Spend the afternoon in the beautiful Walker Ranch Open Space just past flagstaff. We will leave from the Engineering Center at 1:45pm. If your class ends at 1:50pm text Alec at 303-912-0283 and we can work something out. Walker Ranch Open Space supports a mosaic of plant life including grassy meadows, dense shrubs, and ponderosa pine forests. Prior to settlement of the West, these forests were very open and maintained by frequent low intensity surface fires. With settlement came fire suppression, grazing and landscape fragmentation—all contributing factors in changing the structure and function of this ecosystem. In order to restore these ecosystems, Parks & Open Space implements thinning projects that emulate pre-settlement forest structure by creating a clumpy, uneven-aged forest structure interspersed with openings that more closely resembles conditions that existed prior to interruption of the historic fire regime. As the project gets underway there will be a large amount of slash (limbs from trees) generated from thinning operations. This buildup of material on the forest floor needs to be managed in such a way that we minimize the risk of fire potential. This is where we come in! Our job will be to organize slash into piles that can be easily and safely burned during the winter. This is a crucial piece in the restoration process and your help is greatly appreciated. What you should bring: Sturdy shoes (hiking boots preferred) Long pants Long sleeve shirt Backpack Drinking water (2 liters) Work gloves (if you have them) Parks and Open Space will provide: Snacks Work gloves First aid kit Extra water All necessary tools