As 2014 comes to a close, all of the RMFI staff have been spending a lot of time reflecting on our accomplishments and challenges over the past year and looking forward to all that 2015 promises to bring.

2014 was a year of transition for RMFI. With the sudden passing of our founder, Mark Hesse, and the transition to a new Executive Director, 2014 was certainly not without its challenges. However, even with all the ups and downs we had, our 2014 field season was amazingly productive and jam-packed with several high-impact restoration projects. In addition, 2014 marked the first time in our organization’s history where we hired our first full-time volunteer coordinator, Molly Mazel. Molly has been a tremendous asset to our organization and we are incredibly excited to have her on board.

Here’s a snapshot of our 2014 field season:

• 257 total workdays
• 2,323 total volunteers
• 22,347 total volunteer hours
• $510,357 total volunteer value
• 16,371 feet of trail improved
• 6,907 feet of social trails restored
• 575 pounds of native seed planted
• 587 log erosion barriers constructed

With all of our volunteers, we:

• Conducted fire and flood mitigation in both the Waldo and Black Forest Burn Scars.
• Hosted the first public workday on the Waldo Canyon Trail, which has been closed to the public since 2012.
• Restored alpine wetlands on Pikes Peak.
• Began construction of a brand new circuit at the top of Cheyenne Mountain State Park, called the Top of the Mountain Trail.
• Began a new 3-year project to reconstruct the summit trail to Kit Carson Peak and Challenger Ridge in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
• Stabilized eroding hillslopes and closed non-designated trails in Garden of the Gods and on Barr Trail.
• Created sustainable trail climbing access trails in a handful of climbing areas including Shelf Road Recreation Area, Indian Creek, and Turkey Rocks.

As a small token of our appreciation, RMFI recently acknowledged some of our volunteers, partners, and funders at our annual Fall ShinDIG. Below is a list of award recipients:

• Superstar Volunteers (individuals who volunteered at least 5 times with RMFI in 2014):
Marco Catanese, Josh Deck, Steven Driska, Justin Duerksen, John Etzel, Aaron Flanagan, Michael Flanagan, Lucy Hamamoto, Jon Hill, Susan Jarvis, Eric Julian, George Lee, Madeline Lewis, Marina Loeper, Bill Morris, Nicholas Perez, Brian Picklesimer, Mary Rodas, Dusty Rhoades, Joey Rhoades, Dylan Schubert, Solangel Sinclair-Tucker, Sean Stellick
• Volunteer of the Year: George Lee (volunteered 34 times!!!)
• Outstanding Funder: Marcus Selig, National Forest Foundation
• Stewardship Partner: Carol Ekarius, Coalition for the Upper South Platte
• Land Management Partner: Bob Leaver, retired, Monticello BLM
• School/Volunteer Group: Montrose High School

Be on the lookout for our 2014 Annual Report that will provide more detail on all of our accomplishments this year.

2015 promises to bring new challenges, successes, and adventures. RMFI is well positioned to tackle all the future brings and are excited for what lies ahead!