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Winter 2020 Updates

What's New...

 

A Benefit for the Uncompahgre River

Return of the Fly Fishing Film Tour to Ridgway

Support projects that protect and restore your local river by coming out and being entertained by films about outdoor adventure and conservation through the lens of fly fishing. At the benefit, you can increase your contribution and your fun by entering drawings for great river gear from national event sponsors and local outfitters. As a longtime supporter of watershed protection and improvement, RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service recognizes access to quality waters as one of the most important resources for our community. RIGS is pleased to bring back FT3 as a fundraiser for the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership. 100% of all proceeds from admission and drawings go to the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership (UWP) for its efforts to preserve and improve riparian areas, fish habitat and recreation areas. 
 
Join us on Sat., March 14, 6 p.m., at the Sherbino Theater, 604 Clinton St., Ridgway. Information and tickets ($20 online in advance; $25 event day at the door):  https://shop.fishrigs.com/film-tour-tickets/

Official Film Selection: Project Rainbow 

How fitting that in 2020, the Fly Fishing Film Tour includes a short documentary about the Gunnison River, into which the Uncompahgre River flows. The film features the rainbow trout of the Gunnison Gorge at the mouth of the Black Canyon. Following the accidental introduction of whirling disease in 1993, these rainbows went from nearly 10,000 fish in a two-mile stretch of river to only 86 fish a decade later. Now these fish are making a strong comeback due to the efforts of concerned organizations and individuals. Their story serves as a beacon of hope for other North American fisheries that are feeling the impact of whirling disease. The film, Project Rainbow, is a Hog Leg Fly Fishing Production directed by Ben Bortner. Film partner Aaron Snyder will attend the Ridgway F3T event to talk about it. See the trailer:   https://www.hoglegflyfishing.com/media-page.

Meet UWP's Newest Board Members

Mary Menz

Prior to moving to Ridgway, Mary was education specialist and manager of the Teller-Park Conservation District, where she also managed its noxious weed program. She is also a member of the Ouray County Weed Board and is a volunteer at the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose as part of the team renovating its native plant garden. She has a special interest in riparian habitat and how it sustains local fauna such as migrating bird populations. Mary hopes to put her interest in soil and water conservation and outreach education to work for the UWP board. Learn more about Mary.

Arlen Huggins

As a researcher, Arlen worked on a variety of problems involving atmospheric remote sensing, the evolution of winter storms over mountainous terrain, predicting the transport and dispersion of aerosols over complex terrain, and many others. Two projects involved the evaluation of cloud seeding projects in Australia and Wyoming, using the trace chemical analysis of snow and stream samples. This last project piqued Arlen’s interest in the River Watch program, and he subsequently volunteered to collect water quality samples on the Uncompahgre. Learn more about Arlen.

Get the Blues at Ridgway RiverFest 2020!

Jack Hadley Blues Trio Booked

"Jack, formerly with Otis Taylor, is one of those rare guitarists who play just enough to make the song better – haunting Delta drones, snappy, popping chords and tasty licks...” – Andy Shaughnessy, The Atlanta Blues Society, Summer 2008

That's what music reviewers are saying about our headlining music act for the 13th annual Ridgway RiverFest on June 27, 2020. You have to join us to hear this great musician who is coming from the Denver area with his trio to make us smile, tap our feet and bob our heads in rhythmic joy. 

You'll also enjoy our new warm-up act this year! Lacey Black is coming up from Durango to get us swaying with her melodic piano and beautiful voice. So, join us for this priceless entertainment (free!).

No Junk of the Unc competition


Yes, you read that correctly. We are considering cutting the Junk of the Unc homemade boat competition from the 2020 Ridgway RiverFest. Due to declining participation in the Junk over the past few years, festival organizers are planning to replace that wacky competition with some other unique, fully entertaining river sport in 2020. Please contact us if you want us to keep the Junk (and plan to make and race your own watercraft), or if you have a replacement competition for us to to add to our river activities. Email Tanya at ridgwayriverfest@gmail.com.

We are currently putting together volunteer committees to help us organize the activities at RiverFest, such as the river races, the watershed education area and youth games. If you are interested and can commit just a few hours a month leading up to the festival on June 27, please email Tanya at ridgwayriverfest@gmail.com. 

RiverFest is also in need of food vendors: 
https://ridgwayriverfest.org/get-involved/
and sponsors:
https://ridgwayriverfest.org/sponsor-resources/
Thank you!

SAVE THE DATES
Sat., March 14 – A Benefit for the Uncompahgre River & Fly Fishing Film Tour (Ridgway)

March – Atlas Mill Proposed Project Presentation

May/June – Rollans Park Adopt-A-Park Volunteer Day (Ridgway)

Sat., June 27 – 13th Annual Ridgway RiverFest (Ridgway) featuring live music by the Jack Hadley Trio

September – Love Your Gorge volunteer day (Ouray Ice Park

Look for Call for Abstracts this spring and Registration this summer!
Many, many thanks to the donors who helped make our 2019 Year-End Membership and Donation Drive a great success. You can learn more about the programs supported by past donations in the 2019 Annual Report.

The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership receives financial and in-kind support from many generous donors, sponsors and granting organizations, including
BeP Earthwise Foundation
Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety
Double RL Ranch
Town of Ridgway
Marti & Patrick O'Leary
Gary Roberts
Telluride Foundation
For information about UWP:  
uncompahgrewatershed.org

To donate or become
a member of UWP: 
uncompahgrewatershed.org/
membership

To learn about ways for your shopping to send more donations our way (without costing you anything extra): Trigger Donations While You Shop
Copyright © 2020 Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, All rights reserved.


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