Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership July Newsletter

[Emily Galanto]

July Newsletter

Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership

Greetings!

Updates:

It is the pleasure of the UWP to announce that the Uncompahgre Watershed Plan has been completed and submitted as of June 30, 2012. This is a huge step for the UWP, and will help our organization start implementing projects, improving our outreach programs, and increasing stakeholders and partnerships. Thank you to all who were part of the process; the UWP cannot express enough gratitude for all the hard work of Sarah Sauter, our stakeholders, steering committee, and volunteers put into this project. A recent draft can be found on this website: http://www.uncompahgrewatershed.org/?page_id=232. A final document will be available shortly. 

The UWP is also proud to report that the 5th Annual Ridgway River Festival was a huge success! Despite the construction, there were quite a few people in attendance enjoying the music and the river races! Additionally, we had enthusiastic visitors to the Water Education Tent. Thank you to Black Canyon Regional Land Trust, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Forest Service and Transition Ourway for coming and being a part of the "WET!" 

We also were able to raise over $1800 at our Silent Auction! UWP will be splitting the proceeds with the MOSAIC Community Project, who worked so hard to put on this great event. A big thank you also to Rein and Jan van West, Ken and Carol Lipton and Andrew Madison (UWP's 1st VISTA!) for volunteering at the UWP booth! 

In partnership with the Ouray County Weed Department, the June Weed Pulls were a success! We completed four evenings of pulling weeds, and filled almost 20 bags of Spotted Knapweed along the stream bank in Rollans Park! We also all got to enjoy a free beer or two, thanks to the Town of Ridgway, after the events. 

Upcoming Events:

July 14 is the state-wide "Pulling for Colorado" event. Ouray County will be celebrating by pulling weeds along the Uncompahgre River Walk in Ouray. We will be meeting at the Visitor's Center at 10am, and a delicious lunch will be provided thanks to the Ouray County Weed Department! The Ouray Trails Group will also be joining us. Spread the word! It should be a fun event for all!

The UWP and the Ouray County Weed Department will be continuing with weed pulls in July. The next weed pull will be Tuesday, July 10 at 5pm at the Athletic Field in Ridgway. If you'd like more detailed information, please e-mail uwpv...@gmail.com.  These weed pulls are designed to avoid spraying herbicides, so please come out and volunteer!

Friends of the Ridgway State Park will be hosting their 4th annual Lake Appreciation Day on July 21 from 10am-3pm at Ridgway State Park. The UWP will be putting together a water education element, and will be joined by Mountain Studies Institute! There will also be food, raffles, and free boat tours! Come spend a day by the Reservoir and support your lake!

August 6-10 and 13-16, the UWP and the Ouray County Weed Department will be executing a tamarisk-removal project in Ridgway State Park, and a re-vegetation project in Rollans Park. This project was made possible by funds from the Ouray County Weed Department, and a grant written by Matt Jurjonas from the Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund. We are seeking volunteers to help us complete this project. If you are available and interested, please e-mail uwpv...@gmail.com so you can be updated on specifics for the project! You can volunteer for a few hours, or a few days -- any help is appreciated! 

Thank you all and have a wonderful month of July!

--
Emily Galanto
Outreach Coordinator | OSM/VISTA
Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership

PO Box 1882, Ouray, CO 81427
http://uncompahgrewatershed.org

UWPV...@gmail.com