Providing updates about our work in conservation, outdoor recreation, and the environment here in western Colorado |
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Our CORE Giving Circle gathered in-person for the first time in two years to award more than $50,000 to 11 deserving nonprofits across our region. Donors reviewed 18 proposals requesting over $80,000. Below are the projects selected by members of the Giving Circle:
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies; Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Habitat Restoration, $4,000 - The Higher Ground Ranch, in the North Fork Valley, hosts almost four miles of riparian habitat and the landowner is working with the Bird Conservancy on a restoration plan across the ranch to improve habitat conditions for a myriad of wildlife, especially riparian restoration for trout.
Colorado Canyons Association; Exploring Collaborative Stewardship Models, $1,000 -This effort will bring several conservation organizations to the table and result in more strategic and collaborative concrete action steps for stewardship efforts throughout the region.
Colorado Discover Ability; Young Adult Summer Camp, $5,400 - Navigating young adulthood is challenging and can be particularly acute for young adults with disabilities. Young Adult Day Camp (ages 21-38) will provide the opportunity for individuals to continue to grow within a safe environment that connects them to themselves, others, and the natural world.
Colorado Public Radio; Tapped Out: Drinking Water and Environmental Justice, $2,500 - CPR News is collaborating with Institute for Nonprofit News and seven news organizations with national and regional reach to provide stories highlighting the issues at stake for tribal communities and the entire Colorado River Basin.
Colorado West Land Trust; Monument Corridor Stewards, $2,000 - CWLT will continue restoration work, working with youth and community volunteers to pull weeds, plant native vegetation, cut and transplant willows, collect native seed and re-seed, and monitor progress.
Colorado Water Trust; Restoring the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River, $2,500 - In 2019, partners struck an innovative agreement designed to boost flows in the 15-Mile Reach, which begins at the roller dam in De Beque Canyon, when the river runs low. The 15-Mile Reach project is implemented by securing water from upstream sources. The CORE grant provides an important local match for the project.
Eureka! McConnell Science Museum; Dig In!, $5,000 - Eureka! will renovate an outdated and underused building at the Colorado State University Western Colorado Research Center into a licensed classroom for agriculture and climate science education.
Outdoor Wilderness Lab; Tuition Assistance, $11,250 - With this funding OWL can provide ten full-ride scholarships to nine middle school students in School District 51.
RiversEdge West; River Stewardship Program, $4,750 - RiversEdge West will develop a River Stewardship Program that will set the stage for a more sustainable approach to managing maintenance work into the future, engage the local community, and serve as an opportunity to engage the youth participating in the River Education Program in a rewarding hands-on experience.
The Nature Connection; The Wilder Bunch Youth Crew Truck, $10,000 - This grant will purchase and outfitt a dedicated truck and trailer for The Nature Connection’s trail crew. A truck will not only allow the trail crew to meet the growing needs for trail maintenance, but also significantly increase TNC's capacity as an organization.
Wilderness Workshop; Elevating Climate Solutions, $2,500 - WW is working towards the goal of reducing the climate impacts of energy development on public lands. This funding will allow WW to engage in federal land management planning processes.
2021 CORE Fund Highlights
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We welcomed 8 new CORE donors, comprising of three new Giving Circle members, including our first business, Alpine Bank
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Over $120,000 in new donation in 2021
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$50,900 awarded in grants
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$275,000 endowment balance as of 12/31/2021
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Your Mesa County Trail Crew
Unsung heroes of places we walk, run, and ride
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Did you know that Mesa County Public Health employs a professional trail crew? The four-person crew works on public lands throughout the county from the beginning of February through early December. The crew focuses on maintenance and making our trail systems more sustainable by closing social trails, installing drains and water bars, building check dams and reseeding impacted areas. Given the ever-increasing use of our trails, especially during the past two years, sustainable trails and maintenance is more important than ever.
Our trail crew was busy last year putting in 5,684 hours of work on public lands. Below are just a few highlights of the work they accomplished:
- 61 miles of trails improved
- 41 social trails closed (over 5,000 feet)
- 366 drains built, 299 maintained
- 82 water bars installed, 76 maintained
- 70 check dams built, 61 maintained
- Over 1 square mile revegetated
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It's all in the dirt
Citizens for Clean Air Biochar study
According to the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service, “Biochar is a black carbon produced from biomass sources (i.e. wood chips, plant residues, manure, or other agricultural waste products) for the purpose of transforming the biomass carbon into a more stable form.” Otherwise known as carbon sequestration.
Citizens for Clean Air has long been interested in better understanding the potential benefits of biochar to reduce seasonal burning of various sources of biomass (which severely impacts air quality in the Grand Valley) in addition to the potential of biochar increasing crop yields for local farmers when integrated into soils. In 2020, our community foundation supported Citizens for Clean Air’s initial biochar study.
The study took place during the 2021 growing season by incorporating biochar as a top dressing onto several local garden plots. Volunteers grew vegetables in 4 experimental plots that differed by the top dressings:
· Plot 1 had 20% biochar combined with compost.
· Plot 2 had 10% biochar combined with compost.
· Plot 3 had only compost with no biochar.
· Plot 4 was the control, with no top dressing.
Each of the subplots were planted with the same set of crops – bell peppers, chili peppers, eggplant, and kale. According to the data and observations, the vegetables did better with a compost biochar mix. Citizens for Clean Air also found more soil microbial action in the compost biochar plots.
Citizens for Clean Air plans on repeating the experiment this year at the existing plots as well as expanding the experiment to more sites throughout the Grand Valley. The organization is actively recruiting volunteers to tend the vegetables and collect data. Additionally they are looking for more plot sites with access to water. It’s fun, interesting, educational, and ultimately will offer an alternative to outdoor burning for our farmers and residents of the Grand Valley, along with healthier soils that conserve water!
Read Citizens for Clean Air full 2021 biochar report here. If you're interested in volunteering or would like to host a plot, please contact Karen Sjoberg, (970) 242-1054, citizensforcleanairgj@gmail.com
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Colorado Canyons Association
Exploring Collaborative Stewardship
The CORE Fund provided support to Colorado Canyons Association to organize a collaborative stewardship planning meeting with other organizations. Earlier this month, representatives from Colorado West Land Trust, RiversEdge West, Grand Valley Audubon, COPMOBA, Colorado National Monument Association, One Riverfront, Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition, Eureka! Science Museum, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, and Colorado Canyons Association gathered at the Colorado West Land Trust office to discuss ways to increase volunteer engagement for stewardship projects. The group will continue to meet and plan as they share stewardship opportunities among the organizations' volunteers.
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Happy Birthday!
RiversEdge West
RiversEdge West (REW) celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. What began as a small group of individuals concerned about invasive species, particularly tamarisk, has evolved into a landscape-scale restoration organization working in watersheds across the American West.
Our Community Foundation is pleased to support REW's work and we look forward to the next 20 years!
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Donor Spotlight: Dave Murphy |
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How long have you been involved with the Community Foundation?
DM: My wife Crystal and I created a donor-advised fund at WCCF in 2002, and I was on the Board of Directors from 2014 to 2020. We were part of the founding group of CORE members and I’ve had the opportunity to participate in making funding decisions and to visit non-profits that CORE supports.
What drew you to become CORE donors?
DM: I moved here in 1990 for a job opportunity, from Illinois. I was struck by the beauty of the landscape and realized how fragile some of our resources are, and that motivated me to want to help protect them. I also have a faith system that ties in care for all of God’s creation as a basic belief, and joined advocacy groups like Western Colorado Congress to work for protections. The nice thing about the CORE group is that nearly everyone can agree on the non-controversial, fundamental benefits we all enjoy by investing in non-profits that work in conservation, outdoor education, and basic care for creation.
What is your favorite place (or fishing hole) in western Colorado?
DM: Wow, so many possibilities. I like Yankee Boy Basin for the scenery and the Gothic area for the biking, but I also like the White River valley and Marvines for the fishing. And you can never go wrong with Alexander Lake Lodge on top of Grand Mesa, especially on a cold winter night. I guess it depends on the season and the mood!
What are some of your favorite books about the American West or nature?
DM: I like Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner, a highly detailed description of the quest for water in the arid American West. I also like books about Native American culture and history in the West, including Black Elk Speaks and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, and just about anything by Ed Abbey.
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Tell Me More... What is C.O.R.E? |
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Conservation. Outdoor Recreation. Environment.
Our Community Foundation is making a committed effort to expand funding and better support the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of natural ecosystems important to the quality of life and economy of our communities in western Colorado.
With the enthusiasm and financial support of 32 founding donors, the CORE Giving Circle, who care about the environment, our Community Foundation is building an endowment fund to increase funding and distribute grants in support of conservation, outdoor recreation, and environment (CORE) projects.
The CORE Fund supports a wide span of projects as there are many issues to work on related to protecting and enhancing our environment and outdoor lifestyle. Like-minded donors who care about these issues and want to make grant investments are encouraged to join us! CORE Fund donors participate in the annual process to review projects and determine grants, go on project site visits, and attend special education events. For more information, contact eorbanek@wc-cf.org.
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Building CORE Strength Here in Western Colorado...
Our goal is to provide more support through increased funding, technical assistance, collaboration-building, and education focused on conservation, outdoor recreation, and environment projects protecting and enhancing the place we live in and call home
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Interested in supporting our work?
Please consider a donation today.
Any size gift is appreciated!
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