Funding Opportunities Early April

Conservation Innovation Grant Proposals- Deadline is April 20th. This funding source prioritizes projects that demonstrate innovative technologies for greater reliance on natural biodiversity to control pests, implementation of soil health management systems, water conservation, and promoting strategies to improve fish and wildlife habitat. The national announcement for funding for this program with additional information is available HERE. For more information contact Athena Cholas - NRCS Albuquerque, NM at athena.cholas@usda.gov.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting applications for $12 million in competitive funding for projects to provide training and technical assistance for small, rural and tribal wastewater utility systems and onsite septic systems. The closing date and time for receipt of application submissions is May 17, 2021, by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time (ET) in order to be considered for funding. Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than May 17, 2021, in order to be considered for funding. Read the full release HERE.

The YWG BRT grant program has three designated award periods contingent upon available funding. All grant criteria is designated by the request amount of under or over $10,000. Please review the requirements and goals of the program to determine the appropriate application level for your request. These grants will be awarded in November, February and April depending on available funds. Click HERE for more information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking proposals to fund up to $75 million in new, unique projects under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program’s (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) that take innovative and non-traditional approaches to conservation solutions at the local, regional and landscape scales. In making selections. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will prioritize projects related to climate smart agriculture and forestry. Click HERE for more information.

The Non-motorized Trail Grant Program is a multi-agency funding partnership that includes Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Lottery, Federal Recreational Trails Program funds and Federal Land and Water Conservation funds. This grant program provides funding for trail planning projects as well as small and large trail construction and maintenance projects. For more information click HERE.

Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist, Clint Evans announced the 2021 opportunities for enrollment into the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetlands Reserve Easement Program (ACEP-WRE). To compete for available funding in signup 1, landowners must submit a complete application to their local NRCS field office by 4:00pm, Friday, February 12, 2021 (MST) and by 4:00pm, Friday, April 9, 2021, for funding consideration in Signup 2. ACEP-WRE provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve wetlands and their related benefits. ACEP-WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Additionally, they can have a wide range of other benefits, including filtering sediments and chemicals to improve water quality, reducing impacts of flooding, recharging groundwater, protecting biological diversity, and providing opportunities for educational, scientific and limited recreational activities. Please click HERE for more information.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is seeking applications for wetland and riparian restoration, enhancement, and creation projects to support its Wetlands Program Strategic Plan. CPW will award up to $2.5 million in funds from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and Colorado waterfowl stamps to projects in Colorado that support the Wetlands Program Strategic Plan’s two main goals: 1. Improve the distribution and abundance of ducks, and opportunities for public waterfowl hunting. 2. Improve the status of declining or at-risk species. The application deadline for this year’s funding is January 27, 2021. The Wetlands Funding Request for Applications (RFA) is available on CPW’s website.

Thanks to major support from Toyota Motor North America, International Paper (IP), and the Hilton Effect Foundation, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is pleased to announce $128,000 in grant funding to support public lands that have been impacted by increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic. With social distancing regulations in place, people are turning to the outdoors more than ever for exercise and rejuvenation. At the same time, the agencies and organizations responsible for maintaining public lands are hampered by reductions in staff, volunteers, and resources, leaving them ill-equipped to keep up with increased human presence in these delicate ecosystems on top of existing maintenance backlogs. In response, NEEF has established the Restoration & Resilience COVID Recovery Fund to help restore these special places by distributing resources and mobilizing volunteers. The deadlines for the next rounds of funding are February 1st, April 1st, and June 1st, 2021. For more information click HERE.

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.

In response to the impacts of COVID-19, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) has launched the Resilient Communities Program (RCP). The $15 million program aims to fund one-time, immediate needs or opportunities that have emerged in direct response to the pandemic. It will help partners advance outdoor recreation, stewardship, and land protection projects in a manner that best reflects community needs and priorities at this moment in time. Capacity and operations support, stewardship efforts, projects that support community vitality, and urgent and emergent land acquisition opportunities will be considered. For more information, including eligibility criteria and application forms, click HERE.

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 Emergency Drought Response Program.-The Program provides up to $1 million annually, in the form of loans or grants, for emergency drought-related water augmentation purposes to Colorado’s agricultural water users. For more information click HERE.

Colorado's Water Plan Grants fund progress on the critical actions identified in the Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP) and its Measurable Objectives. See the grant guidelines and apply 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 April

APRIL 5th, 2021, 12:30-3:30 MDT | After the Flames. This webinar will go through actionable best practices for communities and agencies impacted by wildfires. There is a registration fee of $12. Limited scholarships are available, to learn more about that, ccontact Jane@cusp.ws. Click HERE to register and click HERE to view the full flier.

APRIL 8th-9th, 2021 | Project Management for Water and Wastewater Utilities | EUCI. Project Management for Water and Wastewater Utilities will cover the hard basics of defining and closing a project while driving home the importance of refining the soft skills that bring an idea from the drawing board to your residents’ backyard. This course will enable you to assess the feasibility of a project and define (or refine) your plan. The instructor will layout strategies for piloting a project, identifying new opportunities, mitigating risks, promoting your team to take ownership of their work, and defining the intangibles of customer communication. Click HERE to view the full brochure.

APRIL 19th & 22nd, 2021 | CRWA’s 40th Annual Conference and Exhibition. This event has been RESCHEDULED. For questions and/or to register, please call 719-545-6748.

APRIL 20th, 2021 | Virtual Beaver Workshop | Society of Wetland Scientists Rocky Mountain Chapter. Save the Date. This workshop will focus on the importance of beavers in the Rocky Mountain Region and how their ecology can guide wetland and riparian restoration practices. They have organized a group of experts to share information on beaver biology, ecology, and restoration. Topics include wetland and riparian restoration from the landscape scale to individual reaches and ponds. Flow devices, non-lethal management devices, and BDAs (Beaver Dam Analog) will be illustrated and discussed. A Panel Discussion will follow immediately to give attendees opportunity to ask questions and discuss concepts and ideas in more detail. Click HERE to learn more and register.

Colorado Master Irrigator offers farmers and farm managers advanced training on conservation- and efficiency-oriented irrigation management practices and tools. This program is the product of efforts led by several local producers, district management representatives, and others. Colorado Master Irrigator is modeled on the award-winning Master Irrigator program created and run since 2016 by the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District in the Texas panhandle.​ Topic experts from Colorado and adjacent Ogallala states, serve as instructors over the 32 hours of the program. Colorado Master Irrigator's interactive class format is designed to encourage peer-to-peer exchange among participants and instructors, helping forge useful contacts that graduates can reach out to after their participation in the program. Click HERE for more information.

The Clean Water Certificate (CWC) training program for workforce development provides high quality training opportunities that promotes job growth in the stormwater industry and delivers industry-specific, job-readiness skills and knowledge. Click HERE to learn more about this training program offered by the Center for Watershed Protection.

Silt Removal - Positive Impact on Crop Yields, Water Use Efficiency, & Irrigation Systems. Presentation from the 2021 World Ag Expo on sources of silt, its impacts, and current and new methods of removal. Watch the presentation here!

“Stormwater Treatment Systems and Green Infrastructure” | Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance. Educational video shot and edited by Jacob Erickson (Hermits Peak Watersheds Alliance PR Media Specialist), narrated by Aaron Kauffman of Southwest Urban Hydrology, and produced by Hermit's Peak Watersheds Alliance. Click HERE to view.

“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.

The American Stormwater Institute, LLC now offers courses in a live setting and online that deal with developing the knowledge and skills required to conduct stormwater inspections. Our courses are based on a “Real World” attitude of finding implementable solutions to the challenges that stormwater inspectors face every day. The state and federal regulations require that “QUALIFIED PERSONS” conduct inspections related to stormwater permits. The overarching goal of the ASI classes is to ensure that our students are well qualified to conduct these inspections. For a list of all classes offered click HERE.

Job Announcements Early April

Jefferson County Open Space is currently hiring a limited-term Natural Resources Technician to assist with our vegetation inventory and monitoring program. This position will provide you the opportunity to work for a county that thrives on working collaboratively and overcoming challenges. We are seeking a game changer, someone that loves what they do and is motivated to share their knowledge with those that they work with. Please note this position closes on April 4th, 2021. For more information click HERE.

The City of Loveland has re-opened recruiting for Open Lands & Trails Maintenance Worker II positions. Major emphasis will be in the areas of native landscape management, wildlife enhancement projects, and general maintenance of properties, facilities, and trails. For more information and to apply, see City of Loveland Opportunities. The position will close to applicants on Monday, April 5, 2021 at 12:00 pm MST.

Southwest Conservation Corps is looking for four young adults to serve in a maintenance role at Great Sand Dunes National Park! Recent high school graduates and those seeking a degree at a trade school preferred. Join the Southwest Conservation Corps’ intern team and help the National Park Service carry out its mission to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. For more information and how to apply click HERE.

Denver Parks and Recreation is seeking an Open Spaces Crew Lead to perform lead work over a crew involved in Denver’s East District open spaces and natural areas maintenance operations. This is a great opportunity for a budding leader to build on their leadership and open space management skills while contributing to the resiliency and sustainability of the city’s natural resources and keeping the city wild! For more information and how to apply click HERE

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife, is seeking One Visitor Services and Animal Care Member to contribute to environmental education, habitat restoration, and trails projects alongside Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge staff. During this term, the ACE member will work with local conservation organizations and schools to broaden the impact of refuge outreach efforts. For more information click HERE.

American Conservation Experience, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife, is seeking Two Wildlife Refuge Interns to contribute to habitat conservation and restoration projects alongside Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex staff. A majority of the work will be spent leading youth crews (e.g., Mile High Youth Corps and Groundwork Denver) and volunteer groups in invasive species removal and native seed collection. Click HERE for more information.

The Town of Breckenridge is seeking a dedicated and uniquely qualified individual for the position of Open Space & Trails Coordinator (Natural Resource Specialist). This position is responsible for planning and administering natural resource management programs, including restoration activities, and functions as a natural resource specialist. Click HERE for more information.


American Conservation Experience, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is seeking EIGHT National Trail Inventory Field Team Members (four 2-person teams)to implement the National Trail Inventory project on USFWS lands across the U.S. Applications will be considered both from individuals and pairs applying as a team of two. Primary duties include walking, bicycling, or driving trail segments and collecting a variety of spatial and attribute information on existing trail systems. These positions require sustained travel throughout the nation and selected candidates will not have a central or primary work location during their term. Please click HERE for more information.

GOCO is seeking a Regional Officer. This position works to advance GOCO’s mission and pursue shared values in outdoor recreation and conservation with the region’s diverse range of partners and their priorities and projects. With a collaborative approach, this position is responsible for advancing strategic direction and for implementing and evaluating GOCO’s competitive grant program portfolio. For full description click HERE.

GOCO is seeking a Communications Associate. This position will report to the Communications Director and work out of GOCO’s office in Denver. The Communications Associate supports the communications team in executing a variety of marketing, storytelling, and outreach efforts. The Communications Associate will support the team in delivering communications that maintain the integrity of the GOCO brand within a variety of channels including public relations; social media, email marketing, and other digital platforms; and events. Click HERE for more information.

As part of a River Network/Community Ag Alliance project in the Yampa basin CAA is hiring a full-time 2-year position to seek, develop and fund irrigation management, riparian and aquatic habitat project proposals. This is a great opportunity to create projects that help both irrigators and the river. Read the full job description HERE.

The Denver Natural Resources Operations Team has an opening for one Natural Resources Technician – On-Call position. This position will work on a team that performs noxious weed management, restoration, assessments and monitoring, and wildlife management in Denver’s Natural Areas, Open Space, waterways, and Denver Mountain Park properties. Click HERE for more information.

Wright Water Engineers, Inc. (WWE) is seeking an experienced and motivated professional for our Denver office to perform and direct our wetland delineation, permitting, and mitigation projects. For more information click HERE.

Eagle River Water & Sanitation District is accepting applications for a Field Operations Manager. This position directs the operation, installation, maintenance, repair, expansion, and relocation of a complex distribution and collection system with 73 pressure zones, 161 pressure reducing valves, 268 miles of water main, 1,938 fire hydrants, 210 miles of sanitary sewer main, and 6,338 manholes. For more information click HERE.

The Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) Trail Stewardship Team is happy to announce that they are now accepting applications for Crew Leaders. The ideal candidates will have previous experience in youth supervision and/or trail maintenance/construction. For more information click HERE.

The City of Boulder is seeking an Integrated Pest Management and Conservation Technician. The IPM and Conservation Technician position is a dynamic role that is part of a team of professionals who manage the natural areas of the Parks and Recreation system. They will work across multiple disciplines including IPM/restoration, wildlife management, community engagement and natural lands maintenance. For more information click HERE.

SWCA is seeking a Colorado Water Resources Engineer to lead and grow our water resources services throughout the Rocky Mountain Plains Region. The position will be responsible for developing, supervising, and working with teams to execute water resources project work throughout Colorado and Wyoming. The successful candidate will focus on identifying and evaluating opportunities in the market and building strategic teaming relationships with clients and teaming partners. For more information click HERE.

SWCA seeking a Water Resources Lead and Senior Project Manager. The lead position will be responsible for developing teams and delivering on water resources projects in Colorado, Wyoming, and the northern plains. The successful candidate will focus on identifying and evaluating opportunities in the market and building strategic teaming relationships for services including water supply planning and permitting, risk management, watershed assessment and planning, fire planning and recovery, stream and wetland restoration, water quality management, and hydrological assessments. For more information, click HERE.

City of Aurora Open Space is seeking Natural Resources Seasonal Maintenance Workers in two different locations. The City of Aurora is looking for someone who is able to provide seasonal site and facility maintenance, natural resource management and protection, building and grounds coordination, and programming support services at the Aurora Reservoir. Click HERE for more information.

The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Volunteer Service Learning and Partnership (VSLP) team has re-posted the Volunteer Field Assistant (TEMP) position with a pay range of $19.50 to $22.00. The Volunteer Services Field Assistant role provides support and leadership in all aspects of running the Volunteer Service program (supervising volunteer groups and contract crews. They are responsible for field and project management, team and staff responsiveness, training implementation, skills development, public communications, along with administrative and logistical support. For more information click HERE.

The West Region Wildfire Council is accepting applications from qualified candidates to fill the Wildfire Mitigation Specialist position. This is a full time, benefited position. Position is open until filled. The Wildfire Mitigation Specialist is responsible for delivering wildfire risk information, mitigation recommendations and programmatic resources to wildland urban interface (WUI) homeowners, community members and partners. The Wildfire Mitigation Specialist works closely with the Wildfire Mitigation Forester, specifically focusing on addressing wildfire risk in the built environment. For more information click HERE.

Southwest Conservation Corps is seeking a Recreation Ranger Individual Placement with the USDA Forest Service (four openings). These individuals will be collecting data on a daily basis at high-use recreation sites. The overall goal of the Rec Ranger Program is to provide information to the public on how to disperse their use in the Telluride Area. For more information click HERE.

Larimer County Natural Resources is hiring a temporary Education and Volunteer Technician. This position leads education programs and field trips for school, community groups and the general public including assisting with scheduling, marketing and communications as needed. This position also assists with volunteer events through planning, outreach and in-field supervision of volunteers. Please find the full job description HERE.

Northern Water is currently looking for a Watershed Restoration Coordinator to support their fire recovery efforts on the West Slope. This is a temporary position located in Grand Lake. This position is responsible for coordinating and administering the Watershed Protection (EWP) Program associated with the East Troublesome Fire on behalf of Northern Water and in collaboration with Northern Water’s watershed Partners. The Watershed Restoration Coordinator will represent Northern Water and act as a spokesperson for the organization and will manage relationships with landowners and the local community. This position will work in close coordination with the EWP Project Manager. For more information click HERE.

San Juan Mountains Association is hiring for multiple positions seasonal and full time. SJMA is a rewarding place to work filled with people who care deeply about the lands that surround us. The SJMA team works together with dedicated volunteers and community to turn collective passion for Southwest Colorado’s public lands into actions that help protect these beautiful, wild places. To learn more and view specific listings click HERE.

The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks Department currently has multiple positions available with our Vegetation Management and Restoration Teams. These include both Temporary (~April – November) and Seasonal (~ May – August) positions for the 2021 field season. Job postings will remain open until filled. For more information and to apply, please click HERE.

The Town of Erie currently has an opening for a Horticulture Tech I/II. Primary responsibilities will be overseeing horticultural operations for all town maintained annual and perennial beds including design, install, and maintenance. Click HERE for more information.

The Blue River Watershed Group (BRWG) is seeking an Executive Director to lead the group through the next phase of growth for the nonprofit. The new Executive Director will lead BRWG through the final phases of the Integrated Water Management Plan and through implementation of projects identified in the plan. The new Executive Director will also be responsible for grant writing and administration, fundraising, event planning and production, fundraising, and outreach. The mission of BRWG is to promote, protect, and restore a healthy Blue River watershed through cooperative community education, stewardship, and resource management. For more information about this opportunity click HERE.

Conferences & Events Early April

MARCH-OCTOBER 24th, 2021 | Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. The Banff Center for Arts and Creativity lives its vision to inspire artists and leaders to make a unique contribution to society through its annual Mountain Film Festival, a competition among many, many aspiring and innovative filmmakers. In 1986, Banff began sharing the talents and film products of these mountain filmmakers participating in that year's festival with a larger community, starting with visits to 3 cities in Canada to now over 450 sites on a world tour. Click HERE for more information.

APRIL 1st-OCTOBER 1st, 2021 | 40 Years of Discovery Contest | RMFI. RMFI has curated a list of 40 locations in and around the Pikes Peak Region nd invites you to go explore them! The more locations you visit, the more opportunities you'll have to win rad prize packages from Mountain Chalet, including items like wool socks, headlamps, hiking boots, trekking poles, sleeping bags, tents, and more! To participate in the contest, you must travel to the GPS location provided and take a selfie, or have a family member or friend snap a photo, of you holding your 40th Anniversary edition bandana! You'll then email your photo to our team at contest@rmfi.org to be counted. Depending on the number of locations to explore, you will be entered for a different prize package level! Click HERE for more information.

APRIL 8th-9th, 2021 | Project Management for Water and Wastewater Utilities | EUCI. Project Management for Water and Wastewater Utilities will cover the hard basics of defining and closing a project while driving home the importance of refining the soft skills that bring an idea from the drawing board to your residents’ backyard. This course will enable you to assess the feasibility of a project and define (or refine) your plan. The instructor will layout strategies for piloting a project, identifying new opportunities, mitigating risks, promoting your team to take ownership of their work, and defining the intangibles of customer communication. Click HERE to view the full brochure. Click HERE to register.

APRIL 19th-22nd, 2021 | Colorado Rural Water Association Annual Conference | Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center. Join the 40th annual CRWA conference live. Early bird registration is now open and ends March 19th. For more information and to register click HERE.

APRIL 24th, 2021, 10am-1pm | San Juan Resilience Youth Summit. Students will present projects on environmental challenges, and participants will collaborate to create innovative solutions. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend to learn from our students and be part of an authentic audience of peers and adults. This summit provides an opportunity for our community to build a more holistic picture of resilience in our communities. Students must register to present their projects by March 26th. Click HERE to learn more.

May 17th-20th, 2021 | River Rally | River Network. Hosted annually by River Network, River Rally provides an inspiring and energy-infused touchpoint for nonprofit groups from across the U.S. and beyond, as well as for agency and foundation representatives, industry innovators, philanthropists, academics, students, and community leaders. We bring thought leaders and practitioners together to accelerate progress towards an equitable and sustainable water future. For more information click HERE.

JUNE 13th, 2021 | Garden of the Gods 10 Mile/10K Run | Colorado Springs. The Garden of the Gods Ten Mile and 10k has always had it all — a spectacular setting, a physically demanding course, competition in almost every age-group, excellent runner support, unique awards and great shirts. This is one of the most beautiful and challenging road race venues anywhere! Click HERE for more information.

JULY 19th-21st, 2021: American Water Resources Association (AWRA) 2021 Land and Water Policy Specialty Conference | Denver. The 2021 Summer Specialty Conference will bring together stakeholders from various types of organizations and professions across multiple disciplines to address the design, integration, and implementation of the programs and research necessary to improve the connection of land and water planning and policy. For more information click HERE.

SEPTEMBER 21st-23rd, 2020 | Colorado Wildland Fire Conference. Deadline for Presentation Proposals has Been Extended until March 5th, 2021. Registration coming soon. For more information click HERE.

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

DECEMBER 1st & 2nd, 2021: South Platte Forum. Check back for registration opening in 2021. Read more HERE.

Announcements Early April

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to 23 national conservation practice standards through a posting in the Federal Register. Comments are due April 8. Click HERE to read the full press release.

As part of the monitoring of the on-going impact of the East Troublesome Fire, the National Weather Service is seeking volunteer Storm Spotters to help them predict flooding and debris run-off in burn areas and to warn those who will be impacted. If you are interested please click HERE and find the April 20 training listed as "Mountains/Foothills".

The United States Department of Agriculture is investing $28 million in six new Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) projects and four ongoing ones, which enable conservation partners and producers to work together to return critical wetland functions to agricultural landscapes. Read more.

This summer, SJMA is offering several 5-day outdoor summer camps where kids will explore and learn about the natural world while making new friends and having a ton of fun. Click HERE to view the full calendar.

After several years of planning and collaboration, the Godfrey Diversion Restoration project is now complete. The Godfrey Diversion structure is located within the Middle South Platte River just southeast of Evans, Colorado in Weld County. Read the full press release HERE.


Colorado Parks and Wildlife is partnering with the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) to hire 33 weeks of conservation service corps to repair trails impacted by wildfire damage and increased visitation in areas that are open to motorized recreation. Click HERE to read more.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, announced it entered into seven Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Administrative Orders on Consent (AOCs) with its tribal partners between December 1, 2020 – February 12, 2021. Tribally owned or operated drinking water systems agreed to these AOCs to address violations of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations to ensure public health protection in Indian country. Read the full press release HERE.

Invasive zebra mussels have been found in "Betta Buddy Marimo Balls,” a product sold at aquarium and pet supply stores in Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking stores to remove this product. If you have recently purchased this product and believe you may have a zebra mussel population in your aquarium, contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Invasive Species Program at 303-291-7295 for proper disposal methods.

SWEAP is gaining momentum thanks to individuals and organizations like you! Get involved in bringing water education to every community in Colorado by: Visiting the new SWEAP website | Downloading the SWEAP Executive Summary | Filling out a short form to share how you will bring SWEAP to your community and what resources would be most helpful | Signing up for email updates on SWEAP

Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT) is pleased to announce the completion of a Conservation Easement on the 71-acre Sacramento Creek Ranch located near Fairplay within MALT’s Red Hill to Hoosier Pass Priority Area! The Conservation Easement on Sacramento Creek Ranch will prevent the future subdivision of the property and protect critical open space and wildlife habitat for Elk, Moose, Black bear, Beaver and numerous other species that call this area home. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program has identified this region as having “Very High Biodiversity Significance." In addition to critical biodiversity protection, the Conservation Easement specifically ensures use of the property for public recreation, education and research purposes. If you are interested in visiting Sacramento Creek Ranch or learning more about the public uses, please send an email to malt@savetheland.org or call the MALT office at (303) 679-0950.

The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) has just recently released the 2020 Forest Action Plan (FAP), which is a road map to improving forest health across Colorado in the next decade.  The 2020 FAP was created by forestry experts at the Colorado State Forest Service.  This in-depth analysis of forest trends offers solutions and guidance for improving forest health and ensuring our forests — and the resources they provide — persevere for future generations.  This plan will also help assist decision-makers in investing in our forests where these investments will make the most difference.  If you would like to take a look at the plan please click HERE and HERE. Additionally, there is a Forest Action Plan app on the CSFS Forest Atlas page HERE. This is an easy, interactive tool that drills down into the themes of the Forest Action Plan and is an important tool to understand and know how to use.  For CSFS and federal grants, partners will need to show where their project fits in relations to the FAP and will need to convey how the projects that they are proposing ties into this plan.

The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, proudly co-funded Swimming Upstream, a new StoryMap that highlights collaborative conservation efforts to protect endangered, native fish populations in the Upper Colorado River Basin and enhance critical streamflow management for recreation and agricultural needs in and around Grand Junction, Colorado, along a stretch of the Colorado River commonly known as the 15-Mile Reach. The StoryMap was developed by the Conservation Innovation Center for the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, in collaboration with the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Click HERE to access the map.