The Colorado Watershed Assembly does not take a stand on any water or watershed issue expressed in its newsletter. The Colorado Watershed Assembly advocates for consensus, cooperation, compromise, and collaboration between all stakeholders involved in watershed issues. Our information network is designed and intended to educate and engage citizen stakeholders in watershed issues across the state and not to advocate for a specific issue. If you would like the Colorado Watershed Assembly to distribute watershed news or an event, please send the information to cwa@coloradowater.org.
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May 22, 2013
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EPA's Nation Rivers and Streams Assessment
EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds has released their 2013 National Rivers and Streams Assessment. The press release can be found here, and the full report and fact sheethere.
Water Quality Control Commission Hearing Notices
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/
New Events
May 29: Rio Grande Natural http://cts.vresp.com/c/?
The Rio Grande Natural Area Commission will meet May 29th from 10am to 3pm at the Rio Grande Water Conservation District Office (10900 East US Highway 160 in Alamosa, CO). The meeting is open to the public with a comment period scheduled for 10:15am. Agenda items include: discussing public involvement and response to the Commission's land-owner letter, presentation by the BLM on cultural resource reviews and process, and subcommittee reports on meetings with the Commission's writer-editor.
Jun 1: River Stewards Float
Are you a young river enthusiast and interested in learning more about what the Roaring Fork Conservancy does? Then join the River Stewards to float down the Roaring Fork on June 1st. They will float from Carbondale to Glenwood all while talking about why protecting our rivers is important and having a great time. End the day at the gorgeous Prehm Ranch with some amazing food and drinks and games. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.
June 2-9: Various Events for Colorado Land Conservation Appreciation Week
Join the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts during the week of June 2-9 for one (or more!) of the 26 events planned for Colorado Land Conservation Appreciation Week. And if you can, bring along some friends or family members who would like to learn more about the value of land conservation and what it provides for Coloradans. For a list of the events, click here.
Jun 13: CREEC Meeting
The Consortium for Research and Education on Emerging Contaminants will have a meeting on June 13 in Golden. More information will be coming soon.
Jun 18: Webinar - Our Current Revenue Loss Dilemma: Is Consumer Conservation Really the Culprit?
Join the Alliance for Water Efficiency for their next webinar on June 18 at 10am MST. This webinar will discuss the true causes of the current water utility revenue losses and provide guidance on how to consider conservation a financial asset to the utility and not a detriment. It will draw from the discussions at a special rates summit held in August, 2012 at the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread. To register, click here.
Jun 21: River Stewardship Council Tour - Gunnison Basin
The River Stewardship Council - dedicated Colorado TU supporters - will take part in a tour of the Upper Gunnison basin to learn first-hand about work TU is doing on the ground to protect habitat. Fishing with local hosts is also part of the order of the day. To learn more about joining the River Stewardship Council, click here.
Various Dates: Roaring Fork Conservancy's River Floats
What better way to enjoy and learn about the river than experiencing it first hand with Roaring Fork Conservancy. RFC invites you go come boating with them. All five opportunities are sure to fill up quickly, so register early at roaringfork.org/events !
Various Dates: "Into the Wild" hikes in BLM's Grand Junction Field Office
It’s springtime on the western slope and with that it’s time to get outside! Do you want to scour redrock canyons for artifacts, spot bald eagles, osprey or falcons and meander near perennial streams? Then, please join Conservation Colorado for one of their “Into the Wild” hikes this spring! Explore some of the most wild places on the western slope and in the process, work together to push BLM to ensure these landscapes remain wild for the next 20+ years. Click here for more information and remember to RSVP!
May 22: American Whitewater Regional Paddler Dialog
American Whitewater (AW), the nation’s leading advocate for the conservation of whitewater rivers, will be hosting public meetings for river boaters in Montrose on May 22. These ‘regional paddlers dialogues’ are a part of AW’s efforts to define and protect recreational flow needs throughout the seven-state Colorado River Basin, which includes many stream segments throughout the Gunnison River Basin, including the Uncompahgre River and Gunnison Gorge. The meeting will begin at 6pm at the Montrose Regional Library. For more information, contact Chris Mengesatchris@americanwhitewater.org
May 29: Middle Colorado Watershed Council May Tour
Join the MCWC for its May tour of the Rifle and Harvey Gap Reservoir irrigation systems. Learn about the history of the system, as well as how water is stored, measured, delivered and generally managed for the benefit of its many irrigation users within the watershed. For more information, click here.
May 30-31: Lower Colorado Basin Tour
On May 30-31, 2013, join CFWE staff, local water managers, statewide professionals, public officials and educators on a fast-paced journey of the Grand Valley region. Tour attendees will have access to exclusive sites and expert speakers plus the opportunity to have fun and network with a diverse group. Click here for more information and to register.
June 1: Colorado Open Lands Field Trip
Join Colorado Open Lands as they take another trip back in time to Colorado’s high plains and pioneer life in the mid-1800s. The Plains Conservation Center West Bijou Creek site is a true-to-life homestead stretching across 8,894 acres of dedicated open space. Meet at 9am at the Plains Conservation Center in Aurora and carpool to the West Bijou Creek site. A wagon will then lead you deeper into the property where you will get to see the K/T boundary, followed by a picnic lunch and a short drive to see wild bison that live at the Center. For more information, contact Christine Strickland at cstrickland@coloradoopenlands.
June 2: Hardscrabble Mountain Run
Celebrate Colorado Land Conservation Appreciation week with the Palmer Land Trust by walking or running a fun 5k or racing a challenging 10k on protected land with the Tarahumara Runners from Copper Canyon, Mexico. For entry information and to sign up for the race, click here!
June 5: South Platte Urban Waters Partnership Meeting
Save the afternoon of Wednesday, June 5 for the next South Platte Urban Waters Partnership Meeting. The meeting will take place at the Daniels Fund building in the Cherry Creek Area of Denver. More details coming soon. For more information, contact Devon Buckels atDevon.Buckels@colostate.edu.
June 8: Fair at the Bear
Groundwork Denver is hosting Fair at the Bear, a volunteer stewardship, recreational, and educational event in conjunction with the Lower Bear Creek watershed planning process. Fair at the Bear is a FREE event, intended to help bring awareness to water quality issues and subsequent impacts on the natural environment. Through education about the natural areas and local wildlife we can help children and adults gain a greater awareness of their daily impact. Interested volunteers should visit their online sign up form or contact Kristy King, Groundwork Denver’s Events & Volunteer Coordinator at Kristy@GroundworkColorado.
June 9-14: Colorado Trout Unlimited's River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp
CTU is accepting applications for the seventh annual River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, June 9-14, 2013 at the High Lonesome Ranch near DeBeque, CO. Applications must be received by April 15, 2013. The camp is designed to educate 14 to 18 year old students on the importance of cold water conservation and provide hands-on fly fishing instruction. Approximately 20 students are selected each year, based on their qualifications and a written essay on why they would like to attend the camp. Click here for more information and to apply.
June 17: Boating Safety Course
Anyone operating a motorboat, including a personal watercraft or sailboat in Colorado must be at least 16 years old. Fourteen and 15-year-olds who successfully complete a state approved boating safety course, such as the one we are offering can operate a motorboat, jet ski or sailboat in Colorado. The course is open to adults as well as teens. Course is Monday, June 17th from 6pm to 9pm. Reservations required. The certification fee is $15 per student and the student must bring a 1-by-1-inch photo, which will be laminated onto their operator card. Meet at the Nature Center. Please call our Littleton office at 303-791-1954 to make reservations.
June 20-21: Upper Colorado Basin Tour
Join CFWE for an interactive learning experience in the headwaters of the Colorado River and along tributaries such as the Crystal River. Get an exclusive look from expert speakers on the relationship between river health and trans-basin diversions. Registration rates will increase by $50 on May 30 and the tour is expected to sell out! A detailed itinerary is coming soon. Click here for more information!
June 29: 6th Annual Ridgway River Festival
Join the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership for a FREE watershed celebration. Activities will include a whitewater rodeo, down-river races, the Junk of the Unc race, and fun at the Kid's Eddy. A regional watershed information tent will provide an essential educational component. Live music, local food vendors, and beverage tents will around throughout the day. Click here for more information!
June 30: Tour de Poudre Bike Ride
The Tour de Poudre is a one-day, bike ride starting and ending at New Belgium Brewery, 500 Linden Street, in Fort Collins, Colorado to raise money for tree planting and tree research.The proceeds from the ride will be split between The Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) and the Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund, known as the TREE Fund. The CTC's mission is to lead statewide efforts to preserve, renew and enhance community forests through tree planting grants, workshops and assistance on proper tree care. Click here for more information.
July 10-12: Platte River Tour
Join CFWE for an interactive learning experience from the headwaters of the North Platte through Wyoming to the Platte River Nebraska. Exclusive tour sites and speakers will reveal Colorado's role in interstate river management and the implications for water deliveries, endangered species, and agricultural uses. Registration rates will increase by $50 on June 19 and the tour is expected to sell out. A detailed itinerary is coming soon! Click here for more information!
July 17-19: 38th Annual Colorado Water Workshop: Planning for the New Normal
The Western State Colorado University will hold its 38th Annual Colorado Water Workshop in Gunnison, CO. Join them in July to discuss the New Normal with special attention to the Bureau of Reclamation's Colorado River Basin Study, the IBCC and Colorado Basin Roundtables, Urban/Suburban/Rural Interfactes, Non-consumptive uses, endangered species, and climate change. For more information, click here.
July 23-26 AND Oct 29-Nov1: River Watch Training
Have you always been interested in starting a River Watch team to conduct water quality monitoring on your local river or stream? Well now's your chance. River Watch has announced its two 2013 trainings. The first, in July, will take place at the Mountain Park Environmental Center in Beulah and the second training will be in Cedaredge. For more information and to register for this great opportunity, click here.
Aug 17: RiverFest, Eagle County, CO
Float with family and friends down of the most scenic reaches of the Upper Colorado River, participate in ribbon cutting of the new public river access, enjoy a BBQ and dance to live music by the Olora Bros, learn about innovative conservation practices and the history of the Colorado River Ranch, and have fun while supporting the valuable conservation and restoration work of the Watershed Council in Eagle County. Tickets available at www.erwc.org
Sept 5-8: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Weed Inventory/Canoe Trip on the Gunnison
Join VOC on a four-day canoe trip as you help the Bureau of Land Management perform a crucial weed inventory necessary for the development and preservation of the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. This four-day canoe trip will enlist volunteers as citizen scientists, helping the Bureau of Land Management conduct a weed inventory, a high priority project. This information will help the BLM treat and stop the spread of weeds, as well as enable the BLM to move forward with the recreational development of the area. Click here for more information!
Funding Opportunities List:
The Colorado Watershed Assembly has compiled a list of governmental and non-governmental funding sources for restoration projects and organizational capacity building. The list can be found on our website.
DUE SOON
Cooperative Watershed Management Program Water SMART Grant Program
Application Deadline: June 11, 2013
The Bureau of Reclamation announced it is seeking applications for its Cooperative Watershed Management Program to assist with the establishment or expansion of watershed management groups. The Cooperative Watershed Management Program provides funding for watershed groups to encourage diverse stakeholders to form local groups to address their water management needs and is part of the WaterSMART initiative. Click here for more information.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Wetlands Project Funding
Application Deadline: June 13, 2013
The Colorado Wetlands for Wildlife Program is a voluntary, collaborative, and incentive-based program to restore, enhance and create wetlands and riparian areas in Colorado. Funds are allocated annually to the program - and projects are recommended for funding by a Parks and Wildlife committee with final approval by the Director. Click here for more information.
CO Wildlife Habitat Protection Program
Application deadline: June 19, 2013
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for funding projects that provide habitat protection and/or wildlife-related recreational access through the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program (CWHPP). Proposals are being accepted from May 10, 2013, through 5 p.m. on June 19, 2013. Workshops will be offered in several locations from May 28-June3 on the opportuity. Click here for more information.
Upcoming Deadlines
US Standard Grants Program
Application Deadline: July 26, 2013
The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Act). These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. Click here for more information.
National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
Application Deadline: August 1, 2013
The National Park Service's Rivers,Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation. Find out more about the diverse initiatives that they are currently supporting. Download the 2013 application [DOC] and guidelines on the RTCA website. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their project with RTCA staff and let them know if you intend to apply for assistance by July 1.
Wick Kenney Fund
Application Deadline: Rolling Deadline
The Wick Fund makes grants to protect and restore watersheds in the Western United States. In the simplest of terms, we are interested in keeping western rivers flowing with ample volumes of clean water. For more information, visit the website.
Cedar Tree Foundation
Application Deadline: Rolling Deadline
The Cedar Tree Foundation's grant making focuses on the following areas of concern: Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Education, Environmental Health. They give particular consideration to proposals that demonstrate strong elements of environmental justice, and conservation. They do not accept unsolicited proposals but will consider LOI submitted by US based nonprofits. Clickhere for more information.
New Trainings
No new trainings this week.
Upcoming Trainings
Various Dates: CRC Training
Community Resource Center offers trainings for nonprofits on everything from "Finding Funding on the Web" to "Strategic Planning" to "Growing Your Individual Donor Program." They offer trainings in Denver and at times in rural areas throughout Colorado. To find out more about the upcoming trainings CRC offers, click here.
June 12-13 (Silverthorne): FACWet Training
CDOT will be hosting two Functional Assessment of Colorado Wetlands (FACWet) training courses in 2013. The class is free of charge. Contact Becky Pierce to register for a course listed below. Details of the course will be sent to attendees at a later date. Only people who can and will attend the entire course are invited to register. (Each class is 2 days) Click here for more information.
June 13: ISA-RMC Plant Health Care Workshop
The Plant Health Care Workshop will take place at the Drake Center in Fort Collins and will cover how to prepare for the Emerald Ash Borer invasion. The workshop is limited to the first 110 registrants only, so send in your registration today! Early registration (before May 24) is $50 and after is $60. Find the registration information here.
July 14-20: Wildbranch Writing Workshop
The Wildbranch Writing Workshop is the country's foremost writing workshop for people interested in honing their ability to write honestly and powerfully about the natural world. Join Orion editor-in-chief H. Emerson Blake, and writers Alison Deming and Robert Michael Pyle, for a week of writing and conversation in the rolling hills of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Apply by May 10, 2013. Clickhere for more information
Park Ranger, Jefferson County
Under general supervision, a Park Ranger provides natural resource and visitor protection, outdoor recreation management, emergency response, enforcement of regulations and promotes stewardship of the natural environment including education programs with the public. Position closes May 31, 2013. Click here for more information.
Full-time Park Ranger, South Suburban Parks and Recreation
The full time park ranger position is under the direct supervision of the Senior Park Ranger and the general supervision of the Manager of Parks. The Park Ranger position is responsible for work involving wildlife, resource management, environmental education, public relations, routine patrol and the enforcement of the District’s parks, trails, and open space rules and regulations. Closes 5/30/2013. Click here for more information.
Forestry Technician, City of Fort Collins
The Forestry Technician maintains health, safety, and aesthetics of public trees within the City of Fort Collins. Operates a variety of power tools and heavy equipment in the performance of these duties. Strong focus on pruning by rope and saddle climbing in trees and structure pruning of small trees. For more information, click here. Closing date: May 24, 2013.
Acquisition Manager, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
Pitkin County now has a vacancy for an experienced land acquisition professional. Experience in all aspects of real estate contracts and conservation easements is required. Annual salary $60,299.20 For more information click here. Applications should be submitted no later than June 7, 2013.
Conservation Director, Colorado Mountain Club
The purpose of the Conservation Director is to direct the Colorado Mountain Club’s Conservation Department. The will also develop the strategic vision and implement the operations for the conservation department, including staff and volunteer management. Click here for more information.
Volunteer, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
Check out all of the new volunteer opportunities that Wildlands Restoration Volunteers have up on their website!
South Platte Enhancement Board Annual Report
Coalition for the Upper South Platte Newsletter
