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San Pedro Parks Fen Fencing Backpack
Contact Leader(s): Sue Harrelson, s.harrelson@nmvfo.org with any questions.
Description: Fens are hydrologic features, similar to a bog or marsh, that form in wet areas where topography and soils are just right. As you can imagine, they are rare in New Mexico. This fen also supports Arizona willow, a sensitive, rare species that cattle love to eat. This area is being heavily impacted by cattle grazing, so we are going to build a fence to protect the fen and the willow.
Tasks will be: pounding in T posts, stringing barbed wire, tying barbed wire to T posts with clips, remove old, small fence. Also, a big task will be making stays from saplings and tree branches. Stays are 1-2” diameter, 5’ long poles, and we need a lot of them to stabilize the fence wire.
We will camp on the edge of the forest, next to a big meadow with beautiful views. This is close to the work site, at 10,100’ elevation. This is near the junction of trails 34, 46, and 435, on Anastacio creek, with plenty of water, and cutthroat trout. The hike in is 3.2 miles, with a 2,000’ elevation climb, on a good trail (Los Pinos trail, on the west side, behind a locked gate).
Partners are the Forest Service, Back Country Horsemen, who will pack in the fence materials, tools, and cooking set-up, and Rio Grande Return, who will provide fence-building expertise.
Please bring: Volunteers will need to bring their own camping gear and meals, but hot water will be provided. They will also need long pants, long-sleeve shirts, safety glasses (sunglasses), and gloves. Hard hats will be provided, and will need to be carried up.
Location: Backpackers will meet at Cuba Ranger Station at 8:30AM August 31.
Difficulty: 
with 2000′ elevation climb, and elevation at 10,100′, with a 3.2 mile hike to the campsite.
Group size: 10
Closing date for sign-ups is August 25. More details will be sent to participants.
For questions, email s.harrelson@nmvfo.org
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project. On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.