Hall Valley Colors. Fall is here and the colors are changing in Hall Valley near Bailey, Colorado. Division of Wildlife. David Hannigan. Photo taken: 9/15/2009.
The CDPHE is launching the 2018 Nonpoint Source Funding Cycle. This process begins with the development of a concept or idea focused on water quality problems or protection opportunities associated with nonpoint sources of pollution. This concept will be developed into a full proposal later in the process. For those project sponsors interested in receiving feedback on a NPS project idea, the NPS Program requests submittal of a concept paper. This is not a mandatory step in the funding process but we strongly suggest that you take advantage of this opportunity because it will help you develop a proposal that is better aligned with the Nonpoint Source program priorities and has a stronger possibility of securing funds. The concept paper submittal deadline is October 23, 2017 and feedback on the ideas shared through concept papers will be provided on October 30, 2017 during a telephone conference in the morning (more details to follow). For guidance in developing your concept paper, please go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/nonpoint-source-funding-opportunities, or see the attached files. Once you have developed the project concept paper, please submit it to: cdphe_wqcd_nonpointsource+managers@state.co.us .
The Solution for Salt in Our Rivers? - 9 million tons: that's how much salt is carried in the Colorado River by the time it flows through the Hoover Dam. 800,000 tons comes from the Lower Gunnison Basin. This article in High Country News explores what irrigators in Western Colorado are doing to keep salt out of our water.
Colorado River Water Conservation District's ever-popular, one-day annual water seminar was attended by nearly 240, and, broadcast live via their Facebook page. Themed “Points of No Return,” the 2017 seminar highlighted some of the toughest issues facing the Colorado River and the more than 40 million people who rely on its water. The seminar’s program featured presentations and panel discussions, with a variety of water experts, focuses on agriculture and irrigation issues, Upper and Lower Basin drought contingency planning, collaborative conservation efforts, and more. For those unable to attend in person or via live feed, or those wanting to relive the awesome experience - please visit their seminar web page to access the presentations or view the footage of the entire seminar. Read HERE how these Colorado farmers banded together for their water supply after learning that their precious groundwater had plenty of demands and no supply.
How much will marijuana tax the West’s water supplies? No one knows the answer to that yet, but some in the industry are already working diligently to slash marijuana’s water footprint. Marijuana is known to be a thirsty crop, but much of that depends on how it’s grown.To get a feel for this landscape, Water Deeply recently interviewed Brandy Keen, co-founder and senior technical adviser at Surna <https://surna.com/>. The company, based in Boulder, Colorado, makes and distributes water-efficient indoor cultivation equipment and serves as a consultant to growers who want to manage their resource consumption and expenses. Read the article HERE.
Southern Rockies Fire Science Network announced their new four-part video series "Bridging The Divide" which explores the challenges and triumphs involved with the 2013 West Fork Fire Complex in southern Colorado. This 109,000-acre fire had unique impacts on the Rio Grande river watershed, two national forests, and related mountain communities. Each short is a compilation of post-fire interviews, workshops, and research presentations, highlighting the special conditions of the fire and the unique community outcomes. Through science, collaboration and partnerships these mountain communities are learning to live with fire in the landscape.
Part 1 (5:38): Bridging the Divide – The 2013 West Fork Fire Complex
Part 2 (2:58): Values and Risks
Part 3 (3:08): Forest Management
Part 4 (3:21): The Future of Our Forests
Do you have great ideas, research, or Environmental Education strategies to share? Help elevate EE by presenting at the annual Advancing Environmental Education Conference, "emPowered by Nature", Friday, March 2nd -Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 at the Auraria Campus in Denver. The conference offers a variety of sessions, inspiring speakers, and many opportunities for networking and discovering new ideas, tools and techniques. Proposals are due October 31st, 2017.