The Nature Conservancy’s latest effort to combat climate change is beautifully simple.  Small rock structures – a concept created by Bill Zeedyk, a retired U.S. Forest Service biologist – are being constructed by the Gunnison Climate Working Group* in Gunnison, Colorado to reduce the effects of rising temperatures on habitats and species.  “Climate change is among the most important issues of our time,” says Betsy Neely, a lead member of the project and the Conservancy’s senior conservation planner. “We need to take action now to prepare for change.”  SO SMALL, SO IMPORTANT The small rock structures, one-foot high dams that create a wet environment for plant and animal species along small streams within sagebrush shrublands, are a tangible step in the right direction.   “The rock structures slow water from snowmelt and summer rains, capturing sediments. Over time, the streambed begins to hold and spread water,” explains Neely. The structures effectively increase moisture in an area, helping wet-loving plants to flourish and creating invaluable habitat for species.  “Although riparian areas and wetlands occupy only a very small percentage of Colorado’s landscape, they provide important habitat for many of our wildlife species,” explains Neely. A PLACE TO RAISE One key species the group is targeting is the Gunnison Sage-grouse.   The brood-rearing habitat of the Gunnison Sage-grouse – wet meadows used by the birds to raise their young – is likely to further degrade from drought and heavy rains associated with a changing climate. The Sage-grouse, a Colorado Species of Special Concern, was recently proposed to be federally listed as Endangered. Neotropical migratory birds, elk, mule deer and domestic livestock also depend on these areas.  TAKING ACTION Over the past two years, partners built over 240 structures along 10 stream miles on private and public lands, with help from ranchers, volunteers, field crews and students. Preliminary response to the structures is promising; they are starting to capture sediments and hold/spread water, enabling wet-loving plants to thrive. Not only is the project helping directly reduce the effects of a changing climate, it’s helping to create a shift in thinking.   “The bottom line is that we need to take action, but a lot of us don’t know what to do,” says Neely. “This hands-on project is helping empower us – that we can make a difference – by taking well thought out, concrete action to help conserve nature and people in the face of a changing climate.”

Trip Tracker is an innovative Boulder Valley School District Program  that rewards kids for biking, walking, busing carpooling or parking 1/4 mile from school and walking (green trips) with an alternative currency they can spend in participating Boulder area merchants. It creates more fun times for kids and parents to connect, reduces congestion and pollution at school, helps improve kid's readiness to learn when they exercise and helps build a habit of low carbon transportation. 

Vision: GCN (a 501 c3 tax-deductible non-profit organization) inspires, designs and implements innovations that promote diversity, sustainability and beauty in our watershed's communities. To do this we….   Connect residents, support civic champions and unearth resources that further the liveability and affordability of our community. Learn through “AHA!”, breakthrough educational and creative experiences that enliven and empower our daily lives, and amplify our ability to overcome community challenges. Transform to realize positive environmental (including creating net zero communities), social and economic impacts such as at the 9 acre Boulder Communty Hospital Redevelopment site, the 3 block North St Eco-District (gentle infill) and the Scattered Site Pilot which supports alternatives to "Mcmansionizing" neighborhoods. Advocate for high quality design of new public infrastructure and private development in the Goose Creek watershed generally.

The mission of La Asociación CREAR is to provide supplemental educational, recreational, and career opportunities for community members, primarily youth with limited resources, in the rural beach communities surrounding Playa Sámara in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, by offering a wide variety of innovative programs focusing on academic and artistic education, environmental consciousness, health, and socio-cultural development.