fomp.org

Hello everyone!

There are several things we’d like you to know about including some changes to how FOMP manages our email list and a website re-design:

1. Tomorrow (or perhaps today by the time I finish this and it gets out the door) 5/20/2008 Friends of Monument Preserve is scheduled to re-attempt to hold our first Trail Day for 2008. We will meet at 6:00pm in the main trail head parking lot located on the corner of Mt. Herman Rd. and Nursery Rd. weather permitting – which is pretty much rain or shine from now on unless there is lightning activity in the area. We will have 2 activities lined up:
— Trail Work
— Tree Trimming – we need several volunteers to help Dianne Strohm trim back some scrub oak from some evergreens that are struggling to grow. If we have a small crowd this will be our first priority tomorrow.

Meet at the parking lot at 6:00pm and depart from there. FOMP / USFS will supply all tools and supplies that you need. Please dress appropriately, bring gloves, water, and eye protection (sunglasses or similar). If you are going to trim scrub oak we recommend long sleeves regardless of the weather. If you are running late you can cal Jon Nordby on his cell phone 719.640.1347 and he will tell you where the groups(s) are located.

2. Our web site received a minor face lift this week. The location is the same and most of the materials are still there. If there is something you feel we should add please let us know by sending an email to info@fomp.org

3. Email list management. We’ve installed some software to help us manage our email list more efficiently. It’s nothing super fancy but it will allow you to update your preferences or unsubscribe from our email list which is something Chris has cobbled together manually over the years. You should be able to set which information you’d like to receive from us. We seem to have a few major things we update you on: Trails, Board Meetings, Limbaugh Canyon, Special Events/Announcements, Vandalism. And then there is the siple category “ALL” – which is pretty much what it sounds like. Needless to say we really don’t send out that many emails every month but you can refine what you receive. While you are there please take a second and make sure we have your name too! www.fomp.org/newsletter Thanks.

4. Vandalism? Yes! The Preserve has been the recent target of more than one spray paint “tagging”. The old caretakers structure on the South side was spray painted as were several other structures. Also, on Saturday night several signs including the map of the district were all destroyed. If you know anything about ither of these events please pass that on the board at info@fomp.org or call CHris at 719.488.9850. You can also call officer Tom Healy of the USFS at 719.477.4204 to report any vandalism. The FOMP board also met with officer Healy recently and one of the things we’re going to do is make sure that he has an avenue to reach out to the community in a timely manner. Hence the FOMP email list re: vandalism. We’ll use that to pass on requests from officer Healy regarding any vandalism to our local USFS resources. Hopefully we won’t need to use it very often.

As I write this it is 38F and light scattered rain … so we will be postponing our trail work and tree work session until Tuesday May 20 at 6pm.

We will hold out board meeting this evening at 7pm in the Fire Center Classroom. That is the first building on the right when you drive into the fire center. Board meetings are open to the public, please feel free to join us.

Thanks
Chris

Note: our server time appear to be an hour early …. maybe its fixed …

Friends of Monument Preserve is scheduled to hold out first Trail Day for 2008 tomorrow Tuesday may 13 at 6pm at the main trailhead at the corner of Mt. Herman Rd and Nursery Rd. Weather permitting (and it seems unlike at this very moment) we will have 3 activities:

1. Trail Work
2. Tree Planting – we need 6 or so volunteers to help Dianne trim back some scrub oak from some evergreens that are struggling to grow.
3. Board Meeting at 8:45 in the classroom facility after thse – it will be short and sweet. I promise – I’ll put jon in charge so we get it over with ASAP.

Both groups will meet at the parking lot at 6pm and depart from there. FOMP will supply all tools and supplies all you need to do is dress appropriately, bring gloves, water, and eye protection (sunglasses or similar). If you are going to trim scrub oak we recommend long sleeves regardless of the weather.

Here is PLAN B if the weather is bad:

1. I will make the call at 5:15 PM and post work session cancellations on the web site right on the front page at http://www.fomp.org
2. If it is raining or if I can see snow accumulated at all on my grass here in Shiloh Pines across the street from the parking lot we will cancel.
3. If we cancel the board meeting will still be held but at 7pm
4. If we cancel we will reschedule for next Tuesday at 6pm – if Diane can not do her planned tree work at that time we will send out a separate notice

Thanks and sorry for all of the confusion!

If you need directions or have questions, give me a call
Chris Tirpak
719.439.8865 – mobile

Hello everyone!

Spring is here and Friends of Monument Preserve is about to get into full swing for the upcoming season. There are quite a few things planned and we will discuss those at the board meeting tomorrow night. The calendar is linked on the right and has all the details.

Here are few important notes:

Board Meeting – tomorrow 4/8 at 7:00PM

1. Among other agenda items will be the USFS law enforcement officer Tom Healy will drop in to talk about recent vandalism in the Preserve
2. FRERC – gas drilling discussion. If Chris Amenson is able to make the meeting we’ll ask him to update FOMP on the progress and activities to date. Chris and FRERC are doing a great job coordinating various parties interested in the upcoming oil and gas

Upcoming Events – Lots of volunteer opportunities! Dates and contact info is in the calendar section at the end.

1. Tree Planting Project – this coming weekend!! Volunteers needed, see the calendar for more information.
2. Trail Work begins April 19 – see the calendar for more information.
3. Hot Shot dinner. Volunteers needed, see the calendar for more information.
4. Memorial Grove Ceremony. Volunteers needed, see the calendar for more information.

Hope to see you there!
Thanks
Chris Tirpak

Today the Gazette published an article regarding oil and gas drilling in the Monument area. FOMP has been aware of this effort for nearly 5 years and has been opposed to Oil and Gas drilling on Mt. herman since we first heard about it. Frankly, I was surprised to find that there were only 17 comments (for or against) filed during the initial comment period 4 years ago; however, I expect that to change now that we are actually about to have live drilling rigs in Monument full time. People from Manitou to Cheyenne (yes, Boulder too) are going to realize that oil and gas companies are serious about drilling all up an down the Front Range. If Dyad discovers natural gas in Monument, the battle of the Roan plateau will look like an friendly intellectual dinner table discussion.

Stay tuned.

Gazette Article – Pike forest could be ground zero for new drilling

As a partner organization with the USFS FOMP will be reviewing the EA when it becomes available in the near future and submitting comments as an organization. We encourage you to get involved and review the EA as well and make comments as individuals.

Note: I have already received several questions regarding why FOMP is opposed to this effort and I will articulate those reasons here shortly. — Thanks — Chris / FOMP Board