News from around Colorado – June 2019
News and opportunities for working lands in Colorado
Pollinator habitat planting at CSU Western Colorado Research Center in Fruita, CO. Photo: John Rizza.
Highlights
SNOTEL Current Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) % of Normal
Our river basins are seeing record amounts of water in the snow pack. The SWE map is updated daily and provides a visual estimate of the amount of water left in the snowpack. The SWE percent of normal represents the current SWE found at selected SNOTEL sites compared to the average value for those sites on this day.
Young and veteran farmers and ranchers are doing great things out there for their local communities. There are many discussions around how to maintain and enhance sustainability on small local farms (economically, ecologically, and socially). This documentary I recently came across focuses on innovative food systems in the Roaring Fork Valley that help remove common barriers that prevent young people from getting involved with agriculture.
CSU is introducing a valuable new mobile app that highlights the native – and a few invasive – woody plant species you might encounter while traveling across Colorado. Learning to identify plants in open spaces, wilderness areas, and your own backyard is exciting and connects you to our rich natural heritage. Knowing a plant’s name and characteristics is a gateway into learning more about its ecology, importance to humans and wildlife, and conservation practices to promote biodiversity.
Upcoming Events
CO SRM Summer Workshop & Tour – June 19-20 | Wray, CO
LandPKS Training and Stults Ranch, a homesteaded property since 1886. They always strive to do the ‘right’ thing – A thing is “right” – A thing is “right” when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. We will visit the Black Wolf property, with a small stream, a very active beaver population, thriving riparian community and recently, a bison herd. The Colorado Section-Society for Range Management and Stults Ranch are pleased to provide this learning opportunity
Restoration Workshop – June 20 | Fort Collins, CO
Join RiversEdge West, the Cross-Watershed Network, and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies for a restoration workshop focused on Colorado Front Range flood-affected communities. Registration is $15 and includes lunch.
Topics will include:
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- Holistic watershed management
- Weed control and riparian vegetation management, including biocontrol
- Mine reclamation and water quality
- Beaver dam analogs for restoration
- Funding opportunities for work on your lands and more!
- In addition to presentations, there will be time incorporated for both topic discussion and networking.
Breakfast with the Pros – Farmers Markets – June 28 | Broomfield, CO
Join the Colorado Department of Agriculture on Friday June 28th, 8:30 am to Noon, for a mini workshop that will present you with key fundamentals for farmer market success. Perfect for start-up businesses and individuals who want to be more successful at farmers markets!
Workshop Cost: $20 per person. Catered breakfast and program materials included in price!
One Last Thing (actually two!)
Bighorn/Domestic Sheep Working Group – Science Workshop/Webinar
On June 10 and 11, 2019 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) hosted an informational webinar and meeting. Over the two days, great information was shared. They have posted the complete recording of the webinar to a Google Drive folder available on the link (in the title). You should be able to access it with the greatest of ease. If you are concerned about Bighorn and Domestic sheep in Colorado, this is a valuable group to be involved with. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to talk more about this Working Group.
Landowner’s Trusted Channels of Communication Survey
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to respond to our brief survey. If you have not yet participated, we welcome your input, and we hope you’ll take a few minutes to complete and submit the survey (link in title).
After a brief look at the initial responses, we are already working to help bring you the information you are asking for in a timely manner.
Thank you!
If you have news to share, need more information, or have any questions, feel free to send me a message: john@westernlandowners.org.
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