Colorado Watershed Assembly - The Inflow Newsletter

The Assembly sends out a weekly newsletter that provides funding opportunities, events, conferences, training programs and relevant news about water and watersheds. We provide this free service to watershed groups and water interested citizens across the state. If you wish to subscribe to this service, click here.

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.

Find last week's Inflow Newsletter here.

January 18, 2011

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Announcements

Events

Funding

Training

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Announcements

AWE Launches New Consumer Web Site
Today, the Alliance for Water Efficiency announced the official launch of its new water efficiency web site Home Water Works (www.home-water-works.org), featuring an advanced household water calculator. This stunning web site was created to give consumers the best and most relevant information about conserving water at home, and offers water saving tips and information about every major water-using fixture and appliance found in homes today. Click here for the official press release.

Journal of Water Resource and Protection Vol.3, No. 12 Released
These papers are all open-access. To view the links, click here. Any future releases of the Journal of Water Resource will be included in the "More Newsletters" section of the Inflow.

Water 2012
Colorado Water 2012 is being spearheaded by CFWE with the help of over 200 volunteers to bring awareness and educational water activities to Colorado through a yearlong celebratory campaign. Committees are working on school and university activities, a virtual book club, traveling informational displays, web-based tools, watershed activities, and a traveling speaker’s series. There are many upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. To check them out and learn more about Water 2012 please visit www.Water2012.org. You can also find Water 2012 on Facebook and Twitter. Don't forget to check out the Peter McBride Presentation on January 17th (more information below!)

New Events

Jan 26: Colorado Canyons Association Mixer
Colorado Canyons Association will be joined by Mara Ferris of Gen9 Productions, director of Stories of the Land: McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, who is working with CCA and the Museum of Western Colorado on another film highlighting the landscape and history of the northern Dolores River area near Gateway, CO. The winter mixer will feature a viewing of the trailer for this film, in addition to a presentation on Calamity Camp by Zeb Miracle, Curator of Collections at the Museum of Western Colorado.
Click here for more information!

Feb 29: Beauty and Bugs in Urban Streams
The City of Fort Collins is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Residential Environmental Program Series. From 7-9pm, learn how our urban streams inspire art around town with Art in Public Places' guest artist Joe McGrane. Dr. Boris Kondratieff will explain how aquatic insects reveal the health and resulting beauty of the streams. This free and innovative series provides ways to save money, protect the environment and gain a better appreciation for our local resources. For more information, click here.

March 14: Xeriscape from the Ground Up, .
The City of Fort Collins is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Residential Environmental Program Series. From 7-9pm, learn fresh ideas to convert an area of your yard into a beautiful, water-saving landscape. This free and innovative series provides ways to save money, protect the environment and gain a better appreciation for our local resources. For more information, visit fcgov.com/reps.

April 4: Xeriscape by Design
The City of Fort Collins is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Residential Environmental Program Series. From 7-9pm, learn how to prepare a design for year-round enjoyment with structure and delightful plants. This free and innovative series provides ways to save money, protect the environment and gain a better appreciation for our local resources. For more information, visit fcgov.com/reps.

Upcoming Events

Ongoing: State of the Rockies Monthly Speakers
All State of the Rockies events are free and open to the public, who are encouraged to join the ongoing discussion of the issues that affect our beautiful yet fragile region. Jan 30 - Unheard Voice of the Colorado River Basin: Bringing Mexico and Native American Tribes to the Table. Click here for more information.

Jan 18: Getting Over Environmentalism - Paul Kingsnorth and Friends on a Live Web Event
Has environmentalism gone off course? What does sustainability really have to do with a healthy planet? Please plan to join a dialogue with Paul Kingsnorth, author of "Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist" in the current issue of Orion, on January 18th at 4 PM Eastern, 1 PM Pacific. The event is free but registration is required. Read more and register here.

Jan 24: Re-Constructing the Flume
Join local resident and flume expert Jerald Reid for an informative and entertaining evening of "Lifelong Learning" at KAFM's Radio Room in celebration of the Historic Hanging Flume!This is a free event though a $5 donation to our incredible hosts at KAFM is encouraged! The event will take place at 7pm at KAFM's Radio Room 1310 Ute Ave in Grand Junction, CO 81501. Find more information here.

Jan 25: Water Wise Wednesday
On January 25th at 5:30pm the Eagle River Watershed Council is going to have Allen Best at the Route 6 Cafe in Eagle-Vail as part of our Water Wise Wednesdays. His topic is Deciphering the Science: a journalists take on climate change and water in the west. This is free and light appetizers will be provided along with a cash bar. For more information please email jones@erwc.org or call 970-827-5406.

Jan 27-29: The Downstream Neighbor Water Symposium
The Downstream Neighbor Water Symposium features conversations about our connection with the South Platte watershed, each other, the planet, and future generations of all species. Beginning with a very large context of cosmic time (film screening of Journey of the Universe) we will proceed to a discussion of the global status of water (keynote by Maude Barlow) and the creatures like us who depend on water. Then we will focus our attention close to home with local speakers on local issues and what it means to act responsibly on behalf of our downstream neighbor. Select from an array of events, reasonably priced and some free, at http://www.downstreamneighbor.org.

Jan 30-31: California Irrigation Institute Annual Conference
The 50th Annual Conference set to be held in Sacramento, CA on January 30-31, 2012. This conference is honoring 50 years of achievement in California water, as well as focusing on the next 50 years of needed efficiency. To learn more and to register click here.

Jan 31: Colorado Data Sharing Network Sustainability Planning
Please mark your calendars for a half day event, January 31st, to celebrate the success of the Colorado Data Sharing Network (DSN) and to design a strategic plan to sustain the Data Sharing Network long term. Participate in this important gathering at Leonard Rice Engineers in Denver from 10am-3pm. Please RSVP by January 25th, to Lynn Padgett, Project Coordinator via email: cwqmc@coloradowaterquality.org.

Feb 8: Jonathan Waterman Presentation
Walking Mountains Science Center and the Eagle River Watershed Council are having Jonathan Waterman on February 8th at 6:30pm at Walking Mountains Science Center, $10 suggested donation for speaker fees. Request seats – info@walkingmountains.org or call (970) 827-9725

Feb 15-17: 2012 Tamarisk Symposium
Join the Tamarisk Coalition (TC) and Colorado State University Extension Office for the 6th Tamarisk Symposium. This conference, held every two years, is considered the preeminent conference on the tamarisk and related riparian restoration issues and will bring together nearly 250 land and resource managers, researchers, public and private sectors and others from throughout the West. More info here. Early registration ends Jan 17!

Feb 22: CWCB's Annual Instream Flow Workshop
The workshop will be held at the Denver REI Flagship Store. Please let Rob Viehl (rob.viehl@state.co.us, 303-866-3441, ext. 3237) know if you plan to attend, and contact Rob if you have questions about the workshop.

Feb 23-24: DARCA Conference
The 10th Annual Convention of the Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance (DARCA):"Are Your Water Rights in Jeopardy?" will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Colorado Springs. A wide variety of speakers will discuss their views on timely subjects facing ditch and reservoir companies. For information regarding convention registration as well as sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities please visit the DARCA website or contact John McKenzie at (970) 412-1960 or john.mckenzie@darca.org.

Mar 1-2: Rocky Mountain Land Institute 21st Annual Land Use Conference
’s 21st Annual Land Use Conference presents an opportunity to explore approaches to development that not only make Western communities vibrant economic centers, but also strengthen their connections to the land. Register here.

Apr 30-May 4: National Water Quality Monitoring Council's 8th National Monitoring Conference
Join the NWQMC for their annual conference Water: One Resource - Shared Effort - Common Future taking place in Portland, OR from April 30-May 4. This conference will focus on the many facets of water quality and quantity monitoring for improved understanding, protection,and restoration of our natural resources and communities. 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!

Urban Waters Small Grants
Application Deadline: January 23, 2012
EPA expects to award between $1.8 to $3.8 million in grants for projects across the country that will contribute to improved water quality and community revitalization. The goal of these Urban Waters Small Grants is to fund research, studies, training, and demonstration projects that will advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities. Click here for more information. There will be two webinars to assist applicants, one on Dec. 14 and the other on January 5.

CWCB Colorado Watershed Restoration Grants
Application Deadline: January 31, 2012
Grant money may be used for planning and engineering studies, including implementation measures, to address technical needs for watershed restoration and flood mitigation projects throughout the state. Special consideration is reserved for planning and project efforts that integrate multi-objectives in restoration and flood mitigation. More information available at http://cwcb.state.co.us/LoansGrants/colorado-watershed-restoration-grants/Pages/main.aspx

MillerCoors and River Network 2012 Watershed Grants Contest RFP
Application Deadline: January 31, 2012
With funding and support from MillerCoors, River Network will award $56,000 in grants to conservation organizations working to protect water resources. This is a contest grant program with direct public involvement deciding final awardees. From the pool of submitted proposals, six finalists will be chosen by committee. The six chosen proposals will be posted on River Network’s website, and the public will vote for their favorite project in February and March. Click here for more information.

Upcoming Deadlines

2012 Five Star Grant Request for Proposals
Application Deadline: Feb 15, 2012
This opportunity provides modest financial assistance on a competitive basis to support community-based wetland, riparian and coastal habitat restoration projects that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. Click here for the full RFP.

Local Sustainability Matching Fund
Application Deadline: March 5, 2012
The purpose of the Local Sustainability Matching Fund is twofold: to catalyze partnerships between local government sustainability directors and local, place-based foundations, including community foundations, and to advance important community-based sustainability initiatives. The Fund will provide partnership investments between $25,000 and $75,000, with a 1:1 match required by one or more local foundation. The Network anticipates that the Fund will support up to ten partnership projects in the first year in two rounds in the spring and fall of 2012. More information can be found at www.fundersnetwork.org.

Scholarship Opportunity for IBCC and Basin Roundtable Members
The Public Education, Participation and Outreach (PEPO) workgroup of the IBCC has made funding available to all Basin Roundtables to offset costs of water education opportunities. The goal of this funding is to provide basin roundtable members with financial assistance to learn about water issues in other basins and statewide, thus transferring information between basins. For more information on the available scholarships, please click here.

For a comprehensive list of trainings visit the Assembly's website.

New Trainings

May 14-18: 2012 Ranger Excellence School
The ranger training will be once again hosted at the Larimer County Fairgrounds and Events Center. Training topics for this year will include medical emergency management, character and ethics, self defense, wilderness first aid/wilderness first responder re-certification, wildlife crimes identification and many more. As we progress with planning, the training schedule and session descriptions will be added to the Ranger Training page off of the Colorado Open Space Alliance website.

Upcoming Trainings

Various Dates: Community Resource Center's Leadership Program
Are you an Executive Director interested in expanding your leadership capabilities, developing greater self-confidence, and mastering management techniques that will increase your effectiveness? If so, then the Colorado Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program is for you! Click here or call 303.623.1540 X13 for more information.

Feb 1: Advocacy 101: How to Build Relationships and Get Results with Decision Makers at All Levels of Government
River Network is hosting a FREE webinar for partners - you must RSVP to attend. Effective advocates know that getting their message across to decision-makers requires more than a single letter or meeting; results are based on the development of long-term relationships with decision-makers and their staffs. This webinar will discuss how to build those relationships to get real results for your river.

Feb 5: Watershed to Waterwise Strategies
Following the trend to re-establish these functions in urban areas, this class, through the University of Colorado Boulder, will touch on: watershed catchment and delivery systems, current water use patterns in the west, water in the city, water on the site, water reuse at small and large scales, rainwater capture, urban forest functions and values and climate appropriate plant selections. Click here for time, cost and other information.

Feb 18: Wildland Restoration Volunteers Project Leader Training
If leadership, teamwork, project planning and getting "behind the scenes" with restoration sound like they're up your alley, you’re a great candidate to become a Project Leader! Consider taking our training to become a Project Leader or Assistant Project Leader for the 2012 season. Fee: $50 or $25 for current members and volunteers. Scholarships are available. Register here.

March 8: Urban Forest to Rain Gardens
In this course, taught through the University of Colorado Boulder, we will walk through a few green technologies taking root in cities today, such as green roofs, rain gardens and trees. Click here for time, cost and other information.

Interpreter/Volunteer Coordinator, South Platte Park
Under the general supervision of the Park Supervisor, this position is responsible for planning, researching, preparing materials for, and conducting public interpretive programs for adults and children, both at and away from the park. This position also takes the primary role in volunteer recruitment, communication, and recognition activities, including scheduling of groups for resource stewardship projects. This position works closely with volunteers, and will supervise several part-time party host and special event staff. Open until Jan 31. Click here for more information.

OSM/VISTA Member, Coal Creek Watershed Coalition
The Coal Creek Watershed Coalition is hiring an OSM/VISTA (Office of
Surface Mining/Volunteer in Service to America) member to serve in Crested Butte, Colorado. The Coalition is developing a watershed plan for the Slate River and actively involved in restoration projects on nearby Coal Creek. Click here for the full announcement.

GIS Technician Position, Boulder County Parks and Open Space
The GIS Technician is a specialized technical classification. The GIS Technician uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to interpret, design, and produce maps, edit and maintain spatial (GIS) data, and perform spatial analysis under the direction of more senior staff. Position closes 1/25/2012. Click here for the full announcement.

Seasonal Job Announcements, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas
The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department is seeking qualified applicants for seasonal positions during the 2012 season. Positions responsibilities include all facets of habitat improvement including vegetation management, wildlife management, and use of prescribed fire. Please see http://www.fcgov.com/jobs/ for more information.