Funding Opportunities Late December

Trappers Lake. Trappers Lake in Garfield County taken June 2003. Division of Wildlife. Loyse Hinkle, Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

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.

The Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department is offering small grants for research and biological inventories on open space lands. These research projects and inventories provide valuable data to monitor management practices and improve resources and park visitor experiences. Grants awarded up to $10,000. The deadline for proposals is Monday, January 15, 2018. Click HERE for the rest of the details and to apply.

The National Forest Foundation is pleased to announce that it is currently soliciting proposals for its Matching Awards Program 2018 (MAP). This funding is available for Natural Resource Projects with a Clear Benefit to National Forests and Grasslands. MAP is a nationally competitive grant program that provides federal funds for direct on-the-ground projects benefiting America’s National Forests and Grasslands. The program supports action-oriented projects that enhance outdoor experiences, forest and ecosystem health, and engage local communities in caring for their public lands. Nonprofits with  501(c)(3) status, universities and Native American tribes are eligible to apply.  Grants are awarded for one year and require a 1:1 non-federal cash match. Submission Deadlines January 23, 2018 at 11:59 pm MST or June 13, 2018 at 11:59 pm MDT.  Informational Webinar January 9, 2018 at 11:00 am MST. Register for Webinar HERE. For more information about MAP, click HERE.

Colorado River District is accepting grant applications for projects that protect, enhance or develop water resources in the 15-county area covered by the District are eligible for funding consideration. This includes all watersheds in north- and central- western Colorado, except the San Juan River basin. Deadline for submission of a grant application for the 2018 cycle is January 31, 2018.  Find more information and guidance HERE.

Bureau of Reclamation Announces WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Funding Opportunity for 2018. The Bureau of Reclamation has announced its 2018 funding opportunity for Phase I of the Cooperative Watershed Management Program. This funding opportunity is seeking proposals for activities to develop a watershed group, complete watershed restoration planning activities, and to design watershed management projects. Applicants must submit their proposals by Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. MST. To view this funding opportunity, please visit HERE. Up to $100,000 in federal funds may be awarded to an applicant per award, with no more than $50,000 made available in a year for a period of up to two years.

Colorado Water Quality Control Division is now accepting applications for watershed implementation projects that address water quality impairments caused by nonpoint sources of selenium, sediment, pathogens and/or nutrients OR protect waterbodies from further degradation caused by nonpoint source pollution. Applications must be submitted by February 5th. For the application and reference materials click HERE.

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. Natural Resource Conservation Service 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. 

Trainings and Workshops Late December

Tarryall Reservoir in Winter. Tarryall Reservoir in winter, SE Colorado, Park County. Division of Wildlife. David Hannigan. Photo taken: 4/20/2009.

JANUARY 29th-30th, 2018: Sprinkler Irrigation Workshop- CSU Extension is offering two free-of-charge workshops for farmers interested in sprinkler irrigation. Farmers in the Lower Arkansas River Basin face many challenges if they want to install a center pivot irrigation system. A recently released report from the Colorado Water Institute (www.coloradoarmac.org) confirms that these challenges are real, but can be overcome in practical ways by most farmers.   Now might be the time to consider installing a sprinkler system on your farm.  Locations: Student Union, Otero Junior College, La Junta, January 29, 2018; Colorado Room, Cow Palace Rodeway Inn, Lamar, January 30, 2018.  For more information and to register, visit HERE.

February 28th- March 2nd, 2018: Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado is hosting a Community-Based Collaborative Conservation Workshop. Objectives include: Understand existing resources, identify barriers to participation, identify new resources and opportunities, develop and prioritize strategies to address these, seek agreement on the most effective and efficient way to connect CBCC practitioners, and unify these understandings into an action plan. To read more about this workshop, click HERE.

The City of Boulder is hosting a workshop for other land managers in Colorado and throughout the western United States to learn about their experiences monitoring and managing tall oatgrass and to establish a network of professionals to share resources, research, and expertise. In the City of Boulder, tall oatgrass has invaded over 300 acres of tallgrass prairies, causing concern for a variety of resource management needs, such as wildlife habitat quality, prairie ecosystem conservation, and soil nutrient management. If you are interested in attending, please contact Sabrina Kleinman from EnviroPlan Partners, LLC at skleinman@enviroplanpartners.com to register and learn more.  

SPRING 2018: For the first time One World One Water Center will offer a Water Studies Online Certificate through Metropolitan State University of Denver! Participants are required to complete four courses: Water Law, U.S. Water Concerns, Colorado Water and the American West and a final capstone project. For more information and to register: click here.

Job Announcements Late December

Snowy River. A snowy river near Bailey, Colo. Division of Wildlife. David Hannigan. Photo taken: 3/23/2009.

The City of Boulder is hiring a Source Water Administrator to perform daily accounting and associated coordination of the city's water rights portfolio, take the lead in implementing the day-to-day activities of the city utilities instream flow program, and provide support for various water resources tasks. Applications accepted until December 17th, 2018. Find more information HERE.

Larimer County Department of Natural Resources is hiring an Education Program Technician to assist with educational programming, outreach, and volunteer coordination. More duties include: leading hikes and field trips for schools, community groups, and the general public including scheduling, marketing and writing press releases as needed; organizing, planning and implementing volunteer projects with field staff on parks and open spaces; coordinating and organizing a summer campground program series, including working with presenters, marketing and evaluation; collaborating with the outreach, education and volunteer team and other staff, outside agencies, and schools as appropriate; and assisting with volunteer management of the volunteer naturalist program and their training and recognition events. Deadline December 20, 2017. Click HERE for more.

Colorado Department of Natural Resources has a position open for a Decision Support Systems Specialist - Colorado Water Conservation Board. This position is in the Interstate, Federal & Water Information Section of the CWCB which exists to protect Colorado's decree and compact entitlements and to conduct all studies, analyses, and investigations pertaining to Interstate Compacts and negotiations on the Colorado and Arkansas River, the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program, the Endangered Fish Recovery Programs in the Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Basins, and other miscellaneous water resources. This includes researching and identifying all current uses of water, future projected uses of water, development and evaluation of complex water management models, and understanding the risks associated with all of these elements. Applications accepted until Janurary 2nd, 2018 at 5pm. Click HERE for more details and to apply. 

January 8th, 2018: The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics seeks two dynamic, tech-savvy, extroverted teams of educators (only teams of two are accepted as applicants) for regional Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer positions. Contract period runs April 2018 through March 2019. As Traveling Trainers, teams live on the road, camp more than 250 nights a year, and deliver Leave No Trace programs to children and adults of all experience levels and ages. Teams create videos, social media content, weekly blogs, and detailed program reporting. The majority of this work is with first-time visitors in front country settings. Teams will be hired for one of two regions, but will work and travel outside of that region as needed by the Center. Teams are outfitted with a Subaru vehicle, basic equipment and supplies necessary for teaching and camping, and technology for communication needs. Application deadline January 8th, 2018.  Find more information HERE.

The Boulder County Youth Corps has an opening for a Field Coordinator to assist with planning, oversight and evaluation of the County’s popular teen employment program for the 2018 season.  The Field Coordinator primarily works with Project Sponsors to provide well-planned work projects that meet program expectations. This is a full-time 6-month term position with full benefits starting February 26 and working through August 24.  Applications will be taken through January 16.  Click HERE for more information and to apply.

The Middle Colorado Watershed Council is hiring a part-time, contract Community Outreach Coordinator.  The non-profit, based out of Rifle, CO, consists of a broad partnership of interested individuals and entities living and working in the watershed that provide leadership in watershed planning, management, and stewardship.  The Community Outreach and Education Coordinator position is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to help implement elements of the 2016 Watershed Plan.  Applications will be accepted until position is filled. More information on this position and how to apply can be found HERE.

The City of Longmont is seeking a Temporary Sustainability Coordinator. Under the direction of the Environmental Services Manager, plan, organize and coordinate the City’s implementation of sustainability concepts and methods. Areas of focus include environmental quality, energy and water conservation, renewable energy, green building, low impact development, recycling and reuse, pollution prevention, economic vitality and community well-being.  The position requires coordination with and providing direction to administrative, professional, and technical positions in various City departments. This position will be open until filled. HERE is more information.

Eagle Valley Land Trust (EVLT) is hiring a Communications and Fundraising Coordinator. The mission of the EVLT is to protect forever the lands we love, to preserve our heritage, scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitats, and to build a permanent legacy for future generations. General Job Description: Reporting to the Executive Director, the Coordinator drafts and conveys all communications and coordinates several fundraising activities of the organization. The Coordinator will take on increased public relations responsibility over time. Since EVLT is a small organization, all employees are expected to work together as a team and shall be responsible for administrative tasks necessary for the day-to-day business of the land trust. The position will be open until filled. Click HERE to learn more.

Conferences and Events Late December

Skaguay Res #2. Skaguay Reservoir. Division of Wildlife. Michael Seraphin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Photo taken: 7/7/2002.

December 19th, 2017: Webinar - How Much is A River Worth? Understanding the Economic Impact of the Huron River and Water Trail. In 2016, the Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) commissioned a unique study to measure the economic impact of the river on local communities, focusing on Huron River Water Trail and the river's ecosystem services. They found the river’s contribution to the local economy to be enormous. Join us for this webinar to learn the details of how the study was conducted, its key findings and how HRWC anticipates using the information to support its ongoing work. This webinar is free. Learn more and register HERE.

SPREE Holiday Camps 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.

January 15, 2018: Something Fishy!
Join 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!

January 24th, 2018: ISF Workshop at Colorado Water Congress Annual Convention. At the Hyatt Regency, Denver Tech Center from 2:00-5:00 pm  The Water Trust and CWCB will present information about the Request for Water Acquisitions Pilot Process. The first part of the Workshop will focus on new ISF Appropriations, and the second portion will cover the new Request for Water Acquisitions Pilot Process. The Pilot Process topics will include the process timeline, available stream restoration and transaction tools, and information a water right owner needs to provide to initiate participation in the Process. This event is free and open to the public!

FEBRUARY 2nd, 2018: Poudre River Forum: The Poudre Runs Through It. Registration includes the full day's program, as well as breakfast, lunch, and a social hour with opportunities to win Poudre prizes. THIS YEAR'S TOPICS INCLUDE but are not limited to: As the Poudre Flows—a set of provocative, dialogue-stimulating “lightning talks” from a range of speakers with contrasting views about what can improve and what can damage Poudre flows; Can we Grow Water Smart?—late breaking alternative scenarios from the evolving Colorado Water Plan, and regional insights on integration of land use planning with water supply planning; How are Poudre Farmers Improving Water Quality through Air Quality Monitoring? Click HERE to learn more and register.

FEBRUARY 6th-8th, 2018: Riparian Restoration Conference at the CMU University Center, Grand Junction, CO. This conference is organized by the Tamarisk Coalition and hosted by the Hutchins Water Center. Along with taking in the breathtaking red rock scenery and outdoor adventure that Grand Junction has to offer, you'll network with your peers and learn about the latest advancements in riparian restoration, ranging from local to regional initiatives as highlighted in case studies and success stories addressing the challenges of restoration, funding, planning, monitoring, and implementation. Novel tools, techniques, and research will be also be discussed. More information and registration can be 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.

APRIL 18th, 2018: The Center for Watershed Protection is hosting the 2018 National Watershed and Stormwater Conference, which is designed for water management from all sectors, practitioners, regulators, and water and sewer authorities, and will present case studies and best practices as well as address cross cutting issues and emerging trends. This will take place online and at remote hub locations. Registration begins soon. Questions can be answered by emailing: center@cwp.org, or calling 410-461-8323. For more on the Center for Watershed Protection, click HERE.

April 29th-May 1st, 2018: The 2nd annual Next Generation Water Summit. The Summit focuses on water conservation and water reuse in the arid Southwest.  It brings together builders, designers, architects and water professionals to share best practices and brainstorm new ones through charrettes. In 2018, our featured keynote speaker will be Jonathan Overpeck. Overpeck’s visionary work has been at the forefront of the heated climate change public debates and identifying the risks to managing water resources, providing valuable insights into past climate variability and change in the Southwest. He will present on the Climate Change forecasted impact to the Colorado River flows. There are over 40 unique sessions planned with speakers from AZ, CA, CO, NM, TX. On the morning of May 1, we will hold two charrettes, where we will have multiple stakeholders dive into a challenging topic. These charrettes will have very limited seating, so sign up today! Learn more and register HERE.

Announcements Late December

Trappers Lake. Trappers Lake in Garfield County taken June 2003. Division of Wildlife. Loyse Hinkle, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 

The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership (UWP) completed its first report for the Ouray Hydrodam Sediment Release Study, detailing the water quality impacts of the annual release into the Uncompahgre River. Read the full UWP Reports on Hydrodam Sediment Release Study HERE.

The Colorado Water Plan has set a goal of conserving 400,000 acre-feet of municipal and industrial water by 2050. By 2025, if the Water Plan objectives are met, 75% of Coloradans will live in communities that have water-saving actions incorporated into land-use planning. Furthermore, by 2030, the plan sets out to A) re-use and share at least 50,000 acre-feet of water amongst agricultural producers, B) cover 80% of locally prioritized rivers with Stream Management Plans, and C) ensure 80% of critical watersheds with Watershed Protection Plans. In order for a project to utilize the Water Plan’s budget to meet these goals, the proposed conservation project must be appropriate in that it addresses real needs and is cost-effective, sustainable, and supported by local stakeholders. Read more HERE. 

The Colorado Foundation for Water Education, first founded in 2002 by an act of the state legislature, is introducing a new look that comes with a new name: Water Education Colorado. Tasked with the mission to help Coloradans understand that water is a limited resource and to help them make informed decisions, the organization’s next chapter aims to engage and inform more Colorado residents by building on the programs and trust it has developed among the water community over the last 15 years. Read more HERE.