Happy April all!

We are excited to be springing back into the world at Western Slope Conservation Center. Lots has happened since our March newsletter and lots more happening before our next update in May.

We were happy to host our Annual Meeting on March 20th. Thank you to all who attended and for those that weren’t able to make it, catch up HERE.

We are again starting our MIKE’S HIKES program and already have about 10 hikes on the calendar. More information on our upcoming hikes below.

We are also thrilled to be diving back into hosting Conservation Days! We are now hosting all of Delta County’s 3rd graders at Paonia River Park on Thursday and Friday May 5th and 6th. Thank you to The Nature Connection, Delta County Schools, and all of the education station leaders for making this event possible!

Read more about Conservation Days, oil and gas updates, bills at the state legislature to watch, a recap of our annual (this year virtual) visit to Washington DC, and Paonia in Motion below.

And last but not least - looking ahead to River Fest in June - if you are a certified boat captain and/or want to volunteer your boat for Sunday June 5th, we would love to hear from you! Send an email to riverfest@theconservationcenter.org

For the love of the land,

Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Reform

In light of the most recent IPCC report, the science is unequivocal: immediate action is needed to avert the worst effects of the climate crisis. We must rapidly end fossil fuel development while helping communities transition to more just and equitable economies. The Biden Administration and its Department of Interior have acknowledged the significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions that stem from oil and gas development on public lands and the dangers these emissions pose to our planet and way of life. 

• Our public lands need to transition away from fossil fuel development that degrades lands and waters for communities and wildlife, and toward sustainable energy solutions that increase their fighting power against climate change. Now is the time to put words to action and rapidly end fossil fuel development while transitioning communities to a more just and equitable economy.

• How to act: Join us in sending a loud message to our Senators that Coloradans support policies to reform our broken oil and gas leasing system - submit a letter here! 

WSCC, COFFA, and VOGA DC Fly-In Recap

• Each year leaders from western Colorado’s North Fork (of the Gunnison River) Valley send a delegation to Washington DC to meet with Congressional and agency officials. This year was our second “virtual fly-in” conducted via Zoom - and we brought the message to "Keep the North Fork Fruitful" in recognition of our agricultural heritage and our commitment to secure protection and investments for this place to ensure its viability into the future. Organizations leading this effort include the Western Slope Conservation Center, the Colorado Farm & Food Alliance and the Valley Organic Growers Association. Through our discussions, we met with Sen. Hickenlooper, Sen. Bennet, Rep. Boebert, and representatives from the US Department of Agriculture.

Paonia in Motion continues to move

• The draft of the Paonia Parks, Recreation & Trails Master Plan is available for review and feedback! The Master Plan is intended to serve as the community’s roadmap for the future of parks, recreation amenities/facilities, and trails in and around Paonia. This draft of the Master Plan reflects the input that the Paonia community has shared over the course of the Paonia In Motion (PIM) planning process.

• TOMORROW! Please join the planning team on Thursday, April 14, 2022, for an Open House to review and discuss the draft of Paonia’s Parks, Recreation & Trails Master Plan. The Open House will be hosted from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Ellen Hansen Smith Center in Paonia’s Town Park. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, please visit: https://paoniainmotion.com/