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Generation Wild Intern Wraps Up Summer at RMFI
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Congratulations and thanks to Dianaliz Cruz-Rodriguez who just completed a summer position at  RMFI as our first-ever Generation Wild Intern! Over the course of the summer, Dianaliz worked alongside RMFI field instructors at our local project sites, gaining technical skills in trail work and environmental restoration, and developing her leadership skills while guiding community volunteers in project work. Originally hailing from Puerto Rico, Dianaliz is entering her junior year at Sierra High School where she is already taking college level courses through an Advanced Placement program. In her free time, Dianaliz enjoys cooking and training at her boxing gym.
Generation Wild is a program funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) with the goal of getting kids, teens, and young adults outside by providing education, equipment, access, and career development opportunities.
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Congratulations Earth Corps Class of 2019!
On July 8th, Clara Stein, Leslie Andros, Riley de Ryk, Matt Deyoe, Quinn Collins, and Joseph Lococo met for the first time at our RMFI office and then promptly headed southwest to the Sangres with RMFI's High Alpine Field Instructors, Mary and Porter. After a short layover day of education and play at Great Sand Dunes National Park, the crew hiked into the Willow Lake Basin where they camped, worked, studied, and enjoyed life in the mountains until this past Sunday, July 28. These incredible students made a significant contribution of time and sweat equity to the Kit Carson-Challenger Ridge Trail Improvement Project, took in lessons from visiting academic and professional lecturers, earned 4 college credits in Environmental Studies and Geography, withstood thick swarms of mosquitoes, and made memories and friendships that we hope will last their lifetimes. Congratulations to this group of bright and brilliant students and future leaders. Best of luck with the coming school year!
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The RMFI Cowbell
Summer rolls on at RMFI! Although snow continues to linger in the highest reaches of our worksite on the Kit Carson-Challenger Ridge Trail Realignment project, July finally provided the conditions needed to get to work up there in the Sangres.
Click here to continue reading about this and other projects.
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RMF-IPA at Fossil Craft Beer Co. Benefits RMFI!
The RMFI collaboration beer at Fossil Craft Beer Company was lovingly brewed this past April with RMFI staff assistance and tapped in honor of Colorado Public Lands Day on May 18, 2019. The limited edition IPA was brewed with only Colorado sourced ingredients and was delicious beyond our expectations! So many thanks to this awesome local brewery for making a recipe that matched our long-time dream of a beer called RMF-IPA, and donating the proceeds back to support our work in the community. Cheers!
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5th Annual Dirt Camp with Catamount Institute
This past July, RMFI teamed up with the Catamount Institute for the 5th year in a row to co-host Dirt Camp, a 5-day educational service camp for youth ages 10 to 12. This year our campers worked each morning with some of our field instructors to mitigate erosion in Garden of the Gods! They learned how to build rock check dams, install erosion control matting, and close down rogue trails. In the afternoons, these young stewards completed environmental science experiments and attended educational field trips with the summer camp staff of Catamount. Even though it was one of the hottest weeks of the summer, the kids were happy to help out one of Colorado Springs' beloved parks. Their positive attitudes and curiosity about restoration work made our team feel like we were fostering the next generation of RMFI staff! We can't wait to work with them again next year!
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Bob Weggel Endowment Match - Double Your Donation!
From now until September 1, every dollar you donate to RMFI will be doubled thanks to a generous matching grant from Bob Weggel. There is no better time to give to RMFI. So please, make your gift of $10, $20, $50, $100 or the most generous amount you can by visiting RMFI.org/Donate today. Or, return your send to RMFI, 815 S. 25th Street, Suite 101, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904. Thank you for your support!
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Thanks to the Barr Trail Mountain Race!
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The Barr Trail Mountain Race (BTMR) took place on Sunday, July 28. Prior to this year's race, RMFI and volunteers spent 6 total workdays on the trail, putting in sub-surface stabilization timbers and reinforcing retaining walls and other trail features. We sincerely appreciate the  BTMR for their support of our work and the volunteers that make it all happen. Race entry discounts were provided to all interested volunteers and one free race entry was put in a volunteer prize drawing. Congratulations to volunteer Marc for winning the entry and completing the race last Sunday! BTMR will also be donating a portion of their proceeds to RMFI and other deserving nonprofits that they support. Thank you so much, BTMR!
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Be a Part of RMFI's Give! Campaign. Make Us a Match!
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Give! is an annual philanthropic platform that provides valuable media exposure, volunteers, board development and much-needed financial support to excellent,  innovative and often little-known Pikes Peak region nonprofits. RMFI will be running our 10th annual Indy Give! campaign to close out 2019 and is seeking generous businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe in our work and are interested in playing a big role in the success of our campaign as a matching grantor. If you are interested in learning more about this philanthropic opportunity, please contact us at rmfi@rmfi.org.
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Welcome New Gear Volunteer!
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Let’s give a warm welcome to our newest Gear Volunteer, Jon Fisher! As a Colorado native raised on a ranch in Conifer, Jon has maintained and repaired tools practically his whole life. After several years away on duty with the military, he is happy to be back in Colorado. He is currently a firefighter with the United State Air Force Academy who is passionate about the outdoors. When he’s not battling a blaze or volunteering with RMFI, he enjoys backpacking, hiking, and spending time with his wife and son.
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Become a Citizen Scientist
Citizen science is the involvement of the public in community-driven scientific research and provides a sustainable system for monitoring land stewardship and restoration activities. RMFI's Citizen Science program engages community volunteers in the measurement of ecological parameters at RMFI project sites over time. Currently the program is focused in Garden of the Gods with plans to expand to additional locations in future years.
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6th Annual Creek Week
Creek Week 2019 is set for September 28 to October 6. Creek Week is the largest watershed-wide cleanup in Colorado, last year engaging nearly 3,000 volunteers to remove 24 tons of litter from Palmer Lake to Pueblo and beyond! All citizens are encouraged to participate either individually in a public event or form a Creek Crew or their own! More information on getting involved can be found at www.fountaincreekweek.com.
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New Patient Program!
Looking for a dentist office? Look no further than Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, now supporting RMFI through their new patient donation program, and also volunteering as a staff this summer to help with the Devil's Playground Reroute project!
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Support RMFI While You Shop!
RMFI is proud to be partnering with King Soopers and City Market on their Community Rewards Program! Just by doing your regular grocery shopping, you can help RMFI raise funds to support our mission, and helping us is really easy. All you have to do is link your store loyalty cards to RMFI so that we get a percentage of your normal purchases. To enroll, login to your King Soopers account and/or your City Market account, click the Community Rewards link on the left, search for “Rocky Mountain Field Institute”, and click the “Enroll” button. It’s that easy!
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Your Support at Work
We leverage a small staff to create big on-the-ground results. We rely on the generosity of others and are committed to being responsible stewards of the time, money, and in-kind contributions entrusted to us. Want to help us continue doing our high-impact work in the natural landscapes we call home? Please consider making a financial contribution!
Donate here or contact us at rmfi@rmfi.org.
Help us get the word out; please forward this email to a friend!
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