Dark Sky Presentation

Presented by Creighton Wood, Norwood Colorado Dark Sky Community and Aaron Watson, International Dark-Sky Association Colorado Chapter and Dark Skies Paonia

Join us for a talk that will provide an introduction to the many benefits of dark skies on wildlife and natural ecosystems and will discuss the Lights Out Colorado program to help migrating birds and the world's first Pollinator District taking shape in Broomfield.

Creighton Wood, known as “Woody”, was a Research Cartographer (Map Maker), Computer Specialist, Database Designer and Programmer, Programming Instructor, Computer System Manager, and all-around general computer Geek, at the US Geological Survey, National Mapping Division in Denver, Colorado until he retired in May of 2004. He also taught a few programming-related classes at Red Rocks Community College in Golden, Colorado. Prior to that he was an Operating Room Technician in the US Air Force, and in Sacramento, and Cartographic Technician with the US Forest Service in San Francisco and Salt Lake City. His fascination with computers began with his first programming class at University of Oregon on a building-sized, punch card reading IBM System 360 in 1968. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 1979 with a degree in Geography.

He now lives with his wife, Peg, on a ranch outside Norwood where they raise Shetland Sheep and Alpacas for their fiber

His hobbies are weather observation, photography, woodworking, and reading (mostly about science) and, of course, astronomy and astrophotography. He has built an Astronomical Observatory on their ranch.

He and a co-chair were the driving force behind getting Norwood designated as an International Dark Sky Community in 2019, and is now giving talks and presenting star-parties in Norwood.

His likes are Science, Classical Music, 60s and 70s Rock ‘n Roll, good food, learning, and teaching whenever the opportunity shows up.

 Aaron Watson serves as Chair of the International Dark-Sky Association Colorado chapter. He is also the Director of Dark Skies Paonia - a group working to make Paonia, Colorado a certified International Dark Sky Community. Though currently living in Paonia, he spent many years living in Boulder, Colorado, and recalls both getting lost in Lost Creek and being chased off the summit of Mt. Evans during a lightning storm.

Aaron is a Black Canyon Astronomical Society member and loves stargazing under the dark and starry nights of western Colorado. He publishes an annual 13 Moon Astronomical Events Calendar that highlights important astronomical events for the year and keeps time based on the natural rhythm of the moon.

When not napping from long nights awake under the stars, Aaron spends his daylight hours as an administrator for Solar Energy International - a solar technical school based out of Paonia.

Here is your access: Title: FOMELC March Meeting
Date: Wednesday, March. 9th
Time: March 9th 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88178186934?pwd=NHdYYlI5QzFtdlcrL1pEWjBIdWY3QT09

Geologic History of Mount Evans

Presented by Lisa R. Fisher , Geologist

Lisa is a geologist with degrees from the University of Michigan and the Colorado School of Mines, and was a visiting professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her specialties are in metamorphic and igneous petrology, and her M.S. and Ph.D. studies are focused on the Central Front Range of Colorado. She is a co-founder of the new PC2=PreCambrian Colorado Initiative, a group promoting new research in our area, which will offer symposia, field trips, and other information to both scientists and the general public.  Lisa has several active geological research projects in Colorado and the Rockies.

A long time Evergreen resident, she moved to Evergreen in 1982 and lived on Squaw Mountain for 20 years, and then on Bear Mountain. In addition to studying the geology of the area, Lisa made a study of the alpine wildflowers on Mt. Evans, and hopes to continue that study next summer.

Lisa and her husband Thom Fisher, also a geologist, own Escalante Resources Group, a minerals and energy company based in Denver. In addition to their geologic activities, they have been active in science education on several levels, K-12, adult, and university.

Join us as we look at the rocks in the Golden-Evergreen-Conifer-Bailey area, including Mt. Evans, in more detail, describing and linking the present day metamorphic and granitic rocks we see in the field to the processes that formed them.  There will be opportunities to ask questions after the session.

Here is your access: Title: Geologic History of Mount Evans
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 26
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81026507966?pwd=bHh6ak9taDBOUlRzclM4TnFVQW9HZz09

FOMELC is planning a new concept of trail maintenance for 2021. The Payne Creek Trail will be adopted by FOMELC volunteers. The plan will be to have a once-a-month workday to clean and possibly build water bars or dips, and to clear corridor. No experience is necessary, and all tools will be provided.

To Register, contact: wyatt@fomelc.org

Where: Payne Gulch Trailhead, County Rd 64 Bailey.

Directions: US Hwy285 South to Bailey, Turn left onto CR64 go across bridge. Go 1.9 mi to trailhead on south side of road.

Work Day Plan: Trail work 8-12:00, Lunch 12:00-1:00, Trail Work 1:00-3:00

What to Bring/Wear: Long pants, sturdy hiking boots, gloves, long sleeve shirt, lunch, 2 quarts water. Be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions (raincoat, jacket)

Description: We will do this project from the top - down. The crew will be dropped off on the Mt. Evans Road and hike off-trail to Beartrack Lake. One team will proceed to an orange hawkweed infestation at the ~10,000 level. The other team will work on patches of Canada thistle along the trail. Near the wilderness boundary there is a larger infestation of Canada thistle to be treated hopefully by the full crew. We anticipate reaching the trailhead at Camp Rock about 5 pm and carpool back to Evergreen. This is a popular project and several members have already signed up. This will be last large weed project of the season. SIGN UP Now -- the alpine colors will be beautiful!

We still need:

• a few volunteers for the field work, and

• drivers to shuttle the crew to the drop-off point and back from Camp Rock to Evergreen..

Rendezvous: 7:00 am, Evergreen Safeway Parking Lot on Highway 74. Carpools will be arranged from there. Please bring a mask for the carpools.

If you are interested in attending, please contact alan@fomelc.org to register.  Your registration is necessary for us to efficiently organize the work plan. Thank you.

FOMELC is planning a new concept of trail maintenance for 2021. The Payne Creek Trail will be adopted by FOMELC volunteers. The plan will be to have a once-a-month workday to clean and possibly build water bars or dips, and to clear corridor. No experience is necessary, and all tools will be provided.

To Register, contact: wyatt@fomelc.org

Where: Payne Gulch Trailhead, County Rd 64 Bailey.

Directions: US Hwy285 South to Bailey, Turn left onto CR64 go across bridge. Go 1.9 mi to trailhead on south side of road.

Work Day Plan: Trail work 8-12:00, Lunch 12:00-1:00, Trail Work 1:00-3:00

What to Bring/Wear: Long pants, sturdy hiking boots, gloves, long sleeve shirt, lunch, 2 quarts water. Be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions (raincoat, jacket)

This area, approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead, has numerous illegal and unsustainable camp sites. These disruptions have contributed to infestations of yellow toadflax and Canada thistle. Two perennial species that are difficult to control.

Rendezvous at the “Coffee Bean N’ Bakery” in Pine Junction (16 Mt Evans Blvd) 7:30 am.  We can carpool from the adjacent RTD Park & Ride.

Direction to the Trailhead:  From Pine Junction go south on Jefferson County 126 toward Pine and Buffalo Creek. Drive 21.8 miles on Jefferson County 126. Turn south (right) onto Forest Road 211 that leads toward Cheesman Reservoir. Travel 2 miles and bear west (right) at the sign pointing to Goose Creek. Drive 1.1 miles in a westerly direction until you reach a fork in the road. Bear left at the fork and stay on Forest Road 211. From this fork drive 9.9 miles on FDR 211, bearing right at all major intersections, to the Goose Creek Trailhead access road. At the trailhead access sign turn west (right) and drive 1.3 miles to the trailhead parking.

If you are interested in attending, please contact alan@fomelc.org to register.  There will be no “idle hands” on this project.

Over the years, FOMELC volunteers have made great progress in eliminating musk thistle from this beautiful Mt. Evans meadow. The last couple of years infestations in the upper meadow has shown renewed vigor. Please help us re-establish control!

The Pedee Creek meadow is 1.5 miles from the trailhead. Weather this season has been very favorable for the growth of musk thistle. One plant alone can produce 20,000 seeds. We need to combine manual treatment, "harvesting" the mature blossoms, with herbicide application. This is a large area and we need a very good turnout. If you have been thinking about volunteering to protect our wilderness NOW IS THE TIME!

Rendezvous: 7:30 am, EverBean by the Lake, 29003 Upper Bear Creek Road. Carpools can be arranged from there.

If you are interested in attending, please contact alan@fomelc.org to register. 
Your registration is necessary for us to efficiently organize the work plan. Thank you.

There are a series of small infestations along the Creek for about the first mile. It includes our first look at Yellow Toadflax this season. Canada thistle is the most common noxious weed in the area. Although we have only been treating this trail for a few years, we are making excellent progress and that is all the more reason to be persistent!

Why volunteer on this project?

• Wigwam Creek is what we look for - lovely stream in a picturesque canyon and the opportunity for solitude (mid-week).

• It's easy - all the work begins very near the trailhead and we follow the stream grade.

• An opportunity to make a real difference in a short time.

Rendezvous at the “Coffee Bean N’ Bakery” in Pine Junction (16 Mt Evans Blvd) 7:30 am.  We can carpool from the adjacent RTD Park & Ride.

If you are interested in attending, please contact alan@fomelc.org to register.  Your registration is necessary for us to efficiently organize the work plan. Thank you.

FOMELC is planning a new concept of trail maintenance for 2021. The Payne Creek Trail will be adopted by FOMELC volunteers. The plan will be to have a once-a-month workday to clean and possibly build water bars or dips, and to clear corridor. No experience is necessary, and all tools will be provided.

To Register, contact: wyatt@fomelc.org

Where: Payne Gulch Trailhead, County Rd 64 Bailey.

Directions: US Hwy285 South to Bailey, Turn left onto CR64 go across bridge. Go 1.9 mi to trailhead on south side of road.

Work Day Plan: Trail work 8-12:00, Lunch 12:00-1:00, Trail Work 1:00-3:00

What to Bring/Wear: Long pants, sturdy hiking boots, gloves, long sleeve shirt, lunch, 2 quarts water. Be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions (raincoat, jacket)

Description: This is a key project for weed control in the Mt Evans Wilderness involving the Arapaho Forest "Weed Team", State Wildlife Area Rangers and FOMELC volunteers.

Why volunteer on this project?

• These trailheads and trails while in the State Wildlife Area are central to accessing the Mt Evans Wilderness.

• There are a number of noxious weed species on and near the trails.

• Coordinating this joint project will enhance FOMELC ability to secure grant funding for wilderness restoration.

• It's easy all the work begins at the trailheads.

Rendezvous: 7:30 am at "EverBean by the Lake", 29003 Upper Bear Creek Road. Car pool can be arranged at that point. (Cars cannot be left all day the Lakepoint Center) Alternatively, 8:30 am at the Captain Mountain Trailhead, Mt. Evans State Wildlife Area.

Directions to Trailhead: From the Lakepoint Center in Evergreen go 6.5 miles west on Upper Bear Creek Rd. to County Rd. 480, then right on County Rd. 480, 3 miles to the Mount Evans State Wildlife Area. Park in the “Ground Hog Flats” Camping Area.

If you are interested in attending, please contact alan@fomelc.org to register.  Your registration is necessary for us to efficiently organize the work plan. Thank you.

Indian Creek is our first project in Mt. Evans. Musk thistle is the primary species, but as usual, there are a few infestations of Canada thistle. To facilitate the project, we will be allowed to access to the Grass Creek Road (4-wheel drive vehicles only) to reach the Forest Service boundary and trail.

Rendezvous at the “EverBean by the Lake”, 29003 Upper Bear Creek Road, 7:30 am. Car pool can be arranged at that point. (Cars cannot be left all day the Lakepoint Center)

Directions to Trailhead: From the Lakepoint Center in Evergreen go 6.5 miles west on Upper Bear Creek Rd. to County Rd. 480, then right on County Rd. 480, 3 miles to the Mount Evans State Wildlife Area. Park in the “Ground Hog Flats” Camping Area.

If you are interested in attending, please contact alan@fomelc.org to register.  There will be no “idle hands” on this project.

The treatment areas are near the junction Goose Creek and Hankins Pass Trails.  This is perhaps the most heavily invested site in the Lost Creek Wilderness and the most popular trail spreading seeds to other parts of the Wilderness. 

Rendezvous at the “Coffee Bean N’ Bakery” in Pine Junction (16 Mt Evans Blvd) 7:30 am.  We can carpool from the adjacent RTD Park & Ride.

Direction to the Trailhead:  From Pine Junction go south on Jefferson County 126 toward Pine and Buffalo Creek. Drive 21.8 miles on Jefferson County 126. Turn south (right) onto Forest Road 211 that leads toward Cheesman Reservoir. Travel 2 miles and bear west (right) at the sign pointing to Goose Creek. Drive 1.1 miles in a westerly direction until you reach a fork in the road. Bear left at the fork and stay on Forest Road 211. From this fork drive 9.9 miles on FDR 211, bearing right at all major intersections, to the Goose Creek Trailhead access road. At the trailhead access sign turn west (right) and drive 1.3 miles to the trailhead parking.

If you are interested in attending, please contact alan@fomelc.org to register.  There will be no “idle hands” on this project.

Tracking Human Impact with Campsite Inventories

Presented by Ralph Bradt, FOMELC Forest Service Liaison

Humans have a significant impact on our Wildernesses, a place which, under the Wilderness Act, “generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable”. Of man’s visible impacts, the proliferation of campsites and their associated fire rings is often the most noticeable.

Utilizing our Survey123 phone app, learn how you can help inventory and map Wilderness campsites, monitor their condition, view the collected data, and how we use this information to determine a best course of action to minimize their impact.

Please RSVP to kay@fomelc.org if you wish to attend the session.

Rolling Creek is an easy way to begin the season.   We will be dealing with Canada and musk thistle but have to watch out for the native wavy leaf thistle. 

Rendezvous at the “Coffee Bean N’ Bakery” in Pine Junction (16 Mt Evans Blvd) 7:30 am.  We can carpool from the adjacent RTD Park & Ride.

Directions to Trailhead: Take US 285 to Bailey and the junction with County 68.  Turn east on 68 toward Wellington Lake.  The trailhead for Rolling Creek and the Colorado Trails is on your right eight miles from Bailey.  Continue through the parking area to a small lot at Rolling Creek Trail junction. 

If you are interested in attending, please contact alan@fomelc.org to register.

The Platte Canyon Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes all to Bailey Day 2021. Take a step back in time and experience the history of Bailey, Colorado! It’s an Olde West, mountain town, family-friendly Street Fair! Over 100 artisans, vendors, food carts and local organizations will line Bailey’s Main Street with their booths.

• Enjoy good timin’, heel tappin’, and boot scootin’.

• LIVE MUSIC from 10a-8p. Wild West.

• Cowboy Action shows will take place throughout the day, featuring The Park County Regulators!

• Get your picture taken at the Olde Tyme Photo Booth as a unique and lasting memory of the day.

• Grab your partner for the Downtown Hoe Down street dance!

Once again, FOMELC will staff a booth at Bailey Day. This is also an awesome way to contribute to the FOMELC organization if you are unable to hike the Wilderness trails. We need 2-3 volunteers per shift (8am - Noon, Noon - 4pm, or 4pm - 8pm). To Register for any shift, please contact: Gordon at 713 725 5318 or gordon@fomelc.org

Parking: Crow Hill Bible Church and Platte Canyon Community Church 75 Bulldogger Road, Bailey and 4954 Co Rd 64, Bailey, Colorado

We have a tentative date for our first project which is a “Kick Off” event to calibrate our equipment, discuss herbicide mixes, and then get some treatment experience at an infested area. The session will be led by the “Weed Team” for Arapaho National Forest – Boulder and Clear Creek Ranger Districts.

Directions: Cub Creek Trailhead From Hwy 73 in Evergreen: take Brook Forest Road for approximately 5.9 miles. From Hwy 73 in Conifer: take Shadow Mt Drive to Black Mt Drive for approx. 6 miles. Trailhead is on the West side.

If interested in attending this project, please contact alan@fomelc.org to register. If you are new to our program, we hope you can attend.

FOMELC is planning a new concept of trail maintenance for 2021. The Payne Creek Trail will be adopted by FOMELC volunteers. The plan will be to have a once-a-month workday to clean and possibly build water bars or dips, and to clear corridor. No experience is necessary, and all tools will be provided.

To Register, contact: steve@fomelc.org or wyatt@fomelc.org

Where: Payne Gulch Trailhead, County Rd 64 Bailey.

Directions: US Hwy285 South to Bailey, Turn left onto CR64 go across bridge. Go 1.9 mi to trailhead on south side of road.

Work Day Plan: Trail work 8-12:00, Lunch 12:00-1:00, Trail Work 1:00-3:00

What to Bring/Wear: Long pants, sturdy hiking boots, gloves, long sleeve shirt, lunch, 2 quarts water. Be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions (raincoat, jacket)

FOMELC is planning a new concept of trail maintenance for 2021. The Payne Creek Trail will be adopted by FOMELC volunteers. The plan will be to have a once-a-month workday to clean and possibly build water bars or dips, and to clear corridor. No experience is necessary, and all tools will be provided.

To Register, contact: steve@fomelc.org or wyatt@fomelc.org
Group size limited to 15.

Where: Payne Gulch Trailhead, County Rd 64 Bailey.

Directions: US Hwy285 South to Bailey, Turn left onto CR64 go across bridge. Go 1.9 mi to trailhead on south side of road.

Work Day Plan: Trail work 8-12:00, Lunch 12:00-1:00, Trail Work 1:00-3:00

What to Bring/Wear: Long pants, sturdy hiking boots, gloves, long sleeve shirt, lunch, 2 quarts water. Be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions (raincoat, jacket)

Are you interested in learning about volunteer opportunities with FOMELC?

Then join us to learn about our current plans for FOMELC and the many ways you can volunteer. During the meeting, each of the Volunteer Coordinators will introduce themselves and the work they do. It will be an Open Forum presentation so you will be able to ask questions and learn the details of each activity.

Trails Coordinator

Steve West Steve@fomelc.org & Wyatt Stanland Wyatt@fomelc.org

Weed Projects Coordinator

Alan Rockwood Alan@fomelc.org

Training & Newsletter

Dee Lyons Dee@fomelc.org

This activity is an opportunity to help the Wilderness programs from home!

Please RSVP to kay@fomelc.org if you wish to attend the session.

Mikele Painter, U.S. Forest Service, will be giving a presentation on   Native Bats of Colorado.

Mikele Painter has been a Wildlife Biologist for South Platte Ranger District on the Pike National Forest since 2009. She grew up in Colorado and went to Colorado State University for a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology. She earned a Master’s degree in Forestry at Northern Arizona University, where she studied the foraging ecology of spotted bats on the Kaibab Plateau. In addition to the USDA Forest Service, Mikele has worked for several universities, non-profit conservation groups, and state agencies, all in the western U.S. Conservation and understanding of native species is a central tenet of Mikele’s career. She is glad to be part of an agency like the Forest Service that helps to perpetuate those values for all members of our society.

Please RSVP to kay@fomelc.org if you wish to attend the session.

Our guest speaker, Dr. Robert Stencel , will give a presentation on Science Atop Mt. Evans .

Following graduate study in astronomy at the University of Michigan, Dr. Stencel worked at NASA in Houston and Greenbelt sites and also at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC, prior to joining University of Denver in 1993 where he teaches astronomy and astrophysics. His scientific publications number in excess of 500.

Here’s some informative materials for the meeting. Dark Sky Planning Guide.

There will be an opportunity during the Zoom meeting to ask Dr. Stencel questions.

Please RSVP to kay@fomelc.org if you wish to attend the session.

We will be presenting a video called “Wild by Law”.

The Rise of Environmentalism and the Creation of the Wilderness Act is a 1991 documentary film produced by Lawrence Hott and Diane Garey.

This Oscar nominated short documentary presents the inspiring and real-life story of the pioneers of environmental protection in America, Aldo Leopold, Bob Marshall, and Howard Zahniser, their contributions to the cause of saving thousands of acres of natural territories and wildlife preservation, all which led to the Creation of the Wilderness Act, law passed in 1964..

Please RSVP to kay@fomelc.org if you wish to attend the session.

We will be presenting a video called “The Wilderness Idea”.

A 1989 documentary: John Muir, Gifford Pinchot and the First Great Battle for Wilderness.

To one man, it was a perfect natural resource to benefit thousands of people. To another, it was a beautiful, sacred land that must not be defiled under any circumstance.

Please RSVP to peter@fomelc.org if you wish to attend the session.

Our guest speaker for November, Loretta McEllhiney, will give a presentation on Alpine Ecology, a topic that she is very passionate about. As the Peak Manager for the Forest Service, Loretta has spent nearly 20 years on 14,000' peaks throughout the state. Based out of Leadville, she works with the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative to design and construct sustainable trails, and to close and restore the eroded scars of social routes created by thousands of peak baggers. She has become the foremost alpine trail designer in the state, if not the nation. Through her years working in the alpine, she has acquired a deep love and understanding of the alpine environment and ecology.

Please RSVP to peter@fomelc.org if you wish to attend the session.

We are excited to announce the reintroduction of our monthly meetings! 

Our first guest speaker, Brad Andres, will present: Birds of the Bear Creek Watershed. Brad A. Andres, Ph.D., works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). He is a member of The Evergreen Naturalist Audubon Society; he serves as Vice President of the Board, as well as the Bird Monitoring Chair. He’s a frequent volunteer at the Evergreen Nature Center along with his wife Heather Johnson, who also works for the USFWS. 

Please RSVP to peter@fomelc.org if you wish to attend the session.

Hiking and backpacking has significantly increased in the Wildernesses.and has led to the increase in the creation of campsites that impact the environment. FOMELC has committed to locate and inventory campsites on the Goose Creek Trail from the trail head to the Shaft House.

We will be having an online webinar on Monday, July13th at 7:00pm for instruction on how to inventory these campsites.. You MUST RSVP to peter@fomelc.org so a link to the webinar can be provided. Ralph Bradt has developed a cell phone data recording app that will be presented during the webinar. Contact Ralph at ralph.bradt@usda.gov to to obtain the link.

Get out and hike, record the information on your cell phone and upload the information when you get home.

Your FOMELC board members will be putting away their tools and putting on their aprons to serve up a tasty feast and fun party for our volunteers. All FOMELC members are invited and please bring a friend to introduce them to the group!Optionally, you are also welcome to help with the ongoing constructing the new AG-Brookside trail during the day. Check back for details.