5th Annual Kiowa Grasslands Fence Work

WHEN

Apr 4 - Apr 6

Starting at 4pm

WHERE

Kiowa Grasslands

RSVP

DAYS

HOURS

MINUTES

SECONDS

7 Attending

Add to Calendar:

event_title: 5th Annual Kiowa Grasslands Fence Work

event_time_zone: America/Denver

event_start: April 04, 2025 16:00

event_duration: 2880

event_end: April 06, 2025 16:00

event_address: United States

event_description: Join us for the Kiowa National Grassland Stewardship Project! This will be the fifth, and final, year of this fencing removal/modification project with the US Forest Service so we certainly hope you can make it! In the previous four years of this event, volunteers have modified/verified approximately 80 miles of fencing, and completed 1.3 miles of exclosure fencing improvements, in an effort to enhance pronghorn habitat connectivity.Volunteers will work alongside USFS staff to verify the height or raise the bottom wire of allotment fencing and remove tumbleweeds from the fenceline to allow pronghorn to more easily traverse the grasslands. There are approximately 10 miles of interior fencing remaining to verify / modify this year. A group will also revisit the Sauz Creek wetland exclosure to make further improvements to the fencing, and if there is enough time and volunteers, a playa exclosure fence that was started last year could be finished. All this work enables pronghorn to access the food, water, space and cover they need to survive. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to learn about the importance of the shortgrass prairie ecosystem from USFS staff. We will gather at the Mills Rim Campground on Friday evening to socialize and hang out around the campfire (conditions permitting). On Saturday morning, breakfast burritos and coffee will be provided by BHA as our Forest Service partners brief the group on the days work and provide instruction. We will then split into groups to travel to different areas that require attention, including the removal of barbed wire fencing, running new strands of fence, and adjusting spacing of strands on existing fence.After a good days work, we will gather around camp for a wild game potluck, so please bring one of your favorite dishes to share! For those able to stick around on Sunday morning, there may be additional fencing to address, or folks can take the opportunity to explore the area on their own.Volunteers should be ready for moderate hiking and labor, and should wear appropriate work clothing including sun protection, leather boots, leather work gloves, and eye protection. Please also be sure to bring food, snacks, water, first aid, required medications and communication devices. BHA will have some extra work gloves available, and some extra tools, but basic pliers or fencing pliers would be very helpful to bring.Be prepared for weather including possible rain, wind, or sunny skies. This event is kid and dog friendly!Weekend Schedule & Additional DetailsFriday, 4/4: Arrive to camp (dinner on your own)Saturday, 4/5: Workday; wild game potluck and campfire stories at nightSunday, 4/6: Optional workday until 12 pmCampsite - Mills Rim Campground is accessible for recreational vehicles and trailers, and camping is free.Directions from the Forest Service Website: Traveling from Abbot, NM at the intersection of US Highway (Hwy) 56 and NM Hwy 39, drive south on NM Hwy 39 approximately 16 miles and turn west onto Mills Canyon Road 600. Drive west approximately 6 miles to the campground.Traveling from Roy, NM on Hwy 39, drive north approximately 10 miles and turn west onto Mills Canyon Road 600. Continue west approximately 6 miles to the campground. Attendance is capped at 50 participants so please RSVP below. Your attendance at this event enters you to win a $250 gift card from Sitka!

Join us for the Kiowa National Grassland Stewardship Project!

This will be the fifth, and final, year of this fencing removal/modification project with the US Forest Service so we certainly hope you can make it! In the previous four years of this event, volunteers have modified/verified approximately 80 miles of fencing, and completed 1.3 miles of exclosure fencing improvements, in an effort to enhance pronghorn habitat connectivity.

Volunteers will work alongside USFS staff to verify the height or raise the bottom wire of allotment fencing and remove tumbleweeds from the fenceline to allow pronghorn to more easily traverse the grasslands. There are approximately 10 miles of interior fencing remaining to verify / modify this year. A group will also revisit the Sauz Creek wetland exclosure to make further improvements to the fencing, and if there is enough time and volunteers, a playa exclosure fence that was started last year could be finished. All this work enables pronghorn to access the food, water, space and cover they need to survive. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to learn about the importance of the shortgrass prairie ecosystem from USFS staff.

We will gather at the Mills Rim Campground on Friday evening to socialize and hang out around the campfire (conditions permitting). On Saturday morning, breakfast burritos and coffee will be provided by BHA as our Forest Service partners brief the group on the days work and provide instruction. We will then split into groups to travel to different areas that require attention, including the removal of barbed wire fencing, running new strands of fence, and adjusting spacing of strands on existing fence.

After a good days work, we will gather around camp for a wild game potluck, so please bring one of your favorite dishes to share! For those able to stick around on Sunday morning, there may be additional fencing to address, or folks can take the opportunity to explore the area on their own.

Volunteers should be ready for moderate hiking and labor, and should wear appropriate work clothing including sun protection, leather boots, leather work gloves, and eye protection. Please also be sure to bring food, snacks, water, first aid, required medications and communication devices. BHA will have some extra work gloves available, and some extra tools, but basic pliers or fencing pliers would be very helpful to bring.

Be prepared for weather including possible rain, wind, or sunny skies. This event is kid and dog friendly!

Weekend Schedule & Additional Details

Friday, 4/4: Arrive to camp (dinner on your own)

Saturday, 4/5: Workday; wild game potluck and campfire stories at night

Sunday, 4/6: Optional workday until 12 pm

Campsite - Mills Rim Campground is accessible for recreational vehicles and trailers, and camping is free.

Directions from the Forest Service Website: Traveling from Abbot, NM at the intersection of US Highway (Hwy) 56 and NM Hwy 39, drive south on NM Hwy 39 approximately 16 miles and turn west onto Mills Canyon Road #600. Drive west approximately 6 miles to the campground.

Traveling from Roy, NM on Hwy 39, drive north approximately 10 miles and turn west onto Mills Canyon Road #600. Continue west approximately 6 miles to the campground.