Accomplishments

The Lory Interpretive Naturalist Volunteer Program was initiated in Fall 2017. The training is free, open to anyone 18 years of age or older, but limited to one training session per season for a limited number of applicants. Over three five-hour classes, volunteers are provided with a foundation for assisting with the Park’s environmental education programs. With lectures, field work and a free, information-loaded training manual, volunteers learn about the park’s natural and cultural history, wildlife and plant biology and identification skills and interpretation and presentation techniques. In exchange for 15 hours of environmental education training provided by the park, volunteers will be required to donate a minimum of 20 hours of service towards the park’s environmental education programs within the year following training.

In 2013, Friends received a grant from the Foundation for Colorado State Parks ($8000) to provide for the design/rebuild of the equestrian jump course destroyed in the March 2013 Galena Fire. Work began in the summer of 2013 and, with advice and guidance from Mountain States Eventing, the design expertise of James Atkinson, additional funding from private donors and the muscle and perseverance of a cadre of Friends’ volunteers, Sept. 20, 2015 marked the completion of the work. The Friends group continues regular maintenance of the jump course, thanks to our volunteers. Although private courses exist, Lory State Park is one of the only public lands in northern Colorado with an equestrian jump course. To see this professional course, come to the Park or watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dC9raNUgIw

Launched in 2015, this scholarship program provides transportation funds for school groups to visit Lory State Park and enjoy an outdoor educational program with the Park’s Naturalist and Environmental Educator. The scholarship is overseen by the Friends’ Environmental Education Committee, which reviews applications from schools with need and assesses post-program feedback from schools accepted for participation. Since its inception, the scholarship has helped almost 500 students annually visit the Park for a hands-on educational outdoor experience; students who might not otherwise have had an opportunity.

The 2013 Galena Fire destroyed almost all of the trail bridges at the Park. As recovery work started, donors stepped forward and generously gave thousands of dollars to aid in the purchase of materials while hundreds of volunteers, organized by Friends and Park leadership, came together to begin the hard work of collecting and removing the old material and loading, moving and laying the new. The bridge rebuilding project was completed in 2015, with thanks to all who supported the work.