Volunteers Git-R-Done at BPR

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”
- Sam Ewing

Honestly, it was a grueling weekend. I was about to explain in detail just how grueling, but I’m still too tired! Briefly, we got 200 plants in the ground, installed four footbridges and removed a bunch of barbed wire fencing. Thankfully, we had many people of character, the kind that turned up their sleeves! Sinjin and I would like to mention each of them by name:

1. Todd Street and Sarah Stinchcomb from ERC, thanks for the expertise! Special mention for Sarah, who battled on even after suffering a fence-inflicted wound to her side.
2. Charlie Meyers from the Denver Post, thanks for taking the time to visit and chat; coverage for projects like BPR will make it easier for future stream restoration projects.
3. Ed Eberle, thanks for the labor and materials to build the footbridges. Some of us wish they weren’t so darn heavy, but we know they will last a long time. Thanks also for “donating” your raft – it was great while it lasted.
4. Bob Schmidt, Ken Neubecker and Kendall Henry. Thanks for working both Saturday and Sunday!
5. Last but not least, the other volunteers, in no particular order: Michael Harrington, Bill Honeyfield, Ralph Rhodes, Wes Carey, Bob Gray, Lee Schilling, Jan Dvorak, Neil Dvorak, Don Logelin, Tom Thomas, Fred Rasmussen, Judy Henning, Mike Wehmeyer, Robin Jones, Bill McLaughlin, John Meyer, Kelvin Melton, Gary Rodgers, Phil Beranato, Mike Hobbs, John Aaron, Sam Humpert and Andy Idema. Our sincere apologies if we left someone out – that’s why we had the sign-up sheet!

Thanks also to Mark at CUSP (Coalition for the Upper South Platte) for lending us the shovels. And of course, major kudos to Sinjin Eberle for leading this project! In case you missed it because of the sweat dripping in your eyes, this is an outstanding stretch of river that the public is already enjoying in increasing numbers. Just imagine the trophy fish that will be there in the coming years!

Rick Matsumoto
Communications Manager

20 Pound Rainbow Spotted at BPR

That would be a flat out lie, of course, but the only other idea I had for a headline was “Nude Sienna Miller Pics.” That would be a flat out lie too, but it seemed worse.

Now that I’ve got your attention, I just wanted to remind you that this is volunteer weekend at BPR. Sounds like we’ll have 20+ people on Saturday, which is awesome, but we can always use more. And just because a 20 pound rainbow trout at BPR hasn’t actually been seen doesn’t mean it’s not in the river. Come on out and see for yourself!

If you’re interested in volunteering, for Saturday or Sunday or both, send an email to Sinjin Eberle. I’ll be there both days and I look forward to meeting you!

Rick Matsumoto
Communications Manager

Don’t Be A Couch Potato

You could lay on the couch, drink beer, snack on chips and watch baseball games. Or you could get out to the scenic Buffalo Peaks Ranch site, invigorate yourself by planting shrubs and building temporary foot bridges in the fresh summer air, and fly fish a newly restored section of the South Platte River.

The weekend of July 26 and 27 is the much anticipated volunteer extravaganza and you should be there! Yes, there will be some manual labor, but it’s the kind of labor that is reserved for volunteers – plenty of breaks and camaraderie, interlaced with food and drink, followed by some outstanding fishing.

Work begins at 9a both days. Lunches, snacks and drinks will be provided. Port-o-let on site. We’ll provide the tools. You should bring work gloves, hat, long sleeve shirt, sunscreen and your fishing gear. If you would like to volunteer for both days, you might want to stay in one of the local hotels below:

1. Western Inn, www.thewesterninn.com, 877-306-3037, rooms are $69-$79
2. Hand Hotel, www.handhotel.com, 719-836-3595, rooms are $59-$95
3. Riverside Inn, www.bestwesternfairplay.com, 719-836-0600, rooms are $119
4. Fairplay Hotel, www.fairplayhotel.us, 877-836-2501, rates unknown

Directions to BPR are in the navigation bar above. If you would like to volunteer for one or both days, please contact Sinjin Eberle asap. Thanks!

Rick Matsumoto
Communications Manager