 The Greenway Leadership Corps took advantage of Colorado’s sunny winter weather last week, and went ice skating at the Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park! A big thanks to The Downtown Denver Partnership for providing an outdoor opportunity for community and fun during these winter months! We were joined by many familiar and new students, including an outdoor leadership student group from Westminster High School! 
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We lucked out with beautiful blue skies this Sunday, as the Greenway Leadership Corp (GLC) explored the many outdoor opportunities Barr Lake State Park has to offer. Before parking, we had already seen three Bald Eagles perched along the lake and a Kestrel flying overhead.  Barr Lake is home to 12 miles of hiking trails, archery ranges, a wildlife refuge, viewing stations and an interactive nature center! To start the morning off, Michelle Seubert, a manager of Barr Lake and a Parks and Wildlife Ranger, put us to work restocking water, birdseed, and peanuts for wintering birds. We then had the opportunity to see our work in play as we sat inside the visitor center, which has a large gazing window and a speaker system that picks up the sounds of the birds outside. We sat in awe as the blue jays flew in and took their favorite snack, peanuts.
Then we were off on an open-air vehicle tour of the park, when we learned about the importance of the area. Barr Lake is not only a fantastic bird viewing area but also an important water source to local farmers and wildlife. Snow from the Rocky Mountains melts and converges into the South Platte River which is then diverted into the Burlington Ditch that feeds into Barr Lake.
Following our ride around the park, we stopped at the archery range to learn the safety and essence of the sport. Ranger Brian tested our skills as novice archers as we practiced hitting the target - which was harder than it looked! We all of walked away with a better understanding of archery and a sore shoulder. We finished with a fun service project that included cleaning up their 3D hunting range, with targets shaped in various animals, including Jackalopes and Alligators! On February 24th, a group of high schoolers got to go to the Colorado Environmental Film Festival for a GLC event! The students watched five documentaries and then got to explore a Eco Expo and photo gallery. There was a lot of interesting things at the Eco Expo, including live animals like snakes and owls and a photo booth.
The first film the students watched was called “Prescription Strength Convenience”, which is directed by Malia Cahill. This funny film illustrated a parody of a prescription drug, which poked fun at the many environmentally unfriendly actions people take on a daily basis. The film also illustrates how those actions can harm our environment and quality of life. The film was depicted a commercial that you would see on television in between a show you were watching, so the film was much shorter than the others the students watched. Last weekend, students with the Greenway Leadership Corps (GLC) woke up before sunrise and headed to Avon, CO to snowboard at Beaver Creek. Fourteen students represented GLC and shared group lessons with students from Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) as part of SOS Outreach’s SnowCore program. This program provides youth with a one day snowboard trip that includes professional instruction, equipment rentals, lift tickets, lunch, and winter clothing for the day.
For most of our students, this was their first time snowboarding. They spent the day learning how to balance, stop, and turn with the help of the resort instructors. No matter how many times they fell down, all of the students laughed and kept a positive attitude throughout the day. Those students with snowboarding experience were paired with an instructor that pushed them to grow their ability level and even learn some tricks. At the end of a very long day, each student walked away with new skills and a desire to go back. With beautiful weather, great instructors, and a group of students that supported each other throughout the day, this event was one we will all remember for years to come. Who knew frozen water could be so much fun? GLC has a different event every month. Learn about and sign up for future GLC adventures here!  Last Saturday, the Greenway Leadership Corps (GLC) traveled to Kenosha Pass for a fun-filled day of snowshoeing! Students from high schools around Denver joined us as we traveled to the Rocky Mountains. Many got to try snowshoeing for the very first time. We were greeted at the trailhead by a guide with the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools and he set us up with our snowshoes for the day. Along the way, our L.L. Bean guide taught our students about the trees surrounding us, as well as the effects of the pine beetle in Colorado. We had a great day, and were treated to beautiful weather. Thanks so much to L.L. Bean for donating this trip to our students! We had an amazing time. Learn about and sign up for future GLC adventures here!  This past Saturday, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV) teamed up with the GLC for a fun morning of trail work in Eldorado Canyon. GLC high school students and WRV’s youth crew leaders worked on a plot of land that was affected by the 2013 flood. We planed seed in a field, and learned that there are actually many steps that are needed to ensure that the seeds will successfully grow! We spread seeds that will grow a variety of native grasses and plants to create ecological diversity in the space. The last step comprised of spreading wood hay over all of the different materials we spread to make sure things were not blown away, and because it will decompose and act as mulch for the seedlings!
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