Keep It Colorado’s Post

Along the Colorado-Wyoming border, hotter, dryer summers and recent megafires have threatened the vulnerable water supply of the Colorado River basin. To address this crisis, forest and river managers, conservation organizations, water districts, and family ranches have formed a new coalition, the Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative. The coalition has brought its divergent perspectives to tackle tough questions playing out on a rural western landscape facing catastrophic wildfire, such as: How much does the forest need fire to be healthy? To what extent should timber harvesting be encouraged to support the local economy, and how much vegetation should be left on the ground?   The Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative has engaged CBI to help it answer these and other questions. You can read more about this work in our latest "CBI in Action": https://lnkd.in/eAnH8-RN

Did you know The Conservation Fund has prioritized conservation of working farmland, ranchland and forests since our founding in 1985? Of the nearly 9 million acres across the U.S. we have protected, over 3 million acres are working lands that generate economic value and jobs in local communities. And in Georgia, we've secured over 1,100 acres across 22 farms in the region. Learn more about how we sustain working farms in Georgia and across the country: bit.ly/402pClE.

We were in it for the WIN. And we got there! The newest conservation law in Colorado, SB24-126, amplifies conservation by increasing the amount of available tax credits by $5 million, eliminating the waitlist, removing critical repeal dates of the tax credit program, and many other advances. What does it all mean? More landowners can receive incentives to conserve; smaller, lower-income landowners can more equitably benefit; there is greater representation and equity in the program; and the program continues its systems of accountability and integrity over the long term. Ultimately, that means more lands and waters are protected, benefiting people and wildlife for years to come. Read all about it in our new fact sheet. https://lnkd.in/gJdPFHTR

"All power comes from the land; absolute power comes from God..." It was enlightening to attend the 9th annual Rural & Limited Resource Landowner Symposium, hosted by the Center for Heirs' Property Preservation. Listening to Shirley Sherrod recount her journey of breaking barriers for herself and other Black landowners in America's Black Belt is a testament to the power of resilience and success. By connecting landowners with the necessary information and resources, we can help them overcome systemic challenges and secure funding. This ensures they maximize the value and enjoyment of their land and forest resources, fostering a sustainable future for all. As foresters, we must share vital information with landowners. What do you feel they should know but might need to be made aware of? Share your insights in the comments below! #ForestProud #Conservation #Timberland #Agriculture #CHPP

In a state with unpredictable weather, water conservation is top of mind for many Coloradans. Conserving water isn’t just about saving a few drops; it’s about coming together to protect the rivers and streams that nurture our communities and ecosystems. It’s a shared commitment to keeping our beautiful state vibrant and healthy for everyone, including the fish and wildlife that depend on our waterways. For all the things you value about Colorado, including its water resources, consider making a gift for Colorado Gives Day: https://lnkd.in/gayiwf66

TSF is playing an important role in conserving, improving, and protecting our nation's cold water resources while providing angling opportunities for future generations. Take five minutes to learn more about TSF's work!

Greenbelt Foundation's $141,000 grant will help Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) restore and expand forests and tallgrass prairies. By Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter. Investment will support restoration and stewardship work on conserved and private lands on a section of the Oak Ridges Moraine in the Kawarthas. https://lnkd.in/dxr3HFGF

🎉 A major win for water conservation in Colorado. 🎉 Western Resource Advocates' Lindsay Rogers, Jessica Gelay, and Chelsea Benjamin joined sponsors Senator Dylan Roberts, Rep. Karen McCormick, and Rep. Barbara McLachlan as Gov. Jared Polis signed SB24-005 into law. Why is SB24-005 so exciting? This bill will promote water-wise landscaping across Colorado by prohibiting the installation of nonfunctional turf, invasive plant species, and artificial turf in any newly developed commercial, institutional, industrial, and state property, as well as parking lots and medians. 💧 This bill not only saves a significant amount of water but also reduces a reliance on pesticides and gas-powered lawn equipment. It also opens up space for native plants, local birds, and bees, to thrive. 🐝 🌱

Washington College’s Center for Environment and Society (CES), in collaboration with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and ShoreRivers, has announced its proposal for the Whole Watershed Fund, a five-year pilot program aimed at advancing conservation and restoration efforts in Maryland. This competitive initiative, backed by state funds, will target five watersheds across the state, with two located in predominately agricultural regions. The Langford Watershed Alliance will focus its efforts on the Langford Creek watershed in Kent County. The initiative seeks to implement best management practices (BMPs) that support water quality improvement and habitat restoration, working directly with agricultural landowners to create impactful, cost-effective solutions that can drive rapid and systemic environmental benefits. Kent County and watershed-based landowners are encouraged to sign a Letter of Support, which expresses their willingness to collaborate with the Langford Watershed Alliance. Many have already pledged to partner on this Alliance, however, landowner support and involvement in this project is critical for success. If you are interested in supporting, please contact Chelsea Peters at cpeters4@washcoll.edu by November 30, 2024.

On Oct 9, U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace (R-SC), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan North American Grasslands Conservation Act, which would accelerate the voluntary conservation and restoration of grasslands and sagebrush-steppe ecosystems – and the livelihoods and wildlife dependent upon them. Why? Because more than 70 percent of America’s tallgrass, mixed grass, and shortgrass prairies have vanished, followed by the precipitous decline of grassland bird populations. The NAGCA legislation is modeled after the successful North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and would create a landowner-driven, voluntary, and incentive-based grant program to conserve American’s critically imperiled grasslands. Read more from TRCP! https://lnkd.in/eF78DEYc