SFNF News:
The Santa Fe National Forest is seeking volunteers for tree planting efforts within the 2011 Las Conchas fire burn area near Los Alamos.
Exact dates are dependent upon weather, soil moistures and soil temperatures, but possible dates are the Fridays and Saturdays of April 12, 13 and 19, 20.
A 56-acre area around the Nordic Ski Trails at the base of Pajarito Ski Hill within the burn area will be planted with Douglas Fir trees.
The effort is part of a larger contracted planting initiative mostly in the Jemez District involving about 2,000 acres and almost half a million trees.
Trees were ordered the fall of 2011 right after the Las Conchas fire. Local seed stock was germinated in the spring of 2012. The trees are about one year-old and ready for planting.
The Forest Service will take volunteer reservations of up to 30 to 50 people each day. Tree planting will involve a provided Dibble tool to create a shallow hole to place the baby tree and soil plug to a precise depth.
Netting may be used to cover the tree so that it does not get eaten by elk. Required hard hats will be provided, however volunteers must provide their own boots, gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirts, and safety glasses.
Volunteers will be participating under the Southwest Nordic Ski Club Partnership Agreement, which means hours worked will count toward a match of Federal funds to further restore the recreational trails around Los Alamos in the future.
For more information and to sign up as a volunteer, call the Espanola Ranger District at (505) 753-7331, or email Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Sublett at jasublett@fs.fed.us.
