Funding Opportunities Early July

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.

Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production Grants - Planning & Implementation. These USDA grants support urban agriculture planning or implementation projects targeting innovative production activities not limited to: gardens, farms, rooftop farms, vertical production, green walls, indoor farms, hydro, aero, aquaponics, and more. Assessments, business plans, feasibility studies, new farmer training, city zoning and K-12 education applications are among this grant’s allowable purposes. The deadline to apply is July 6th, 2020. For more information click HERE.

Association of Funding Professionals (AFP) Colorado is proud to partner with Animal Assistance Foundation and In the Know - Fundraising Strategy Coaching to offer a limited number of partial scholarships to Rocky Mountain Philanthropy Institute (RMPI). This opportunity is open to fundraising professionals from throughout Colorado, and applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply HERE. Application deadline is July 31st, 2020.

USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (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 application timelines vary by basin. 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 July

JULY 12th, 2020: Design a Rain Garden | Headwaters Institute | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Learn how to create your own rain garden oasis! Rain gardens are beautiful gardens, full of native plants, that are watered only with the rain. This workshop will cover design, sizing, and plant choice to conserve water and save money on your water bill! For more information and to register, click HERE.

JULY 19th, 2020: Rain Barrels 101 | Headwaters Institute | 1:30-3:30 p.m. To increase safety, this educational workshop will be held online and a rain barrel and conversion kit will be available for curbside pick-up on July 18th. Join for a fun afternoon of learning about rainwater harvesting and how to install a rain barrel in your home! For more information and to register, click HERE.

JULY 14th, 2020: COVID-19: Professional Development and Capacity Building | CAEE | 10:00 a.m. Every month CAEE talks about how to use this time for making organizations stronger and more resilient by improving practice and capacity. This week will discuss and brainstorm ideas for improving curriculum and programs by enhancing culturally-responsive teaching practices, aligning to standards, and more. For registration click HERE.

JULY 20th-31st, 2020: Leave No Trace Trainer Course | Western Colorado University | Virtual. 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 22nd-24th, 2020: Virtual Stay-In-stitute for Climate Change Education | Climate Generation | 8:00-3:00 p.m. MDT. Co-hosted by Climate Generation, NOAA’s Climate Program Office, and The Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program! The Youth Water Leadership Program is building a cohort for the Institute from the Upper Colorado River Basin. Join the cohort and bring your unique perspective to a group of educators from across the basin. This three-day experience will take you beyond your computer screen, and into your backyard and neighborhood to do authentic scientific and social data collection, move your body, and make observations of the world around you. On-screen time will be segmented into at most two-hours at a time, and small group online experiences will occur daily, as well as optional evening events. Stay tuned 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 | Wild Rose Education. 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 3rd-5th, 2020: “Public Lands of the United States: Designations, History, and Today” | Wild Rose Education. During this 3-day virtual professional development workshop, expand your knowledge of public lands in America and how you might teach others about federal public land. For more information and to register, click 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 | Virtual. 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.

“We Can Make A Lot Happen When We Have A Plan” | American Rivers | Podcast. Learn more about Colorado's Stream Management Plans, an innovative planning tool prioritized in Colorado’s Water Plan, from people working with stakeholder groups and communities across Colorado to put them in place. Listen to the full podcast on Soundcloud HERE.

Returning Rapids Project: A discussion with Peter Lefebvre and Mike DeHoff | Colorado River Studies. The Returning Rapids Project seeks to document the recovery of river resources once inundated by a full Lake Powell, and now being exposed as reservoir storage declines. Peter Lefebvre and Mike DeHoff, principal investigators of the Returning Rapids project and professional river guides in Moab, Utah, are working to record these changes. They will share their preliminary findings and matched photographs in the talk. Watch the full video 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 July

The Colorado Division of Conservation seeks a Compliance Specialist in Denver to conduct examinations of applications for state income conservation easement tax credit certificates. Responsibilities include the review of conservation easement deeds, qualified appraisal reports, baseline documentation reports, mineral assessment reports, title work, and related documents. The position presents findings to the Director and the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission. Applications are due on July 3rd, 2020. For more information and how to apply, click HERE.

The City of Longmont is excited to recruit for a Senior Watershed Ranger position. This position will work at the beautiful Button Rock Preserve as well as other water resource properties. The purpose of this position is to assist the Senior Watershed Ranger in managing the City’s raw water source facilities and property by monitoring and operating the facilities and property as well as managing public visitation. The successful candidate will assist in performing operations and maintenance work at several City reservoirs and properties. Apply by July 10th, 2020. For more information, click HERE.

Groundwork Denver is hiring a Water Program Director. Reporting to the Associate Director, the Water Program Director will oversee Groundwork Denver’s urban waters program, including but not limited to water quality testing, watershed improvements, youth employee engagement, and community education. The Water Program Director will align all activities to Groundwork Denver’s environmental justice strategy and vision. Preference will be given to applications received by July 6th. Let Cindy Chang know if you have any questions at cindy@groundworkcolorado.org. For more information and to apply, click HERE.

The South Platte Basin Roundtable is seeking passionate, professional, and committed individuals to serve as representatives on the roundtable. The SPBRT consists of up to 56 voting members who collectively represent the rich diversity of the watershed. Apply by July 15th, 2020. For more information click HERE.

Boulder County Parks & Open Space is seeking a full-time, bilingual resident park ranger for Betasso Preserve. The position requires Spanish – English fluency (language fluency test required) and residency in a county provided home. POST certification, EMR/EMT certification, and Certified Interpretive Guide training are preferred qualifications. Betasso Preserve is located above Boulder Canyon just west of Boulder. The preserve encompasses 1150 acres and is well know for mountain biking, hiking, and homesteading history. The historic residence was built in 1918 and features 1500 square feet with two bedrooms and one full bath. This position closes on July 17th, 2020. Apply for this once in a lifetime opportunity 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. The application deadline is December 11th, 2020. Please click HERE for more information.

Colorado Rural Water Association is seeking a Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) Specialist. The primary goal of this position is to assist public water systems (PWS) in the identification of critical water infrastructure for integration into the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS). WFDSS is a web-based tool developed by the federal government designed to assist fire managers in making streamlined decisions during wildfires. The United States Forest. For more information click HERE.

Mountain Studies Institute is seeking a Bridging Mountains Environmental Education Coordinator in Durango, CO. MSI is an independent not-for-profit mountain research and education center established in 2002 in Silverton, Colorado. MSI develops science that people can use to address environmental issues facing the San Juan Mountains. They conduct and facilitate research, provide educational opportunities and internships, and conduct environmental monitoring. For more information and to apply click HERE.

Resource Central is seeking a Water Programs Manager. They are looking for a proven leader to help expand our conservation programs throughout the region. Resource Central provides tremendous benefits including: health, dental, vision, life insurance, 403b retirement plan with match, generous paid time off and paid holiday offerings, reimbursement on a fitness membership, free bus pass and more. For more information click HERE.

The Natural Lands team of the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications for a new volunteer position. Participants in this program can volunteer to host an Outreach table to welcome and educate users at the 55th Trailhead and Coot Lake Trailhead. Or, volunteers can walk the Path that runs from Coot Lake to the North Shores of the Boulder Reservoir and record the use at these Natural Areas. These positions will both inform our management decisions and teach users about this location. For more information click HERE. To apply click HERE.

Tax Credit Connection is hiring a Contract Review and Document Specialist in Berthoud, CO. This person will likely have a legal or similar background and love the details of the various tax credit programs – conservation, historic rehabilitation, and environmental remediation. Lots of attention to detail needed as you’ll be reviewing the documents for all three programs and ensuring that all projects will pass the state regulatory process. For more information and how to apply, click HERE.

Adams County is looking to fill a brand new Senior Parks and Trails Ranger position (full-time, permanent) in Brighton, CO. 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.

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.

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.

Conferences & Events Early July

JULY 6th-10th, 2020: Water & Wildlife Camp | Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This is for campers entering 3rd-4th grades. Let your littles have fun in the sun exploring along the Arkansas River banks, to the Mountain Park ponds and creeks in search of local wildlife! Adventures include hiking, nature games, team building, paddle-boarding, and kayaking at Lake Pueblo State Park! Partial scholarships are available. The application deadline was June 12th. For more information click HERE.

JULY 11th, 2020: Nearly a Night at the Park | Mountain Area Land Trust | 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. Pre-event begins at 6:30 pm. To keep the sense of togetherness alive, Mountain Area Land Trust celebrates land and water conservation in the comfort of our own home, driveway, or deck - wherever you have WiFi! For more information click HERE.

JULY 27th, 2020: Apiary Tours with The Peoples Bees | Living Systems Institute | Golden, CO | 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Whether you're interested in beekeeping, looking to broaden your gardening skills, or just curious about LSI services, please join a free tour of the apiary on the last Friday of every month! You’ll see 5 hives from a comfortable distance, learn about LSI mission and services, and, if time allows, crack open a hive and observe a frame! Registration is free but donations are welcome. To register and look at more dates, click HERE.

AUGUST 2nd, 2020: Virtual Garden Tour - Designing Backyard Wetlands for Wildlife, Diversity, and Tranquility | Colorado Native Plant Society | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. John Giordanengo will host the Virtual Garden Tour, showing off the backyard wetland that he created. This is a peaceful space to hang out and enjoy the trickling of water and birdsong. He will talk about the mechanics of how he created his pond and wetland with Colorado native plants bordering its banks. John is the principal ecologist and owner of the firm, AloTerra Restoration Services in Fort Collins. He has wide and deep experience with restoration of not only wetlands, but forests, prairies, stream banks, and open spaces. For more information and to register, click HERE.

AUGUST 3rd-4th, 2020: Forests to Faucets | Mountain Studies Institute | Pagosa Springs, CO. Mountain Studies Institute partners with San Juan Mountains Association, the Water Information Program, and Fort Lewis College to host a two-day workshop to introduce regional educators to the My Water Comes from the San Juan Mountains teaching guide. This place-based approach to watershed education rotates each summer to a different geographic area. The 2020 workshop will explore the Upper San Juan River watershed and will be based out of Pagosa Springs. Check it out HERE.

AUGUST 20th-21st, 2020: Summit for Action Online. Summit for Action is a 2-day event for thought-provoking discussions and solutions-based recommendations for Justice, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Inclusion. The Summit for Action model brings together a variety of community leaders and key stakeholders to develop shared understanding around the steps needed to inspire and drive social change around Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion issues. Register by July 10th for early bird pricing 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. These events will be held virtually. 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.

TODAY-AUGUST 30th, 2020: Denver Urban Water Cycle Bike Tour | Virtual & Self-Guided. This year’s Urban Water Cycle Tour is going virtual! Start by watching a video of the tour route and speakers. Then, spend the day riding from Barnum Park along Weir Gulch to Globeville Landing on the South Platte River. You'll have access to a map and prizes! Find out more on Water Education Colorado’s website 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 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. | Virtual. 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 10th. Click HERE to get tickets.

SEPTEMBER 23rd-25th, 2020: ESRI Water GIS Conference 2020 | 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.

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. Sponsorship opportunities are available HERE, and 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. SPF may offer a condensed, online event that would still include timely speakers and topics from within the South Platte Basin. Browse the agenda topics HERE, and register early HERE before October 1st.

OCTOBER 11th-13th, 2021: Colorado Open Space Alliance Conference | Grand Hyatt in Vail.

Announcements Early July

Water Education Colorado's high-quality reference series is getting better and better. Learn something new this summer with the Citizen's Guide to Colorado Groundwater. To receive a guide, click HERE.

Waste in Our Waters Toolkit by River Network. This toolkit is available for free HERE and features a step-by-step guide for addressing litter in your community, before and after it reaches your local waterway.

The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, is pleased to launch The Hardest Working River in the West, an ArcGIS StoryMap focused on the key water sustainability issues in the Colorado River Basin. Through data visualizations and stories, the web-based StoryMap highlights the places, people, and policies that have historically shaped and will continue to shape water and land management surrounding the 1,450-mile Colorado River. 

The Upper Colorado River watershed experienced peak flows for the year on June 4th, earlier than usual and hinting that the impacts of climate change are already being felt in the Fraser Valley. Learn more on the Upper Colorado River Watershed Group website HERE.

Read the Colorado Parks and Wildlife press release “Constructed wetlands in southwest Colorado will mimic natural flow of Dolores River” HERE.

Just in time for the summer camping season, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) is unveiling a new campground on the Arkansas River about 20 miles southeast of Salida near Howard. Read the full Colorado Parks and Wildlife article HERE.

Colorado residents will vote in November on a ballot initiative that calls for the proposed reintroduction of gray wolves to the state. Proposition 107, a citizen-initiated measure, would direct the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop and oversee a science-based plan to restore wolves to the western part of the state. Read the news from Colorado State University HERE.

WaterNow Alliance is conducting a survey of municipal decision-makers, managers and water utility staff on key water supply issues facing Colorado’s communities. Your input is important to their work and you are encouraged to participate. WaterNow Alliance is a nonprofit network of local water leaders supporting sustainable, affordable, and climate resilient water solutions with a special focus on Colorado. This survey is intended to help them better understand your water supply priorities and interests and the potential for implementing ATMs in Colorado. If you are not familiar with ATMs, please don’t let that prevent you from taking the survey – that’s exactly the type of information they’re looking for! To participate click HERE.

The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) announced its slate of new and re-elected members of its Citizen Task Force (CTF), a 16-member panel that advises Colorado Parks and Wildlife on management issues in the upper Arkansas River valley. Read the full Colorado Parks and Wildlife article HERE.

In the closing hours of the 2020 legislative session, Colorado legislators approved $1 million to support efforts to develop Colorado’s next new state park around iconic Fishers Peak near Trinidad. Read the full Colorado Parks and Wildlife article 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.

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). 

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.

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 Colorado Water Conservation Board’s 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 the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). Now, many of the resources developed during flood recovery in Colorado available to the public for use on future efforts.