Elementary School (BES) and Children's Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) in Carbondale. We worked with over 300 students, teachers, and parents and helped with the removal of invasive plants, putting down native seeds, adding new garden beds, installing an outdoor music wall, and lining playground walkways. Student comments included: “I thought this would be hard, but it’s actually fun!”, “Are you coming back tomorrow?” and “Can we do this every day?”
Youth In Nature
In April, Youth In Nature students visited Silt River Preserve. Aspen Valley Land Trust. led a tour of the 132 acre property and students then completed a restoration project. Students worked around the pond area clearing brush and planting new native grass and wildflower seeds. The group also had the opportunity to complete a fun art project where they “printed” plants and other natural materials using a unique process called cyanotyping.
RFOV IN THE NEWS
As the excitement for RFOV's season builds, local media has not missed the opportunity to share news on all of the different RFOV programs happening this season.
Read the stories below:
Glenwood Springs Post Independent: It’s not just Parks and Rec keeping our lands healthy and clean, RFOV does it too
KDNK Community Radio: Environmental Discussions With Esmeralda | Youth In Nature
Aspen Daily News: Project aims to enlist valley visitors for ‘voluntourism’
VALLEY HAPPENINGS
Summer Yoga Series Supports RFOV
Shianne Wright, a local yoga instructor, is offering an awesome opportunity this summer to do "yoga in the park."
*Donation based* 15% of donations go to support RFOV!
Cash and Venmo accepted.
When: 5/23, 6/20, 7/18, 8/15, 9/19
Time: 7-8 pm
Where: Riverside Park in Basalt
9th Annual Pristine Rider Trash Crush
This event is hosted by Pristine Riders, a local 501c3 non-profit combining a passion for cycling and cleaning up the environment, and by Sun Dog Athletics.
Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 10:00 AM-12:30 PM rain or shine
Where: North Star Nature Preserve’s South Gate parking lot.
They are partnering with CDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program, orange safety vests & trash bags will be provided. The first 25 volunteers to sign up at sundog@sopris.net will receive a complimentary volunteer alfresco lunch courtesy of Silverpeak Grill and Buck. Trashy Awards and a volunteer raffle, with special prizes from Mi Chola and La Raza will be presented.
What to bring: Sun protection, long pants, work gloves, water, and extra clothing for changing weather are suggested.
More information and registration are available by contacting Pristine Riders Executive Director, Erik Skarvan, at sundog@sopris.net or (970) 925-1069.
Volunteers Needed!
Mountain Valley Greenhouse provides meaningful work for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, growing bedding plants, veggies, and herbs for the local community. We are seeking volunteers to help us finish building raised beds that are accessible to folks who use walkers and wheelchairs. Individuals with all skill and ability levels are welcome to come help!
The remaining work involves mixing ferrocement (a cement and sand mixture) and applying it to the metal framing that has already been built. Email hvanderlinden@mtnvalley.org to register as a volunteer and find out about upcoming volunteer dates.
Volunteer dates are TBD.
EASY WAYS SUPPORT RFOV
THE ASPEN PLEDGE
Simply by signing the Aspen Pledge, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) will make a donation on your behalf to Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers.
Go to citymarketrewards.com
Login or create an account
When asked to "Link your card", choose "Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteer" from the list of organizations
