Announcements for Late August

Looking at pond toward road in the new Riverfront Park in Basalt, Division of Wildlife, 10/28/2005

Ephemeral and intermittent streams account for 60% of stream miles nationwide and more than 70% here in Colorado.  The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed to start a repeal-and-replace rulemaking process to rescind the 2015 "Clean Water Rule". The Denver Post recently described the issue and what it means here in Colorado. You can help protect Clean Water by submitting your comments with the EPA, and sharing your concerns with your elected officials, using their online action center.  Comment Period is OPEN, will close on August 27.

Public Meeting Reminder: Proposed Changes to Regulation 84 to Consider the Use of Recycled/Reclaimed Water for Toilet and Urinal Flushing located at Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Dr. South Denver, CO 80246, Room C1A on August 17, 2017 from 12:30 - 3:30 pm. Denver Water offsets approximately 6,500 acre feet of potable water per year by providing recycled water for non-potable uses, including irrigation, cooling towers, and commercial uses. One way to increase the utilization of recycled water throughout the state and meet the goals of Colorado’s first State Water Plan is to expand the number of approved uses outlined in Regulation 84. Click HERE for more information and to register.

The Forest Plan Revision open houses are here. The open house materials are available on their website, tab “Get Involved”. fs.usda.gov/goto/ForestPlan. If you're really interested in a particular topic, consider taking a peek at some of their POSTERS before attending an open house. There’s a lot of draft information to digest, and some might want a chance to review it ahead of time. If you cannot go to any of their open houses, you would have an opportunity to join their webinars. The Webinars Schedule:

• Monday August 21 at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00p.m. https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/gmug-500/
• Wednesday August 23 from 4:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/gmug-500/

In a 5 1/2 minute video, Kirk Klancke, Anna Drexler-Dreis and other leaders with the Colorado River. Headwaters Chapter share the story of how collaboration among TU, Grand County, Denver Water, and other stakeholders is creating opportunities to restore healthier habitat for the Fraser River and its riparian corridor. Learn More.

Participate in a Postdoc Research Interview on the South Platte Urban Waters Partnership(SPRUWP), through August, 2017. Pranietha Mudliar, a postdoctoral researcher in Environmental Justice and Sustainability at the University of Denver, studies collaborative watershed partnerships and collaborative watershed management in the context of environmental justice. One of her case studies is the SPRUWP, around which she is studying how different government and non-profit agencies in a watershed partnership learn from and work with each other to develop and implement solutions in low-income communities. She is seeking participants for a 30 to 45 minute, confidential interview regarding partnership meetings and how the meetings enable the partnership to develop and implement solutions for achieving environmental justice goals. You can reach her at pranietha.mudliar@du.edu or 614-377-3608.

The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) and Colorado Water Conservation Board have just released a report providing scientific information about the benefits and challenges of managing Colorado’s forests to secure water supplies. The report, entitled Forest Management to Protect Colorado’s Water Resources, was produced in compliance with a 2016 legislative mandate to supplement the Colorado Water Plan. The report addresses the following factors affecting the Colorado’s forests and water supply wildland fire, insect and disease outbreaks, changing climate, and roads and human disturbances. While describing the challenges and potential benefits of forest management treatments for water supply and water quality, the report also summarizes the costs to watersheds, communities, water users and infrastructure if forest management does not occur.The health and proper management of headwaters forests, concludes CSFS, is closely linked to the sustained delivery of clean water. While more scientific research is needed to document the combined impact of wildfires, insects and climate, on-the-ground partnerships between stakeholders will be vital to manage forested watersheds to meet Colorado’s water needs..

Funding Opportunities for Early August

Potential Barrier for Fish, Matt Kondratieff, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 8/15/2003

EPA Wetland Program Development Grants – Due date varies by region. Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) provide eligible applicants an opportunity to conduct projects that promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the reduction and elimination of water pollution. WPDGs assist building programs to protect, manage, and restore wetlands. States, tribes, local governments, interstate associations, and intertribal consortia are eligible to apply for the Regional WPDG Request for Proposals. Click HERE for more information.

Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants - Due October 5, 2017: Applications using community-engaged research methods to investigate the potential health risks of environmental exposures of concern to the community and to implement an environmental public health action plan based on research findings are encouraged. Learn more HERE.

National Science Foundation Environmental Sustainability Grants - Due October 20. The National Science Foundation’s Environmental Sustainability program promotes sustainable engineered systems that support human well-being while also being compatible with sustaining environmental systems. For full proposals submitted via FastLane: standard NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide proposal preparation guidelines apply. For full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov Guidelines applies. (Note: The NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website. To apply for this grant click HERE

NOAA Climate Program Office 2018 – Due September 11, 2017: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) announced funding for climate research programs. Eligible programs can include research to improve observations and monitoring of the climate system, advance understanding of the climate, improvements in modeling and prediction, community engagement related to climate change, and research on interactions between climate and society. Applicants are encouraged to support the principles of diversity and inclusion when writing their proposals and performing their work. Learn more HERE.

EPA 2017 Campus RainWorks Challenge – Registration September 1-30: EPA is pleased to announce the rules for the 6th annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a design competition open to U.S. colleges and universities. EPA seeks to engage undergraduate and graduate students in designing innovative green infrastructure for stormwater management to showcase the environmental, economic, and social benefits of green infrastructure practices. The Campus RainWorks Challenge invites the current generation of scholars to lend their creativity, knowledge, and energy to become part of the solution. Registration opens on September 1st. Click HERE for more information.

Conservation Alliance Invites Nominations for Conservation Projects – Nominations Due November 1. The Conservation Alliance seeks to protect threatened wild places throughout North America for their habitat and recreational values. Grants are awarded to registered 501(c)(3) organizations in support of projects designed to secure permanent and quantifiable protection of a specific wild land or waterway with clear habitat and recreational benefits. Click HERE for more information.

FEMA FY17 Flood Mitigation Assistance Application Cycle – Due November 14: FEMA has posted the Fiscal Year 2017 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcements for the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program on www.grants.gov. The NOFO provides an overview of the grant program and details about the agency's funding priorities and review process. FMA grants are available to implement measures to reduce or eliminate risk of severe repetitive and repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). New in this application cycle is a set-aside of $70 million for community advance assistance and flood mitigation projects. The remainder of the FY17 FMA grants will continue to focus on reducing or eliminating the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures. FEMA will also fund flood hazard mitigation planning as well as technical assistance for applicants who were awarded FMA grant program funds totaling at least $1 million in FY16.

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) is pleased to announce the 2017 habitat restoration grant cycle for proposals that seek to improve and restore Colorado's rivers, streams, wetlands, and critical habitat. The GOCO Board has allocated $500,000 for this grant cycle. Please review the information provided here, including the application instructions linked on that page. Applications are available by request. Please contact Chris Yuan-Farrell at cyuanfarrell@goco.org or 303-226-4511 to discuss your project and request an application.

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

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

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

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:

• Water Conservation Planning Grants: For water providers seeking to develop or update their water conservation plans.
• Water Conservation Implementation Grants: For water providers implementing water conservation plan goals and programs identified in locally adopted and CWCB-approved water conservation plans.
• Drought Mitigation Planning Grants: For water providers or state and local governmental entities developing drought mitigation and response plans.
• Water Resource Conservation Public Education and Outreach Grants: For agencies seeking to promote the benefits of water resource conservation through public education and outreach.

Fish and Wildlife Service Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program announced funding available for Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized). This is a competitive funding opportunity for Federally recognized Tribal governments to develop and implement programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished. Closing Date for Applications is September 1st, 2017.  For more information go to FWS.gov.

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

Job Announcements for Early August

Kokanee Spawning Work at Dolores River SWA, Division of Wildlife, Joe Lewandowski, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 10/15/2009

The Colorado Watershed Assembly (CWA) has an immediate need for a qualified, independent contractor to serve as the South Platte and Metro Basin Roundtables Education Coordinator. CWA is working with the South Platte Basin and Metro Roundtables to engage and support an individual to serve as Education Coordinator to oversee internal roundtable and external stakeholder educational activities as the Roundtables proceed to implement their Education Action Plan (EAP), South Platte Basin Implementation Plan (BIP) and Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP) using the Roundtables Strategic Communication Plan (SCP). The position will work with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) public engagement specialist to carry out the responsibilities of the Public Education Participation and Outreach (PEPO) workgroup. Work will start immediately and continue through December, 2018.  For a full position description and how to apply go to RFS Education Coordinator.

The Colorado State Forest Service is requesting proposals from qualified Contractors for facilitation and coordination services of the South Platte River Urban Waters Partnership (SPRUWP). Awarded for one year, this contract may be extended up to five years. Services of the contractor will assist local partners identify federal tools and resources in support of local projects, goals, and objectives. Also, to encourage collaboration, minimize competition, and improve communication among partners. The contractor will serve as a catalyst to successfully complete on-the-ground projects and build relationships and capacity that support continued success for decades to come. Due date for this Documented Quote is Monday, August 14th, 2017 @ 5:00 PM MST. Responses must be sent electronically to: fady.elsegeiny@colostate.edu. Please enter the document number and title, D810085 South Platte River Urban Waters Partnership Ambassador, in the subject line of your email, this applies to all email correspondence in regards to this solicitation.

The City of Steamboat Springs has a great opportunity in their Public Works Department as the Distribution and Collection Manager, reporting to their Public Works Director. The qualified individual leads, directs and manages all programs and activities of the Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Division.  Performs a variety of supervisory, administrative, skilled, technical, and maintenance work in the budgeting, planning, construction, operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of the City water and sewer system. For more information and to apply go to Steamboat Springs Position.

Highlands Ranch Metro District is currently seeking an experienced, motivated individual to fill the Park Ranger position in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space department. Successful candidate must be a team player and have a strong desire to provide excellent service to their community. This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, which does require working a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and evenings. This position will be assigned to patrol parks, trails and open space, interface with park users and program participants for oversight of rules compliance. This position will receive a limited commission as a Code Enforcement Officer through the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and wildland fire training through Littleton Fire and Rescue. Click HERE to apply.

Jeffco Open Space is currently hiring an Open Space Project Manager to join their Planning and Projects Team.  This position is dynamic and will have a wide array of responsibilities including: Oversight of design, purchasing, construction, and contract management for all assigned projects, create and evaluate requests for proposals, qualifications, and information; statements of work; change orders; and other contract documents pertaining to consultants and contractors, gather data, evaluate scenarios, make recommendations to keep projects within scope, on budget, and on schedule, responsible for written, oral, and graphic information, and attend and/or present at public meetings and respond to public inquiries. The position closes 6:00 p.m. on August 17th. The full job description and application instructions can be found on the County’s website - http://jeffco.us/jobs/

South Suburban Park and Recreation District has a full-time job opportunity for an Arborist II, Tree Trimmer position titled Lead Maintenance Specialist – Forestry. Under direct supervision of the Large Tree Care Supervisor, assist in the scheduling, coordinating, directing, assigning and evaluating of annual, monthly and day to day work plans and personnel associated with the District's large tree care program, which includes, but is not limited to: tree pruning, tree removal, stump grinding and includes tree support systems as well as participating in forestry-related special events. Assist Supervisor and other Forestry, Horticulture and Graphical Information System team members with mapping District assets, personnel training, snow removal, storm damage response, mosquito control, special projects and maintaining a safe work environment. Click HERE to apply.

Ken-Caryl Ranch Masters Association is seeking a  Seasonal General Maintenance Technician in their Open Space Department. Ideal candidate should have working knowledge of mowing operations, mowing equipment and maintenance and general open space and facilities maintenance.  Seasonal Maintenance Technicians will be subject to hot and cold working conditions outdoors, physically strenuous work, and working with power equipment. Click HERE to apply.

The Mountain Park Environmental Center is seeking a Program Director. The Program Director plays an important role in the successful and effective implementation of the mission of the Mountain Park Environmental Center. MPEC’s mission is to provide environmental education in order to create a citizenry that understands, respects, enjoys and cares for themselves, their families, community and the natural world. The Program Director is responsible for managing and directing all aspects of school, camp and adult programs. This position is a very visible face of the organization and will represent MPEC to the community in many capacities. For more information and to apply visit HERE.

At Colorado Parks and Wildlife discover your dream job. Learn about Career Opportunities with Colorado Parks & Wildlife... Biologist, District Wildlife Manager, Fish Hatchery Technician, Park Range, Property Technician, Wildlife Researcher, Youth Conservation Corp. To apply visit their website.

Confererences & Events for Early August

Cast & Blast 2, July 2004 White River Ladies Cast & Blast near Meeker. Participants learn how to flyfish, Loyse Hinkle, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

AUGUST 20th, 2017: Colorado Headwaters Land Trust Annual Event. Join them at the B Lazy 2 Ranch in Fraser, Colorado from 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm for a fun family-friendly celebration and fundraiser. Yard games will be available for kids and adults. Dinner will be a Buffet by Stone Creek Catering (vegetarian and gluten free options, includes 2 drinks) followed by a cash bar. Paddle Raiser. Live Auction. Silent Auction. Dinner. Games. And More! Register HERE.  

AUGUST 22nd-24th, 2017: The Colorado Water Congress Summer Conference and Membership Meeting takes place annually, in August, for two and a half days at a Colorado resort location. 
The 2017 conference has been moved from Vail to the Steamboat Grand, and the new dates of the event are August 22 to 24. The high-energy Summer Conference is packed with great topical content. It's a don't miss event for those who wish to stay informed about water issues in Colorado while engaging in numerous professional development activities. For more information and to register click HERE.

AUGUST 26th, 2017: Join the Tamarisk Coalition and local river experts for Raft the River, a fun, educational float trip and dinner along the Colorado River in Fruita, Colorado from 1:00 pm~6:30pm.  This year will have a new floating stretch of river compared to previous years from Rimrock Adventures to the Loma Boat Ramp. This one-day float trip, guided by Rimrock Adventures, will provide you with a “behind the scenes” look at the work being done to rejuvenate the treasured riparian (riverside) area in the Grand Valley.  Register HERE.  

AUGUST 31th, 2017: Join The Greenway Foundation to celebrate the past, present, and future of our urban waterways. This event will host over 250 local leaders in engineering, law, architecture, government entities, water provision, and non-profits at Centennial Gardens. Come learn about all the projects and programs aimed to improve the urban waterways in Metro Denver. Click HERE to register.

SEPTEMBER 8th, 2017: Join the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education to explore the newly released National Guidelines for Excellence in Community Engagement, published by the North American Association for Environmental Education. Engage in participant driven discussions and sessions to explore the topics of most interest in advancing inclusive, culturally relevant environmental education. They will convene at the University Center at Western State Colorado University for the morning and if weather permits, they will travel to the ColdHarbour Institute for an outdoor lunch and afternoon discussion and activities. Go to their WEBSITE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 18th- 20th, 2017: The COSA steering committee is delighted to announce that the 2017 conference will be held at Beaver Run Resorts in Breckenridge. As information is available, it will be posted on the COSA website.

OCTOBER 3rd-5th, 2017: EPA Region 8 is hosting a Wetlands Conference to convene federal, state, tribal, and local representatives and NGOs to share information and best practices related to wetlands management. The 2017 conference in Boulder, Colorado will include sessions on stream and wetland restoration; mitigation; monitoring and assessment/mapping; and federal, state, and local level aquatic resource protection. The conference will allow stakeholders to discuss opportunities, hurdles, strategies, and potential solutions associated with protecting aquatic resources in Region 8. The event will facilitate networking, peer-to-peer learning, and collective problem-solving on specific issues, and allow regulators to share updates and learn from stakeholders View the conference webpage here and register here.

 OCTOBER 10th-12th, 2017: 2017 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference at the Westin Riverfront Resort, Avon, CO. This highly popular event expands cooperation and collaboration throughout our state for natural resource conservation, protection, and enhancement by informing citizen groups, agencies, consultants, and legislators about current issues and through networking opportunities. REGISTER for 2017, the conference which will focus on “Coming Together – the Confluence of Science and Society.”

OCTOBER 24th, 2017: Registration is now open for Colorado Wise 9th Annual Water Conservation Symposium at 8:15 am-4:00 pm at the Lowry Conference Center, 1061 Akron Way, Building 697, Denver, CO 80230. Keynote Speaker: Zachary Johnson of Colorado State University's College of Horticultural Sciences - Horticulture & Landscape Architecture will talk about Connecting the Relationship Between Landscapes and Health. Click HERE to register.

OCTOBER 26th-28th, 2017: Join the Land Trust Alliance Rally this year in Denver, Colorado,  for a gathering packed with diverse topics to explore and great colleagues and friends to learn and share with. Rally has all of the resources you want to take your conservation skills further. Rally is the Land Trust Alliance's  annual gathering of nearly 2,000 inspired and passionate land conservation practitioners from the US, Canada, South America and beyond, who are dedicated to conserving cherished places in local communities. Registration now open. Learn more    

NOVEMBER 1st, 2017: Join the Big Thompson Watershed Forum for its 15th biennial watershed conference. They will welcome 14 speakers who will present on topics ranging from abandoned mines in the Big Thompson Watershed, to status updates on Highway 34 construction. The deadline to register is October 17th. This year's conference will feature the following five sessions: From Source to Treatment: Public Perception of Water Quality, Abandoned Mines: A Watershed at Risk?, Highway 34: Protecting a River Ecosystem, Ripple Effects of the 2016 Fish Kill Event and Wildfires and Watersheds: Lessons Learned. Go to their website to register for this conference.

NOVEMBER 29th & 30th: The 4th annual Southern Rockies Seed Network (SRSN) meeting is at the Fort Collins Innosphere, 320 East Vine Drive, Fort Collins, CO. The first day will be panel discussion/poster sessions and the second day will be offsite sessions including tours of the Colorado State Forest Service Nursery, Genetic Resources Preservation Lab and Colorado Seed Lab. The Southern Rockies Seed Network is calling for abstract submissions for the conference to be held in Loveland, Colorado. Deadline for submission is August 15, 2017. With the broad theme of “Ecotypes: Science, Practice,& Policy” they are seeking high quality oral presentations and posters by practitioners, scientists, land managers, students and policymakers to enhance our understanding of ecotypes in diverse ecosystems. Feel free to call or email Heather Manier at heather@synergy3.org or 970.631.3491 with any questions/concerns

NOVEMBER 26th - DECEMBER 8th, 2017: Join Pueblo County Extension Director Michael Fisher and Horticulture Coordinator Sherie Caffey as they explore both the agriculture and the history of Spain’s Andalusian region. They have planned a diverse tour with stops ranging from seed and grafting propagation to green-house vegetable production. You’ll learn about olive oil production and marketing, avocado ex-ports, and fruit production in Spain. Their group will have the opportunity to look at how a cotton cooperative has spread their risk by diversifying into tomato concentrate production and the cut flower business, marketing over 70 million carnations annually. Some of Spain’s famous equine and cattle operations are going to open their gates & barns for their group to learn about livestock production in the region. To apply and learn more about this event, click HERE.

Trainings for Early August

Loading Fish at Pueblo Hatchery, Michael Seraphin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 9/29/2009

AUGUST 2nd - 4th, 2017: The Park Planning and Maintenance Academy (PPMA) is a new school for park and recreation professionals, reinvented, with greater sessions focused on trends and cutting edge park maintenance practices in addition to the fundamentals of park planning. Training will be at the Radisson Hotel, Denver Southeast, 3155 S. Vaughn Way, Aurora, CO 80014. PPMA IS LIMITED TO 50 PEOPLE. REGISTER TODAY, swprti.org/PPMA.  

You are invited to become a part of the Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education Trainer’s Bureau.  Through a series of trainings, they will overview the Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education, explore and use Environmental Education Materials and provide access to a number of training resources and tools. Webinar dates:

• AUGUST 16TH, 2017: 2:00-3:00p.m. Webinar. Join for an overview of the Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education with Bora Simmons, National Director.
• AUGUST 22nd, 2017: 9:30-3:00p.m. in Denver (Thomas Bean Towers, 135 Park Ave West). Through a series of hands-on activities, participants will identify key characteristics of high quality EE programs and materials.  This workshop will focus on how to use Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines for Excellence as a tool to develop and evaluate EE materials. Participants will receive a copy of the Materials Guidelines.  Lunch Provided.
• AUGUST 29th, 2017: 2:00-3:00 p.m. Webinar. Join Bora Simmons online to learn more about the Guidelines Trainers’ Bureau and the resources available for trainers across the country. To join the Trainers’ Bureau, participants must attend or view recordings of all three sessions.

Click HERE to learn more about the Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education.  Click HERE to register.

AUGUST 25th, 2017: Middle Park Conservation District and High Country Conservation Center will be hosting a "Water Law in a Nutshell" Workshop in Frisco, CO. During the day long event, you'll learn all about the ins-and-outs of Colorado Water Law from a water law attorney and former Water Referee for the Colorado Court. They are asking people to RSVP by August 4th. The cost of the workshop is $50 per person. RSVP to middleparkcd@gmail.com or 970-531-0127.

AUGUST 29th-31th, 2017: National Park Service begins its second century, it is focused on strengthening community engagement skills to achieve greater impact. Join them in Denver, Colorado for a customized training organized by the NPS and the Public Lands Alliance that will help you grow your organizational competency. Converse with colleagues and partners to learn and share innovative strategies that grow capacity for more effective fundraising, governance, marketing, and event planning. You'll walk away with a higher understanding of how to maximize both engagement of key stakeholders and how to leverage community resources to better protect America's treasured places. There is no registration fee for NPS employees or partners through the generosity of the NPS Intermountain Region. Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging and incidental costs. Online registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click HERE for more information and register.

The Center for Watershed Protection's 2017 Webcast Series is open. Register and join them via Adobe Connect for the following sessions: 

September 13th, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST, Webcast 4: Stream Restoration: Where are we now? - Register for this webcast!

October 18th, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST, Webcast 5: Bringing Better Site Design into The 21st Century - Register for this webcast!  

November 15th, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST, Webcast 6: Modeling for Water Quality - Register for this webcast!

SEPTEMBER 1st, 2017: Wildlands Restoration is seeking volunteers. WRV is a Colorado grown non-profit that focuses on ecological restoration projects from native seed collections, to trail construction, to invasive species removal, to revegetation projects and much more.  They coordinate all aspects of projects from design to implementation and specialize in engaging local communities/partners in projects.  This highly organized approach saves you and your staff time while leveraging partners and resources to get more of your critical work done. If you are just beginning to assess what your project needs are, it's best to give them a call (303.543.1411 ext #3), or email, matt@wlrv.org.  If you already have a plan, download and fill out an application form with as much information as you can provide. Or, you can submit your information via Google form. The more information you can provide, the better they will understand your needs.   

SEPTEMBER 26th-27th, 2017: Setting Watershed-Scale Priorities in Riparian Restoration Workshop in Grand Junction, Colorado. This workshop is being organized by the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University and hosted by the Hutchins Water Center. Decades of restoration efforts in the Colorado River basin have had varying success. They will review restoration strategies and techniques being pursued in the Colorado River basin and obtain participant feedback on restoration goals, strategies, and techniques. We will introduce decision-support tools useful to implement analytical prioritization strategies in order to refine prioritization tools that help workshop participants increase their effectiveness. Click here to register.

SEPTEMBER 28th & 29th, 2017: The National Stormwater Center is offering Certified Stormwater Inspector (municipal) training. Designed specifically for municipal personnel, their course offers training and certification to demonstrate, for the record, that inspectors are qualified. Inspectors who take their course learn how to inspect construction, commercial, and industrial, and municipal activities, what to inspect, the limits of their authority, appropriate demeanor, and appropriate discretion. They also learn about the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the six Minimum Control Measures, and how to better implement and support their MS4 stormwater program. You may call Michele at 1-888-397-9414, email info@npdes.com or visit our website at www.npdes.com.  Registration is available on their website for all classes.