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Randy Ratliff PWV Most Recent Past Chair 2017 - 2018

It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as the Board Chair for this outstanding organization during the past year. During my tenure as Chair:

• PWV provided a total of 25,961 volunteer hours valued at $640,977.
• Another highly rated Spring Training was conducted, in spite of the rain and cold.
• 300+ members submitted their Volunteer Agreements in 2018
• Numerous PWV members attended the the October National Wilderness Workshop held in Gunnison.
• Planning is in process for a Rocky Mountain Wilderness Volunteer Workshop in 2019 co- hosted by PWV and the Friends of Wilderness.

• Provided needed assistance to a family lost & lacking food and water on Kreutzer/Mt. McConnel. Our Rangers who assisted this family were described by the family as “our angels ....as they helped us find the shorter trail out, gave us water and snacks, along with encouragement to continue on.”
• Assisted with the rescue of rafters stuck in swift current under a bridge on the Poudre River.

These are just two of many examples of how PWV volunteers have significantly impacted the lives and welfare of our Canyon Lakes Ranger District trail users.

Refinements

We were diligent in our efforts to continuously improve and update PWV’s operations including:

• The Strategic plan from 2016 is in the process of being updated;
•  An ad hoc Stock Committee was approved by the Board with the overall goal of enhancing the Stock program;
•  The PWV Training Manual was updated;
•  Members were engaged by offering and attending our multiple and very popular affiliation gatherings and our summer social events; and
•  The Weed Management Program was reorganized, revitalized and expanded to include modified training opportunities and methods including a Weed Training Patrols Program.

Recruitment

PWV’s recruitment program resulted in 40 new patrolling and 4 new non-patrolling members.

Reaching Out

We were engaged with a variety of events and organizations including:

• Hosting Information booths at:
  • Poudre River Fest;
  • Earth Day;
  • Rist Canyon Mountain Fest;
  • GE oil & Gas “Chilis and Charities” event; and
  • Volunteer Fair.

• Presentations included:
  • Ray Aberle’s Wilderness Education Class at Front Range Community College;
  • Larimer County Veterans Group;
  • Loveland Mountain Club;
  • Rebecca Niemiec’s Public Communication in Natural Resources class at Colorado State University
  • Presented at the Wilderness Volunteer Workshop in Denver and to the USFS Wilderness Managers’ Winter Meeting in Ft. Collins.

PWV also hosted a variety of members from other “Friends Organizations” at Spring Training from Colorado and other states.

Training

Consistent with PWV’s focus on members’ Safety, Enjoyment and Competence, a variety of training opportunities were available during the past year including First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification. In addition, classes were offered in Geology, Mushrooms, Map and Compass, Leave No Trace and GPS Navigation etc.

Diverse Patrolling Opportunities

In addition to our core patrolling, PWV offers a wide range of other programs and activities including:

• Kids in Nature that introduces children and family members to the wonders of the National Forest on multiple trails. Participants unsolicited comments have included “This is fun” and “This the best day ever!”.
• Camaraderie is ever present on Adopt a Highway clean ups and one lucky participant always wins a prize for the most interesting item retrieved.
• Weed Patrols are filled with discovery, education and fun.

Restoration

There is great news from our trail crew who, with our partners, have only one more mile left to complete the restoration of the Young Gulch Trail! This trail will definitely be open following the completion of this work in 2019.

Our members completed 22 Weed Patrols and removed 1,983 trees from trails for a total of 4,641 trees being removed during the past 2 years.

Also, for the first time in years, almost all trails in the Rawahs were cleared of trees in 2018!

Recertification

2018 was PWV’s second year of implementing the USFS required recertification program which resulted in 38 members being recertified. In addition the Stock Committee adopted a process for recertifying stock patrol members.

Fund Raising

PWV’s Endowment Fund grew from $68,000 in 2017 to $75,250 in 2018. A portion of this fund will be available for special project grants during 2018-19.

Our donations to this year’s General Fund include:

Special recognition and appreciation goes to our donors including:

• National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance - $9,503
• National Forest Foundation - $8,900
• Clinton Family Fund - $5,000
• Green Events: Catch Me if You Can - $1,000
• Walmart - $1,000
•  Odell Brewing Company, Inc. - $1,000
•  Smiling Wolf Foundation Fund - $1,000
•  Pour Brothers, LLC
• Cargill & Google Match Programs
• Welsh Insurance Agency
• Colorado Gives.org
• Avery Brewing Co.

Thanks also needs to be extended to this year’s Year End Event supporters including:

• 287 CRAFT SPIRITS – Donated all the wine.
• Odell Brewing – Donated the beer keg.
• SCHEELS - Donated a door prize valued at $50.00.
• Hot Corner Concepts – Donated 4 $25 gift cards.

PWV’s continued success in fund raising is essential to our ability to operate, to equip our volunteers and to successfully support our mission. It is quick and easy to donate by going to the PWV.org website. Also remember to reload and use your King Soopers gift cards when you purchase groceries, prescriptions or gas at any King Soopers or its affiliates. As noted above, this program raised $1,500 during the past year. This program has great potential to raise additional funds as more PWV members participate.

PWV’s annual Year-end Fundraiser is again panned for the month of December with a focus on Colorado Gives Day, December 4. Donations given on December 4 are eligible for matching funds so mark your calendar! Watch your email in mid-November for further details regarding Colorado Gives Day.

Strategic Plan

PWV’s Strategic Plan has 5 high level elements established by the Board of Directors including:

1. Increase new-member retention rate each year.
2. First-year and veteran members reach their target goal of six or more patrols each year.
3. Achieve an overall “priority patrolling” target level.
4. Provide a relevant, robust training program for members.
5. Increase volunteer hours (patrol& non-trail).

The Strategic Planning Committee chaired by Jerry Hanley, will be working with PWV committees to facilitate the development of their plans to achieve our strategic objectives.

Our 2018 data indicates that:

• 80% of new recruits completed 6 patrols or more; and
• Retention rate for new members for 2017 is at its highest level (80%) over the past 10 years.

Remembered

We remember PWV member Tom Balance who passed away in December 2017.

Research

PWV, along with the National Stewardship Alliance, is participating in a research project entitled “Best Practices for Working with Wilderness Stewardship Organizations”. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Rebecca Niemiec, Assistant Professor of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Colorado State University. This study will provide PWV with valuable information regarding the recruitment and retention of our members.

Appreciation & Recognition

During my term as Chair, I had the distinct privilege and pleasure to recognize the Past Chair Margaret Shaklee, Advisory Board member Mark Snyder, Board Secretary Janet Caille and Treasurer Bob Meyer. Each of these members were recognized for their outstanding contributions to PWV.

At the Year End Event I recognized additional members who demonstrated extraordinary service throughout the year including:

• Lynn Walter, and her horse, for cleaning up a remote camp site in the Rawahs.
• The Photo Video Leadership Team including Peter Skiba, Renee Skiba and David Fanning who, with their team, contributed more than 840 hours to produce four videos for PWV this year. They coordinated a hard working photo video crew for our first ever video productions funded by the NWSA grant.
• Janet Caille for accomplishments too numerous to list. Janet has served 2 terms as our Board Secretary, serves on multiple committees, wrote the NWSA Grant resulting in a $9,000 award to PWV and is a passionate catalyst and advocate for engaging our members.

Also recognized were our members who reached length of service milestones including:

• 5 year pin = 5 or more active years of service and 30 or more patrols
• 10 year pin = 10 or more active years of service and 60 or more patrols
• 15 year pin = 15 or more active years of service and 90 or more patrols
• 20 year pin = 20 or more active years of service and 120 or more patrols

I am also pleased to recognize a variety of our members who unselfishly assisted with the much needed restoration of the Arrowhead Visitors Center including Jim Casadevall, Nancy Casadevall, Fred Allen, Don Eggleton, John Murphy, Mark Snyder and Steve Switzer.

Also recognized were the following members for their work patrolling: