Trainings for Late June

JUNE 21st, 2016: Webinar - Understanding Water Availability Across Landscapes in a Time of Increasing Drought with speaker Jason Dunham, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center. The permanence of stream flow in stream networks is a critical driver of water quality, in-stream and riparian ecological processes, and downstream water availability.  Scientists currently know remarkably little, however, about how water is distributed across landscapes and how water availability changes in space and time in relation to land cover, geologic, and climatic drivers.  This webinar will highlight the framework and early results from a new initiative to address this fundamental information gap. This webinar begins at 3:00PM EDT. Registration is required for this webinar. Please Register at nccwsc.usgs.gov.

JUNE 29th, 2016: EPA Webinar - Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in Source and Treated Drinking Water from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MDT. Susan T. Glassmeyer, a research chemist (USEPA ORD/NERL), will give a presentation regarding the occurrences of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in source and treated drinking water and the implications for aquatic life and human health. EPA’s Safe and Sustainable Water Resources research program provides the science and innovative technologies that the Agency and the nation need to maintain drinking water resources and systems, as well as to protect the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. It uses an integrated, systems approach to support the availability of the clean, adequate, and equitable water supplies necessary for human well-being and resilient aquatic ecosystems. To register go to attendee.gotowebinar.com.

JULY 19th -20th, 2016: Project WET Facilitator Workshop at the Third Street Center, Carbondale, CO. Offer water education workshops for teachers in your community. Would you like the tools to offer Project WET educator workshops for water educators in your community? The Project WET curriculum is the most widely used K-12 water education tools in the country. This two day workshop will give you the tools and training to host and facilitate your own Project WET workshops in your home communities for local teachers, environmental educators, watershed educators, water festival volunteers, youth organizations, and more. Register by July 12! Find more details and register at www.yourwatercolorado.org/WET.

Stormwater Workshop Series with The Water Educator Network partnering with Earth Force and Denver Public Works. This full-day professional development workshop combines training in Earth Force’s award-winning, six-step Community Action and Problem Solving Process, with water quality monitoring protocols. The day will also include a storm drain hunt, hands-on use of enviroscape model, individual unit lesson-planning time, in-stream data collection, and visits from expert engineers and scientists. Each participant will go home with a Colorado-specific activity guide and access to ongoing assistance and resources to use with middle and high school students and adult community audiences. Click on each location below for more information and registration.

• July 7, Glenwood Springs 
• August 16, Sterling 
• August 23, Durango 

July 26th -29th 2016: River Watch Training 2016, CSU Mountain Park Campus (formerly Pingree Park), Colorado. River Watch trainings provide an opportunity for your organization to become volunteer water quality monitors in Colorado. Our training registration is based on a first come, first served basis. The cost of the training will cover food and lodging at CSU Mountain Campus (Pingree Park). Lodging is dorm style with shared facilities, meals are cafeteria style. Detailed information on the training will be provided with your training confirmation packet. Registration for training is being received at the Colorado Watershed Assembly River Watch Training page. If you have any questions, please contact Michaela Taylor atmichaela@coloradowatershed.org or(303) 291-7322.

AUGUST 23rd & 24th, 2016: Pollinator Short Courses hosted by Natural Resources Conservation Service, Xerces Society, and Partners. Over 30% of our food relies on insect pollination!  Honey bees support approximately $15 billion in crop production, while wild native bees supply an estimate $3 billion in pollination!  These invertebrates are amazingly important! Space is limited, so hurry and sign up now! 

• AUGUST 23rd, 2016 Pueblo Pollinator Short Course, Southeast Colorado Water Conservancy District, 31717 E United Ave, Pueblo, CO 81001. 
• AUGUST 24th, 2016, Lamar Pollinator Short Course, Lamar County Fairgrounds (Home Economics Building), 2206 Saddle Club Drive, Lamar, CO  81052

Trainings for Early June

JUNE 16th, 2016 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm there will be a Community Resource Center Development Roundtable featuring The Anschutz Family Foundation. The Foundation supports Colorado nonprofit organizations that assist people to help themselves while nurturing and preserving their self-respect. The Foundation encourages endeavors that strengthen families and communities and advance individuals to become productive and responsible citizens. There is a special interest in self-sufficiency, community development and programs aimed at the economically disadvantaged, the young, the elderly and the disabled. The Foundation is also dedicated to funding efforts in rural Colorado. Debbie Jessup, Executive Director of Anschutz Family Foundation, will join this session. Participants will gain valuable and unique information regarding: Funder’s history and priorities for Colorado giving;
Current strategic plan and funding initiatives; Grant application submission and review process;
Tips for success from a Program Officer; Opportunity for open dialogue and questions with a Program Officer. This roundtable will be held at  789 Sherman Street, Suite 100. If you are unable to attend the session in person, there is a teleconference option. Please indicate your preference to attend remotely when you register. 

July 26th -29th 2016: River Watch Training 2016, CSU Mountain Park Campus (formerly Pingree Park), Colorado. River Watch trainings provide an opportunity for your organization to become volunteer water quality monitors in Colorado. Our training registration is based on a first come, first served basis. The cost of the training will cover food and lodging at CSU Mountain Campus (Pingree Park). Lodging is dorm style with shared facilities, meals are cafeteria style. Detailed information on the training will be provided with your training confirmation packet. Registration for training is being received at the Colorado Watershed Assembly River Watch Training page. If you have any questions, please contact Michaela Taylor atmichaela@coloradowatershed.org or(303) 291-7322

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s premier training program, the Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI), is excited to offer a wide variety of trainings in 2016. OSI is for ANYONE involved in outdoor stewardship work. Volunteers and employees from any agency and organizations are welcome to join. View full calendar @http://www.voc.org/leadership-training-calendar. Questions? Contact Dan at dan@voc.org or 303-715-1010.

Announcements for Early June

CDPHE WQCD grants and loans annual eligibility survey process to identify the 20-year capital improvement needs of all publicly owned water and sewer systems throughout the State of Colorado as well as stormwater and non-point source projects has been delayed and will begin on June 15, 2016, running through the month of July. The survey notice along with blank surveys will be emailed to all contacts on June 15, 2016. If you do not receive the notice, blank surveys will also be available for download from their website beginning June 15th. Completed surveys must be submitted no later than Saturday, July 30th. All municipalities, counties, water and sanitation districts, not-for-profit water systems and other special districts are encouraged to participate. Completion of a survey is only the first step towards obtaining funding. It is not an application for funding and it does not obligate an entity to apply for financial assistance; however identifying capital improvement projects is a required prerequisite of securing funding offered through the SRF programs. SRF loans and grants cannot be extended to applicants who have not responded to this important survey. For more information regarding the grants and low interest loans available through the program, please visit their website at: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wq-grants-and-loans. 

The Online Watershed Library (OWL) is Back! OWL is a service provided by the Center that allows ready access to Center publications and other resources (research papers, tools, and stormwater manuals, among others) that support best practices in watershed and stormwater management.  Users have free access to Center publications and do not need to Log In to gain access.  To learn more go to OWL. 

The May 2016 Drought Update, a summary of the drought information presented at the May 25, 2016 Water Availability Task Force Meeting will be posted on the CWCB website.  All of the presentations from the meeting can also be found on the CWCB website. If you have questions regarding the Drought Update, please contact Tracy Kosloff at tracy.kosloff@state.co.us

WATER QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION - HEARING NOTICES: The following Notice of Rulemaking Hearing has been posted on the commission’s web site:

JUNE 13th, 2016: Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water, Regulation #31 (5 CCR 1002-31) and the Discharge Permit System Regulations, Regulation #61 (5 CCR 1002-61).
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wqcc-rulemaking-proceeding

Funding Opportunities for Early June

The National Forest Foundation Matching Awards Program is offering Challenge Grants to nonprofits, universities and native tribes for results-oriented on-the-ground projects that enhance outdoor experiences and forest health on National Forests and Grasslands. To learn more, review the Matching Awards Program details. An eligibility questionnaire will determine access to the Request for Proposals (RFP). Grants are awarded for one year, with a match requirement of at least a 1:1 nonfederal cash match. Submission deadline: June 16, 2016. For more information about National Forest Foundation grant programs visit: www.nationalforests.org/grant-programs.

The U.S. Forest service has announced the 2017 U.S. Forest Service National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program Request for Pre-Proposals (RFP). The Request for Proposals addresses the following priority issues: Developing a National Urban Forestry Funding Assessment and Methodology and Understand Urban Forest Ecosystem/Ecological Services. Proposals are due June 17th, 2016. More information can be found at the National Urban and Community Forest Advisory Council website

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Wetlands for Wildlife Program has announced their 2016 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA). Competitive Grants for Wetland/Riparian Restoration, Enhancement, & Creation. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) seeks applications for wetland and riparian restoration, enhancement, and creation projects to support its Wetlands Program Strategic Plan.The intent of this funding is to support the two primary goals of the program: 1) Improve the distribution and abundance of ducks, and opportunities for public waterfowl hunting, 2) Improve the status of declining or at-risk species.  The application deadline is Friday, June 17, 2016. For further information or to provide feedback on any aspect of the Wetlands Program or this RFA, please contact Brian Sullivan, Wetlands Program Coordinator, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Tel. 970-472-4306 or brian.sullivan@state.co.us.

The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program extends and expands the benefits of the National Park Service to communities throughout the nation. To be considered for technical assistance in 2017 for your community-led conservation and outdoor recreation projects submit your project idea. Project ideas can include a bike path, a water trail, or a park. Apply by June 30th, 2016. See the NPS website for the application and additional information.

 

Job Announcements for Early June

The Big Thompson Watershed Forum, a Colorado 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1997, is seeking a motivated individual to fill the part-time position of Monitoring Program Manager of the Forum. The mission of the Forum is to protect and improve water quality in the Big Thompson River Watershed through collaborative monitoring, assessment and educational projects. The Monitoring Program Manager provides leadership, technical support, and overall management of the Big Thompson Watershed Forum’s water quality monitoring and assessment activities. Applications will be accepted until July 29, 2016 with an expected start date is September 26, 2016. For more information on this position visit their website at btwatershed.org.

The Big Thompson Watershed Forum is seeking a motivated individual to fill the part-time position of Watershed Program Administrator. The Forum is a collaborative group representing private citizens, corporations, nongovernmental organizations and government agencies. The mission of the Forum is to protect and improve water quality in the Big Thompson River Watershed through collaborative monitoring, assessment and educational projects. The Watershed Program Administrator provides leadership and overall management of the Big Thompson Watershed Forum in areas of weekly operations, planning, administration and financial management. Applications will be accepted until July 29, 2016 with an expected start date is September 19, 2016. For more information on this position visit their website at btwatershed.org.

The US Forest Service is seeking applicants for the position of Hydrologist, based in Gunnison, CO. Open to current federal employees. Duties include developing recommendations of treatment for rehabilitation or restoration. Maintain inventory of proposed rehabilitation and restoration projects by priority. Manage watershed restoration and improvement programs, consulting with other resource specialists. For more information click HERE. 

The Town of Breckenridge is seeking qualified applicants to be considered for the position of Open Space and Trails Manager. This is a manager-level open space position in an historic mountain community, please visit the link for more information and an application, www.townofbreckenridge.com

Boulder County Parks and Open Space is currently looking for temporary 2-year Natural Resources Planner II. This position comes with complete benefits. The work involves flood restoration and other open space projects. For more information click HERE.

Purgatoire Watershed Partnership (PWP) is accepting applications for an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Position. Will you be a new college graduate this year?  If so, the Purgatoire Watershed Partnership (PWP) is offering a one year position located in Trinidad, CO through the AmeriCorps VISTA program. The PWP is non-profit organization whose mission is to actively maintain a watershed-wide stakeholder partnership aimed at the assessment, restoration, protection & improvement of all aspects regarding the Purgatoire River Watershed. The PWP VISTA will assist with grant writing, building community collaboration, developing and implementing a public relations campaign, environmental education programs, and natural resource management projects such as water quality, noxious weeds, and streambank restoration. Only online applications will be accepted. The job posting and online application links can be found on the AmeriCorps Portal (my.americorps.gov) at https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=61578&fromSearch=true. Applications are due by July 1st, 2017. Applicants must attend an AmeriCorps VISTA required training from July 18-21 in Pheonix, AZ. The start date is July 18th, 2017 and the job ends on July 10th, 2017.

Highlands Ranch Metro District is currently accepting applications for a Forestry Technician position. Principal duties include; pruning large and small trees using rope and saddle/aerial lift truck; tree planting, integrated pest management; tree removal; flexibility to assist other Park and Open Space crews as needed. Please submit application to Highlands Ranch Metro District, Human Resources, 62 West Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. Applications and Background Check authorization forms are also available on our web site athttp://highlandsranch.org/jobs.
 

The Wildlife Conservation Society is seeking an experienced Field Project Coordinator and a Field Research Assistant to coordinate a pilot field study of the potential effects of human recreation activity on Abert’s squirrel and dusky grouse, two species of concern in Boulder County, Colorado. The purpose of this work is to test survey methods for detecting the target species and to relate variation in species detections to types and intensity of recreation activity. Go to www.wcs.org, scroll to “careers” at the bottom of the page, and follow the prompts to apply on-line.

The City of Aurora invites qualified applicants to apply for Parks Crew Leader for the Forestry Division of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Department. This position serves as leadworker over an assigned crew of maintenance workers engaged in skilled tree maintenance programs. Please click on this LINK to apply for this position. A new window will open and direct you to apply at their corporate careers page.