Announcements for Early December

RFQ for Water Information Program Coordination. Southwestern Water Conservation District (SWCD) invites interested individuals and firms to submit a statement of qualifications to provide professional services for coordination of the Water Information Program. Submittals will be accepted via email (lauras@swwcd.org) until 5:00pm, Monday, December 19, 2016. Please refer to the full Request for Qualifications for more information.

The Central Rockies Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration (CeRSER) and the High Altitude Revegetation Workshop (HAR) are calling for abstract submissions for the March 7-9, 2017 conference to be held in Fort Collins, Colorado. Deadline for submission has been extended to December 5, 2016. For more information go to the conference web page at http://chapter.ser.org/centralrockies/events/har-cerser-2017-conference-home/har-cerser-2017-call-for-abstracts/.

The Clean River Design Challenge is on! Each year volunteers with the Greenway Foundation remove 2,400lbs of trash from the South Platte River. Now, they are challenging themselves and others to do even more with the Clean River Design Challenge. This competition challenges teams of college students to create a functional trash removal device. The winning teams will be awarded $2000! Teams must register online by February 1, 2017. For questions please send an email to: info@greenwayfoundation.org.

Job Announcements Late November

The Big Thompson River at Cub Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park

Great Outdoors Colorado is seeking an Executive Director. The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for GOCO, implementing a vision for the agency that outlines the long-term role of GOCO across the state. He/she enhances and maintains relationships with key constituents across the state including state agency leaders, state, county, and municipal elected officials, industry leaders, grantees, nonprofit partners, funding partners, and community members. Questions and applications should be directed to Carolyn McCormick at Carolyn.McCormick@peakhrconsulting.com.  Additional information is available on the GOCO website - www.goco.org.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife is seeking qualified applicants for their Human Dimensions position in the Planning and Policy Section.  The application deadline is December 7, 2016. This position is responsible for managing CPW's Human Dimensions program, conducting social science research, assessment and monitoring including social science investigation and development. This position collects human dimensions information (differentiated from biological information) for incorporation into parks and wildlife management decisions, resulting in better understanding and communication between CPW and its internal (employees) and external publics and improved resource management. The job announcement can be found online at www.governmentjobs.com.

Eagle Valley Land Trust (Edwards, CO) is seeking a full-time Development and Communications Director. The Mission of EVLT is to preserve forever their scenic vistas, open space, historic lands, waterways, and wildlife habitats that provide enjoyment, education, and benefit to all who experience this special place. Position duties will include: Leads all development activities and communications of the organization, including individual donor relations, donor solicitation, grant-writing, long-term strategic planning, management of events and social media outreach. Conveys EVLT message effectively and oversees a robust communications program to build awareness of our value to the broader community. Actively participates in strategic decisions affecting the organization. The position will be open until filled. For more information, click HERE.

Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department is looking for a passionate Landscape Architect to join their team. In this role, the Landscape Architect will provide professional landscape, architectural, planning, and construction management expertise to the Project Management and Design Team. This is a full-time, benefited position with the Recreation and Facilities Division of Boulder County Parks and Open Space. Work days are Monday through Friday. The Landscape Architect will work out of their office located in Longmont, CO. Under FLSA guidelines, this position is exempt. Closing date is November 27th, 2016. The full description and application information are available at this link: https://agency.governmentjobs.com.

Funding Opportunities for Late November

Tank Creek, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Temper of the Times Foundation promotes the use of standard marketing concepts to increase awareness about environmental issues. To that end, the foundation awards grants of up to $15,000 to nonprofit organizations to help underwrite the costs of advertising designed to promote the conservation and restoration of native wildlife, plants, and ecosystems in the United States. The funds may be used to fund the production of print, radio, or television ads; to pay for advertising space or airtime; or to produce or distribute pamphlets, books, videos, or press packets. To be eligible, applicants must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. See the TTF website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has announced a Request for Proposals on Forging Powerful and Sustainable Relationships Between Clean Water Agencies and the Community (RFP 4678). The objective of these proposals will be to develop an understanding of how leading clean water agencies have leveraged evocative messages and community programs that specifically target the development of emotional motivators to form long-term sustainable relationships within a community by connecting customers and partners to tangibly demonstrate the value of water and the technology that creates clean water. Provide best practices, lessons learned, and evaluation metrics for utilities to use when developing messages and engagement programs to create emotional connections in alignment with community values. Deadline for this Request for Proposal is December 7, 2016.

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has announced a Request for Proposals for Guidance on Implementing an Effective Water Loss Control Plan (RFP 4695). The objectives for this proposal is to create a guidance manual and decision framework to help utility practitioners develop an actionable water loss control plan to reduce non-revenue water that aligns with the utility’s strategic goals, local circumstances, and financial parameters. Deadline for this Request for Proposal is December 15, 2016.

Request For Proposals, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Funded Research Program. The Open Space and Mountain Parks Department (OSMP) of the City of Boulder has funding available through its funded research program for scientific inquiry on OSMP lands. Proposal deadline is January 13, 2017. Full details are available HERE.

The United States Forest Service has a Wood Innovations funding opportunity. Applications are due January 23, 2017.  Expansion of (1) wood-energy markets and (2) expansion of wood products markets are the two application categories.  Under a cooperative agreement with Region 2, CoWood is providing outreach assistance for this announcement along with technical assistance in supporting applicants across Region 2 (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming) in developing and preparing successful proposals.  CoWood staff is available to provide guidance on project/proposal development, competitiveness, eligibility, and compliance with application requirements and instructions. Complete program information, eligibility criteria and application instructions is available at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/werc/wip/2017-rfp.shtm and/or by contacting Tim Reader with the Colorado State Forest Service at Tim.Reader@ColoState.Edu.

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. Projects include a variety of ecological improvements including: wetland, riparian, forest and coastal habitat restoration; wildlife conservation; community tree canopy enhancement; and/or water quality monitoring and stormwater management; along with targeted community outreach, education and stewardship. Priority will be given to projects that advance water quality goals in environmental justice communities special consideration will be given to project proposals that advance the priorities in the 19 Urban Waters Federal Partnership designated locations. Grants Due by Jan 31, 2017. Details Here.

The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to give the next generation of environmental stewards an active understanding and love for the natural world in which they live. The Captain Planet Foundation primarily makes grants to U.S.-based schools and organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $3 million. Grants are intended to: provide hands-on environmental stewardship opportunities for youth; serve as a catalyst to getting environment-based education in schools; and inspire youth and communities to participate in community service through environmental stewardship activities. Grants Due by Jan 31, 2017. Details Here.

The Bureau of Reclamation will begin to provide funding for the Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CWMP) Phase II watershed management projects in fiscal year (FY) 2017, to support local watershed groups in implementing collaborative solutions to water management issues. All funding will be awarded through a competitive process, using established criteria. The FY 2017 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for CWMP Phase II projects will be posted to grants.gov in January 2017. For information on FY 2017 funding opportunities for the CWMP, please see Reclamation’s website at www.usbr.gov.

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Inc. released the 2017 Request for Proposals for the Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program. Additional grant funds are available in 2017-2018 through a new partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)--up to $2 million is available for the 2017 grant cycle.  The program’s focus is to accelerate the strategic protection of healthy freshwater ecosystems and their watersheds across the country. The deadline for proposals is February 1, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. For more information see the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Healthy Watersheds Consortium website.

Trainings for Late November

Mission Serve Veterans Day clean-up event focusing on Confluence Park, in Denver Colorado

November 30th, 2016: Engaging Latino Visitors: A Workshop for Open Space Rangers from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Weiser Conference Room, OSMP Administrative Offices, 66 South Cherryvale Road, Boulder, CO. City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Education and Outreach Coordinators Juanita Echeverri and Dave Sutherland will be facilitating this special training to help rangers better understand Latino families and culture, and to discuss how this may affect ranger contacts with Latino visitors. There is no cost for this workshop. Please contact Dave Sutherland sutherlandd@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-906-7391 if you plan on attending.

DECEMBER 6th, 2016: Webinar - Isn't that Spatial? Teaching about the Environment, Examining Field Data, and Telling Your Environmental Story with Web Mapping Technology at 1:00 pm MST hosted by North American Association for Environmental Education and the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education. Register Here.

DECEMBER 15th, 2016: Webinar-Tools to Support Youth Natural Resource Career Discovery and Development from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm MST. Join the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education to learn about activities you can use to inspire and assist youth (ages 16-25) in developing their own pathway to a career in natural resources and the environment. Register Now.

 

Conferences & Events for Late November

Rio Grande, South Fork in Del Norte, on the fishing/promenade boardwalk

NOVEMBER 17th, 2016: The Great Divide - Film Screening and Fundraiser for the Colorado Water Trust, from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the SIE FilmCenter, 2510 East Colfax Ave., Denver. If you haven't yet seen the film The Great Divide, this is your chance to see it on the big screen! And proceeds from the event will support the Water Trust! "The destiny of the West is written in the headwaters of Colorado...In this time of increasing demand and limited supply, it is essential to promote a more informed and inclusive discussion concerning decisions affecting our water resources." For tickets go to the SIE FilmCenter Website.

NOVEMBER 17th, 2016: Colorado Water Supply Systems Workshop at the Doubletree by Hilton, Denver, 3203 Quebec Street, Denver 80207. Is a one-day program on practical, cost-effective solutions that work.  The workshop will explain how to maximize yields and pump performance on existing wells and ensure correct design, construction, pump and pump control selection, and maintenance on new wells. New or existing, this program will enable groundwater users to reduce energy costs and prolong well life.  Hear from experts about technologies and techniques to save money by maximizing efficiency and increasing performance. For detailed information and registration click HERE.

NOVEMBER 29th, 2016: AG WATER SUMMIT at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Co-hosted by: Interbasin Compact Committee & Colorado Ag Water Alliance. Without acting, Colorado could lose up to an additional 700,000 acres of irrigated agricultural land by 2050. The Colorado Water Plan recognizes that some acres will likely go out of production, and sets a goal for agriculture to keep pace with growing needs. The plan points to Alternative Agricultural Transfer Methods (ATMs) as a potential solution to help alleviate traditional buy-and-dry, with a Measurable Objective of achieving 50,000 AF of voluntary ATMs by 2030. After over 10 years of exploring ATM concepts we are well prepared to implement projects that provide continued irrigation and revenue to local agriculture, while intermittently supplying non-agricultural uses with important water deliveries. Come learn about the most promising ATM projects and tools to help advance further success in the field. Please attend if you have questions about ATMs or are interested in learning more. This is a Free Event, but registration is required (includes lunch). For registration and more information follow this link: IBCC/CAWA Ag Water Summit.

DECEMBER 2nd, 2016: Colorado WaterWise 8th Annual Water Conservation Summit at Metropolitan State University – Auraria Campus, St. Cajetan’s Church, Lawrence Way, Denver, CO 80204. Come on out and hear the latest on water education on topics such as Children's Water Festivals; Project Wet; Edible Aquifers; Colorado Water: Live Like You Love It Testimonials; Colorado Collaboratory: A Living Laboratory Campus Experience; Brewery's Matter and much. Space is limited so register now!

DECEMBER 2nd & 3rd, 2016: The Wild & Scenic Film Festival, one of the largest conservation film festivals in North America, is coming back to Carbondale’s Crystal Theatre. Wild and Scenic will feature conservation and adventure films that illustrate the Earth’s beauty, the challenges facing our planet, and the work communities around the world are doing to protect the areas they cherish. Last year's festival SOLD OUT BOTH NIGHTS in just a few days, so get your tickets before they are gone.

Tickets on sale NOW!
Click here to purchase Friday December 2nd Tix
Click here to purchase Saturday December 3rd Tix

FEBRUARY 3rd, 2016: Fourth Annual Poudre River Forum: As the River Flows — Forest to Plains from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at the Greeley - Island Grove Event Center, Conference Rooms, 501 N 14th Ave. Greeley, CO. Program topics include the connection between forest health and water diverted on the plains; how variability and uncertainty affect agricultural, urban, and environmental sectors alike; and how much the Poudre has changed since the 1960's. Check the Poudre River Forum webpage for more details. 

APRIL 4th, 2017: National Watershed & Stormwater Conference, Online and Remote Hub Locations. Mark your calendar for the second year of this unique conference.  This conference is designed to allow both in-person discussion at multiple locations and online attendance.  Participants can learn about local and national stormwater and watershed issues while networking at their preferred attendance location. Major conference topics may include: IDDE, Public Education, National Certification, Monitoring, Drinking Water and Stream Restoration. Learn about exciting research, case studies, innovative technology, and special regional considerations from experts around the country. Registration will open soon.  Stay tuned for more information on registration and sponsorship at CWP.org.

APRIL 19th - 21st, 2016: The Colorado Wildland Fire Conference will take place at the Pueblo Convention Center in Pueblo, CO. 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 conference is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise about reducing communities’ vulnerability to wildfire.Watch for more details about the 2017 Colorado Wildland Fire Conference soon at www.wildfire-colorado.com.