Wildlife In Need
Our local big game herds are in need of help. For years, elk fencing has been installed throughout the North Fork, limiting where mule deer can migrate and access water sources and habitat. These pinch points can result in wildlife-vehicle collisions, and animals getting caught in tall fences causing fatalities.
WSCC is partnering with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers to remove unneeded elk fencing throughout our community. With private landowner’s approval, we are looking for volunteers to help with fence removal projects throughout the Valley.
The Project
We will be traveling to a small orchard approximately ten minutes north of Paonia, CO to remove a fence that surrounds the 2.5-acre parcel of private land. We anticipate approximately 500 yards of fence needs to be removed, along with t-posts and wooden fence posts. We envision this project will take 6 to 8 hours to complete, depending on the number of volunteers and equipment available.
COVID-19 guidelines will be followed for this event, as required by Delta County.
Use the form below to sign up to volunteer for this project.
We will need volunteers to bring their own gloves, fence cutters (if you have them), water, and lunch. For questions, please contact Ben Katz at [email protected]
What We Need
We are looking for a group of volunteers willing to put in a day of hard work. This will be difficult, manual labor. Work includes cutting fence off of posts, pulling t-posts out of the ground, rolling fence up, and loading those rolls onto a trailer. We are looking for a 6-9 person crew, with several on the waitlist in case one or more people are unable to attend.
We are also looking for equipment. Some of the things we are looking for include:
- Manual t-post remover
- Chainsaw
- Fencing pliers/cutters
- Skid steer
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Tie wire
Want to help, but can’t attend?
If you are unable to attend but have any of this equipment you would be willing to let us borrow, please contact Ben Katz at [email protected]. If you would like to donate lunch to the volunteer crew, we would be more than happy to accept the gift.