Job Announcements Late October

The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) is excited to announce that we are opening applications for a new executive director, or two co-executive directors, to lead our coalition in building a brighter and more just future for agriculture. This new leadership will uphold and amplify the mission and vision of Young Farmers, guide us through implementing the ambitious goals set forth in our Strategic Plan, and lift up the voices of young and BIPOC farmers across the country as a true force for positive change. The priority deadline for applying is October 21, 2022 with resumes being accepted until the position is filled. See the full job announcement here.

The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT), located in Del Norte, Colorado, seeks an experienced Director for its Land Protection Program. RiGHT is a small, community land trust accredited by the Land Trust Alliance that has been conserving the land, water and way of life in Colorado’s San Luis Valley since 1999. Just this year, we closed on our 53rd conservation easement, ensuring protection into perpetuity of almost 30,000 acres of working farms and ranchlands, riparian corridors, wetlands and other ecologically valuable landscapes. Applications are due November 15th, 2022.

Summit County is seeking a Resource Specialist/Senior Resource Specialist. The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, be an efficient problem solver and self-starter, and have the ability to work effectively and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously with diverse individuals and agencies. Experience in project management, recreation planning, capacity management, natural surface and paved trail planning and construction, conservation, successful grant writing, and GIS/GPS skills are strongly preferred.

Palmer Land Conservancy seeks a Communications Manager to connect, inspire and engage the Palmer brand with current and prospective members and stakeholders across southern Colorado. This position reports to the Vice President of External Affairs and is responsible for growing and managing Palmer’s communications programs through compelling and inspiring storytelling to mobilize the next generation of land lovers. The Communications Manager will also work closely with the Membership and Events Manager, and other Palmer staff.

REW is seeking a Development Director. This position will manage the planning and implementation of strategies to procure funding resources that support REW’s strategic and operational goals. The Development Director will have demonstrated knowledge, skills and ability to research, and acquire funding in a natural resources and environmental education context. Position is open until filled.

Conferences & Events Late October

October 21st & 28th, 2022 | Rainbarrel Workshops. Ready to install a rain barrel? SPLASH has partnered with the Colorado Stormwater Center to present two rain barrel workshops in October! Each workshop will include a presentation from the Colorado Stormwater Center and then assistance with building your 55-gallon rain barrel. At the end of the workshop, you will have a 55-gallon rain barrel and connector kit. We also will send you an installation guide to connect your new rain barrel to a downspout. You will need to be able to take home your rain barrel at the end of the workshop. Sorry, but we will not be able to store your rain barrel for pick up at a later date.

October 26th, 2022, 9am-4pm | 2022 Water Conservation Symposium | Colorado WaterWise. Colorado WaterWise invites you to the 2022 Water Conservation Symposium! Join more than 100 other water professionals from across Colorado for a day packed with networking, professional development and engagement. Don't miss out on the early bird pricing for both members and non-members.

October 27th, 2022 | Colorado Forest Collaboratives Network. Colorado Forest Collaboratives Network was inspired by successes at past annual Forest Collaboratives Summits. The Network will take the lead on hosting this important annual event with planning support from Coalitions and Collaboratives, Inc., Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, Fire Adapted Colorado, Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, Colorado State Forest Service, and others. Registration is free and will open this week.

October 28th, 2022 | Rio Reels Film Festival | Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project. The event involves a film festival that celebrates rivers and the joys they bring to our lives, along with silent auctions featuring local offerings from business and artists, outdoor gear, and more! While the event will still be accessible virtually, this year we will host an in-person watch party on October 28th at the Ski Hi Complex in Monte Vista, CO. The in-person event, starting at 6 pm, will include tasty food and drinks, along with entry to win one of our exciting door prizes! For our virtual attendees, the Rio Reels film show kicks off at 7 PM online via QUIDIO.

November 2nd-3rd, 2022 | Water in the West Symposium | CSU Spur. As in past years, the Water in the West Symposium will bring together speakers and audiences from across sectors — from utilities and government agencies, to businesses and agriculture. The conference is back in a hybrid format this year, sharing best practices and connecting professionals — both inside and outside the water sector — in pursuit of multi-sector, non-partisan solutions to water challenges.

November 7th-8th, 2022 | Annual Colorado Groundwater Conference | American Ground Water Trust. The annual Colorado Groundwater Conference is an objective, information-exchange event and networking opportunity for water managers, regulators, environmental organizations, agriculture, industry and water utility end users and their scientific, engineering and legal advisors, local government officials and state legislators. This is AGWT's 29th program in Colorado since 2000.

November 17, 2022 | RMFI Fall ShinDIG. Come celebrate with with RMFI as they look back on the season's accomplishments and honor their amazing partners and volunteers! The event is free to attend in person; we'll also offer a free livestream for our out-of-state supporters. Food and drink will also be provided along with live music, awards, and celebration!

November 19th, 2022 | Big Snow Bash | Friends of the Yampa. Save the date!

December 8th, 2022 | South Platte Forum. This year, the South Platte Forum will be taking place at a new location, the Lionsgate Event Center. Lionsgate is a locally owned venue with idyllic scenery. You can read more about their story here. Building off the positive feedback from 2021, we will once again host a one-day conference on Thursday December 8, 2022. As always, the Forum will include a full agenda of timely topics and expert speakers.

April 11th-14th, 2023 | Colorado Wildland Fire Conference. Save the date!

Trainings & Workshops Late October

October 20th, 2022, 12-1:15pm | Stream Management Plans: 101 | River Network. Join River Network and the Colorado Water Conservation Board to learn the basics of Stream Management Planning. Stream Management Plans (SMPs) are a priority activity in Colorado as a result of the state’s 2015 Water Plan, which called for 80% of locally-prioritized streams to have an SMP by 2030.

October 20th, 2022, 9am-12pm | Becoming a High Performing Nonprofit Board | Community Resource Center. Participants will learn the importance of serving on a nonprofit board and the expectations of each and every board member. Discussions will include meeting agendas, financial responsibilities, strategic planning, asking for money, recruiting new board members, and when it’s time to cycle off the board. In addition to board members, this training is also valuable for executive directors and any staff interested in increasing their knowledge of nonprofit governance.

October 20th, 2022 | Stream Management Plans 101. Are you interested in learning whether a Stream Management Plan is a good fit for your community? Join River Network and the Colorado Water Conservation Board to learn the basics of Stream Management Planning. Stream Management Plans (SMPs) are a priority activity in Colorado as a result of the state’s 2015 Water Plan, which called for 80% of locally-prioritized streams to have an SMP by 2030. Twenty-six communities have so far begun an SMP – should yours be next? SMPs are created when stakeholders convene to evaluate the biological, hydrological, geomorphological, and other ecological conditions of their local river to identify flow needs to support environmental and recreational water uses. SMPs are voluntary and customizable activities that Basins throughout the state are welcome to undertake and can be supported by funding from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Watershed Restoration Grant Program and local matching sources

October 23rd, 2022, 9:20-12:30 pm | Build Your Farm and Ranch Land Transfer Toolbox with Colorado Guidestone. With or without a property lined up, the work of transferring agricultural land from one owner or steward to the next requires knowing what tools will move the process forward. This includes what questions to ask, the types of documents to gather, understanding the differences in business structures, the legal tools available, and so much more. In this workshop, we will help you identify the business and legal tools that can work for your current or future situation. Join us to be better prepared for accepting or initiating a farm or ranch land transfer.

October 26th, 2022 | Water Law In A Nutshell Full Day Course. This full day seminar will cover all aspects of the law related to water rights and ditch rights as applied in Colorado. Subject matter includes the appropriation, perfection, use, limitations, attributes, abandonment and enforcement of various types of water rights. Additional subject matter will include special rules for groundwater, public rights in appropriated water, Federal and interstate compacts and more.

October 26th, 2022 | Intro to NRDC and NCLC’s Water Affordability Advocacy Toolkit. This webinar will present a new Water Affordability Advocacy Toolkit published by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Consumer Law Center (NCLC).

October 28th, 2022 | Noxious Weed Management & Pesticide Applicator Workshop. Join Morgan Conservation District and Mountain West Pest on November 2nd! This workshop will provide all seven required core credits for pesticide applicator license recertification and one credit in Rangeland (107). This workshop is recommended for those needing pesticide recertification credits or those wanting information about controlling noxious weeds.

November 28th & 29th, 2022 | Colorado CSI MS4 Webinar. Designed for Municipal personnel, System (MS4) permits regulations and compliance to restore and maintain the waters of the United States.  Permits require certifying officials to select qualified stormwater personnel. Gain an in-depth understanding of stormwater permits, the six minimum control measures, how to conduct inspections, and the authority, demeanor, and discretion of stormwater inspectors to enhance your credentials. This class focuses on Municipal Separate Storm Sewer 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. Graduates of our course will have access to valuable information on our website along with an invitation to FREE monthly CSI Network discussions.

November 10th, 2022 | Colorado Fluvial Hazard Mapping Program Training Module 2. Building off of Module 1 we will apply an understanding of the hydrologic, geomorphic, and biotic context of a stream corridor system to determine geomorphic trajectory and sensitivity. We will then apply this context to delineating FHZ mapping components based on the methods outlined in the Colorado Water Conservation Board FHZ Mapping Protocol (v1.0). We will learn and apply GIS tools for mapping the FHZ and also conduct a field trip in which we will make and integrate field based observations into our FHZ delineations.

Colorado Water and the American West teaches students about the rich history of water in the Western United States, how native communities used it, and the American approach to water management. The western United States is a region with a long history of water challenges. In the American West, over 40 million people depend on the Colorado River, now listed as one of the most endangered rivers in America. MSU Denver developed the non credit Professional Water Studies courses for people interested in safeguarding this precious resource. Taught by MSU Denver faculty, courses are one month long, fully online, and self-paced to accommodate the schedules of busy professional students.

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.

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!

Announcements Late October

Explore the Clean Water Act Owner's Manual, 3rd Edition. The Clean Water Act became law 50 years ago. To commemorate the milestone of this landmark legislation and mark our continued resolve to protect waterways across our country, River Network has updated our transformational Clean Water Act Owner’s Manual. Over the two decades since its original publication, this tool has galvanized local groups, grassroots advocates and diverse stakeholders to protect their local waters by identifying the many ways that every person can track, influence, and change the way the law is implemented at the federal, state, and local levels.

New EPA Office: EPA announced that it is establishing a new national office charged with advancing environmental justice and civil rights. Abu Moulta Ali (EPA) shares the press release.

Kokanee salmon spawning underway, public giveaway days scheduled across Southwest Region

Funding Opportunities Late October

NFWF has new funding from the Walton Family Foundation that is focused on funding process-based wetland and riparian restoration projects in the Colorado River Basin, with an ultimate goal of recharging local aquifers, extending spring runoff later into the season, and providing habitat and fire refugia for native fish and wildlife species. See below: 

Colorado Ag Water Alliance announced that there is funding available to support incubator projects on farms and ranches throughout Colorado. These projects will demonstrate innovative options to sustain agricultural during drought while maintain profitability. These projects can include a wide variety of strategies that support drought resilience and adaptation to reduced water supplies: infrastructure upgrades, improved water measurement and management, water conservation, alternative crops and forages, soil health improvements, watershed and stream restoration, and herd size and stocking strategies. You are encouraged to reach out to us about your project ideas. The submittal deadline is December 1st, 2022.

CAWA Funding for Ag Drought Resiliency Projects- There is funding available to support incubator projects on farms and ranches throughout Colorado. These projects will demonstrate innovative options to sustain agricultural during drought while maintain profitability: infrastructure upgrades, improved water measurement and management, water conservation, alternative crops and forages, soil health improvements, watershed and stream restoration, and herd size and stocking strategies. We strongly encourage you to reach out to us about your project ideas. Deadline: December 1st Application available here

River Network is looking to launch 5-7 NEW Community-Led Research (CLR) projects and Leadership Development (LD) programs in partnership with local organizations. Selected organizations receive up to $8,000 in funding and direct technical assistance to advance their project. We are particularly interested in partnering with organizations that are: (1) working to advance climate resilience, (2) focused on equitable outcomes and a credible stakeholder with communities that are at greatest risk, and (3) able to leverage or contribute to existing climate resilience initiatives. If your organization is interested in this opportunity or know of others that might be, please fill out this simple interest form.

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, a total of $5 million will be directed towards technical assistance on Colorado’s local water projects. Funding can be used for: preliminary project planning and design, preliminary permitting, development of estimated project costs, navigation of available federal opportunities, grant writing, and federal grant application submission. Currently, $2.5 million is available for local grantees to hire contractors. Another $2.5 million will soon become available for similar projects that work through contractors hired by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Learn More

FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs are provided to eligible applicant states/tribes/territories that, in turn, provide sub-grants to local governments. The applicant selects and prioritizes applications developed and submitted to them by local jurisdictions to submit to FEMA for grant funds. Prospective sub-applicants should consult the official designated point of contact for their applicant state/tribe/territory for further information regarding specific program and application requirements.

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.

Applications are NOW OPEN for Nature in the City planning grants! Have an idea for a nature play area, outdoor gathering space, or pollinator restorations? The Dream it Up Project Planning grants can help you and your community plan out your dream project. Anyone from HOA's, faith-based organizations, affordable housing communities, and even schools are welcome and encouraged to apply. Get started!

The Colorado River District’s Community Funding Partnership was created in 2021 to fund multi-purpose water projects on the Western Slope in five project categories: productive agriculture, infrastructure, healthy rivers, watershed health and water quality, and conservation and efficiency. Funding for the program was approved by Western Colorado voters as part of ballot question 7A in November 2020. These funds provide a catalyst for projects that are priorities for residents in the District to receive matching funds from state, federal and private sources. Click here for more information and to apply.

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.

Colorado Water Conservation Board has compiled this database to serve as a tool for people and organizations across Colorado to navigate all available funding opportunities for water projects in a single place.

A list of state, federal and private funding available for a wide variety of wildfire mitigation projects including Watershed Health.