Special consideration will be given to activities that particularly affect unincorporated Boulder County and for that demonstrate ongoing effort. One-time efforts resulting in lasting benefit to the County’s environmental landscape will also be favored for selection. Other award selection criteria include conservation activities that are a model for others or that increase public awareness of land conservation.

Since 1992, Boulder County has honored individuals or groups with its Land Conservation Award for outstanding contributions made to the conservation, preservation and protection of the county’s land-based environmental resources.  These contributions have included achievements in agriculture, wildlife habitat, forestry, volunteer services and open space and conservation education. 

For more information on the Land Conservation awards program or to request nomination forms, please call (303) 678-6277 or visit http://www.bouldercounty.org/openspace/landaward.htm. The Boulder County Commissioners will present the awards at a date and time to be announced in early 2010.

Last year’s award recipients were Craig Sterkel, Land Conservation Award, for outstanding achievement in land preservation through stewardship of County-owned land and many contributions towards the County goal to preserve agricultural land; Ben Turner with the ¡Cultiva! Youth Project of Growing Gardens, Environmental Stewardship, for outstanding achievement through the ¡Cultiva! youth-operated organic market garden; June Peterson Howard, Heritage Award, for her commitment to historic preservation through the purchase and preservation of the Pilot Mine and Shaft House in the Sunshine community.

Two volunteer awards were also presented to Diane Karash for her outstanding contribution as a cultural history volunteer since 1994 and to Tina Pohlmann for outstanding contribution as an Extension volunteer promoting food preservation.

Reynolds Ranch is located south of the town of Nederland and many of the slash piles are near Magnolia Road. Mud Lake Open Space is located north of Nederland off of County Road 126J. The slash pile burning will not affect public access.

The slash piles are from three forest thinning projects that began in 2004. It is common practice to ignite slash piles during snowfall and winter conditions.

The piles will burn through Friday evening and many of the larger slash piles may smolder for up to three days. Boulder County Parks & Open Space and Sheriff’s Department staff will monitor the slash piles until they are extinguished completely.

If you need additional information, please contact Lead Forester Chad Julian at 303-678-6202 or cjulian@bouldercounty.org.

The 20th Judicial District court and probation offices will also open at 9am.

Certain direct client services such as Motor Vehicle, Housing and Human Services, Public Health, Treasurer's Office, Assessor's Office, etc. will be delayed in opening one hour this morning. The Sheriff's patrols and other public safety functions are not affected by the delayed start.

Transportation and Facilities crews have been working throughout the night and morning hours to clear county roads and building parking lots in order to allow county residents and employees access to their places of business within Boulder County. 

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Slash piles are cut wood piles left over from forest thinning projects conducted in the past two years by the department. It is typical to wait a couple of years before igniting slash pile to make sure the cut wood is very dry. It is also common practice to ignite these slash piles during snowfall and winter conditions.

Many of the piles will smolder through Thursday. Boulder County Parks & Open Space and Sheriff’s Department staff will monitor the slash piles until they are extinguished completely.

Volunteers Needed for a Native Seed Collection

You are invited to join Boulder County Parks and Open Space for a native seed collection on November 7 from 9am-12:30pm at Rabbit Mountain Open Space.

Enjoy some peace and quiet in open space while collecting native seeds. Wander through forests and open meadows while carefully picking viable local seeds from grasses and shrubs. 

Collecting seed by hand is less expensive than purchasing it, and ensures that the species is well adapted to local soils and climate. In years to come, seeds will be used in ecological restoration projects on Boulder County open space properties. 

Minimum age is 8 with adult supervision. Trained staff continuously monitor seed development for many species at many open space areas, so the exact location of any one project will be determined about a week before the project date. 

To register, email WildWorkVolunteers@BoulderCounty.org or call 303-678-6329 by  November 5.

Some reports have inaccurately stated that Boulder County is considering charging fees for use of open space. It is important to understand that this is a city of Boulder proposal and that the Boulder County government is not considering any kind of fee implementation for access to its open space trails or parking lots.

Boulder County and the city of Boulder are two separate government entities, each responsible for their own open space lands.

“Boulder County has never charged, and has no intention of charging, a fee for using Boulder County Open Space trails or trailhead parking,” said Ron Stewart, Boulder County Parks and Open Space Director. “We recognize there are open space programs up and down the Front Range that Boulder County residents go to visit and we welcome neighboring county residents to enjoy our many parks and trails without a fee.”

Questions for the Boulder County Parks and Open Space department should be directed to Ron Stewart at 303-678-6278 or rstewart@bouldercounty.org.

Questions for the city of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks department should be directed to Steve Mertz at 303-441-4408 or mertzs@bouldercolorado.gov.

• Document process by taking digital photos
• Include photo of each tree with evidence of tree size (include another object for scale) and location
• Cut tree and paint stub with a herbicide such as Roundup
• Contact Joel Reich, Boulder County Extension Horticulture Agent, at 303-678-6386 or jreich@bouldercounty.org

Pascale Fried, Education & Outreach Coordinator
303-678-6201; pfried@BoulderCounty.org

Boulder Canyon Temporary Closure

Boulder County Parks and Open Space will be working on the Boulder Canyon Trail corridor on Tuesday, December 2.

The work will take place at the mouth of the canyon, east of the trail underpass, along the concrete section of the Boulder Canyon Trail.

The department has hired a contractor to remove loose rocks from the hillside to minimize rock fall on to the trail. Due to the safety concerns, Highway 119 and the trail will be periodically closed during the day while crews are working.

For more information contact Al Hardy, Trails Supervisor, Boulder County Parks & Open Space, at ahardy@co.boulder.co.us or 303-678-6189.

It is possible the work will take more than one day. Please check the department's web page at www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org for information about progress of the project.
 
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18 April 2007

Contact: Patricia Demchak, Boulder County Public Information Officer, 303-441-3399

CU, Cities, Boulder County host month-long series of Earth Day, Arbor Day activities

On campus and in neighborhoods throughout Boulder County this month, the University of Colorado, local cities and Boulder County are teaming up to bring energy-wise and environmentally friendly events and education straight to the public. The events, planned in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, aim to teach county residents how to cut back on energy use, reduce waste and pollution, and save loads of money.

The Earth Day collaboration is just one piece of a long-term, regional sustainability collaboration that will help protect our environment, energy security and economy by implementing a countywide culture of energy efficiency. The strategy targets energy efficiency across the breadth of all energy users, including government, businesses, residents and schools.

So when CU students or city or county staff come to your door, your office, or your neighborhood, say “yes” to energy savings, a clean environment, strong economy, and a healthy community. 

Calendar of Earth Day/Arbor Day activities:

Countywide:

• Composting yard waste and food scraps reduces trash sent to the landfill while providing valuable nutrients for your garden. In honor of Earth Day, the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and City of Boulder Environmental Affairs will launch their “Get the Dirt on Composting” campaign.
• April 21 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and the City of Boulder, 10 a.m.-noon, Boulder County Recycling Center, 1901 63^rd St., Boulder. RSVP to 720-564-2223.
• April 22 -- Celebrate Earth Day at Heil Valley Ranch, 1-4 p.m. Work with staff  to help restore healthy forest and meadow ecoosystems. The work is part of a larger restoration plan that will re-establish natural forest systems and improve wildlife habitat.  Snacks will be provided. Registration deadline is Thursday, April 19.  RSVP to Matt Bruce at mbruce@co.boulder.co.us or 303-678-6216.  
• April 27 -- Plant trees and shrubs in honor of Arbor Day, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Help Boulder County Parks and Open Space plant more than 100 shrubs and 40 trees.  Your assistance will help convert unused agriculture land back into wildlife habitat.  Work will take place at Sisters of Saint Francis, a small agricultural property located southeast of Longmont.  Please bring your own lunch.  Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 25.  RSVP to Matt Bruce: mbruce@co.boulder.co.us or 303-678-6216.
• May 2 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and the City of Boulder, 6-8 p.m., Boulder County Recycling Center.
• May 5 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division, 10 a.m.-Noon, Boulder County Parks and Open Space Building, 5201 St. Vrain Rd., Longmont. RSVP to 720-564-2223.

Erie:

• April 28 – Erie Arbor Day, 10 a.m.-noon at Coal Creek Park. Event will include free tree seedlings and educational materials, free refreshments, drawings for prizes and gift certificates, tree planting, coordinated activities for children, flag ceremony and a presentation of Arbor Day/Tree City USA Plaque.
  
  

Lafayette:

·       April 21 -- Arbor Day Restoration of Coal Creek Corridor and Open Space.
More than 100 native trees and bushes will be planted in the Coal Creek corridor and on the adjacent open space to celebrate Arbor Day, and as part of an ongoing effort to restore the area. Volunteers are needed to help with the planting from 8 a.m.-noon. The inclement weather date is April 28. Volunteers should wear work gloves and bring a shovel. A brief Arbor Day ceremony and demonstration of proper planting techniques will be held at 8:15 a.m. Beverages and snacks will be provided.

The City of Lafayette has committed to planting trees to help reach the 2007 Metro Denver goal of planting 7,000 new trees in seven days between Earth Day and Arbor Day. Volunteers should sign up through the “I Volunteer! Day” program with the Volunteer Connection of Boulder County by calling 303-444-4904 or visiting http://www.volunteerconnection.net/. Volunteers will receive free t-shirts.

Louisville

• April 28 – Celebration of Louisville’s 26^th consecutive year as a Tree City USA with an informational booth and tree planting at Louisville’s Community Park starting at 11 a.m.
• April 21 – 28 - As part of the 2007 Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration, the City of Louisville is proud to announce its involvement with the “Seven in Seven” region-wide tree planting campaign.  The City of Louisville, along with citizen volunteers, local tree care professionals and the Horticulture and Forestry Advisory Board (HFAB) will plant trees during the seven-day period from April 21 through April 28.  Trees will be planted in parks, rights-of-ways, and other public land.

Longmont

• April 7-28 -- Annual "Clean-up Green-up" campaign. Coordinated community effort to clean up parks, greenways, open spaces, roadways, etc. The City of Longmont will provide coffee, donuts, juice and 35-gallon garbage bags at the kick-off on April 7.
• April 16-22 -- Tree limb pick-up. City collects tree and shrub limbs/branches at no charge and hauls to the Tree Limb Diversion Center, where they are ground into mulch for free pick-up by residents.
• April 21 -- Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration at Thompson Park, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Activities and displays for kids; tree and rose bush sale.
• May 5 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division, 10 a.m.-Noon, Boulder County Parks and Open Space Building, 5201 St. Vrain Rd.  RSVP to Stacy Lambright, 720-564-2223.

Superior

• Saturday, April 21 -- Town Arbor Day Celebration, 10 a.m. at Purple Park. The celebration will include tree care education and demonstrations, kids' activities, and refreshments.

University of Colorado

• “Computers to Youth Recycling Program” Kickoff: Launch of a program that collects and upgrades surplus computer devices and delivers them into the homes of low-income high school students, who are also paired with CU student mentors.
• April 19 -- Earthdance: The Short-Attention-Span Environmental Film Festival, 7 p.m., MCOL W100, CU-Boulder. EarthDance is a juried compilation of documentaries, mockumentaries, animations, high adventures, and dramas that invite you to celebrate and explore your relationship with the natural world.

Boulder

• April 21 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and the City of Boulder, 10 a.m.-noon, Boulder County Recycling Center, 1901 63^rd St.  RSVP to 720-564-2223.
• April 21 -- In celebration of Earth Day, there are a number of environmentally-related volunteer projects. Find out more and learn how you can get involved at http://www.volunteerconnection.net/ and www.colorado.edu/vch. Volunteers can participate in opportunities such as:
  • Outdoor habitat landscaping with the Colorado Reptile Humane Society
  • Clean-up Boulder Creek with the Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative
  • Denver Urban Garden project benefiting refugees from Somalia living in Denver
  • Plant native trees and shrubs with Lafayette Parks & Open Space
  • Transplant, sow and mulch to get Boulder’s Growing Garden programs ready for spring and summer.
• April 22 -- Earth Day 5K Run/Walk. A Bolder Boulder qualifier, the Earth Day 5k Run/Walk is an opportunity to celebrate Earth Day by supporting resource conservation. The race has become Boulder’s highest profile Earth Day celebration. The event will feature an expanded sustainability expo with sustainability and conservation information and resources.   
• May 2 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and the City of Boulder, 6-8 p.m., Boulder County Recycling Center, 1901 63^rd St.  RSVP to 720-564-2223.

Forestry Programs in Boulder:

• April 17 - 20 -- Twenty trees will be delivered (from Trees Across Boulder) to Boulder Housing Partners to be planted at three low-income housing communities in Boulder.
• April 16 – 20 -- Newborn t-shirts will be distributed to all babies born at Boulder Community Hospital during Arbor Day week. T-shirts say, “I was born on Arbor Day.”
• Arbor Day, April 20 -- Urban Forestry staff will plant a tree with the Boulder Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at Christensen Park in Boulder (annual event).
• Arbor Day, April 20 -- Urban Forestry staff and disc golf volunteers will plant trees at Harlow Platts Park, East Boulder Recreation Center.
• April 23 -- Urban Forestry staff will plant 4-5 trees with the 5th grade class of University Hill Elementary School at Beach Park in Boulder.
• April 21 - 28 (estimated time frame) -- Eighty trees (from Trees Across Boulder) will go to Boulder's Housing and Human Services Department to be planted around single family homes in the HHS permanently affordable housing program. Participants will pick up trees at the Park Operations facility.
• March 15 - May 15 (estimated time frame) -- City of Boulder Urban Forestry Division will plant approximately 135 trees along city street Rights-of-Way and in city parks through the Street Tree Planting Program.