Funding Opportunities Late September

Parachute Ponds State Wildlife Area. Parachute Ponds State Wildlife Area. Kathleen Tadvick, Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) are pleased to announce a $500,000 grant opportunity for open space, local government, and land trusts to hire conservation corps. In addition to public parks and open spaces, corps projects can occur on private lands protected by a conservation easement. The RFP can be found at www.cyca.org.  The application deadline is Sept. 21, 2017.  Successful projects will be announced in December 2017 and crews will complete the proposed work in 2018.  Matching funds/support not required but encouraged.  Applicants can apply for youth corps crews (ages 16-25) to complete a variety of stewardship projects. To find the youth corps that serves your area, go to www.cyca.org/joinfind-a-youth-corps/  or contact Scott Segerstrom at or 303-863-0604 with questions.

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. Click HERE for more information.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board has a new category of grants available to support implementation of the Colorado Water Plan. The purpose of the Water Plan Grant funding is to make progress on the critical actions identified in the Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP) and its Measurable Objectives. The Colorado Water Conservation Board will select projects, programs and activities to fund from applications that have the best opportunity to make progress on the Colorado’s Water Plan Measurable Objectives or critical actions. Categories for funding include: supply and demand gap projects; water storage; conservation, land use and planning; engagement and innovation activities; agricultural; and environmental and recreation. Click HERE for details on October 1, 2017 submittal deadline. There will be multiple opportunities to submit applications – in October, February and August 2018 and February 2019.All applications will be assessed based on funds available for a particular CWP Measurable Objective category. Click HERE for more information. 

The Clif Bar Family Foundation is accepting applications for its fall 2017 Small Grants program. Grants of up to $7,000 will be awarded in support of projects that address the foundation's priorities from a holistic perspective. Priority will be given to projects that aim to protect the earth's beauty and bounty; create robust, healthy food systems; increase opportunities for outdoor activity; reduce environmental health hazards; and/or build stronger communities. Projects must operate with clearly defined objectives and viable plans to achieve them; demonstrate strong community ties and operate at the community level; and promote positive change through both the project and the implementation process. To be eligible, applicants must be considered tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. See the Clif Bar Family Foundation website for complete program guidelines, an eligibility quiz, and application instructions. Small grants deadline is Sunday, October 1, 2017.

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.

Wetlands Conservation Funded, Fish and Wildlife Service, The North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grants Program supports the long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. The U.S. Small Grants Program is a competitive, matching grant program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, enhancement and/or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. A 1:1 match is required. Research funding is ineligible. In June 2016, U.S. Small Grants Program award ceiling increased from $75,000 to $100,000 by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC). The application deadline is October 19, 2017. For more information go to www.grants.gov.

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.

Conservation Alliance Invites Nominations for Conservation Projects – Nominations Due November 1st, 2017. 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.

The Nature Conservancy is working to promote environmental education through the creation of Nature Works Everywhere gardens. The core principle behind the Gardens program is that gardens model conservation science on a relatable scale. The program empowers students and teachers to work together to create and implement their own solutions to environmental challenges in their communities. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded to support projects that implement green infrastructure to address local environmental challenges. These include access to healthy food, air quality, heat island effect, climate change, and storm water collection. Through the program, young people will work as social innovators to help their communities through project design and implementation. Link to Complete RFP.

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. Further information is in the NOFO: DHS-17-MT-029-00-99.

FEMA FY17 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Application Cycle - Due November 14, 2017: FEMA has posted the Fiscal Year 2017 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcements for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant program on www.grants.gov. The goal of the PDM grant program is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures, while at the same time reducing reliance on federal funding from Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) disaster declarations. FEMA’s highest priority for FY17 competitive sub-applications is multi-state/tribal mitigation initiatives. FEMA will select eligible planning and project sub-applications that limit duplication of other HMA programs by prioritizing funding in areas without post-disaster funding available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); and projects that cannot be funded by the FMA grant program. Further information is in the NOFO: DHS-17-MT-047-00-99.

Applications are being accepted for Colorado Corn Future Farmers of America (FFA) Grant Program. For a fifth year, the Colorado Corn Administrative Committee (CCAC) is accepting applications from FFA chapters around the state as part of its Colorado Corn FFA Grant Program. The deadline to apply is November 15th. Be sure to let your local FFA chapters know about this opportunity. The Colorado Corn FFA Grant Program assists FFA chapters in Colorado on projects that lack funding in their school's budget. Adding to its support of other youth-focused projects, Colorado Corn began its FFA grants in 2013, awarding a $5,000 grant to the winner during the first year, and all together has contributed nearly $30,000 to FFA chapters through this program. Click HERE for more information.

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program has released a new funding opportunity announcement. Past projects funded by the program have typically involved converting unlined canals and ditches to pipelines located in the Upper Basin States to reduce seepage that picks up salt and carries it into the Colorado River system. The Colorado River and its tributaries provide municipal and industrial water to about 27 million people and irrigation water to nearly four million acres of land in the United States. The river also serves about 2.3 million people and 500,000 acres in Mexico. The threat of salinity is a major concern in both the Unites States and Mexico. Salinity affects agricultural, municipal, and industrial water users. Click HERE for more information. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Job Announcements Late September

Beautiful Lake in Granby, CO. Division of Wildlife. David Hannigan

Northern Water, a leading organization in the delivery, conservation, and management of water, is seeking a Natural Resources Specialist.  This position, located in Berthoud, CO, requires a natural resources-related degree and a minimum of 5 years’ experience. A strong knowledge of watershed management and protection, with an emphasis in forestry, is preferred. For a full job description go to www.Northernwater.org. To apply for this position, submit resume to careers@northernwater.org.

Boulder County Open Space & Mountain Parks Trails Stewardship Team has posted an opening for a Program Lead. Under general supervision to implement, evaluate, and assist with the development of the Trail Stewardship plans, policies, projects, and management practices at a professional level, consistent with department goals and within a department-wide context that supports all chartered land uses and open space purposes; primarily to deliver professional project design and field work. Deadline to apply October 15th, 2017. You can find the job description and information on how to apply at: www.governmentjobs.com.

Hands-On Labs, Inc. (HOL) is seeking a Science Laboratory Curriculum & Product Developer. This person develops laboratory experiences, curricula, and products that support the academic requirements of secondary and post-secondary science courses.  This individual designs, develops, enriches, and supports all sales and production facets of the experiments contained in HOL products, called s, which provide wet science lab experiences in support of educational institutions’ science courses, primarly online science courses. This position works collaboratively within a team of science colleagues, clients, and HOL’s Sales, Production, and Documentation teams to develop, write, produce, and confirm challenging and effective  science experiments that engage students, meet traditional academic learning objectives, and can be safely and successfully conducted at home. Please submit resume to Rick Carmichael,  rick.carmichael@holscience.com. Applicants MUST have a science degree. MS or PhD preferred.

The Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT), an accredited land trust, in Evergreen, CO has an opening for a part-time (24 hours) Land and Water Conservation Director.  Please find the complete job description, duties and details on how to apply at, http://www.savetheland.org/job-opportunities.

The Mountain Park Environmental Center is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and engaging individual to join their team as Environmental Educators who will primarily work with their new Forest School for Little Rangers program. This position will co-facilitate MPEC’s preschool program and have the option to facilitate other programs when needed. The ideal candidate will possess a solid early education background, environmental science background and demonstrable experience working at the intersection of nature education and early child development. Position is idea for a retired teacher who is looking for a part time position working with young children in the outdoors. Click HERE for more information and to apply. 

Metro to Mountain Native Plant Master Program is Seeking Volunteer Educators. Are you interested in native plants? Would you like to share your knowledge with others? The Metro to Mountain Native Plant Master® Program is seeking volunteer educators who have a passion for educating others about native plants. Both experts and those with more intermediate knowledge are encouraged to apply. There is a comprehensive training program and in depth resources so volunteers are fully equipped to begin their teaching role in 2018. For more information click HERE.

Conferences & Events Late September

Karval State Wildlife Area. Division of Wildlife. Michael Seraphin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

SEPTEMBER 18th- 20th, 2017: The COSA 2017 conference will be held at Beaver Run Resorts in Breckenridge. Find more information on the COSA website.

SEPTEMBER 21st, 2017: Create Your Own Model Native Plant Garden. Learn how to create your own model native plant garden in this one hour lunchtime webinar from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm.  Join the class from the comfort of your desk or tablet where you will discover some of the top native plants for your garden along with effective plant combinations and secrets for success. The instructor for this class, Deryn Davidson, is the author of the recently published “Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens: Front Range & Foothills”. Register or learn more about this or other Jeffco Native Plant Master classes at www.npm.eventbrite.com. For information on the program, see www.M2Mnativeplantmaster.org.

SEPTEMBER 23rd & 24th, 2017: Fourth Annual Student Water Field Conference at Keystone, CO. The Hutchins Water Center and the One World, One Water Center at Metropolitan State University of Denver take turns hosting this field conference that is open to all Colorado college students. This year, OWOW is hosting in Keystone. The One World One Water Center is a collaboration between Metropolitan State University of Denver and Denver Botanic Gardens. The partnership presents a compelling opportunity to build on and expand joint initiatives on water issues. For more information click HERE.

SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2017: Headwaters Hoedown! Come celebrate the community's conservation accomplishments at their Headwaters Hoedown from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the lovely La Garita Creek Ranch in Saguache County. The Headwaters Hoedown is a chance to listen (and dance!) to the music of local favorites, Don Richmond and the Rifters, feast on great food by Pepita Catering, partake of the wine and beer, and explore the beauty and archaeological features on the ranch. The whole family is welcome! For more information go to Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust.

SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2017: Denver Carp Slam After Party. Come support the South Platte River at Denver Trout Unlimited's annual party and fundraiser from 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm.  The Evening on the South Platte After Party will be held on the top floor of the DaVita building down town with amazing views overlooking the river and a venue to remember. The event features live music with catered food, wine and beer, highlighted by a silent auction with amazing gifts and the Carp Slam awards ceremony. This is certainly a party not to be missed! Get your Tickets Now.

SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2017: Grape Stomp at Mountain Harvest Festival supporting WSCC! It's the can't miss event of the festival - the annual Grape Stomp! Form your teams, design your costumes, and sign up today! Prizes are awarded for "Most Juice Collected" and "Best Costume," so dress as your favorite TV Cartoon characters, or give them your Best I Love Lucy Look-Alike! Best of all, the proceeds will benefit Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC), SEI, and the Paonia Public Library Foundation. Swing by WSCC's office to sign up, or check out THIS LINK for more details!

SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2017: High School GLC Fall RiverSweep. Help remove trash from the South Platte River with an in-stream clean up! The Greenway Leadership Corps will be at Fall RiverSweep again this year, and will be joined by fellow environmental youth groups, ELK and cityWILD. You'll walk in the South Platte, piling up trash in a raft as you walk downstream. When you get back to the Confluence, you'll have a chance to try kayaking in the Confluence Rapids with cityWILD! Coffee and breakfast will be provided, and you'll earn service hours for your time. Sign up NOW.

SEPTEMBER 27th, 2017: Ag Water Tour in Avondale and Rocky Ford with the Colorado Foundation for Water Education, National Young Farmers Coalition, Colorado Ag Water Alliance and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union are partnering to offer this one-day tour focused on innovative solutions for agricultural viability. Hear from expert speakers and visit operations focused on irrigation efficiency, soil health, adaptation for climate change, alternative transfer methods, water quality, farmland succession planning and more. Participants will enjoy a local meal and walk away with a stronger understanding of the nexus between water and the agriculture industry. Learn more and register HERE. 

SEPTEMBER 27th, 2017: Farm to Table Dinner with Groundwork Denver at Sister Gardens at Aria, featuring: A dinner in the garden, prepared by the well-known, flavor fluent chefs of Edible Beats, fresh ingredients picked from the Groundwork Denver urban farms, beer and wine pairings and wonderful company at a beautiful garden in the Chaffee Park neighborhood in northwest Denver. All while supporting the mission of Groundwork Denver. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Cindy@GroundworkColorado.org for more details. Buy your tickets HERE.

SEPTEMBER 30th, 2017: Western Slope Conservation Center's 40TH Birthday & Reunion! Come celebrate their 40th birthday at Zephyros Farm and Garden. Food, beverages, garden potluck, live music and dancing, CAKE, and stories will be shared! Festivities start at 3pm. Bring your favorite WSCC memories and your vision for the next 40 years! For more information visit the WSCC 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 4th, 2017:  Join TAP-IN for their Colorado Play and Protect event, and pitch a specific problems to the entrepreneurial, innovation, and business community. Then, the community will engage in dialogue to gather information that could power solutions and build connections to innovate together. Some examples of proposals include: outdoor brands; outdoor industry (raft, kayak, fish, boat, camp, ski, snowboard, bike, paddle board, etc.); tourism; watershed coalitions; land management; natural hazard/disaster management; recovery programs, such as endangered species; stream and watershed management planning; forest health; and more! Proposals due September 20th, 2017; submit your proposal HERE. More information about Tap-In can be found HERE.

OCTOBER 7th, 2017: BEULAH CHALLENGE. The Subaru of Pueblo Beulah Challenge is the best running event in southern Colorado! With free camping, amazing race courses, and great energy, this is an event for everyone. Events: 5k walk/run, 10k run, half marathon run. The Beulah Challenge directly supports scholarships to the Mountain Park Environmental Center's environmental education programs. With your race entry, you'll get an awesome Next Level hoodie shirt this year. They're amazing. Trust us! Full event pricing and registration HERE!

OCTOBER 7th, 2017: 4th Annual Alpine Bank Middle Colorado River CleanUp. The Colorado River needs our help, so lets come together as a community and clean-up this essential resource. They will meet at Centennial Park and head out to the river from there. Please register early to be assigned a section. You are encouraged to form your own River Team. Contact Middle Colorado Watershed Council for more details!

OCTOBER 7th, 2017: Join Colorado Mesa University for The Economics of our Water: A Colorado River Business Tour to learn about how the Grand Valley’s economy depends on our rivers for its growth and vitality. Tour Includes: Talbott Farms; Orchard Mesa Pump & Power Plant site; Lunch at a farm; Las Colonias Park/Watson Island; Happy Hour at Edgewater! Click HERE to register.

OCTOBER 8, 2017: TOUR DE POUDRE BIKE RIDE from 7:00 am – 1:00 pm. Fee includes commemorative event t-shirt for the first 50 participants, as well as snacks, lunch and drinks.  You’ll finish the afternoon by visiting Odell Brewing Company, start/finish at 1805 E Lincoln Ave., Fort Collins, CO. REGISTER ONLINE AT: COLORADOTREES.ORG.

 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 12th, 2017: Bites & Brews for Biodiversity. This October, Rocky Mountain Wild will be hosting Bites & Brews for Biodiversity this event will be held between 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Silver Vines Winery, 7509 Grandview Ave, Arvada, CO 80002. Admission tickets are $50 in advance, $40 in advance for members at the Supporting Level and above, and $60 at the door. And new this year, they are offering $30 advance tickets for students or young professionals (under age 35)! Tickets are now available.

OCTOBER 13th, 2017:  8th Annual ELK 'n Eggs! Join Environmental Learning for Kids from 7:30 am - 9:00 am at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. This event sells out every year - get your FREE tickets early! Keynote Speaker is Juan Martinez, Director, Leadership Development and Natural Leaders Network at Children & Nature Network. Register Here.

OCTOBER 14th, 2017: Friends of Barr Lake Annual Harvest Festival from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton, CO. This event raises funding for educational programming at Barr Lake State Park. Learn more HERE.

OCTOBER 24th, 2017: Registration is now open for Colorado WaterWise 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 25th - 26th, 2017: South Platte Forum. The South Platte Forum was initiated in 1989 to provide an avenue for a timely, multi-disciplinary exchange of information and ideas important to resource management in the South Platte River Basin. For conference information go to www.southplatteforum.org.

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.

SPREE Holiday Camps 2017-2018

SPREE will be hosting several day camps during the 2017- 2018 academic calendar on days that Denver Public Schools are closed.These unique and educational programs are for children who are in kindergarten (must be at least 6 years old) through 5th grade. All holiday camps will be held at Johnson Habitat Park, 610 S. Jason St. Denver CO, 80223; from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Cost for this program is $50/child/day.

Oct. 26-27, 2017: Fur, Feathers, and Scales
Find out why animals have different body coverings and help Chompers the Beaver solve a mystery along the way.

November 3, 2017: Geology Rocks!
What is the rock cycle? What types of rocks are found in Colorado? Become a geologist with SPREE and find out!

November 20-21, 2017: Time Travelers
Hop into your time machine and join SPREE to learn all about the Native Americans and Pioneers who lived along the South Platte River. 

January 15, 2018: Something Fishy!
oin SPREE as we learn about the fish in the South Platte River and the many amazing adaptations they have.

February 2, 2018: Raptors of the River
Investigate the birds of prey that live along the South Platte River.

To view specific dates/themes and to register, please visit the SPREE website!

NOVEMBER 1st, 2017: Save the Date - Cherry Creek Watershed Annual Conference presented by the Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners, the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority (CCBWQA), & the Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA). Join them as they celebrate active stewardship in the Cherry Creek watershed! The focus for the conference is providing an update on ‘what’s happening’ in the basin. This year they are going to highlight watershed monitoring to illustrate how dynamic technical advances, successful regional planning, and stewardship engagement can benefit from raising awareness through data collection & analysis. Monitoring takes various forms and can be instrumental in supporting the positive environmental actions we see in our watershed today. For more information visit http://www.cherry-creek.org/events/.

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 6th-9th, 2017: Join North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) for NALMS 2017: Finding Balance in Colorado to hear fascinating lake talks, see the mountains, and network. Enjoy workshops, exhibits, and first hand experience of our Colorado water resources. Finding Balance is the key to managing our lakes, watersheds, and even day-to-day relationships with people. For information go to their WEBSITE. To register click HERE.

NOVEMBER 6th, 2017: The Colorado Foundation for Water Education is having a workshop about 2017 Considerations in Implementing Regional Water Solutions. Regional water planning and management is becoming a popular topic in Colorado as a means to help secure water for our future. This informative, day-long workshop will provide a forum for information and discussion around the tradeoffs in regional water planning for achieving economies of scale as well as a close examination of the opportunities, the hurdles, and the best approaches for success. Register HERE to reserve your place and join them in Colorado Springs. 

NOVEMBER 6th-9th, 2017: After 26 years, Colorado welcomes North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) back to the headwaters state. Colorado is home to thousands of both natural alpine lakes and reservoirs. We are proud of our mountains and appreciate the importance of our lakes and reservoirs. In Colorado, water is used for fishing, drinking, farming, rafting, camping, mining, ranching, boating, brewing, and much more. These uses are supported with a statewide annual average rainfall of just 17 inches. The lakes and reservoirs throughout the West and the Rockies provide the resources to meet these diverse needs. Finding balance in how we manage them is important. Finding Balance is the key to managing our lakes, watersheds, and even day-to-day relationships with people. Come to NALMS 2017 in Colorado to hear fascinating lake talks, see the mountains, and network. Click HERE to register.

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 exports, 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.

November 29th- 30th, 2017: Attend the Southern Rockies Seed Network 2017 Conference, Ecotypes: Science, Practice, & Policy at The Fort Collins Innosphere, 320 East Vine Drive, Fort Collins CO. More information to come. More information is found HERE.

MARCH 2nd - 3rd, 2017: 2018 Advancing Environmental Education Conference, "emPowered by Nature", Auraria Campus,Denver, CO. Colorado’s Advancing Environmental Education Conference is annually hosted by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), a statewide leader in environmental education since 1989. CAEE facilitates communication, coordination, resource sharing and professional development to advance environmental education among over 850 members across the state among various sectors.  Information about the Conference Event.

Trainings & Workshops Late September

Rocky Ford SWA Wetland, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Date Taken 8/10/1953

SEPTEMBER 18, 2017: EPA Office of Water to hold webinar from 1:00-2:00pm EST to review and clarify its recently published draft aluminum aquatic life water quality criteria document (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0260). EPA first released freshwater criteria for aluminum in 1988 to protect aquatic life from harmful effects of aluminum toxicity, which can inhibit an aquatic organism’s ability to regulate salt concentrations and clog fish gills, potentially resulting in death or affecting growth and reproduction. EPA is updating the aluminum criteria to better reflect the latest science and, in response to a consent decree for Oregon, propose aluminum standards. Studies have shown that three water chemistry parameters -- pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and hardness -- can affect the toxicity of aluminum by impacting aquatic species’ overall exposure to aluminum. Unlike the fixed values recommended by EPA in the 1988 document, this draft document provides users the flexibility to develop site-specific criteria based on a site’s water chemistry. To support the development of site-specific criteria, EPA is providing lookup tables as well as an Aluminum Criteria Calculator. To register for the webinar click HERE.

SEPTEMBER 19th, 2017: Webinar, Naturalizing Early Childhood Education in Colorado: The ECHO Initiative, 3:00pm to 4:00pm MST. Join CAEE for an informative webinar with Sarah Konradi, from the National Wildlife Federation and Adrienne Sedlack, from Qualistar, to learn about the ECHO Initiative and the Outdoor Learning Environment Toolkit, participate in an interactive conversation about current early childhood environmental education programs, and share with them how your work fits with ECHO Initiative goals as we seek to elevate the quality of outdoor learning environments across the state. Healthy, natural, affordable. These are the foundations of Colorado's new Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) Initiative created to ensure all young children in Colorado have daily access to quality outdoor learning environments where play and learning support development across all domains-cognitive, physical, social, and emotional. Register HERE.

SEPTEMBER 22nd - 23rd, 2017: Citizen Science Workshop in Aspen: The Leaf Pack Science Experiment. Every autumn, the colorful leaves fall off the trees and blanket our forest floors and riparian areas. It's a little known fact that many of those leaves also blow into streams and are an instrumental food source for the aquatic insects that fish eat. Just how do we use leaves to study stream health?  Join the Roaring Fork Conservacy, in partnership with Stroud Water Research Center and ACES, to learn how YOU can help collect valuable data about our local streams. Details of this workshop and registration can be found HERE.

SEPTEMBER 25th, 2917: Peer Learning Session: Managing Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
with Friends of the Forest Foundation from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EDT. You’re invited to join an upcoming peer learning session! Managing Volunteer Recruitment and Retention will introduce common issues surrounding volunteer recruitment and volunteer retention, provide helpful tips, and identify current issues faced by volunteer managers. REGISTER HERE.

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 26th, 2017:  At 1:00 pm, join in on the Alliance 4 Water Efficiency (AWE) Webinar - Managing Peak Demand Through the Use of Smart Technology. Is your utility suffering from high peak demands from landscape irrigation? Are you wondering how technology might be able to help you solve this problem? Then this webinar is for you! This study explores the viability of using remotely-controlled irrigation systems to reduce peak water demand. Register for this webinar NOW. For the Peak Day Water Demand Management Study, click HERE.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017: Webinar, Drowning in Data: Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms starting at 12:00 pm Mountain time. You're invited to join Dr. Stephanie A. Smith of YSI, a Xylem Brand, and Chuck Springer of Aquatic Informatics as they review best practices for managing and interpreting algae data. They will demonstrate how spreadsheet tools can be used to process data and will also discuss common challenges with data management in spreadsheets. The webinar will also include information about the limitations of sensor technologies for describing algal biology in units such as CFU/ml and a discussion on how software can be leveraged to estimate some of these values. Register online here.

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 their website at www.npdes.com.  Registration is available on their website for all classes.

SEPTEMBER 28th, 2017: UAS's ("Drones") and Urban Forestry: An Introduction to their Application from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT.    Unmanned aerial systems (UAS's) or "Drones" are becoming more prominent in a variety of fields, including the urban forestry sector. Join Professor Charlie Schweik, a member of the UMass Department of Environmental Conservation, the School of Public Policy and a new group called "UMass Air", as he discusses key UAS concepts, components of UAS missions, and data analysis strategies behind UAS applications. To attend, visit  www.joinwebinar.com and enter the ID code 970-082-427. This broadcast is free and will offer the opportunity for arborists to earn 1.0 ISA CEU and 0.5 MCA credit. For those who are unavailable to attend the live broadcast, sessions will be archived in the "videos" section at www.urbanforestrytoday.org.

OCTOBER 4th, 2017: Careers In Natural Resources Workshop: Grand Junction from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Help young adults on their path to a natural resource career! Join Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education to develop a training model for using the Career Guide in your programs. Attending organizations will receive kits with hard copies of the Career Guide and digital resources including activities, handouts, and presentations. 

• Get to know the "How-To Guide for Pursuing a Career in Natural Resources" - an in-depth career development tool for young adults - and how you can use it.
• Participate in activities you can use to engage your audiences in natural resource careers.
• Get an insiders perspective on getting hired from a panel of state and federal natural resource professionals.
• Plan future training opportunities for your audiences using the tools provided

For more information and to register go to, caee.org.

OCTOBER 26th, 2017: Webinar, This Is What STEM Looks Like! A conversation about inspiring, motivating, and retaining girls and young women in STEM from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (MST). Presenters will be Violeta Garcia, Stem Learning by Design and Louise V. Myrland, The Women's Foundation of Colorado. REGISTER HERE.

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

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! 

November 6th, 2017:  Colorado Foundation for Water Conservation is hosting a workshop in Colorado Springs, CO, 2017 Considerations in Implementing Regional Water Solutions. As Colorado’s urban areas grow, we must consider leveraging resources, infrastructure, water supply and facilities to secure general well-being and a healthy economy. This informative, day-long workshop provides a forum for planning and discussion around the best approaches for regional water solutions. It includes a close examination of the tradeoffs, hurdles, and opportunities for success. For more information and to register, click HERE.

Announcements Late September

Family Fishing at Haviland Lake, Free Fishing Day At Haviland Lake, 20 miles north of Durango, Photo by employee Joe Lewandoski May/June 2005, Division of Wildlife

SEPTEMBER 20th, 2017: Proposal submission deadline! Pitch specific problems to the entrepreneurial, innovation, and business community for the event Colorado Play and Protect,  put on by TAP-IN, related possibly to one of the following topics: outdoor industry (raft, kayak, fish, boat, camp, ski, snowboard, bike, paddle board, etc.); tourism; watershed coalitions; land management; natural hazard/disaster management; recovery programs, such as endangered species; stream and watershed management planning; forest health, and more! Then, the community will engage in dialogue to gather information that could power solutions and build connections to innovate together. Day of event in October 4th, 2017. Submit your proposal HERE. For more information about Tap-In, click HERE.

Southern Rockies Fire Science Network announced their new four-part video series "Bridging The Divide" which explores the challenges and triumphs involved with the 2013 West Fork Fire Complex in southern Colorado. This 109,000-acre fire had unique impacts on the Rio Grande river watershed, two national forests, and related mountain communities. Each short is a compilation of post-fire interviews, workshops, and research presentations, highlighting the special conditions of the fire and the unique community outcomes. Through science, collaboration and partnerships these mountain communities are learning to live with fire in the landscape.

Part 1 (5:38):  Bridging the Divide – The 2013 West Fork Fire Complex
Part 2 (2:58): Values and Risks
Part 3 (3:08): Forest Management
Part 4 (3:21): The Future of Our Forests

Do you have great ideas, research, or Environmental Education strategies to share? Help elevate EE by presenting at the annual Advancing Environmental Education Conference, "emPowered by Nature", Friday, March 2nd -Saturday, March 3rd, 2018at the Auraria Campus in Denver. The conference offers a variety of sessions, inspiring speakers, and many opportunities for networking and discovering new ideas, tools and techniques. Proposals are due October 31st, 2017.

The Solution for Salt in Our Rivers? - 9 million tons: that's how much salt is carried in the Colorado River by the time it flows through the Hoover Dam. 800,000 tons comes from the Lower Gunnison Basin. This article in High Country News explores what irrigators in Western Colorado are doing to keep salt out of our water. 

Front Range Urban Forestry Council meeting on September 21st, 2017 from 8:30 am – Noon at the Golden Community Center, 1470 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401. They will meet in the Bear Creek Room on the upper level of the Community Center. If you need additional information contact Keith Wood at 303-438-9338 or keith.wood@colostate.edu.

The River Rally team invites proposals for workshops, due October 1, 2017, that relate to one or more of the following themes: Reconnecting to Rivers Through Restoration and Recreation; Mobilizing for Change Through Policy, Advocacy, and Civic Engagement; Making Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Real; Expanding Impact Through Science, Technology, and Monitoring, or; Sustaining Strong Leaders, Organizations and Coalitions. Click HERE for all pertinent details.

The Center for Collaborative Conservation (CCC) invites team applications for the 9th cohort of Collaborative Conservation Fellows. This cohort will join 134 previous fellows as part of a worldwide network of collaborative conservation. The Collaborative Conservation Fellows Program supports faculty, researchers, students, and practitioners using collaborative approaches to conservation and livelihood challenges. For this cohort, they are looking for teams, comprised of practitioners, faculty, and students.  The fellowships will run for a full two years, from January 15, 2018 - January 15, 2020. Please visit their WEBSITE to read the RFP, learn more about the program, and submit your proposal.  Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2017. 

Taking a Walk Through Deep Time. A new app called Deep Time Walk attempts to remind us of our common evolutionary history with all life through the combination of an audio book and physical walk. The walk is 4.6 kilometers, representing 4,600 million years of the Earth’s history. This unfolding takes you from 4,600,000,000 years ago (4,600 Million Years Ago) to the present day, with each metre walked representing 1 million years. During the walk between a fool and a scientist you learn from the latest scientific evidence about how our planet evolved over this vast stretch of geological time, including the accretion of the Earth from a disc of rocky debris, the formation of the oceans and atmosphere, the appearance of first life - bacteria, then the first nucleated cells and multicellular organisms.