Funding Opportunities Early February

Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. Every year, the National Forest Foundation (NFF) invites graduate students (pursuing a master's or doctoral degree) to apply to the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. The fellowship includes a summer or academic year practicum at NFF's Missoula, Montana office, a field office, or hosted by a partner organization. Conservation Connect fellowships aim to build experience, knowledge, and skills within the next generation of collaborative and conservation leaders to support each other and advance the field. Applications will be accepted now through February 18th, 2022. Click here to learn more.**

Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist, Clint Evans, announced the 2022 application cut-off dates for eligible entities to participate in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE) in Colorado. There are two signups. Application packages are due on Friday, January 7, 2022 by 4:00pm MST for funding consideration in Signup 1 and on Friday, February 25, 2022 by 4:00pm MST for funding consideration in Signup 2. Ranking pools offered for parcel applications are General, Grasslands of Special Significance (GSS), GSS Gunnison Sage Grouse, and GSS Greater Sage Grouse. For more information click HERE.

The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, is pleased to announce its call for applications for Dissertation Fellowships for 2022. These awards of $10,000 support Ph.D. students at universities in the U.S. and Mexico who are conducting dissertation research that builds on, and contributes to, the integration of land and water policy to advance water sustainability and resilience, particularly in the Colorado River Basin. Babbitt Dissertation Fellowships are an important link between the Lincoln Institute’s educational mission and its research objectives by supporting scholars early in their careers. For more information, including the application guidelines click here. Contact Zach Sugg if you have any questions. The application deadline is March 1, 2022.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board is pleased to administer a $2,000 one-year scholarship for a Colorado high school student interested in western water issues planning to attend a public institution of higher education in Colorado. Applications are due April 1, 2022. Read More

Upper Gunnison SPP Funding. Please see the attached solicitation for project proposals from CDPHE's Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division for the Upper Gunnison River Basin. The deadline for proposal submission is April 1, 2022.

NEW - PFAS Grant Program. The PFAS Grant Program provides money to eligible entities through three project categories:

  1. Sampling - for standard sampling and independent environmental studies.

  2. Emergency Assistance - for communities and water systems affected by PFAS.

  3. Infrastructure - treating existing PFAS and strategies for preventing upstream sources of PFAS.

 Drinking water providers can apply to test their treated drinking and source waters. Each PFAS grant program category has different criteria. Review the 2022 Request for Applications and apply on the PFAS Projects webpage. The application period ends April 2022.

The Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP) was created after the devastating 2020 fire season by the Colorado legislature through the bi-partisan supported SB21-258 in the summer of 2021. COSWAP is designed to quickly move $17.5 million state stimulus dollars to start on-the-ground work on fuels reduction projects and increase Colorado's capacity to conduct critical forest restoration and wildfire mitigation work that will increase community resilience and protect life, property and infrastructure. Learn more about these opportunities here.**

HUD: Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships Notice. HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) has the authority to accept unsolicited research proposals that address current research priorities. HUD is making up to $2 million available for Lead and Healthy Homes Research Partnerships and approximately $1 million available for Research Partnerships for other topics. HUD is interested in increasing participation of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) of higher education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in all program areas. To learn more, click here.

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 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.

Trainings & Workshops Early February

FEBRUARY 3rd-4th, 2022 | Introduction to Industrial and Municipal Wastewater Treatment Processes. This introductory course for industrial and municipal wastewater treatment processes will cover principles that wastewater operators need to be successful at their jobs. The course will be packed with knowledge starting with the Code of Federal Regulations and ISO standards for protecting the environment. For full course description and to register click here.

February 9th, 2022, 6pm-8pm | Conserving Water in the Garden with Rain Barrels (Bilingual). Rain barrels are the perfect addition to your home gardens! They allow you to conserve water, expand your gardens, and protect our rivers. In this webinar you will receive information on what type of rain barrel to buy and step-by-step instructions on how to install your rain barrel(s) at home. This event is virtual and free. Register here. ¡Los barriles de lluvia son el complemento perfecto para los jardines de su casa! Le permiten conservar agua, ampliar sus jardines y proteger nuestros ríos. En este seminario web, recibirá información sobre qué tipo de barril de lluvia comprar e instrucciones paso a paso sobre cómo instalar sus barriles de lluvia en casa.

FEBRUARY 9th & 10th, 2022, 12:30-3:00 | Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Program | Fire Safe Colorado. The Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Program seeks to empower fire departments to engage the residents they serve in wildland fire community risk reduction. The RSG! Program provides tools and resources for fire departments to use as they help residents gain an understanding of their wildland fire risk and actions individuals can take to reduce that risk. Erik Litzenberg, IAFC’s Senior Wildland Fire Advisor, will present this 2-hour Training. It is open to everyone who has a need to understand what the Ready, Set-Go! Program is, what resources it offers, and how fire departments and Wildfire councils can work together for Community Risk Reduction. Read the full flyer here.

FEBRUARY 10th, 2022 | State Revolving Fund | Waternow Alliance. WaterNow is excited to bring to you a webinar to deepen local Colorado water leaders' understanding of the fundamental mechanics of the State Revolving Fund program and to dig into the details about how the flexibility of SRF loans can help finance innovative, climate & drought resilient water infrastructure projects. They will also cover the complementary loan and grant programs offered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. This training is free. Register and learn more here.

FEBRUARY 19th, 2022 | Rain Barrels: Conserving Water in the Garden. Rain barrels are the perfect way to take the next step in rainwater harvesting at your home. In this class, Jessica Thrasher, Education and Outreach Manager for Colorado State University's Colorado Stormwater Center will provide an introduction to rainwater harvesting and step-by-step instructions on how to install your own rain barrel. You will even have an opportunity to win a rain barrel for your home! The cost for in person is $10 and $5 for virtual participation. It will be held at Gardens on Spring Creek 2145 Centre Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80526, or Virtual. Learn more here.

March 3rd-4th, 2022| Stormwater Control Measure Design/ Design Review Certification. The Colorado Stormwater Center provides a two-day workshop on stormwater control measures (SCM) design and design review. Properly functioning SCMs begin with the design process which can also have a significant impact on inspection and maintenance. In this 2-day training workshop, we teach participants how to design and review designs of SCMs. The workshop includes 12 hours of presentations/discussion in a classroom setting, a 2-hour field trip and a 2-hour written exam (optional). Participants that successfully pass the written exam receive certification from Colorado State University Extension and are recognized on our website. Register and learn more here.

MARCH 7-9th, 2022 | Asset Management for Water Utilities. This introductory course to asset management takes the participants on a visually engaging journey through the broad landscape of asset management concepts. A series of interactive exercises will demonstrate how the concepts are applied into practice in a way that will help Water and Wastewater Utilities design strategies to realize value from their assets. Click here for more information and to register.

April 5th-6th, 2022 | Stormwater Control Measure Inspection and Maintenance Certification. The Colorado Stormwater Center provides a 1.5 day workshop on stormwater control measures (SCM) inspection and maintenance. All SCMs require regular maintenance to remain operating as designed. In this 1.5 day training workshop, we teach participants how to recognize SCM maintenance needs and how to perform maintenance correctly. The workshop includes 8 hours of presentations/discussion in a classroom setting, a 2-hour field trip and a 2-hour written exam (optional). Participants that successfully pass the written exam receive certification from Colorado State University Extension and are recognized on our website. Click here to register. 

The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership presents 14 videos to help community members learn about how water is managed, restored and monitored in the upper Uncompahgre River watershed. Take advantage of this new education resource to learn about your watershed including mine reclamation, water monitoring, recreational use, water conservation, drinking water and waste water treatment and distribution, aquatic life, water scarcity, agricultural use, management, infrastructure, and more. Watch the video series here.

Master Irrigator Program- San Luis Valley. Over four sessions, this 32-hour program reviews water law and administration, history of water development, and gives participants the tools and strategies to improve water and energy use efficiency and conservation, soil health, and profitability on their operations. Those who complete the course will also receive a $2,000 stipend. To be eligible for this course you must farm in either Rio Grande, Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Saguache or Mineral County. Details will be available soon 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.

Non-standard MS4 Permit PDD Template and Program Strategy Templates. SPLASH members and SEMSWA worked with CP Compliance to create resources to educate permittees. It may also assist permittees with implementation of the new Non-standard MS4 Permit. Please click HERE to access the material.

San Juan Expedition Avy Course based at Thelma Hut. The AIARE Avy 1 Hut Course is designed to give you a full introduction to backcountry travel. Based out of the Thelma hut on Red Mountain Pass, you will spend day and night with your peers and instructors learning the foundation of avalanche education. In a hut format, you spend more time skiing, more time learning from and observing your instructors, and more time in the mountains—all with lodging and food included. When you take your level one with San Juan Expeditions you will get hands-on experience analyzing the avalanche hazard and using your observations to make decisions in the field. Click HERE for more information.

MSU Denver developed the noncredit Water Studies courses for people interested in safeguarding this precious resource. Students will learn history, law, management, and water trends in Colorado and the American West. The courses have recently been improved, offering the same high quality, but shortened to meet your busy schedules. The course structure has been redesigned for each class to be one month long to improve the learning experience and accommodate the schedules of busy professional students. Click HERE for more information.

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!

“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.

Conferences & Events Early February

FEBRUARY 12th, 2022, 9am-1pm | Guided Snowshoe/Ski Tour of the Red Mountain Mining District | Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership. UWP is bringing back this popular trip guided by Don Paulson – author, historian and curator of the Ouray Historical Society. Come learn about our mining history and water quality issues in the upper Uncompahgre River Watershed. Find more details and register here.

FEBRUARY 15th-March 15th, 2022 | Science Behind the Scenery Webinar Series. Rocky Mountain National Park is hosting a virtual Science Behind the Scenery Webinar Series in lieu of its traditional Biennial Research Conference. Each webinar will highlight research that supports high-priority resource management initiatives in the park. Researchers will present for 15 minutes each followed by a Question & Answer session during which time audience members can engage with presenters. A representative from Rocky Mountain National Park will be available to discuss applications of the research. Click here to view the full schedule and details.

FEBRUARY 23rd, 2022, 5:30-8:30 pm | Seed Starter Workshop & Seed Swap | Women In Sustainability. Join this event held at the Modern Nomad with expert gardener Katrina Karczewski with Grateful Garden LLC. Katrina will walk us through the steps to starting a successful garden while the winter months are still upon us. She will provide tips on how to properly start your garden indoors followed by a Q&A session to help with all of your pre-season garden jitters! Containers and dirt are provided and there will be some starter seeds available. Click here to register.

FEBRUARY 23rd-25th, 2022 | 20th Anniversary Riparian Restoration Conference: 2020 Learning from the Last 20 Years; Planning for the Next | RiversEdge West. This year's conference will take place in a hybrid format, with the option to attend in person or virtually. Whether you’ll join us in person or on-screen, we're excited to welcome you as we "Learn from the last 20 years and plan for the next".Poster abstracts are now due January 23, 2022. Email your poster abstract to Cara at Ckukuraitis@riversedgewest.org.  Click here for more information about the conference.

FEBRUARY 26th, 2022, 10am-11:30am | How to Start Seeds Indoors | Denver Urban Gardens. Want to start your own seedlings this year? It’s cheaper than buying transplants and you can start unusual varieties that you may not find elsewhere. In this workshop, we will guide you through the process and set you up for success. Learn when to start different seeds, how to plant, water, thin, maintain and provide correct lighting. Click here for more information.

FEBRUARY 26th, 2022, 9am-1pm | Guided Snowshoe/Ski Tour of Winter Wildlife up Red Mountain Pass | Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership. Join Wildlife Biologist Steve Boyle for an adventure on snowshoes or nordic skis to a winter wonderland where you will discover animal tracks and winter wildlife. Moderate difficulty level (elevation: 8,000-plus). Find more details and register here.

MARCH 19th, 2022, 6:30-9pm | A Benefit for the Uncompahgre River – Fly Fishing Film Tour. Come out to enjoy fun and inspiring films about outdoor adventure and conservation through the love of fly fishing, and support projects that protect and restore your local river. This year’s venue is the Ouray County Event Center to provide lots of elbow room! Masks currently required – stay tuned for updates. 100% of proceeds go to the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership for maintenance and improvement of riparian areas, fish habitat and recreation areas. Sponsored by RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service. Click here for more information.

JULY 11th-29th, 2022 | Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) Colloquium | The Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E). The Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) would like to announce the Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) Colloquium, which will be held 11-29 July 2022 at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California. Scholarships for travel expenses are available. The application deadline is February 1st 2022. Read more and apply here.

Announcements Early February

PW aquatic biologist Jim White, right, stars in the new short film "The Fish & The Flame" about his effort to recover rare San Juan cutthroat trout from private land during the 416 Fire in 2018 in Durango. Read more 

Applications Now Open for MSI and Wright-Ingraham Institute's Field Stations Program. Field Stations is an immersive integrative studies workshop that focuses on climate change and related issues in ecologically-critical places. The Wright-Ingraham Institute invites creatives, early-career candidates, and graduate and post-graduate students from all fields, for whom this topic is crucial to their practice, to apply to the 2022 workshop in the San Juan Basin in Colorado and New Mexico, USA. Applications are due February 22 at 11:59 PM MT. For more information click here.


The updated Nonpoint Source Management Plan is available for public comment. Comments can be submitted here and are due by 03/02/2022 for an Administrative Action Hearing via Zoom 04/11/2022 @ 9 am.

Center for Collaborative Conservation’s Situation Assessment for a Network of Forest Collaborative Groups in Colorado is now available. View the full assessment here.

For the 5th year in a row, Colorado Water Trust and the Colorado Water Conservation Board are launching the Request for Water Process to identify potential streamflow restoration projects throughout the state. The Request for Water Process is confidential, completely voluntary, and open to all types of water right owners including agricultural, municipal, industrial, and other water users. Preliminary offers of water are due June 30, 2022. Learn more about the request for water process. 

April 6, 2022 - Please save the date for the Society of Wetland Scientists Rocky Mountain Chapter's annual meeting in Golden, Colorado. Registration will begin in February. For those unfamiliar with the annual meeting, the event is a full day of speakers presenting on wetland topics, such as restoration, project highlights, regulation and policy, and research. The meeting also includes morning refreshments, lunch, and an evening social event with adult beverages, snacks, and live music. It is a day of education, networking, and fun! Please contact the Chapter if you are interested in presenting and/or sponsoring the event at swsrockymtn@gmail.com.

The Colorado Corn Administrative Committee is collecting information for the 2023 Farm Bill Discussion. Your answers are anonymous and will help provide farmer feedback on what works and what is not working with the current farm bill as discussions for the 2023 Farm Bill take place. Your feedback will be provided to partners and elected officials. It is confidential and anonymous. The survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete. Take the survey here. And read the CCAC’s Annual Report here.

Job Announcements Early February

Denver Urban Gardens is seeking a Food Access Coordinator. The Food Access Coordinator will support in the metro-wide execution of DUG’s long-standing Grow a Garden program and alignment with our DUG Corps and garden activation. They will also serve as liaison with DeLaney Community Farm in Aurora. The application closing date is February 4th, 2022. Click here to learn more.**

Colorado West Land Trust is hiring a full-time Conservation Specialist to join our growing Conservation Team. The Conservation Specialist will focus on completing important land protection projects across the region and will also assist with conservation easement monitoring and stewardship. This position will work closely with landowners and service providers and must be able to build and maintain friendly relationships, and professional and courteous communications with a diverse variety of constituents and stakeholders. Applications are due by February 6th, 2022. Click here for more information.

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Program Manager of Watershed Health (forestry & wetlands focus) to oversee the supervision, coordination and implementation of our Private Lands Wildlife Biologist network along the Front Range, San Luis Valley and South Platte corridor of Colorado. The Program Manager, based in our Fort Collins, CO office, will remotely supervise five Private Land Wildlife Biologists implementing on-the-ground conservation projects. Download a complete position description. Apply by February 7th, 2022.

San Juan SWCD is now hiring for a newly created Natural Resource Specialist position in Aztec, NM. The District Natural Resource Specialist will complete mapping and data analysis for ongoing conservation projects, conduct field work and provide conservation planning assistance to partners, apply for and manage new grant projects, and work with the team to keep District operations running smoothly. To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references as a single PDF to melissa.may@sanjuanswcd.com by Friday February 25th at 3:00pm. Click here to learn more and apply. **

The Colorado Basin team at River Network is hiring a Healthy Rivers Program Manager. The Healthy Rivers Program Manager will help advance the health of western rivers at several scales: by providing watershed science support to local coalitions as they assess and plan for their rivers; by hosting trainings and field days for statewide peer learning networks; by advancing the practice of integrated floodplain management within the wider Colorado River Basin; and by sharing knowledge and experience with River Network’s national network. Send your resume and cover letter as one combined document to nseltzer@rivernetwork.org by or before February 25, 2022. Read more here. **

Groundwork Denver is seeking a Water Program Director. Reporting to the Associate Director, the Director of Water Programs (“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. Click here for more information.**

Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority is seeking a Technical Manager. The Technical Manager coordinates and oversees day-to-day operations and manages projects and personnel retained through contract with the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority (“Authority”) to ensure Statutory compliance and implementation of the Board’s Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives. Click here to learn more.

SJMA is excited to announce they are now hiring for our Forest Ambassador Crew in 2022! SJMA Forest Ambassadors are skilled and passionate public lands ambassadors who can operate independently across the San Juan National Forest to make public contact, lead interpretive programs, conduct routine trail maintenance, help implement volunteer stewardship projects, and conduct environmental monitoring. Click here to read more and apply. **

Eagle River Watershed Council (ERWC) is seeking a highly-skilled executive director to help us meet our mission and vision as we continue to expand our reach. Reporting to the board of directors, the executive director oversees the strategic and operational efficiency of our programs and staff. ERWC has multiple exciting projects on the horizon and the executive director will be tasked with navigating the board and staff through them. Please click here to read the full description.