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

2. 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

3. Field Offices/Districts

4. 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?

5. 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

6. 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*

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

8. 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.

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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

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

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

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

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

27. Tree planting
Outreach
Flood restoration

28. Invasive weed removal
Post-fire workshops
Restoration plant collecting

29. Gift of a Green Christmas
Forest thinning
Riparian restoration

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

31. 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

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

33. 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