Job Announcements Early January

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails is hiring a Natural Resource Planner/Ecologist. Under general supervision, supports the Planning and Outreach Manager with preparing, updating, and designing complex environmental and restoration projects with a special focus on managing the biodiversity aspect of planning implementation and outreach. Also responsible for managing the on-call ecological services consultants. Duties may vary according to job assignment. For full job description, click HERE. Application deadline is January 10th, 2019.

The Southern Rockies Seed Network seeks a full-time Director to guide the future of this regional program and to manage current projects. Established in 2014, the Southern Rockies Seed Network (SRSN) provides an exciting opportunity for professional growth and to work among a diverse range of federal, state, and local partners and industry representatives to create a sustainable solution to native plant materials development for the restoration industry in the Southern Rockies Ecoregion. This position will oversee the plant materials collection program, manage all fundraising activities, assist with our ecological restoration training program, develop and expand our growers’ network, manage diverse mapping and data management needs, enhance and manage our marketing and outreach program, and manage the plant materials program coordinator in order to address goals and strategies outlined in the SRSN Operations Plan. Any further questions, please email john@synergy3.org. Applications are due January 15th, 2019.

Upper Deschutes Watershed Council is seeking an Executive Director to provide leadership and support across the organization, setting and implementing the strategic direction to further the UDWC mission. The Executive Director has overall administrative responsibility for day-to-day operations, is a developer and promoter of the UDWC’s programs, is a fundraiser and spokesperson, and is a community leader on issues in the watershed. The Executive Director is charged with ensuring that the organization achieves its mission, maintains financial viability, and functions as an innovative and effective watershed restoration and education partner. For full job description, click HERE.

Round River Resource Management, Rush, Colorado - Round River Resource Management LLC is a land resource and livestock management company dedicated to restoring and improving agricultural operations through the principles of Holistic Management in a sustainable manner consistent with the goals of the resource owner. On the Brett Gray Ranch, a 50,000-acre ranch in Rush, Colorado, Round River uses cattle to manage the health of the land through proper grazing management and a holistic and adaptive decision making process that promotes economic and ecological sustainability. This intensive apprenticeship program teaches land and livestock management skills associated with sustainable ranching. Apply at quiviracoalition.org/roundriver.

Trainings & Workshops Early January

MARCH 4th-5th, 2019: QUALIFIED MS4 STORMWATER TRAINING. 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; we 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; and they will discuss BMPs – which are best, when to use them, how to use them, and how to know if BMPs are correctly installed and maintained. For details, including registration, click HERE.

MARCH 21st-22nd, 2019. Certified Stormwater Inspector Training. This course was developed by former Federal and State stormwater enforcement officials for the express purpose of training municipal stormwater personnel to conduct stormwater inspections of municipal, commercial, industrial, and construction activities. It includes instruction in the law (federal, state, local), illicit discharge detection and elimination, pollution prevention, post construction, public involvement and education, inspector protocols, and much more! For more information, including registration, click HERE.

APRIL 1st-3rd, 2019: After the Flames Workshop and Conference.  Experts warn that year-round fire season is the new normal. Wildfire is no longer "if" it will occur, but rather "when." The impacts of a wildfire last long after the flames are extinguished. Community leaders, agency representatives, property owners, and anyone impacted by wildfire is invited to join this interactive workshop and conference featuring recovery experts and agencies engaging After The Flames. For more information click HERE.

Funding Opportunities Early January

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Nonpoint Source Program is now accepting applications for watershed implementation projects that address water quality impairments caused by nonpoint sources of selenium, sediment, pathogens and/or nutrients OR protect waterbodies from degradation caused by nonpoint source pollution. Please visit: https://www.colorado.gov /pacific/cdphe/nonpoint-source -funding-opportunities for application and reference materials. Applications must be submitted to christa.trendle@state.co.us by February 4th, 2019 at 5pm (MST). Questions about the RFA should be directed to: christa.trendle@state.co.us until January 8, 2019 at 5pm (MST) and answers to those questions will be posted on: npscolorado.com on January 16, 2019.

WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program - Implementation of Watershed Management Projects: In 2017, Reclamation started to provide cost-shared financial assistance to watershed groups to implement watershed management projects (Phase II). These on-the-ground projects, collaboratively developed by members of a watershed group, address critical water supply needs and water quality concerns, helping water users meet competing demands and avoid conflicts over water. Reclamation will award up to $100,000 per project over a two-year period. For Phase II projects, applicants must contribute at least 50% of the total project costs. Applications are due on January 30, 2019 by 4:00 p.m. MDT. For more information, click HERE

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program 2019 Request for Proposals. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others, are soliciting applications for the 2019 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support.
Full Proposal Due Date: Thursday, January 31, 2019. More details can be found HERE.

Apply for EPA Brownfields Funding for 2019. With the passage of the Brownfield Utilization, Investment and Local Development (BUILD) Act, expect changes in Multipurpose, Assessment & Cleanup (MAC) grants. The EPA Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup (MAC). To submit your proposal go to www.grants.gov.

Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS) is currently accepting research proposals for 2019 funding. Through these research projects and inventories the department can monitor management practices and improve resources and park visitor experiences. Collaborative research with other agencies is allowed (i.e. Open Space and Mountain Parks Department (OSMP) of the City of Boulder and Jefferson County Open Space), and they will consider interagency grant proposals for joint funding. Full details can be found HERE.

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. 

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 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.

What type of Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants are available?

Basin Account: Funds water activities from a basin roundtable. The CWCB evaluates applications for the Basin Account to ensure the Threshold Criteria are met.

Statewide Account: Funds water activities from a basin roundtable on a competitive basis. The CWCB evaluates applications for the Statewide Account to ensure each application meets the Threshold Criteria in addition to being evaluated using the Evaluation Criteria.

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 January

FEBRUARY 4th - 6th, 2019: ESRI Water Conference: Discover How GIS Helps Us Better Manage Our Most Precious Resource. Some of the topics that you can look forward to learning more about include; Big Data and Analytics, Watershed and Floodplain Delineation, Asset Management, Field Workflows and Mobile Applications. Post-Conference training will cover using ArcGIS for water utility workflows. Learn new best practices and solutions to strengthen your operations with the power of the ArcGIS platform. REGISTER HERE.

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

MARCH 12th-14th, 2019: HAR-CERSER 2019 Conference. Jointly hosted by High Altitude Revegetation Committee (HAR) and Central Rockies chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration (CeRSER), the goal of the 2019 Conference is to enhance our understanding of ecological restoration and revegetation in diverse ecosystems using a variety of methods. For more information click HERE.

MARCH 13th-14th, 2019: Water in the West Symposium. Join leaders from diverse disciplines to dive deep into water issues affecting the region and to explore innovative solutions to water challenges. The Symposium will feature nationally renowned speakers, and showcase the efforts of various sectors in leveraging research, innovation, education, and creative policies to address the most pressing global water issues. For more information, click HERE.

MARCH 17th-23rd, 2019: Sustainable Trails Conference - Grand Junction, CO. Don't miss this convening of international trail experts in Grand Junction, CO. Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, concurrent and plenary sessions, and networking opportunities throughout the event. For more information, click HERE.

APRIL 24th-26th, 2019: 2019 Partners in the Outdoors Conference. Be a part of the solution as we shift from Planning to Action. Based on the Colorado Outdoor Principles and after months of collaborative work across the state from hundreds of partners, stakeholders and citizens, Colorado has drafted one of the finest Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORP) in the nation. For more information, click HERE.

JUNE 18th-20th, 2019: The 4th Rocky Mountain Stream Restoration Conference will provide an opportunity for professionals to share ideas and lessons learned in stream restoration assessment, planning, design, construction, and evaluation, as well as other topical stream issues. The conference will explore stream restoration challenges and solutions, with a focus on the Intermountain West. The conference will give special consideration to abstracts that identify challenges, discuss solutions, and recommend a standard of practice. For agenda and abstracts, click HERE.

Announcements Early January

High Altitude Revegetation Committee – Central Rockies chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration is seeking high quality oral and poster presentations by practitioners, scientists, land managers, students and policymakers to enhance our understanding of restoration and revegetation in diverse ecosystems using a variety of methods. To submit an Abstract for an oral or poster presentation, please complete the Abstract Submission Form by clicking here by January 25, 2019For more information, click HERE.

The Colorado Water Quality Control Commission consists of nine members with staggered 3-year terms. Commission members are appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Colorado Senate. The following members’ terms expire February 15, 2018: Barbara Biggs (finishing her second term), Fred Menzer (finishing his first term) and Kevin Greer (finishing his first term). While the governor may or may not reappoint some of these commissioners, applications are being accepted from anyone interested in serving on the commission. For more information, and application, click HERE.

The Watershed Planning Toolbox is a comprehensive resource for incorporating wetlands and streams into watershed planning, restoring wetlands to improve watershed health, and identifying opportunities for wetland conservation. Many Toolbox data layers have statewide coverage, while some more detailed layers for wetland functions and priority conservation and restoration are building out from the Arkansas and South Platte Headwaters Project Area. The Toolbox includes an interactive mapping platform that allows users to view wetlands, streams, likely aquatic ecosystem functions, ecological stressors, and high-priority sites for conservation and restoration at the landscape scale. Along with geospatial data, the Toolbox includes a gateway to a variety of other restoration and conservation resources via the Working in Wetlands web pages.

Launch the Watershed Planning Toolbox Mapping Tool

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Nonpoint Source Program is now accepting applications for watershed implementation projects that address water quality impairments caused by nonpoint sources of selenium, sediment, pathogens and/or nutrients OR protect waterbodies from degradation caused by nonpoint source pollution. Please visit: https://www.colorado.gov /pacific/cdphe/nonpoint-source -funding-opportunities for application and reference materials. Applications must be submitted to christa.trendle@state.co.us by February 4th, 2019 at 5pm (MST). Questions about the RFA should be directed to: christa.trendle@state.co.us until January 8, 2019 at 5pm (MST) and answers to those questions will be posted on: npscolorado.com on January 16, 2019.

Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS) is currently accepting research proposals for 2019 funding. Through these research projects and inventories the department can monitor management practices and improve resources and park visitor experiences. Collaborative research with other agencies is allowed (i.e. Open Space and Mountain Parks Department (OSMP) of the City of Boulder and Jefferson County Open Space), and we will consider interagency grant proposals for joint funding. Full details can be found HERE.

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 2: Completed

  • Meeting 3: Completed

  • Meeting 4: 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.