Announcements for Late December

Standley Lakes Cities Flow Jo at the Clear Creek Watershed Festival, Idaho Springs, CO

The Colorado Foundation for Water Education (CFWE) application for the 2017 class of Water Leaders is now open. The application deadline is January 13, 2017. They are anxious to fill the 10th class of Water Leaders, but could use your help! If you yourself are not interested in participating in this program, we are sure you know someone who is. Please pass along this informational flyer to people who you think would benefit from a professional development program like Water Leaders. 

SAVE THE DATE for the next Watershed Wildfire Protection Group meeting on Friday, February 3rd, 2017 from 9:00 -3:00 pm MST atthe Colorado Parks & Wildlife Administration Building; Bighorn Room @ 6060 Broadway in Denver. A tentative agenda for the meeting will be available by mid-January. For more information contact Richard M. Edwards, CF, Assistant Staff Forester, Forest Management Division, Colorado State Forest Service, (970) 491-8036, Rich.Edwards@colostate.edu.

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.

EPA Releases the Environmental Justice 2020 Action Agenda. The EPA released the Agency’s environmental justice strategic plan for 2016 to 2020. EJ 2020 will further integrate environmental justice considerations in all of the Agency’s programs, strengthen EPA’s collaboration with partners, and demonstrate progress on significant national challenges facing minority and low-income communities. EJ 2020 can be read HERE.  

Job Announcements Early December

Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference 2016

The Middle South Platte River Alliance is currently seeking a Watershed Program Assistant. The successful applicant will be a motivated, independent, enthusiastic problem-solver who is capable and willing to serve the larger purpose of restoring an environment and community that survived a recent disaster. The Program Assistant will assist the watershed coordinator in executing day-to-day management, outreach, education and administrative tasks. The assistant will provide support for Middle South Platte River Alliance meetings, grant submissions and tracking, project implementation, marketing and outreach in a community of diverse situations and needs. This will require communication and interpersonal skills, knowledge and perseverance.  A willingness to perform a variety of tasks, learn new skills and exercise high levels of creativity will be necessary"  The official posting can be viewed and downloaded at: www.middlesouthplatte.org.

Friends of the Lower Blue River (FOLBR) is seeking an Executive Director. This is a part-time administrative job requiring communication and computer skills, basic organizational experience with lists, contacting numbers of people in a timely and efficient manner, and giving attention to simple banking and bill paying. 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. Please submit a letter of interest and a resume to John Longhill at johnlonghill@mindspring.com or call 970-389-8496.

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.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife is seeking qualifies applicants for our Policy and Planning Analyst position in the Planning and Policy Section.  The application deadline is December 22, 2016.  The job announcement can be found online: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/1593562/analyst-iv-policy-and-planning-analyst-denver
 

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.

The Larimer County Conservation Corps is hiring Water and Energy Corpsmembers. This position is based out of Fort Collins and runs from December 12, 2016 through April 28th, 2017. Go to https://form.jotform.com/LarimerCounty/WE-corpsmember to apply.
 

Funding Opportunities for Early December

North Empire Creek Nonpoint Source Project with the Clear Creek Watershed Foundation

Nonpoint Source 2017 Funding Announcement, CDPHE Water Quality Control Division. CDPHE is looking for watershed implementation projects that construct best management practices identified in EPA Nine Elements Watershed Plans in order to restore waterbodies impaired by nonpoint sources of selenium, pathogens and/or nutrients. Application deadline January 17, 2017, 5:00 p.m. MST. Questions deadline December 27, 2016, 5:00 p.m. MST.

The Water Research Foundation has released an RFP for Guidance on Implementing an Effective Water Loss Control Plan. 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. Proposals requesting funding in the range of $80,000-$100,000 will be considered. Proposals must be submitted by 3 p.m. MT on December 15, 2016. CLICK HERE for more information on this and other RFPs from the Water Research Foundation.

The United States Bureau of Reclamation has announced three funding opportunities. for fiscal year 2017. 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.

CLICK HERE for Drought Resiliency Projects, Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-17-F010, WaterSMART Drought Response Program:  Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2017,
CLICK HERE for Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects, Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-17-F011, WaterSMART Grants:  Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects for Fiscal Year 2017,
CLICK HERE for Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-17-F012, WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year 2017.

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.

National Forest Foundation: Matching Awards Program is offering Matching Grants for Conservation Projects Impacting National Forests. The National Forest Foundation was established by Congress to support the USDA Forest Service in its management of America’s National Forests and Grasslands. Funded projects must address one of the following focus areas: The Outdoor Experiences category supports projects that improve the quality, condition, and care of outdoor experiences in National Forests. The Forest Health category supports citizen-involved projects that maintain or restore forest resiliency. The Foundation also encourages projects that cohesively integrate the Outdoor Experiences and Forest Health program areas. All grants require at least a one-to-one cash match through non-federal donations. MAP also requires projects to show a strong commitment to civic engagement and community involvement through the direct involvement of the public. The proposal deadlines for 2017 are January 17 and June 26. Visit the Foundation’s website to learn more about each MAP focus area and to submit the required eligibility questionnaire.

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 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 Early December

Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference 2015

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 13th & 14th, 2016: Colorado Ag-energy Workshops. Colorado farmers and ranchers are invited to join expert presenters from Colorado State University, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Energy Office in a series of ag-energy workshops, where attendees will be treated to a meal and an overview of energy opportunities in ag. The Colorado Corn Administrative Committee (CCAC) and Colorado Corn Growers Association (CCGA) are both helping co-host the workshops, during which attendees will hear updates on agricultural energy use; how producers can save energy; the benefits, barriers and opportunities for using renewable-generation systems; and funding options to address barriers that prevent farmers from investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. In addition to an overview of energy opportunities in agriculture, the workshops will feature Colorado State Climatologist Nolan Doesken, who will give an update on climate and weather considerations when making decisions regarding energy and agriculture. The discussions will be moderated by former Colorado agriculture commissioners John Stulp and Don Ament. Registration is free for the workshops, with breakfast and refreshments included. Those interested in attending are asked to please RSVP by contacting Darrell Hanavan at dhanavanco@gmail.com, or by calling him at (303) 981-4430. Those interested can also RSVP at one of the following links:  

• Dec. 13, Montrose County Fairgrounds at 7:30 a.m.
• Dec. 14, Monte Vista Information Center at 7:30 a.m.

DECEMBER 15th, 2016: Webinar - Turning Water Loss into Revenue: The Emerging Field of Water Audit Validation, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm MDT. Programs to recover non-revenue water are becoming a priority for utilities to improve resiliency against a backdrop of rising price tags for infrastructure improvements and uncertain water availability. Kate Gasner of Water Systems Optimization and Will Jernigan of Cavanaugh & Associates will discuss the emerging field of water audit validation. The AWWA M36 Methodology for Water Auditing & Water Loss Control has solidified its place as best-practice in the water industry. As more utilities begin conducting AWWA water audits, and as more regions in North America begin collecting these audits at the regulatory level, the realm of water audit validation has organically become the next wave of best-practices to unfold. Now in 3 states – Georgia, California and Hawaii, annual Level 1 validated water audits are being conducted and reported. This showcase will feature the validation process that is in place in these early adopter states, and utility case studies that underscore the importance of validation as an integral part of the water auditing business practice. Cost: Free. Click here to register.

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 Early December

Clear Creek Watershed Festival 2016

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

DECEMBER 7th, 2016: Southern Rockies Seed Network Annual Conference. This event will be held at the Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, CO from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Join the partners, stakeholders, industry reps, and the technical advisory committee of the Southern Rockies Seed Network to explore key issues in the development of ecotypic plant materials. Hear from regional and national experts on policy, practice, and science featuring Peggy Olwell National Seed Strategy: The Power of Partnering.  Help grow the ecotypic plant materials industry for the Southern Rockies. For more info go to www.synergy3.org. To register go to https://srsn2016.eventbrite.com.

DECEMBER 14th, 2016: Happy Hour with Groundwork Denver from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. This event will be held at Berkeley Untapped, 4267 Tennyson St, Denver, CO. $0.25 from every drink purchased goes to Groundwork Denver!

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. 

MARCH 16th & 17th, 2017: Western Places/Western Spaces Conference: Creating Inclusive Communities. Jointhe Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute's 26th annual land use conference at the University of Denver campus. The theme for the 2017 Western Places/Western Spaces conference, Creating Inclusive Communities, focuses on the challenges and strategies available to cities—large and small—to plan for and build communities in which everyone can thrive. They will explore options for conserving and protecting our lands and natural resources. Water and energy development—whether from fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal or renewable sources like wind and solar—remain inextricably linked with the West. And as our metropolitan areas grow, it becomes increasingly important to preserve the character of our rural and agricultural communities, as well. Click Here to Register for this Event.

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.