BTWC 2022 Q1 Newsletter
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Moving Forward in a New Year – New Director and President’s Message
 
 
Greetings Big Thompson Watershed Coalition friends and supporters! It’s hard to believe that it’s only been a handful of months since Rich and I started our new positions as President of the Board and Director of the Big Thompson Watershed Coalition (BTWC). It has been a flurry of activity. Many projects are already moving forward at rapid speed.
 

Our plans for the near future are very exciting indeed – we think you’ll agree! For the first time in the history of the Big Thompson Watershed Coalition, we will be hiring a third employee – a Forestry Project Manager – to help build BTWC’s collaborative wildfire recovery and wildfire mitigation initiative. The City of Loveland recently committed to acting as a fiscal agent for BTWC to funnel significant state and US Forest Service funding to the watershed for erosion control efforts in the Cameron Peak Fire burn footprint. We continue to build on our collaborations with many great local and regional partners to work together to achieve seamless conservation and restoration in the watershed. And we continue finding opportunities to implement more restoration and enhancement projects on the river.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the previous president, Larry Rogstad, and Director, Courtney Gutman, for their service and support of this organization. Without their leadership, as well as the support of the entire Board of Directors, we would not be in the wonderful place we are today. We are in the midst of building the capacity of the Coalition to allow us to successfully achieve our mission of collaboratively working to protect and restore the health and vitality of the Big Thompson watershed.

This added capacity couldn’t come at a better time. Between Cameron Peak Fire Recovery efforts, forest restoration and wildfire mitigation projects, the increasing frequency of wildfires throughout the year, pursuing funding for river enhancement projects identified in our Stream Management Plan, and planning for fundraising activities like the Estes Park Duck Race and the Trek the Thompson events, there is so much work to be done!

When we think about all that we are accomplishing and what the future may hold, we are inspired by a vision of a more resilient watershed and river system. It enlivens us to know we have the support of our local community members, partners, and funders – it makes the work we do that much easier. So please, consider continuing to support by
“adopting” a duck on behalf of BTWC, following us on social media to stay up to date on our events, or by sharing our cause with your friends and family.  
 

Sincerely,
Richard Alper, President 
Laura Quattrini, Director  

 

Big Thompson Watershed Coalition Would Like to Take a Moment to Remember Dick Jefferies 

Earlier this month, Dick Jefferies, the former President of the Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a close partner of BTWC, passed away. Dick was our friend and cohort in watershed stewardship and we want to recognize his instrumental efforts in preserving and improving our Front Range streams for fish, wildlife, and for those who are drawn by the magic of rivers. 

Three months after becoming President of the Rocky Mountain Flycasters, the High Park Fire broke out. Perceiving that it would take a diverse team to successfully restore the area, he used his networking skills to bring the right people and organizations together with a shared commitment toward promoting forest restoration for river health. He harnessed that energy to build the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed and was its first Board President. These efforts carried over to the Big Thompson Watershed. Working with other Rocky Mountain Flycasters and community members, Dick helped to start the Big Thompson Watershed Coalition on the heels of a devastating flood.

As a Coalition member Dick spearheaded the community effort to replace the Big Thompson Fishing Pier located downstream of Estes Park. The original pier, designed to provide angler access for people challenged with mobility, was a canyon landmark. When it was destroyed in the 2013 flood, community surveys listed it as the number one priority for restoration. The pier became one of Dick’s priorities, and through his connections and passion he saved the community thousands of dollars in restoring this iconic canyon landmark. 

Most importantly, as it was Dick’s mission in life, the Pier brings individuals closer to the River, and the River closer to people’s hearts. Those of us who advocate for our Watershed are blessed to have the Big Thompson Fishing Pier. When we drive by or stop and stand on the Pier, we will forever be reminded of our friend in all things River, our cohort Dick Jefferies! He will always be with us at the River!


In lieu of flowers Dick requested donations be made to Trout Unlimited. Gifts can be sent to: Rocky Mountain Flycasters, PO Box 1694, Fort Collins CO 80524-1694.

  



Estes Park Rotary Club is hosting their 34th annual Duck Race Festival this Saturday,
May 7th, 2022 at 1pm MST!


The Duck Race is a fun annual event that helps local organizations raise money and provides anyone who adopts a rubber duck the chance to win awesome prizes.
 
This year the Duck Race is in person and back on the river – plus, live streaming of the race will be available!
 
Ducks are $22 each or $110 for a Quack Pack of 6 ducks. There will be up to 500 prizes to win, from National Park getaways in Glacier and Yellowstone, to cash prizes up to $8,000, to so much more! 
 
When you adopt your ducks, you get to choose a charity to support. Please consider choosing Big Thompson Watershed Coalition for your charity. We will receive $19 from each adoption. Our goal this year is to sell 210 duck and raise $4,000 for our work in the watershed, and we can only get there with your help! 
 
Over the last year, Big Thompson Watershed Coalition has been a leader in Cameron Peak Fire recovery efforts, we worked with communities on forest health and wildfire risk reduction projects and planning, and we completed our River Envisioning Project that uses input from hundreds of community members and partners to outline priorities for Big T River enhancement projects over the next 20 years.
 
Without continued support from our community and partners, we will not be able to accomplish all the goals and work we have in the watershed. A duck purchased in support of BTWC will go directly toward our work of building a healthier more resilient watershed for all!  
 
You can adopt your ducks today by scanning the QR code above with your phone/tablet camera or by visiting epduckrace.org/big-t-watershed-coalition  
 
The event will begin at Fall River behind Nicky’s Steakhouse in Estes Park starting at 1pm MST on May 7th, 2022.
We hope you win!  

 
Vision: 
A healthy and resilient Big Thompson watershed benefitting fish, wildlife, and the people it serves through collaborative efforts for current and future generations.

Mission: 
Working with others to take action that protects and restores the health and vitality of the Big Thompson watershed for the use and enjoyment of our community.


            
Watch Here! 

May is Wildfire Awareness Month and we're excited to kick it off by sharing this brand new educational video!

BTWC, The Ember Alliance, Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, and the Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative partnered to produce this video on why we pile burn, where to get training on pile burning, and tips for building and burning your slash piles. 

To reduce the risk of future severe wildfires and their impact on our communities, lands, and water resources, we must act to decrease the density and amount of woody material in our forests. 

One of our best tools for reducing woody materials and wildfire risk is slash pile burning.

If done under correct conditions and with training, slash pile burning is a safe and effective way to use fire as a helpful tool. Learn more about pile burning and where you can receive training in the video! 



This video was developed using funding provided by the U.S. Forest Service and produced by Evan Barrientos.


 
 

With the help of our supporters and partners, we look forward to these project developments in 2022


           

We need our community's ongoing support to continue our important work in post-fire recovery, forest management, long-term planning, and community outreach and engagement.
                
Donate Via CO Gives
Support BTWC with King Sooper's Community Rewards Program
Support BTWC With All Your Amazon Purchases
Learn More About BTWC's Work
 
Your donation or support will go directly toward work that supports the long-term health of the watershed and our community so we are better prepared to deal with today's and future challenges.

We are enormously grateful for any support you are able to provide.

With many thanks, 
 The BTWC Board of Directors and Staff





Big Thompson Watershed
Coalition Staff


  Laura Quattrini
  Director 
(970) 699-2906
  laura.quattrini@bigthompson.co

Will Davis
Communication & Outreach Manager
(970) 800-1126
will.davis@bigthompson.co 

  Mailing: PO Box 1923 Loveland CO 80539
 Physical:1530 N. Boise St, Ste 204c, Loveland 80538
                     

  
           
                 




        
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Big Thompson Watershed Coalition · PO Box 1923 · Loveland, CO 80539 · USA

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