Announcements for Early September

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park near Montrose, Colorado

The Colorado Water Quality Forum is hosting a series of Nutrient Workgroup meetings to discuss proposed changes to the nutrient control management regulations (Regulations 85 and 31.17).

Workgroup meeting #1
When - Tuesday November 1 (1 to 4 p.m.) 
Where - CDPHE Laboratory Services Division - training room
8100 Lowry Blvd. Denver, CO 80230

Meeting details, including the agenda, conference number, and webinar link are posted on their website. Two additional workgroup meetings have been tentatively scheduled. Please save the date and check the website for additional details.
Meeting #2 - Thursday, January 12, 2017.
Meeting #3 - Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

The Watershed Based Plan for the Mora River - Upper Canadian Plateau, developed by the Hermit's Peak Watershed Alliance, was accepted by the EPA in June 2016. For a PDF copy of the document, click HERE.

The CSU Water Center and the Colorado Water Institute are pleased to announce the July/August 2016 issue of the Colorado Water newsletter. For the July/August 2016 Newsletter click here, http://cwi.colostate.edu/current_newsletter.asp.

EPA Releases 2016 Climate Change Indicators Report. EPA recently released a report that shows compelling and clear evidence of long-term changes to our climate and highlights impacts on human health and the environment in the United States and around the world. The report, "Climate Change Indicators in the United States," features observed trend data on 37 climate indicators, including U.S and global temperatures, ocean acidity, sea level, river flooding, droughts, and wildfires. To read the report click HERE.
 
The USGS has released a new statistically downscaled climate model dataset covering the conterminous U.S. It is now available for download in the USGS GeoData Portal. This dataset contains daily downscaled meteorological and hydrological projections for the conterminous U.S. at 4-km resolution.

The first joint project to help farmers use existing irrigation water to generate electricity has been completed in Colorado. And the Colorado Department of Agriculture is looking for more producers who want to try it. The installation, near Hotchkiss, Colorado, is the first for the multi-agency Pressurized Irrigation Small Hydropower Partnership Project, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). During the next few years, the program is expected to create 30 on-farm hydropower projects in Colorado. "This project helps farmers by putting their water to work, creating electricity that lowers their power bills," said Don Brown, Commissioner of Agriculture. "We are very proud of this project and how it gives producers a way to cut their costs and use their resources efficiently." Click HERE to read more.

SAVE THE DATE for the next Watershed Wildfire Protection Group meeting on Friday, November 18th, 2016 from 9:00 am -3:00 pm MST at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Administration Building; Bighorn Room @ 6060 Broadway in Denver. A tentative agenda for the meeting available by the end of October.

The Colorado Water Quality Control Division, Department of Public Health & Environment will be holding Nutrient Methods and Stakeholder Meetings. Because Regulation 85 allows for the use of analytical methods approved by the Water Quality Control Division, but not included in (or approved pursuant to) in 40 CFR Part 136, the division maintains a list of methods approved for Regulation 85 nutrient monitoring. The Colorado Water Quality Forum will host a series of stakeholder meetings starting to work through the proposed changes to the regulations. Details about the work group meetings will be available shortly on the forum website. For questions about analytical methods, please contact Kristy Richardson 303-692-6412 or Arne Sjodin 303-692-3522. For questions about the rulemaking hearing stakeholder process, or any other nutrient-related matter, please emailCDPHE_nutrients@state.co.us.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board Department of Natural Resources August 2016 Drought Update, a summary of the drought information presented at the August 17, 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 Taryn Finnessey.

The Colorado Wildland Fire Conference is accepting presentation proposals. The conference will be held April 19 – 21, 2017 at the Pueblo Convention Center in Pueblo, CO. This conference will provide an atmosphere for professionals and landowners to have solutions-oriented discussions about creating communities in Colorado that are adapted to wildfire. This year’s conference will expand on the Fire Adapted Communities concept, providing the framework for moving from awareness to action, messaging to mitigation, and words to work. This is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise about reducing communities’ vulnerability to wildfire. The conference planning committee is looking for presentations that focus on innovative research influencing policy changes; case studies of overcoming barriers to planning and implementation; and success stories of on the ground actions to create Fire Adapted Communities. Submit your presentation proposals online HERE. Presentation proposals are due Friday, November 18, 2016 by 11:59 p.m.

Announcements for Late August

Sunset over the Rio Grande near Monte Vista, Colorado

New Report now available: Protecting Source Water in Colorado During Oil and Gas Development. This report is intended for water providers and community members interested in learning about methods to protect source water quality in areas of oil and gas development. The report focuses on methods that water providers and local governments can engage with the oil and gas industry to protect source waters, such as commenting on the location of oil and gas wells, negotiating the use of best management practices to maintain water quality, and enacting watershed protection ordinances. "Source water" includes both the surface waters (streams, rivers, and lakes) and the groundwater (aquifers) that serve as sources of public drinking water. The report is a collaborative effort of the Colorado Rural Water Association, Western Resource Advocates, University of Colorado Intermountain Oil and Gas Best Management Practices (through a CU Outreach grant to the Getches-Wilkinson Center), and AirWaterGas, a National Science Foundation funded research group of ten institutions including Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, and the University of Colorado. The full report can be downloaded HERE.

To help celebrate National Lakes Appreciation Month, passengers at Denver International Airport (DEN) can connect with Colorado’s water through a new temporary art exhibit, “Water Brings Life to Land.” The exhibit, which can be seen at the southeast end of the Jeppesen Terminal on Level 5 through October, is a collaboration among the Barr Lake & Milton Reservoir Watershed Association and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Display cases feature different educational topics about water, including: watersheds; how too many nutrients degrade water quality; why it’s important to keep Colorado’s water clean; things to do at nearby Barr Lake State Park and other state parks; and different ways to safely enjoy Colorado’s water. The exhibit seeks to inspire travelers to be aware about living within or traveling to other watersheds, and why it’s important to protect water quality everywhere. Additional information about Barr Lake & Milton Reservoir can be found at http://www.barr-milton.org/ and Colorado Parks and Wildlife at http://cpw.state.co.us/

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) recently approved up to $500,000 (divided equally between GOCO’s Open Space and Local Government purposes) to be awarded to GOCO-eligible projects in conjunction with the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA). The goal of these funds is to employ youth and young adults (ages 14-25) throughout the state on critical outdoor recreation and land conservation projects using the network of youth corps accredited by CYCA. CYCA, in partnership with GOCO, is managing a competitive RFP process for projects funded from GOCO’s Local Government and Open Space purposes. The GOCO Board will vote on the slate of projects in December 2016. They strongly encourage early submissions to avoid missing the September, 22nd 4:00 PM MDT deadline. Questions about applicant or project eligibility should be directed to Madison Brannigan, GOCO’s Local Government Program Coordinator (mbrannigan@goco.org). Questions about the appropriateness of using a youth corps, how to prepare for hosting a youth corps, etc. should be directed to Scott Segerstrom, CYCA’s Executive Director (ssegerstrom@cyca.org) or the youth corps that serves your area (find youth corps region map at www.cyca.org).

The Colorado Rio Grande Restoration Foundation is soliciting bids for an Upper Rio Grande Watershed Assessment. The hired contractor, in collaboration with the Upper Rio Grande Watershed Assessment Technical Advisory Team, will assess the ecological condition of the Upper Rio Grande watershed by collecting, compiling, and analyzing data characterizing riparian habitat, geomorphology, recreation, adjacent uplands, and infrastructure. Simultaneously, Project partners will assess the condition of aquatic habitat, flow regimes, and water quality through the collection of new data and the analysis of existing data. The Project will result in synthesized data detailing current conditions, causes of degradation, and prioritized projects and recommendations to increase resiliency in the Upper Rio Grande watershed. Bid Proposals will be due on August 24, 2016 at 5:00pm. Questions regarding the bid packet can be directed to Emma Regier Colorado Rio Grande Restoration Foundation, Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project 623 Fourth Street Alamosa, CO 81101, (719) 589-2230,emma@riograndeheadwaters.org.

The first joint project to help farmers use existing irrigation water to generate electricity has been completed in Colorado. And the Colorado Department of Agriculture is looking for more producers who want to try it. The installation, near Hotchkiss, Colorado, is the first for the multi-agency Pressurized Irrigation Small Hydropower Partnership Project, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). During the next few years, the program is expected to create 30 on-farm hydropower projects in Colorado. "This project helps farmers by putting their water to work, creating electricity that lowers their power bills," said Don Brown, Commissioner of Agriculture. "We are very proud of this project and how it gives producers a way to cut their costs and use their resources efficiently." Click HERE to read more.

SAVE THE DATE for the next Watershed Wildfire Protection Group meeting on Friday, November 18th, 2016 from 9:00 am -3:00 pm MST at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Administration Building; Bighorn Room @ 6060 Broadway in Denver. A tentative agenda for the meeting available by the end of October.

The Colorado Water Quality Control Division, Department of Public Health & Environment will be holding Nutrient Methods and Stakeholder Meetings. Because Regulation 85 allows for the use of analytical methods approved by the Water Quality Control Division, but not included in (or approved pursuant to) in 40 CFR Part 136, the division maintains a list of methods approved for Regulation 85 nutrient monitoring. The Colorado Water Quality Forum will host a series of stakeholder meetings starting to work through the proposed changes to the regulations. Details about the work group meetings will be available shortly on the forum website. For questions about analytical methods, please contact Kristy Richardson 303-692-6412 or Arne Sjodin 303-692-3522. For questions about the rulemaking hearing stakeholder process, or any other nutrient-related matter, please email CDPHE_nutrients@state.co.us.

The next Water Availability Task Force meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 from 1:00 pm -2:30 pm at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Headquarters, 6060 Broadway, Denver in the Red Fox Room. An agenda has been posted at the CWCB website. In the event you are unable to attend the meeting in person, please email Ben Wade for call in & web conference information.

WATER QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION - HEARING NOTICES

August 2016

The following Notices of Rulemaking Hearings have been posted on the commission’s web site: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wqcc-rulemaking-proceedings.

·         Temporary Modifications to water quality standards in the Classifications and Numeric Standards for:

o   Arkansas River Basin, Regulation #32 (5 CCR 1002-32),

o   Upper Colorado River Basin and North Platte River (Planning Region 12),

    Regulation #33 (5 CCR 1002-33),

o   San Juan River and Dolores River Basins, Regulation #34 (5 CCR 1002-34),

o   Gunnison and Lower Dolores River Basins, Regulation #35 (5 CCR 1002-35),

o   Rio Grande Basin, Regulation #36 (5 CCR 1002-36),

o   Lower Colorado River Basin, Regulation #37 (5 CCR 1002-37), and

o   South Platte River Basin, Laramie River Basin, Republican River Basin, Smoky Hill River Basin, Regulation #38 (5 CCR 1002-38).

·         Pretreatment Regulations, Regulation #63 (5 CCR 1002-63).

The following Notice of Administrative Action Hearing has been posted on the commission’s web site:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wqcc-administrative-action-hearings.

·         FY 2017 Intended Use Plans for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water Revolving Fund.

The following Notices of Informational Hearings have been posted on the commission’s web site:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wqcc-public-informational-hearings.

·         Classifications and Numeric Standards for Arkansas River and Rio Grande Basin, Regulations #32 and #36 (5 CCR 1002-32 and 5 CCR 1002-36) (Issues Scoping Hearing).

·         Animal Feeding Operations Control Regulation, Regulation #81 (5 CCR 1002-81).

·         Annual public comment informational hearing.

Job Announcements for Late August

The Big Thompson River at Cub Lake Trail

The Colorado Foundation for Water Education (CFWE) is hiring a Water Education & Leadership Program Manager. Since it was established in 2002, CFWE has cemented its reputation as Colorado’s leading water education organization. CFWE will look to this position to continue its track record of success in delivering engaging and effective water education and leadership programs, and convening their targeted audiences of decision makers, water professionals, educators and interested citizens throughout Colorado. CFWE’s existing suite of education and leadership programs will serve as a springboard for the next Program Manager to put his or her own imprint on the direction and work of the organization. The position is responsible for half of CFWE's program areas, including educational tours, professional development courses, workshops and leadership trainings. This is a full-time, salaried position based in Denver. It is posted on the CFWE website.

Jefferson County is hiring an Open Space Planner. This person provides professional planning related to Open Space preservation and management. Oversees all stages of plan and project development of Open Space parks with heavy emphasis on trail planning and development. The Open Space Planner is responsible for attending and representing Open Space at a variety of internal and external project meetings and regularly interacting with the community, evaluation of  land and trail proposals for Open Space Master Plan values and applicable criteria. Work involves both facilitation of and preparation of environmental and cultural resources reports, plans, resource inventories, maps and recommendations relating to Open Space conservation and management. For more information go to jeffco.us.

Colorado State University’s Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics is hiring a Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. This department centers its research, teaching and outreach activities in defined areas of excellence: agricultural education, agribusiness management and finance, livestock systems, consumer choice and the economics of water, land and environment. They are dedicated to, and appreciated for, engaging stakeholders in high-quality disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, as well as the ability to effectively communicate findings to the public and peers. Applications must be received by August 21st, 2016. For more information go to jobs.colostate.edu.

Mountain Park Environmental Center (MPEC) is hiring Environmental Educators for Forest School for Little Rangers Preschool Program. MPEC is pleased to be taking applications for two new part-time positions that will begin this September. This is a great opportunity to be a part of the start of what very well may become MPEC's next flagship program. If you love working with young children, love being outdoors, and have a flexible schedule, this may be an ideal position for you. Details on the job duties, qualifications and how to apply can be found by clicking HERE!

Trout Unlimited (TU) is hiring a Mine Restoration Project Manager in their Western Water and Habitat Program to facilitate and execute abandoned mine restoration and stream restoration projects in watersheds across Colorado. This project manager will take projects from start to finish: developing project concepts, obtaining project funding, and managing project implementation. The Trout Unlimited mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. TU has secured two years of funding for this position. The successful applicant will work with TU staff and stakeholders to secure additional funding for project activities and to cover core operational costs to sustain the program in future years. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to David Stillwell at dstillwell@tu.org. No phone calls please. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Summit County Colorado has announced a position opening for an Open Space & Trails Resource Specialist. This position is responsible for volunteer program management, public outreach and broad open space management and planning. Develops sign program and manages historic resources on open space properties. The position will be open until filled. Submit cover letter/resume and application tosummitcountyco.gov (see “Employment”). For more information please call (970) 668-4060.

Boulder County Open Space is hiring a Parks and Open Space Department Director. This is a senior management level classification in Boulder County government. The Parks and Open Space Director performs a variety of duties in managing the Parks and Open Space Department, including budgeting, personnel management, policy development, and public interaction.  This position serves at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners, reports directly to this three-person board and is a member of the Commissioners senior management team. For more information go to their JOB POSTING.

The City of Colorado Springs is hiring a Forestry Technician. This position will plant, maintain, and remove trees in City-owned rights-of-way, parks, open spaces, and trails to enhance safety and improve aesthetics. You will also respond to tree-related hazards, emergencies, and storm events, some of which may occur outside of your normal work schedule. For more information go to www.coloradosprings.gov.

Trainings for Late August

Hanging out at The Springs - swiftwater rescue refresher training

AUGUST 17TH, 2016: EPA Grants Award Process Webinar from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern. EPA's Office of Grants and Department is hosting this webinar for the external EPA grants community. The webinar will cover grants topics, including: how to find and apply for grant opportunities; EPA's new Grants.gov requirement; and preparing a proper budget detail. In addition, the session will include a Q&A session during the second half of the webinar. You do not need to register. If you wish to attend, just go to the following link a few minutes before the webinar starts: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/grantswebinars/. There is no call in number, audio will be broadcast through your computer speakers or headphones. Also see https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-grants-award-process-webinars for additional EPA grants training information and materials.

AUGUST 18th, 2016: US Water Alliance One Water Webinar: Advancing Partnerships for Healthy Watersheds, 10:00 AM Pacific, 12:00 PM Central, 1:00 PM Eastern. Watersheds don’t fall into clear-cut city or county boundaries. To manage these systems, it can take more than one municipality or organization to design a holistic approach. Tackling multi-jurisdictional challenges requires defined goals, responsibilities and funding sources which can be difficult to handle without strong partnerships. What’s the ideal recipe for a successful watershed partnership? Ingredients include pinpointing specific geographic areas, targeting stressors and including grassroots organizations, all while steadily evaluating and communicating achievements. Hear from experts who have successfully advanced watershed partnerships through strategic collaboration and goal-setting. Event registration.

AUGUST 23rd, 2016: Stormwater Workshop Series in Durango 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. For registration click Durango. 

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

AUGUST 30th, 2016: Webinar: Climate, wildfire, and erosion ensemble foretells more sediment in western USA watersheds from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm MST (ISA and SAF CEUs available for attendees) with Dr. Joel Sankey, Research Geologist (USGS, Flagstaff, Arizona), Adjunct Professor, Northern Arizona University. The area burned by wildfires has increased in recent decades and is expected to increase in the future for many watersheds worldwide due to climate change. Burned areas within watersheds increase soil erosion rates, which can increase the downstream accumulation of sediment in rivers and reservoirs. Using an ensemble of climate, fire, and erosion models, we show that post-fire sedimentation is projected to increase for more than ¾ of watersheds by at least 10% and for more than ¼ of watersheds by at least 100 % by the 2041 to 2050 decade in the western USA. In this region, 65% of the water supply originates from forested lands that are prone to wildfire, and many of the watersheds with projected increases in sedimentation are important headwaters of rivers and reservoirs that meet water demands of downstream users. Enter/register for the webinar HERE.

AUGUST 31ST, 2016: Webcast - Safe Waters, Healthy Waters from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST presented by the Center for Watershed Protection. This FREE webcast highlights lessons from the recently released, Safe Waters, Healthy Waters: A Guide for Citizen Groups on Bacteria Monitoring in Local Waterways by the Center for Watershed Protection.  The guide provides step-by-step instructions to create a customized bacteria monitoring program, methods to investigate potential pollutant sources, and resources for putting collected data to use.  It focuses especially on human sewage and monitoring techniques to identify specific sources of sewage.  The webcast will also feature success stories coming out of Surfrider Foundation and Hudson Riverkeeper's bacteria testing programs. Register Now.

SEPTEMBER 1st, 2016: The Association for Fire Ecology has developed the Wildland Fire Professional Certification programto further ecologically-based fire science and management. The deadline to apply has been extended to September 1, 2016. Visit the AFE website for more information about their certification programs and to apply.

Join Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) for their 2016 Listening Tour in August. Dates, locations, and links to RSVP can be found at www.goco.org/blog/2016-grant-writing-workshops-and-listening-tour. Each listening tour event is held in conjunction with a grant-writing workshop for our local government program, and is devoted to capturing your feedback about applying for and receiving GOCO funding. (Feel free to attend the feedback session only and skip the grant-writing workshop.) All grantees are encouraged to attend, and GOCO staff from multiple grant programs and the communications team will be there to answer questions and gather your input. Light refreshments will be served. Visitwww.GOCO.org/grants for more information about GOCO grant programs.

Funding Opportunities for Late August

Early morning light and soft water below the dam at Lake Pueblo, Colorado.

Pitkin County's Healthy Rivers Fund is accepting grant applications for projects that benefit the Roaring Fork drainage and preserve water rights on the Western Slope. Applications are due Aug 31. Full details HERE. 

The Colorado Water Conservation Board through its Colorado Watershed Restoration Grant Program provides grants for watershed/stream restoration and flood mitigation projects throughout the state. Organizations interested in developing watershed/stream restoration and flood mitigation studies and projects. Contact Chris Sturm, 303-866-3441 x3236, to discuss project eligibility.

The V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation (VKRF) Invites Applications for Environmental Projects. VKRF was established in 1991 with an emphasis on strengthening environmental research. They work primarily in the United States, but only on national and international level issues. They favor projects that take stock of; the scale of the environmental problems, use a systems approach to achieve change, link policy, advocacy, and practical solution, have international significance and perspective – even if US based, and are based on original thinking and creative ideas The foundation typically supports small or midsize organizations with proven leadership in developing strategy, communicating a vision, and executing projects. The foundation does not provide general operating support. Letters of Inquiry must be received no later than September 14, 2016. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited by the foundation to submit a full proposal. For complete program guidelines, information about previous grant recipients, and application procedures, see the VKRF website.

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) has announced a Habitat Restoration Grant opportunity. GOCO funding for habitat restoration aims to improve and restore Colorado's rivers, streams, wetlands, and critical habitat. The program offers $500,000 in available funding. Previous habitat restoration grants targeted river habitat, but the current program includes all types of ecosystem restoration and enhancement, from forests and grasslands to rivers and wetlands. Applications are available upon request. For more information about this grant visit the GOCO website. Applications are due on September 23, 2016.

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. The PFW Program is delivered through more than 250 full-time staff, active in all 50 States and territories. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. Geographic focus areas are where the PFW Program directs resources to conserve habitat for federal trust species. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from Service field staff. Projects must advance their mission, promote biological diversity, and be based upon sound scientific biological principles. Program strategic plans inform the types of projects funded under this opportunity. Applicants seeking funding under this program should review the program strategic plan and also contact the regional PFW Program office prior to submitting an application for funding. Current Closing Date for applications is Sep 30, 2016. For more information go to www.grants.gov.

The Grassroots Communities Mining Mini-Grant Program, sponsored by the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Western Mining Action Network, provides support to community-based organizations and tribes or tribal programs in the U.S. and Canada. The goal of the program is to support the capacity building efforts of mining-impacted communities to assure that mining projects do not adversely affect the human, cultural, and ecological health of communities. Requests must be project-specific for an immediate need such as legal assistance, organizing and outreach, development of campaign materials, etc. Grants of up to $3,000 are provided. Requests are reviewed three times per year; the next application deadline is October 1, 2016. Visit the Western Mining Action Network website to download the application form.

Conservation Alliance Invites Nominations for Conservation Projects. The Conservation Alliance is a group of outdoor businesses that seeks to protect threatened wild places throughout North America for their habitat and recreational values. As a group of outdoor industry companies, alliance recognizes its responsibility to help protect the wild lands and waterways on which our customers recreate and wildlife thrives. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded for projects that seek to secure permanent and quantifiable protection of a specific wild land 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 conservation effort and must have a clear recreational benefit. Nominations must be received no later than November 1, 2016. Upon review, selected nominees will be invited to submit full proposals by December 1, 2016. Visit the Conservation Alliance website for program guidelines, information about how to be nominated by an alliance member, and application procedures.