Announcements Early September

BLM Moving Forward with Leasing Lands in the North Fork of the Gunnison Watershed: On July 2, the BLM announced plans to offer 8,000 acres of lands in the North Fork of the Gunnison Watershed in the December 2018 Oil & Gas Lease Sale. Earlier this week, the BLM released the preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA) for the lease sale. The public has the chance to comment on the EA until September 11.  

PublicHealth.org is a site dedicated to meeting the growing need for public health professionals by connecting students with opportunities to begin and advance their careers. With a predicted growth rate well above the national average and an established workforce, public health is an excellent industry for a new student to begin a career. To meet this demand, they have expanded their site’s career and state resources. For students seeking information about public health in their state, they have created state-specific guides that answer important questions. The page for Colorado can be found at: https://www.publichealth.org/online-degrees/Colorado/.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is offering a new Water Studies Online Certificate, mainly in response to the reality of declining water resources. From lifelong learners who want to know more about water preservation to those working in green and sustainable professions, this unique certificate provides introductory level training and skills relevant to a wide range of fields in the nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors, including water industries, conservation, agriculture, construction, engineering, and law. For more information, click HERE. Courses open September 4th. 

LAST CALL: Submit your abstracts to the Colorado WaterWise Annual Symposium! For the second year in a row, they will have a Pecha Kucha session - the art of short presentations. If you are interested in doing a 5 minute presentation to highlight a project, research or your wild ideas related to water efficiency in the Pecha Kucha style please complete this form. If you are chosen as a Pecha Kucha presenter, you will receive half off your registration. Submission deadline is September 8th! Draft Agenda for the Symposium is available here.  Check back here for updates.

The Arkansas Basin Roundtable has a vacancy for a voting member:  At-Large Environmental Representative. Candidates must be nominated by an organization rather than by self-nomination.  Please send a letter with name, contact information, and a brief description of your nominee that includes their qualifications and why you think they would be a good fit for this position.  A longer letter is acceptable, but please include a one-paragraph description that can be used prior to the voting process. Nominations will be accepted through September 15th, and the new representative will be selected at the October roundtable meeting. More details can be found at http://www.arkansasbasin.com/.

MEETING NOTICE: Colorado Water Quality Forum 10-year water quality roadmap Workgroup involvement opportunity. The mission of the workgroup is to achieve solutions to Colorado water quality issues through communication and understanding, balancing use, and protection of the resource. Water Quality Members and Participants: The 10-year water quality roadmap is their plan to develop or revise water quality standards from 2017 to 2027. They'll hold quarterly workgroup meetings to discuss progress and encourage participation. Learn more about all the topics involved on the roadmap webpage, ROAD WEBPAGE.

  • Meeting 1: Completed
  • Meeting two: Completed
  • Meeting three: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018 (1-4 p.m.)
  • Meeting four: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 (1-4 p.m.)

Anyone can participate! If you would like to receive future emails about the workgroup, use this online sign-up form to join the mailing list so they can stay in touch.

Funding Opportunities Early September

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program. This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Full details, including requirements and registration, can be found HERE. 

Conservation Alliance Public Lands Defense Fund - Grants will be awarded in support of projects that seek to secure quantifiable and permanent protection of a specific wildland or waterway. Priority will be given to landscape-scale projects that have a clear benefit for habitat. In addition, campaigns should engage grassroots citizen action in support of the effort and must have a clear recreational benefit. Before applying for funding, an organization must first be nominated by one of the alliance's member companies. Nominations must be received no later than November 1, 2018. Information can be found HERE.

Great Outdoors Colorado has posted the application for Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation grant, along with other mini grants. For all the information regarding applications and submissions, click HERE. Deadline to apply is November 2nd.

EPA Wetland Program Development Grants—Application Close Date Varies by Region –Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) provide eligible applicants an opportunity to conduct projects that promote the protection, management, and restoration of wetlands. States, tribes, local governments, inter-state associations, and inter-tribal consortia are eligible to apply for the Regional WPDG Request for Proposals. More information available HERE.

Watershed Group Development and Watershed Restoration Planning: In 2012, Reclamation began providing funding for watershed group development, watershed restoration planning, and watershed management project design (Phase I). A watershed group is a self-sustaining, non-regulatory, consensus-based group that is composed of a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include, but is not limited to, private property owners, non-profit organizations, Federal, state, or local agencies, and tribes. As part of Phase I activities, applicants may use funding to develop bylaws, a mission statement, complete stakeholder outreach, develop a watershed restoration plan, and watershed management project design. For more information, click HERE. 

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Planning Design and Engineering Grants. These grants provide money to small communities to help cover costs associated with the State Revolving Fund pre-application requirements. Grants require a 20 percent match from the applicant. Planning grant applicants must complete the prequalification form and attend a pre-application meeting. Design and engineering grant applicants will be considered by project needs assessment submissions by approved disadvantaged communities. For more information CLICK HERE.

Colorado's Water Plan Grant Opportunities: The purpose of the Water Plan Grant funding is to make progress on the critical actions identified in the Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP) and its Measurable Objectives. All applications will be assessed based on funds available for a particular CWP Measurable Objective category. The Board will select projects, programs and activities to fund from applications that have the best opportunity to make progress on the CWP’s Measurable Objectives or critical actions. The CWCB staff reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to modify the scope and budget of their project to better meet the CWP objectives in light of fund availability. CWCB staff will evaluate applications and recommend projects to the CWCB Board for final approval at its regularly scheduled Board meetings. Learn more HERE.

The National Water Quality Initiative will work in priority watersheds to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners improve water quality and aquatic habitats in impaired streams. Natural Resource Conservation Service will help producers implement conservation and management practices through a systems approach to control and trap nutrient and manure runoff. Qualified producers will receive assistance for installing conservation practices such as cover crops, filter strips and terraces. More Details HERE.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), provided through the Natural Resource Conservation Service, is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, agricultural producers receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land. EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadline dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers and submitted applications may be considered or evaluated in multiple funding pool opportunities. To learn more CLICK HERE.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply Reserve Account (WSRA) Program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests. The funds help eligible entities complete water activities, which may include competitive grants for: Technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance; Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs, projects or activities; and structural and nonstructural water projects or activities. For more information click HERE.

Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Efficiency Grant Program. The Water Efficiency Grant Program provides financial assistance to communities, water providers, and eligible agencies for water conservation-related activities and projects. Eligible entities, as well as state and local governments and agencies, can receive funding to develop water conservation and drought plans, implement water conservation goals outlined in a water conservation plan and educate the public about water conservation.
Types of Water Efficiency Grants available - Click on programs below for more information about each and how to apply:

RiversEdge West has a list of riparian restoration funding opportunities maintained by the Tamarisk Coalition.  For list click  restoration funding opportunities.

Conferences & Events Early September

SEPTEMBER 7th, 2018: Western Colorado Community Forestry Conference will be held in Durango, Colorado, at the Durango Public Library. Conference agenda can be found HERE. Registration can be found HERE. 

SEPTEMBER 10th-12th, 2018:  2018 Colorado Open Space Alliance (COSA) conference. Do you have open space, natural resource management, or conservation expertise that you’d like to share? The conference theme is “Ripple by Ripple, Water is the Driving Force in Nature.”  Read more about this HERE.

SEPTEMBER 18th, 2018: Recovery to Resilience Flood Tour. Join Water Education Colorado for a 5th anniversary, full-day tour of the 2013 flood-affected zone along the Front Range (to begin and end in Loveland). Participants will learn about the initial actions that were taken to protect lives and property as well as the subsequent projects that were undertaken to recover and build resilience. Read the draft agenda and register HERE. 

September 18th-20th, 2018: Colorado Wildland Fire Conference- Mt Crested Butte. This year's conference will provide an in-depth exploration of how human dimensions affect community adaptation to wildfire. We will examine why people adopt or reject best practices, how we understand risk, and how we collectively perceive notions about wildfire. Find out more HERE.

SEPTEMBER 27th-OCTOBER 7th, 2018: 5th Annual Creek Week Cleanup - Seeking Creek Crews. Be a part of the largest cleanup in the state of Colorado! Creek Week volunteers clean up litter along the creeks, trails, parks and open spaces from Palmer Lake to Pueblo during this 9-day event happening 9/27-10/7 this year. Individuals and groups (families, clubs, schools, churches, neighborhoods, etc.) are invited to form a Creek Crew. Get outdoors, get active, and create some good for your community and those living downstream! Last year, over the course of nine days, 2,592 citizens formed 81 groups and collected nearly three THOUSAND bags of litter and debris, weighing in at over 30 TONS.

OCTOBER 9th - 11th, 2018: 13th Annual Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference. The Color of Water: Exploring the Spectrum, Westin Riverfront Resort, Avon, CO. Don't miss the premier watershed conference in Colorado. Expanding cooperation and collaboration throughout Colorado in natural resource conservation, protection and enhancement by informing participants about new issues and innovative projects and through invaluable networking. For information and registration go to SCW Conference 2018.

OCTOBER 24th-25th, 2018: 29th Annual South Platte Forum at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, CO. The conference will feature an exciting lineup of speakers and topics, and a great opportunity to network. Find the list of speakers and their bios HERE, and all general and pertinent information and links HERE. 

OCTOBER 30th, 2018: 10th Annual Water Conservation Symposium at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Join them for the 10th Annual Colorado WaterWise Water Conservation Symposium in Denver, Colorado! They have a great program that will appeal to many audiences. Register now as space is limited. To register, visit their website HERE.

NOVEMBER 7th-8th, 2018: 8th Annual Upper Colorado River Basin Water Forum will be held at CMU University Center in Grand Junction, CO. For more, click HERE. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS will expire June 30th. Click HERE for details for abstracts

FEBRUARY 11th – 14th, 2019: Colorado Rural Water Association Annual Conference and Exhibition. SAVE THE DATE! This event will be held at the Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center, 1550 East 40th Avenue, Denver, CO. For more information click HERE.

Trainings & Workshops Early September

Colorado Rural Water Association is hosting a Operator Training and Certification Review - September 6th-7th, 2018. This two-day training is designed to assist and prepare individuals taking their Certification Exams by providing educational information. The course also serves as a refresher course for certified operators. More information, including fees, schedule, and location, click HERE.

SEPTEMBER 6th, 2018: From Planning to Implementation Webinar: A Look at Steamboat Springs' New Stream Management Plan. Join Water Education Colorado from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on September 6  to learn how science and local priorities led to recommendations in Steamboat Springs' new stream management plan, what a completed plan means for existing flow agreements, and how implementation might look going forward. While the webinar will focus on Steamboat's work, lessons learned from their process will be applicable across the state. Register and learn more HERE.

Butterfly Pavilion will be offering the final session of 2018 Urban Prairies Project trainings beginning on September 9th. In this hands-on, 5-week course, volunteers will learn everything from site analysis to monitoring protocols to public engagement. To find out more about the program, please contact Amy Yarger at ayarger@butterflies.org or 720-974-1874.

Join Water Education Colorado on September 18 for a 5th anniversary, full-day tour of the 2013 flood-affected zone along the Front Range (to begin and end in Loveland). Jump on the bus with lawmakers, water managers, attorneys, engineers and members of the public to get an up-close look at various recovery projects. Participants will learn about the initial actions that were taken to protect lives and property as well as the subsequent projects that were undertaken to recover and build resilience. Seats are limited, so reserve your spot today!

RiversEdge West is putting on a River Management Workshop - September 20th, 2018. This is a workshop for White River riparian landowners and managers to learn about resources for river and riparian restoration: from invasive vegetation control to grazing management to NRCS and state funding opportunities. For more information, including pricing and registration, click HERE. 

Shadowcliff and the International Society for Sustainability Professionals is putting on Beyond Sustainability: A Workshop for Professonals - September 23rd - 27th, 2018. If your day to day work involves a focus on sustainability then this workshop is right for you. Come and experience new tools to elevate your work, the power of sharing a common experience with colleagues, an experienced and engaging faculty, and the reinvigorating connection to the very heart of why you do the work you do. For more information, including schedules and registration, click HERE. 

The Center for Watershed Protection presents Watershed and Stormwater Webcast Series:

  • Stormwater and Green Infrastructure for Combined Sewer Systems- September 12, 2018, 1-2:30 PM EST
  • Innovations in Stream Restoration Design and Construction- October 10, 2018, 1-2:30 PM ES
  • It Ain’t Easy Getting Green: Incentivizing Watershed Programs- November 14, 2018, 1-2:30 PM EST

Find pricing information and registration HERE.

Wetland and Waterfowl Ecology and Management Workshop. The three-day Wetland and Waterfowl Ecology and Management Workshop will be held September 25-27, 2018 from 8 AM - 5 PM in Grand Junction, CO. This training is being hosted in collaboration with US Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited, RiversEdge West, Wetland Management & Educational Services, Inc., and Scaup & Willet LLC. Topics include wetland, wetland plant, and waterfowl ecology; geomorphology and hydrology of wetlands; aquatic invertebrates; and management considerations specific to western Colorado. Field trips to several local wetland sites will occur each afternoon. Email Adonia Henry at adoniarhenry@gmail.com for more information. Deadline to register is September 5th. 

Water Education Colorado presents Rethinking the Big Picture: Building Relationships into Program Design and Evaluation - October 9th, 2018.  This workshop will benefit anyone who delivers projects or programs. The lessons learned can be applied at various scales - from short-term projects to organizational program management. Additionally, these skills are useful for various sectors, including municipalities, nonprofits, watershed coalitions, consultants and businesses. For all the details, including registration, click HERE. 

American Stormwater Institute is putting on the Denver Qualified Stormwater Inspector Training - October 29th-30th, 2018. In this two-day course they will cover all the topics to ensure that you meet the regulatory requirement to conduct Stormwater Inspections. They will review the requirements of your state MS4, Construction, and Industrial General Permits; they will discuss what it takes for you to be in compliance with the permits; they will discuss inspection techniques that will help you better evaluate whether or not other permittees are in compliance with their permits – and how that influences your permit compliance. All the details and registration can be found HERE. 

Job Announcements Early September

Northern Water is currently looking for a Water Quality Department Manager. Duties include planning and directing personnel and all aspects of Northern Water’s activities concerning water quality. Identifying water quality issues that may affect the organization and its allottees and developing and implementing plans to maintain compliance with pertinent local, state and federal regulations and to protect system water quality and water supply. For full job description, click HERE. Position is open until filled. 

Department of Parks and Recreation for the City of Denver is hiring a Fishing Program Coordinator. The Fishing Program Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that the Denver's Fishing is Fun program is properly organized and successfully implemented. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience working for one of the largest park programs in the region and truly making a positive impact in the community. They are looking for an individual to work part-time through the remainder of the season (through approximately November of 2018). For more information, visit their website HERE.

Eagle River Watershed Council is seeking a Community Outreach VISTA to become a part of their team. The VISTA will help to expand their community outreach efforts particularly in the Latino and underserved communities, build organizational capacity, and help develop a new water quality education program county-wide. All applications must be submitted through the AmeriCorps website. To create a login visit https://my.americorps.gov/mp/recruit/registration.do. More information about the AmeriCorps VISTA application process is HERE. 

Continental Divide Trail Coalition is looking for a Project Leader (to be filled immediately). This full-time, seasonal position (July - October) requires leadership experience in constructing and managing non-motorized trails through collaborative partnerships, proven success in program coordination and a background in volunteer management. Requires a minimum of two years of experience in sustainable trail construction techniques and crew leadership/volunteer management. For more information, click HERE. To apply: Please email a Cover Letter and Resume to Morgan Anderson at manderson@continentaldividetrail.org with Subject: CDT Project Leader Application. 

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Environmental Programs Department is hiring a Water Quality Specialist to conduct field, lab. and office work to restore, maintain and protect the chemical, biological and physical integrity of the Tribes surface and groundwater resources. Contact Colin Larrick, Water Quality Program Manager, clarrick@utemountain.org for additional information and how to apply.

Friends of the Lower Blue River is hiring an Executive Director who will oversee the logistics, serve as point person, represent the FOLBR in the community, and manage membership functions so that the FOLBR maintains a high and positive profile in the community, the FOLBR BOD functions efficiently and effectively, and the FOLBR Mission is consistently honored and met. For more information, visit the description page HERE. 

The City of Boulder is seeking a Natural Lands Technician. Under limited supervision, maintains the health, safety and aesthetics of natural areas throughout the Parks and Recreation system.  Performs natural resource related maintenance and operations on City of Boulder Parks and Recreation natural lands including staff collaboration, project completion and program assistance.  Performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks in the areas of natural lands maintenance, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), wildlife management and equipment operation, and performs related duties as required. To see the entire job description, click HERE and look for the Maintenance Person III Natural Lands job title.

PublicHealth.org, is a site dedicated to meeting the growing need for public health professionals by connecting students with opportunities to begin and advance their careers. With a predicted growth rate well above the national average and an established workforce, public health is an excellent industry for a new student to begin a career. To meet this demand, they have expanded their site’s career and state resources. For students seeking information about public health in their state, they have created state-specific guides that answer important questions. The page for Colorado can be found at: https://www.publichealth.org/online-degrees/Colorado/.