Friends of Fourmile take on late-season restoration efforts

On October 25th, fifteen volunteers supported GARNA chapter Friends of Fourmile with two small but important projects in the Fourmile Travel Management Area: one along FS 376A in north Fourmile, and another in a meadow off FS 188 in the south. Both sites exhibited familiar signs of degradation due to vehicle use, including widened campsites, compacted soil, and vehicle tracks creeping off of designated roads.

At the 376A site, Friends of Fourmile trailered in fencing materials and built new buck-and-rail sections to close off a spur road and contain vehicle access. Local company Overlook Earth Movers generously donated equipment and time to move large boulders into place, creating natural barriers that prevent vehicular destruction of vegetation while maintaining walk-in camping access. The team also loosened compacted soil around the existing firepit to encourage native plants to return.

Down south at the site near FS 188, volunteers took on more restoration work. At this site, vehicles, camping trailers, and larger RVS had been driving 150 feet into the meadow to camp near an existing campfire. This was killing native plants and compacting the soil. The crew installed a new buck-and-rail fence to define a proper pull-off area, with two walk-in openings for tent campers. The firepit remains open for responsible use by walk-in tent campers.

At both sites, vegetation has a chance to recover now that vehicular access is restricted. Vehicles cause significant harm to the native plants that are critical to our Central Colorado ecosystems, so remember to stay on designated roads to minimize the impact of your tires while driving in Fourmile or anywhere else on public lands.

The Friends plan to stay active through the winter, continuing outreach to the public and monitoring use in Fourmile even as it dwindles down this winter. Keep an eye out for Friends of Fourmile events through the GARNA newsletter, and come lend a hand to their restoration work when you can!