Northern San Juan • Entered by Robyn Cascade on December 28, 2024
Bighorn sheep monitoring
September 5, 2024 – October 1, 2024
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | 28 |
| Post Admin hours | 21 |
| Activity Hours | 31 |
| Participants | 7 |
| Total Hours | 266 |
Key Issue: Wildlife Protection
Activity Type: Stewardship (monitoring, sampling, planting, etc.)
Key Partners: MSI, BHA, RMBS, San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours; Circle of Dreams
Landscape/area: Uncompahgre Wilderness (BLM) (102214 acres)
Measurable Outcomes
Outcome 1: Wildlife monitored (17 days/surveys)
Outcome 2: Hiked (52 miles)
Outcome 3: bighorn rack cards distributed (15 information cards)[/if 1231]
Short Description of Activity
Monitors for bighorn sheep as part of Mountain Studies Institute’s Bighorn Sheep Monitoring Project. In less than one month-thanks in part to jeep transport – two Broads backpacked in the Uncompahgre Wilderness (both BLM and USFS lands) for 8 days/7 nights; 4 volunteers enjoyed an overnight backpack down S. Fork and Main Fork Bear Creek and 2 Broads participated in 7 day hikes across the Uncompahgre Forest and the Uncompahgre and Mt Sneffels Wilderness areas. In addition to the outcomes noted above, we spoke to over 35 people on the various trails about the bighorn monitoring project and asked for their engagement.
Reflection/Evaluation
All fabulous hikes with extraordinary Broads/Bros, but not a single sighting of bighorn in the wild – only one ewe sighted along Hwy 550 from the jeep. Much greater participation this fall in part because Bear Creek Trail was open this season (closed in 2023 for major trail maintenance) so backpackers could enjoy an overnight backpack rather than a multi-night adventure. After two years of scheming, NSJBB was finally able to monitor with our South San Juan BB volunteers. So fun and community building!!! Gregg Pieper of San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours continues to be an incredibly generous partner along with our funder Circle of Dreams. Note 2024 is the last year of a 3-year grant commitment from Circle of Dreams and we hope to continue to receive funding into the future! As always, the total number of hours below is correct, but each participant contributed different quantities of time (ie multiday backpacker hours were vastly higher than the day hikers or single overnight backpackers.
Photos/Uploads
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Photo Captions
1. Lauri Costello monitoring for bighorn on 8 day backpack
2. bighorn monitors descending S. Fork Bear Creek