COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE Orientation for Master Volunteer Forest Steward Outreach Division Conservation Education Public & Media Relations Policy & Legislative Affairs Volunteer Program Extension Forestry

Who we are… CSFS is a service and outreach agency We are part of Colorado State University Non-regulatory agency Provide landowners with technical assistance and outreach Work through 19 District and Field Offices

Field Offices/Districts

CO Forest Resources Forests cover ~24.4 million acres (37%) A wide range of topographic, growing and soil conditions Provide a wealth of vital resources: Community forests Wood products Wildlife habitat Windbreaks Water Recreation What else?

Who we are… Our Vision: To serve Colorado as the resource for technical forestry assistance and leadership Our Mission: To achieve stewardship of Colorado's diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations

Forest Types in CO 21% Pinon-Juniper 21% Aspen 19% Spruce-Fir 10% Oak shrubland 10% Ponderosa pine 7% Lodgepole pine 7% Mixed Conifer 5% Riparian*

Who Owns the Forest here? 68% Federal USFS BLM NPS 30% Private 2% Other Tribal Municipal State

A little….CSFS history 1955 CO General Assembly officially established the CSFS as a division in the Colorado Agriculture and Mining College. (25 employees) -Administering lands owned by the state for “effective conservation and utilization.” - 10 years later- community forestry, fuels mitigation, seedling trees, insect and disease, forest products, private land management.

Our Agency Today Budget ~14 million $$$ ~40-50% comes from federal funding ~130 permanent and seasonal employees Unique features CSFS nursery CoWood (urban wood use) Urban and community program Outreach programs (CWPPs, PLT, Firewise)

CSFS Nursery Distributes close to a million a year Distributed to ~5,000 Coloradans Conservation Planted for: Windbreak Snow fence Habitat Protection from elements Erosion control

CoWood Utilization http://csfs.colostate.edu/cowood/ The Colorado Forest Products™ program enhances the marketing of wood products harvested from Colorado’s forestland. Wood derived from Colorado and used for energy contributes to our state’s healthy forests, strong rural communities, and clean energy economy. The Black Forest Post-Fire Utilization and Community Recovery project assist residents in the economical removal and utilization of their burnt timber. http://csfs.colostate.edu/cowood/

What we do? Helps landowners and communities accomplish sound forestry practices on their land Coordinates and partners with other agencies to accomplish goals Program areas: Outreach/Conservation Education Urban and Community Forestry Forest Management Wildfire Mitigation Education

Forest Management Management for health and productivity Programs and services include: Forest Ag/ Forest Stewardship Forest Product Marketing and Utilization Forest Insects and Disease Post-Fire Rehabilitation Best Management Practices

Wildfire Risk and Fuels Mitigation Wildfire threats to private property and lives increase Forest management and fuels mitigation is critical to improving forest health in CO Reducing fuel build-up Preparing the land for new growth Promoting the germination of certain plants and trees Naturally thinning overly dense forests Creating wildlife habitat diversity

Urban/Community Forestry Community forests enhance the quality of human life by purifying air, modifying temperatures, reducing noise pollution, improving aesthetic appeal and raising real estate values Programs and services include: Assessment Invasive Species Planning and Response (I&D) Education and training, such as caring for storm damaged trees Tree City USA/ Tree Line USA/ Tree Campus USA

Outreach Conservation education focuses on developing scientifically-sound messages and materials Used by personnel, partners and Colorado citizens

COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

How can you help? Know your land, learn the facts about forest resources Visit and use these resources (sustainably) Tell your neighbors and friends Volunteer! Inspire young people to get involved

Why volunteer? Make a difference (you really can) Gain invaluable experience Network with and learn from professionals and neighbors Unique training opportunities Be in active steward of our natural resources

Who we are… Volunteer program Since 1998 Small, family-style program Well trained, well respected and reliable Database of 600 + persons Many partnerships (NGO’s, State Parks, Counties)

Who we are… Our Vision: To create greater public understanding of forestry's role and value in a healthy environment through hands-on projects and training Our Mission: To achieve stewardship of Colorado's environment through forestry outreach and service

Mission driven! Fuels mitigation, forest rehabilitation, tree planting, tree inventories, outreach and education, watershed protection, insect and disease support, landowner assistance…and more Good stewardship of our forest and natural resources Safety Learning

Mission driven! Program areas: Forest management Outreach Urban and community forestry

Who Volunteers? Volunteers are all unique Long-term vs. short-term Students, landowners, scouts … Range of ages Variety of disciplines

What we ask… Communication Delivery of commitments Good attitudes, mutual respect and tolerance Questions and lifelong learning Always represent the CSFS

What Makes a Good Project? Mission fit Benefits the community at large or multiple cooperators Timing and resources Includes opportunities for experiential learning

Tree planting Outreach Flood restoration

Invasive weed removal Post-fire workshops Restoration plant collecting

Gift of a Green Christmas Forest thinning Riparian restoration

D-space Projects across the state Outreach at post-fire workshops

Challenges A large state with set budgets and resources Many different stakeholders Increased threats to forest health Wildfire threats to private property and lives increase

Current needs Tree planting and distribution OUTREACH Sick tree calls Inventory help Office support Community tree work

The Role for CMVFS Engage skilled volunteers with a unified message Promote stewardship locally Network and reach out with CSFS resources and info Help inform your district Collaborate to make a greater impact