Funding Opportunities Early June

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of $900,000 for local governments to host a Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) pilot project for fiscal year (FY) 2020. The cooperative agreements will support projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. The agreements are offered through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. USDA will accept applications on Grants.gov though June 26th, 2020. Projects should span two years with a start date of October 1st, 2020, and completion date of September 29th, 2022. A webinar on June 4th will provide an overview of the cooperative agreements’ purpose, project types, eligibility and basic requirements for submitting an application. Information on how to register and participate in the webinar, or listen to the recording, will be posted at farmers.gov/urban. For more information click HERE.

The Women in Water Scholarship is an annual $5,000 gift awarded to a woman pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in any facet of Western water resources. Scholarship applications for the 2020-21 academic year will be accepted between through July 1st, 2020. For more information and how to apply click HERE.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced the availability of up to $5 million for their Wetland Mitigation Banking Program. This funding through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program is available to help conservation partners develop or establish mitigation banks to help agricultural producers maintain eligibility for USDA programs. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by July 6th, 2020. For more information, click HERE.

USDA’s Natural Resources Service (NRCS) recently announced that it is investing over $2.27 million in Colorado for partner-driven conservation projects through its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS will leverage nearly $2.9 million in partner contributions in Colorado. The 2020 deadline has passed. For the full press release, click HERE. For more information about NRCS in Colorado and its programs and opportunities, please visit HERE.

NRCS offers financial and technical assistance to farmers and private landowners through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) to create, restore, and enhance wetlands. Click HERE for more information.

The Geospatial Experience Center (GeoEx) at Front Range Community College was created to give students the opportunity to take on GIS projects and gain experience to prepare them for the workforce. GeoEx is funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF), Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant. GeoEx can take on various project types, from digitizing to lidar analysis. Projects GeoEx can take are only limited by the experience of students and their availability. Projects can be completed at your location, the students’ home, or at school. For all projects GeoEx will ensure students can use their experience to further their careers. Students must be able to use what they work on with you in their portfolio. If sensitive data is involved, the student can create mock data to represent the original.  If you would like to ensure your project is a good fit for our students, become involved in FRCC activities, or have other questions, email GeoEx at skye.lewis@geoexcenter.org. Initiate a project HERE.

Service Objects, a company specializing in contact validation services, offers an in-kind grant program for organizations working to encourage environmental leadership and conservation. The goal for creating this unique program is to inspire and assist non-profit organizations that are working to promote environmental health, economic vitality, informed land-use decisions and sound management of our planet's natural resources.Grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded on an individual basis. Programs that may qualify for the grant include those that aim to reduce waste or assist in the aftermath of natural disasters. More information about the grant can be found HERE.

Colorado River Network offers funding from the Business for Water Stewardship Project Bank. Are you planning, designing, or implementing on-the-ground restoration projects that will restore river flows and/or recharge ground water? Would you like the opportunity to share your projects with businesses who may be interested in providing support for your projects? If the answer is “Yes!” be sure to check out the Business for Water Stewardship Project Bank, a new opportunity for paid members of River Network to use a national platform to attract funding.

US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program. This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. The program is currently accepting applications. Full details, including requirements and guidance, can be found HERE. 

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Water Quality Planning Design and Engineering Grants. These grants provide money to small communities to help cover costs associated with the State Revolving Fund pre-application requirements. Grants require a 20% match from the applicant. Planning grant applicants must complete the prequalification form and attend a pre-application meeting. Design and engineering grant applicants will be considered by project needs assessment submissions by approved disadvantaged communities. For more information click HERE.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) 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. Basin Account applications are accepted year-round. Statewide Account applications are brought before the board in March and September. For more information click HERE.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board offers numerous loans and grants to water providers and other entities statewide for a variety of water-related projects, studies, planning documents, awareness campaigns and other activities. Click HERE to find out more about the CWCB’s funding programs.

The Environmental Protection Agency Water Finance Clearinghouse has access to hundreds of water funding opportunities that can be found HERE.

Trainings & Workshops Early June

JUNE 2nd, 2020: The Basics of Waterwise Landscaping and Efficient Irrigation | Resource Central | 6:00-8:00 p.m. Learn the basics of waterwise landscaping and efficient irrigation best practices to apply to your own landscape! This class will explore the how-to’s of conserving water while creating a functional and attractive outdoor space. Learn basic concepts of waterwise landscaping, irrigating your landscape efficiently, cutting edge irrigation technology, and ways to modify existing landscapes to cut back on water use. For more information and to register, click HERE.

JUNE 4th, 2020: Yampa Basin Rendezvous III: A Dialogue on Measuring and Managing Seasonal Variability | Friends of the Yampa | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Warming temperatures and rising snowlines pose serious risks to the boreal, alpine, and riverine ecosystems of the Yampa River Basin. How is the Yampa community measuring the existing seasonal variability and adapting to manage the impacts of current and expected seasonal changes? Attend to learn the answer: register HERE.

JUNE 4th, 2020: Managing Stormwater: Funding Mechanisms to Reduce Runoff | Environmental Law Institute (ELI) | 10:00-11:30 a.m. Intensifying weather events are burdening municipalities’ capacity to manage stormwater, leading to increased stormwater runoff and pollutants into both local bodies of water and larger regional watersheds.  Stormwater runoff is now the fastest growing source of water pollution in many watersheds throughout the United States.Lack of adequate and sustainable funding is a major hurdle for municipalities to effectively manage stormwater programs. In response, municipalities are increasingly implementing stormwater utility fees (SUFs) to fund their stormwater programs. Register by June 2nd HERE.

JUNE 8th-21st, 2020 | Resilient Colorado: Natural Hazards Education | HEART. A course on teaching wildfire, floods, and drought is offered through the virtual WCU Summer Teacher Institute. Three 90-minute synchronous virtual meetings will be held during these dates. If participants cannot make a meeting, meetings will be recorded. Participation and course credit (EDUC 510, 1 credit) are free! For more information please click HERE.

JUNE 8th, 2020 | Summer Learning SPREE | The Greenway Foundation. This is an at-home, 5 week “camp program” that will include grade-specific missions from the beloved SPREE Beaver Mascot Chompers. Each week will include a unique mission that gets your child outdoors, short videos of nature crafts and activities, and live video sessions with SPREE Educators. This program is being offered exclusively in 2020 in response to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of traditional summer camp programs. Each Special Agent will receive a weekly mission through July 10th, 2020. Registrations will be accepted through the length of the program. For more information click HERE.

JUNE 9th-29th, 2020: Western Rivers Ecology and Geography Course | Western Colorado University. Learn how to utilize rivers and riparian habitat as the context to meet the Colorado 2020 Science standards (NGSS) through observations, explorations, discussions, and journaling to create three-dimensional, phenomenon and problem-driven science learning experiences. During this hybrid course, participants will explore the three major components of a river ecosystem: aquatic life, water quality, and riparian habitat as well as watershed geography. Interdisciplinary experiences include self-directed field explorations at your home, engaging with free data visualization tools and labs, and mapping explorations. The workshop is designed for 3rd-10th grade educators. Register HERE.

JUNE 10th, 2020: Water with your Lunch | Colorado River District | 12:00 p.m. In the first of this series, the Colorado River District’s Andy Mueller and Zane Kessler will provide an overview of key natural resource challenges facing water users in Western Colorado and throughout the Colorado River Basin, followed by an interactive discussion of future fiscal challenges that could impact the District’s efforts to protect West Slope water users. Terry Fankhauser, Executive Vice President of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association and Fay Hartman, Colorado River Basin Program Conservation Director for American Rivers, will present on important West Slope water issues related to agricultural, recreational, and environmental needs, and will discuss how collaboration can foster solutions for all water users on the Western Slope. For more information and to register, click HERE.

JUNE 23rd & 24th / SEPT. 2nd & 3rd, 2020: Water Fluency Program | Water Education Colorado | Durango, CO. A professional development course to help you understand water and lead with confidence. The Water Fluency Program offers immersion in the language of water as well as tools for navigating the culture, complexity, and future of water management and policy issues. There is potential for the first session to be virtual. Registration is open until the class is full. To learn more and to register, click HERE.

JULY 7th-AUGUST 4th, 2020 | Geo-Hydro Teen Tuesdays - Summer Program | Wild Rose Education. Explore the science and geography of your watershed through engaging activities, simulations, citizen science projects, geography experts, deliberations, and more. Meet weekly with fellow teens to learn, discuss, and explore current watershed science and geography topics.  Session topics include: watersheds, mapping, Colorado River issues, snow and mountain water supply, water law, and watershed management. The cost of the session is $375. Register by June 23rd HERE.

JULY 20th-31st, 2020: Leave No Trace Trainer Course | Western Colorado University. This LNT Trainer Course will give participants LNT skills and ethics as well as techniques for effectively sharing these low impact practices with students of all ages. This course is specifically for educators who take youth outdoors for single or multi-day courses. Research has shown that this course significantly improves participant knowledge and understanding of how Leave No Trace protects the outdoor places we love. Register HERE.

JULY 23rd & 24th, 2020: Certified Stormwater Inspector (Municipal) Training WEBINAR | National Stormwater Center | 8:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Denver, CO. All classes are being conducted as live, interactive webinars. Designed specifically for municipal personnel, this course offers training and certification to demonstrate, for the record, that inspectors are qualified. Inspectors will learn: how to inspect construction, commercial, and industrial, and municipal activities; what to inspect; the limits of their authority; appropriate demeanor; 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. All course instructors have stormwater enforcement experience at the Federal or State level. You will receive a discount of $50.00 for registration forms submitted 30 days or more prior to the training date. Payment is not due at the time of registration. Please download the announcement HERE with course details and registration information. Graduates of the Certified Stormwater Inspector course receive certification for 5 years and continuing education units, and ongoing, unlimited support of the National Stormwater Center. Register HERE. 

JULY 27th-AUGUST 7th, 2020: Youth Community Civic Action Process Educator Course. Join the Youth Water Leadership Program for a hybrid virtual educator professional development course! Participants will learn how to guide their learners in community-focused civic action projects. Register HERE.

AUGUST 20th & 21st, 2020: Water Educator Symposium—"Equipping Learners for Action in a Climate of Uncertainty” & Project WET Workshop—"Activities for Hydrology, Climate & Colorado’s Water Future” | Water Education Colorado | Keystone Science School. The annual symposium includes training and professional development as well as a time for educators around the state to gather, share best practices, learn from each other and problem-solve to overcome challenges in water education. Educators, water professionals and decision-makers are encouraged to attend. In the workshop, facilitators will model four activities and participants plan and teach a lesson to peers and receive feedback from workshop facilitators.  Participants who successfully complete the training receive a Project WET Educator certification and Project WET Curriculum Guide 2.0. Find out details and register HERE.

Webinar: History, Release, and Spread of the Tamarisk Beetle | Rivers Edge West. Hear from Ben Bloodworth, the Tamarisk Beetle Program Coordinator for RiversEdge West, as he discusses the history, release, and spread of the tamarisk beetle. Click HERE to watch the full video now.

The Society of Outdoor Recreational Professionals opened recent, relevant past webinars and made those available to all for free during this challenging time. Some of the recent topics include inclusivity in the outdoor recreation community, strategies to influence visitor behavior, visitor use management, partnerships, effects of climate change on outdoor recreation, monitoring, and many more. This is an opportunity to keep your skills sharp and view a webinar that you may not have had time for previously. Access recent, free SORP webinars HERE.

Water & Wastewater Online Training. With TargetSolutions, water agencies can cost-effectively deliver quality courses to employees designed to increase safety comprehension, achieve compliance and decrease claims. Staying compliant with mandated training and continuing education requirements is critical. TargetSolutions comprehensive catalog offers online, state-approved water and wastewater continuing education. See the course catalog HERE.

Online Courses Available Through Colorado Rural Water Association. Industry studies have shown employee-training budgets for most water and wastewater utilities are tighter than ever. Web-based operator certification and license renewal training provides employers and their employees the flexibility of taking training courses at their own pace without the hassle and cost of attending live classes. Check them out HERE.

Job Announcements Early June

La Plata West Water Authority is seeking a Manager/Operator (minimum Colorado Water Distribution Level 1), 20-30 hrs/wk - $25,000/year - no benefits. Please submit your letter of interest with resume of job experience, qualifications, and references via email to the Board of Directors of the La Plata West Water Authority at:  lpwwaboard@gmail.com. The deadline to apply is June 5th, 2020.  For more information click HERE.

Larimer County is seeking a Ranger. This position performs as a peace officer; enforces Colorado Revised Statutes and park rules and regulations; contacts violators and issues warning or citation; conducts investigations and arrests; performs a variety of professional work in providing ranger services to the public, including ranger natural resource management and interpretation, ranger and volunteer operations, enforcement of park regulations, supervision of Ranger I employees, seasonal, and assigned staff and minor maintenance tasks. This position is full time, year round, and is eligible for benefits. See the job posting HERE.

Adams County is looking to fill a brand new Senior Parks and Trails Ranger position (full-time, permanent). This function is expected to identify and resolve problems that arise in the normal course of the work.  These efforts are to provide education, safety and well-being for those who visit and utilize the open spaces, trail system, and park facilities managed by Adams County. For more information and to apply, click HERE.

The Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT) seeks an experienced and high-energy professional with a passion for wildlife and habitat protection to direct development and communications. This position is vital to the SPLT mission to create and protect a network of shortgrass prairie preserves, which ensure a future for all native animals and plants. The position will be open until filled. Visit their website HERE and see the job announcement HERE.

Denver Audubon is looking for Education Interns—dedicated, energetic, and enthusiastic individuals—to join the team of talented and experienced staff and volunteers for the winter/spring 2021! This internship will constantly adapt to meet COVID-19 guidelines per the CDC and CDPHE. Environmental education interns will be responsible for assisting with the preparation of and teaching environmental educational programs (about birds, habitats, watersheds, water quality, and conservation) for school-aged and/or high school students. Please click HERE for more information. To apply for this internship email your resume and cover letter to: emily@denveraudubon.org.

Headwaters Alliance is seeking a Water Quality Data Specialist to create a single, integrated, public access database of all water and soil quality data related to the Willow Creek Watershed, collected by the many agencies and entities over the past 25+ years as part of the CWCB funded Comprehensive Willow Creek Watershed Planning Project. The product will be a living public-use database that can be easily updated in the future, used to rank and prioritize reclamation needs in the watershed, for analysis and modeling and more. To learn more click HERE.

 Stillwater Sciences seeks a highly-motivated

  • entry-level Restoration Engineer or Geomorphologist,

  • mid-level Restoration Engineer or Geomorphologist, and

  • senior-level Restoration Engineer

to serve as members of an interdisciplinary team working on process-based river restoration design and implementation projects, watershed assessment and planning studies, fluvial geomorphic investigations and general water resources management projects, throughout the west and Pacific Northwest. Positions will remain open until filled. Read more HERE.

TeamWorks is a conservation-based youth employment program that brings together a mix of young people (ages 16-20) from urban and rural areas to work side by side on crews. As an organization, their goal is to attract and hire underrepresented youth who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to work on a conservation crew.  Crews collaborate with a variety of project partners in the Front Range of Colorado, and have the chance to work with both public land managers as well as non-profit organizations. Teamworks fosters a work environment that is equally fun and supportive, and many of our youth return to work for the program year after year, building solid relationships with one another, their crew leaders, our organization, and the lands they work on. The season runs May through August. To learn more information, click HERE.

Aurora Water is looking to hire a GIS Intern. Aurora Water is responsible for the operation and maintenance of drinking water, sewer and storm drainage systems, treatment and non-potable reclaimed wastewater for irrigation, and water conservation, acquisition and development. Primary responsibilities will include: Compile information for data requests, reports, summaries, etc, assist with updating utility extension agreement records and documentation, execute Map Requests, assist with field data collection, create new GIS data from plans, field information, research, or other various sources. No Closing Date. For more information contact Doug Rulison at drulison@auroragov.org and visit HERE.

ICON Engineering is currently looking for a Stormwater Project Engineer / Manager & Engineer Intern. ICON Engineering is one of Denver’s most reputable planning, design, and project management civil engineering firms. They offer engineering services for stormwater management, stream restoration, flood mitigation, drainage, parks and trails. The engineer will assist in and/or manage the planning, design, and production of engineering documents for a variety of projects to include stormwater and drainage design, stream restoration, floodplain analysis, detention and water quality, roadways, parks and trails.Visit the Careers page HERE.

Farnsworth Group, Inc. is seeking a Professional Land Surveyor in Colorado Springs, CO. Qualified candidates will conduct and perform Boundary and Topographical Surveys, Construction Layouts, Subdivision Plats, Right of Way Plans and ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys. This position will include a combination of office and field work if needed and may require some travel. Please apply HERE.

Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc. is currently seeking applicants for a Senior-Level Water Resources Engineer, specializing in Water Rights. The successful candidate will be responsible for completing tasks including water resources data collection, water use demand forecasting and planning, water rights analysis, and river basin modeling. For more information and how to apply click HERE.

Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc. is also seeking applicants for a Water Quality Regulatory & Permitting Senior Project Manager. If you thrive on understanding and implementing complex water-related projects, applying watershed science, navigating environmental regulations, and developing dynamic partnerships, this is the position for you! The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in watershed science, engineering, natural resources, or a similar field of study. A Bachelor’s degree is required. Highly-qualified candidates will have 10-15 or more years of experience. For more information, click HERE.

Conferences & Events Early June

JUNE 1st-24th, 2020: Yampa River Festival goes VIRTUAL.The flagship event of Friends of the Yampa, the Yampa River Festival, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Unfortunately in light of the current health crisis, the event will not be the familiar river party. That being said, Friends of the Yampa hope to leverage partnerships and the latest technology to promote virtual participation in the 2020 Yampa River Festival. Please head HERE to participate in the celebration!

JUNE 2nd & 3rd, 2020: Lower Arkansas River Basin Tour. POSTPONED until June 2021. Registration will open in spring 2021. More details are HERE!

AUGUST 20th & 21st, 2020: Water Education Colorado’s Water Educator Network Symposium: Equipping Learners for Action in a Climate of Uncertainty | Keystone Science School. The annual symposium includes training and professional development as well as a time for educators around the state to gather, share best practices, learn from each other and problem-solve to overcome challenges in water education. Educators, water professionals and decision-makers are encouraged to attend. In the workshop, facilitators will model four activities and participants plan and teach a lesson to peers and receive feedback from workshop facilitators. Project Wet Workshop: The Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) workshop provides a hands-on immersion in a water education curriculum recommended by the National Science Teachers Association. In the workshop, facilitators will model four activities and participants plan and teach a lesson to peers and receive feedback from workshop facilitators. Participants who successfully complete the training receive a Project WET Educator certification and Project WET Curriculum Guide 2.0. Find out details, register, and join a carpool HERE.

SEPTEMBER 2020: Colorado's 2020 Advancing Environmental Education Conference | Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) | Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, CO. Registration will be closed until further details are available. Colorado’s Advancing Environmental Education Conference is annually hosted by the CAEE, a statewide leader in environmental education since 1989. CAEE facilitates communication, coordination, resource sharing and professional development to advance environmental education among over 900 members across the state among various sectors. CAEE also advocates for increased access to environmental learning opportunities for all Colorado residents in order to increase environmental literacy in Colorado. Click HERE to read all about it.

SEPTEMBER 9th-11th, 2020 | ESRI Water GIS Conference 2020 | Chicago, IL or online. Discover all-new GIS solutions for the water industry, learn from Esri experts, build your professional network, and bring home new GIS skills that will make you a valuable asset at your organization. For more information click HERE.

SEPTEMBER 15th, 2020: RiverBank | Colorado Water Trust | Denver Botanic Gardens. This annual fundraiser seeks to restore flows to Colorado’s rivers in need. It’s a fun-filled evening of food, drinks, a silent auction, and the presentation of the David Getches Flowing Waters Award. Visit the event page HERE.

SEPTEMBER 18th, 2020: President’s Reception | Water Education Colorado | 6:00-10:00 p.m. | Balistreri Vineyards. Join a night of celebration, networking, and awards to honor water leadership and raise money for Water Education Colorado at one of the best events of the year. Enjoy a cocktail hour, seated dinner, awards presentation, and lively auction at a beautiful indoor/outdoor venue. This year's award recipients have been announced! Purchase tickets by September 14th. Click HERE to get tickets.

SEPTEMBER 21st-23rd: 2020 Colorado Open Spaces Alliance Conference | Community Conservation: Keeping it Relevant | Vail, CO. Do you have open space, natural resource management, or conservation expertise you’d like to share?  COSA is seeking presentations and they are proud to present this year’s keynote speakers, Nina Simon, Of/By/For All, and Lori Weigel, New Bridge Strategies. Nina will speak to the challenges and opportunities we all face as we work to make our open spaces welcome to diverse audiences. Submit your proposal HERE. The deadline to submit a session proposal is Friday, June 19th, 2020.

OCTOBER 6th-8th, 2020: 15th Annual Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference: Business as (Un)Usual | Westin Riverfront Resort, Avon, CO. For 2020 we’ll be focusing on work that challenges the status quo, represents different perspectives around any given issue, or highlights new partnerships and/or business models that are helping to sustain and advance projects, programs, or even entire organizations. Please give your input on our participant survey HERE. Sponsorship opportunities are available HERE or visit the conference homepage HERE.

OCTOBER 28th, 2020: Water Conservation Symposium | Colorado WaterWise | Mile High Station. Colorado WaterWise invites you to save the date for the 12th annual conservation symposium. They are continuing to monitor the latest information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will adhere to all regulations related to public gatherings in effect at that time. For more information on the event, click HERE.

DECEMBER 2nd-3rd, 2020: South Platte Forum | The Westin, Westminster, CO. As always, the 31st annual Forum will include a full agenda of timely topics and expert speakers. Browse the agenda topics HERE, and register early HERE before October 1st.

Announcements Early June

Arapahoe County has launched a yearlong project to update its decade-old Open Spaces Master Plan. One of the key areas we will be looking at is maintenance and stewardship of our parks, trails and open spaces. It will be greatly appreciated if you can take about 5 minutes to complete a brief survey related to our Open Spaces Master Plan by June 5th, 2020, HERE. Feel free to forward this survey to someone better suited to respond if appropriate. The survey’s objective is to provide the opportunity for stakeholders to share their views on a variety of concerns and opportunities as they relate to the plan, and provide input about future improvements and strategies.

JUNE 5th-20th, 2020: Big Thompson Watershed Coalition Healthy Rivers Volunteer Days. Been inside for too long? Craving some social-distance-friendly outdoor activities? Join Big Thompson Watershed Coalition’s Healthy River’s planting and weeding days every Friday and Saturday for the first 3 weekends of June! The volunteer days will be held at the Rossum to Wilson river restoration site near Namaqua Park in Loveland, CO and include native plant planting and non-native plant weeding along the scenic Big Thompson River. Each day will be split into a 3-hour morning group and a 3-hour afternoon group to ensure group size remains below 10 for the safety of our volunteers and staff. Read more HERE.

By JUNE 19th, 2020: Submit a session proposal for the Colorado Open Spaces Alliance Conference — Community Conservation: Keeping it Relevant | Vail, CO | Sept. 21st-23rd, 2020. Do you have open space, natural resource management, or conservation expertise you’d like to share? COSA is seeking presentations and they are proud to present this year’s keynote speakers, Nina Simon, Of/By/For All, and Lori Weigel, New Bridge Strategies. Submit your proposal HERE.

Colorado Water Trust and the Colorado Water Conservation Board have launched the annual Request for Water Process. This process offers a streamlined approach to water transactions to benefit the environment on streams throughout the state. In 2020, again water rights owners are invited to explore options to use their water rights for streamflow restoration purposes. Voluntary water sharing arrangements or voluntary acquisitions of senior water rights, on a temporary or permanent basis, can help restore flows to rivers in need, sustain agriculture, and maximize beneficial uses of Colorado’s water. This Process is confidential, completely voluntary and open to all water right owners, including agricultural, municipal, industrial, or other users. Offers will be accepted through June 30th, 2020. Colorado Water Trust expects to host informational webinars in spring of 2020. For more information, click HERE.

The River Network has Pandemic Resources for Nonprofits. As we all continue to practice physical distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19, many organizations are transitioning to remote work, cancelling or postponing events, wondering how to remain inclusive and equitable, and dealing with new anxiety and stress. Groups are looking for guidance and support regarding water shutoffs, water treatment, and other topics relevant to their work protecting and advocating for our nation’s waters. Click HERE to access resources on these topics.

You may want to read the Natural Resources Conservation Service summer newsletter. Natural resource partners, farmers, ranchers and private landowners in Colorado have worked with the NRCS to create, restore and enhance wetlands for decades, including the owners of Encantada Ranch, the Davies and Colvilles—two families protecting a significant section of the Rio Grande for over 45 years. Click HERE to read more.

As summer approaches, Colorado Parks and Wildlife remains committed to providing outdoor recreation activities to Coloradans while also ensuring everyone stays safe. CPW is gradually reopening campgrounds across the state in a phased approach to ensure that local communities and staff are ready, and visitors are well-prepared to camp safely.

Groundbreaking Climate Change Mitigation Tool Allows Communities to Assess Risks. A new state study and web-based visualization tool called Future Avoided Cost Explorer (FACE:Hazards), led by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is now available to help communities examine the economic risks of climate change.

StormwateReport wrote an article on the U.S. Geological Survey’s new SPARROW Tool, which models streamflow. Read the article HERE.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it is continuing its focus on taking action to address polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and protect public health. Building on the work outlined in its February 2019 PFAS Action Plan, the agency announced it is expanding its research efforts and capabilities by launching its PFAS Innovative Treatment Team (PITT). 

If you live in Denver, you may have recently received a water filter pitcher from Denver Water. This free pitcher is part of the comprehensive plan to reduce lead in drinking water. During the service line replacement period, residents are encouraged to use their water filter all food related purposes, such as making coffee, tea, rice, beans, soups, and infant formula. For more information, including an interactive map that can provide you with additional details about the service line at your address, please visit Denver Water's website.

Delia Malone, Wildlife Chair of Sierra Club, wrote a beautiful piece titled, “Eight O’Clock Howl”. “Across Colorado, every night at eight o’clock an ancient sound echoes through our cities, towns, and neighborhoods– a primeval sound that hearkens to a time when we were better connected to the natural world, and to each other. Every night at eight o’clock, humans across Colorado howl. We howl for loved ones – for their missing voices, we howl to connect with friends and neighbors, we howl to reach out, to touch each other, when we cannot”. To read the full piece clock HERE.

Water Education Colorado's high-quality reference series just got better with publication of the Citizen's Guide to Where Your Water Comes From. It provides an overview of water quality issues important to Colorado. It also tackles the complex water quality protection framework, including laws and regulations on a national, state and local level, which help ensure the protection, restoration and maintenance the quality of this natural resource. Click HERE to get a guide.

If you are stuck at home in need of a good read, or craving good news about our world, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers have it for you! Pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and read the Gaining Ground Annual Report for stories of an inclusive community and the epic positive influence your investment in WRV has made possible! Read on HERE.

The Front Range Roundtable, Southern Rockies Fire Science Network, Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, and CSU Forest and Rangeland Stewardship have released Mulching: A knowledge summary and guidelines for best practices on Colorado’s Front Range. Click HERE to check it out!

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is pleased to announce the release of a new handbook Colorado Disaster Recovery, Lessons Learned: A Guide to Plan, React, Adapt, Evolve, and Achieve the Best Possible Outcomes for Our Communities and Stream Corridors. This book covers a conceptual model of recovery that includes: Disaster Response, Recovery Planning, Design and Permitting, Implementation, Monitoring and Adaptive Management, Pre-Disaster Planning. All of these are wrapped around a Centralized Recovery Program that also fully considers The Human Element that plays so heavily into recovery. The lessons learned pertain to each and every one of the recovery elements with each section providing action items or guiding principles for recovery managers to consider, including recommendations for: Changes to State and Federal Disaster Response, Disaster Recovery Actions, and Pre-Disaster Actions.

Salinity Workshop Includes Colorado Corn Administrative Committee (CCAC) Commissioned Study. Full Study Being Published Spring 2020. A recent workshop about the increasing salinity of the South Platte river was organized by the Centennial, Morgan and Sedgwick County Conservation Districts with help from Sterling, Morgan and Julesburg offices of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Information included a study commissioned by Colorado Corn Administrative Council. Topics included Regulation 85 & Watershed Planning, the effects of salinity on soil and agriculture, salinity on the South Platte, and the future of water storage on the South Platte. Speakers were Phil Brink from Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Ag NetWORK; Mike Peterson, retired soil scientist & agronomist; Mark Sponsler of Colorado Corn; Grady O’Brien of NEIRBO Hydrogeology; and Joe Frank of Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District. The full salinity study commissioned by Colorado Corn will be published Spring 2020.

There's an update to Water Education Colorado's high-quality reference series! The Citizen's Guide to Colorado Water Quality Protection, third edition provides an overview of water quality issues important to Colorado. It also tackles the complex water quality protection framework, including laws and regulations on a national, state and local level, which help ensure the protection, restoration and maintenance the quality of this natural resource. Click HERE to order your guide.

Learn About Methods for Stream Management Planning with CWCB’s and River Network’s New Resource Library! Just like individuals, each Stream Management Plan (SMP) is unique. The people and the location greatly influence their goals and activities.  But there is also a common blueprint, documented at CWCB and River Network’s SMP Resource Library. For each step in the planning process, it presents examples, best practices, online resources, and methods to consider.  The goal of the SMP Resource Library is to enlarge the pipeline of local coalitions that are interested, ready, and capable of undertaking Stream Management Plans, as well as advance the state of knowledge around how to craft effective and implementable SMPs. Resource Library case studies will be updated annually as SMPs progress.  Experts in the different assessment areas (hydrology, water quality, recreation, riparian habitat, etc.) are encouraged to submit their ideas and feedback so it can continue to grow and improve. Click HERE to visit.

Visit the remodeled Colorado Emergency Watershed Protection website from CWCB. Now, many of the resources developed during flood recovery in Colorado available to the public for use on future efforts.