Overview
The Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA) Advisory Council Meeting focused on volunteerism and its impact. Key points included the importance of volunteerism in Colorado Springs, with 135,000 hours of volunteer work valued at $5 million in 2024. The meeting highlighted the role of volunteers in various outdoor activities, such as trail maintenance, wildlife monitoring, and event organization. The discussion also covered the challenges of managing volunteers, including liability, training, and communication. The meeting concluded with a discussion on the potential of an ambassador program to enhance volunteer capacity and address gaps in land management. The PPORA Advisory Council discussed the launch of the Watershed Warriors volunteer program, which addresses barriers like legalities and communication. Despite efforts, only six volunteers signed up in four days. The program focuses on outreach and education, with opportunities like tabling and event planning. Challenges include aligning volunteer enthusiasm with organizational needs and managing background checks. Upcoming events include the American Whitewater Film Festival, Outside Days, and the Colorado Native Plant Society annual conference. The meeting concluded with a reminder to use the PPRA calendar for event coordination and a positive update on a nesting pair of eagles in Fishers Canyon.
Outline
Welcome and Introductions
- Nick invites everyone to introduce themselves and apologizes for the late start.
- Janny Jarvis introduces herself as a CTE teacher at Teshu High School.
- Becky Frank introduces herself as a city parks and recreation employee in Cripple Creek.
- Jeff Moore introduces himself as a city board member of PPORA.
- Various other members introduce themselves, including representatives from Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Pikes Peak Outdoors, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, and more.
Icebreaker: Epic Wins and Fails
- Nick asks everyone to share their “epic win” or “epic fail” in outdoor activities.
- Nick Ragain shares a story about guiding a rafting trip and accidentally falling into the water.
- Speaker 33 shares a story about mountain biking and running into a tree during a race.
- Speaker 19 shares a story about face planting during a race and being attended to by medical personnel.
- Speaker 9 shares a story about participating in a 50-mile race and running out of water due to poor planning.
Continued Introductions and Sharing Stories
- Speaker 13 shares a story about participating in a tree planting event and creating tree shelter breaks for wildlife.
- Speaker 18 shares a story about improving water quality in the Arkansas River through environmental cleanup projects.
- Speaker 17 shares a story about securing $2.5 million for outdoor projects in Colorado Springs.
- Speaker 36 shares a story about an iPhone sinking through an ice hole.
- Speaker 15 shares a story about high school students earning college credit through concurrent enrollment with outdoor recreation programs.
More Introductions and Stories
- Martin shares a story about paragliding and fracturing his pelvis in six places.
- Terri Hayes shares a story about completing two marathons, including the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC.
- Bill Alspach shares a story about completing a four-day rally in Hokkaido, Japan, without getting lost.
- Jess Verplank shares a story about successfully planting a vegetable garden despite the weather.
- Steven Brown shares a story about running an ultra marathon and fracturing his ankle, leading to a year-long recovery.
Final Introductions and Stories
- Cory Sutela shares a story about mountain biking in Taiwan and using unconventional transportation.
- Maggie Gaddis shares a story about skiing on Pikes Peak and tearing her ACL.
- Tim from Colorado Parks and Wildlife shares a story about media coverage of quarry hikes and big horn sheep.
- Nick introduces Stephanie Surch, the new grants and funding manager at Pikes Peak Outdoors.
- Various other members share their stories, including a successful trail design project and a challenging snowboarding experience.
Updates and Announcements
- Nick announces the transition of PPORA to Pikes Peak Outdoors and the new website.
- Nick announces Get Outdoors Day on June 6 and the Pikes Peak Outdoors Hoe Down on September 13.
- Becky provides updates on the regional partnership and the new park manager for the Pikes Peak recreation area.
- Stephanie Surch introduces herself and discusses her role in grants and funding.
Volunteerism Panel Discussion
- Nick introduces the volunteerism panel discussion and its importance in the community.
- Theresa Odello from El Paso County Parks discusses their volunteer program, including nature centers and various volunteer opportunities.
- Samantha Gooch from the US Forest Service discusses their volunteer coordination and the importance of training and certifications.
- Jeanette Lara from Colorado Parks and Wildlife shares insights on their volunteer program and the challenges of finding and retaining volunteers.
Challenges and Opportunities in Volunteerism
- Scott Abbott from Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation discusses the city’s volunteer program and the importance of clear communication and training.
- Various panelists discuss the challenges of managing volunteers, including liability, insurance, and finding the right fit for volunteers.
- Becky asks about the biggest barriers to volunteerism and how the network can support each other in addressing these challenges.
- The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration, communication, and leveraging in-kind resources through volunteers.
Watershed Warriors Volunteer Program Launch
- Speaker 19 introduces the new volunteer program, Watershed Warriors, aimed at addressing barriers to volunteer participation.
- The program offers formal volunteer opportunities beyond the Great American Cleanup and Creek Week.
- Legalities, particularly waivers and background checks, were significant barriers to launching the program.
- Communication challenges persist, with only six volunteers signing up in four days.
Challenges in Volunteer Engagement
- Speaker 4 and Speaker 5 discuss the difficulty in maintaining volunteer interest between initial contact and signing up.
- Speaker 24 suggests leveraging partnerships with other organizations to cross-promote volunteer opportunities.
- Speaker 19 explains that Watershed Warriors focuses on outreach and education, with potential for future collaborative events.
- Speaker 10 highlights the challenge of aligning volunteer enthusiasm with organizational needs.
Matching Volunteer Interests with Organizational Needs
- Speaker 14 emphasizes the importance of interviews to match volunteers’ passions with organizational needs.
- The interview process helps volunteers understand the organization’s culture and find suitable roles.
- Speaker 14 notes that some volunteers may not fit the organization’s culture, which can affect their willingness to volunteer.
- Speaker 5 inquires about the feasibility of using third-party background check services to reduce costs.
Background Check Processes and Costs
- Speaker 14 explains that each organization must conduct its own background checks, as there is no centralized clearing house.
- Multiple companies offer background check services, and each organization chooses its preferred provider.
- Speaker 5 mentions the high cost of background checks as a barrier.
- The discussion shifts to the importance of respecting volunteers’ time and ensuring events are well-planned.
Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities
- Speaker 43 and Speaker 39 discuss various upcoming events, including the donkey release in Cripple Creek and Get Outdoors Day.
- Cory Sutela from MedWheel announces the American Whitewater Film Festival on May 30.
- Becky from Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance highlights the Outside Days festival and the Outside Summit in Denver.
- Tad from the Colorado Off-Road Vehicle Coalition mentions a trails workshop at Penrose Commons.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities and Community Events
- Speaker 24 and Speaker 29 discuss the Colorado Outdoor Industry Leadership Summit and the Pikes Peak Nature and Birding Festival.
- Speaker 8 mentions the Colorado Native Plant Society annual conference and a restoration tour with Southern Plains Lands Trust.
- Speaker 27 announces an Indigenous storytelling and stargazing program at Deer State Park.
- Speaker 31 invites everyone to a volunteer recruiting social for the Pikes Peak marathon events.
Volunteerism and Community Engagement
- Speaker 19 shares a positive experience volunteering for the Pikes Peak Ascent marathon.
- The tap room takeover event at Match Mechanics is announced, with staff pouring beer and hosting yard games.
- Speaker 5 inquires about the use of the PPRA calendar for event planning to avoid scheduling conflicts.
- Becky from Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance explains the purpose of the Google Calendar and encourages its use for better coordination.
Final Remarks and Acknowledgments
- Speaker 5 thanks the panelists and attendees for their contributions to volunteerism in the region.
- Speaker 25 provides an update on the nesting pair of eagles in Fishers Canyon Open Space.
- Becky congratulates Skyler and Colorado Springs City Parks on their new director.
- The meeting concludes with a reminder to use the PPRA calendar for future planning and a call to action for community engagement.
