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A GIFT WORTH PRESERVING - WILDLIFE PROJECTS
Have you ever experienced an inspiring moment in
nature? Remember the feeling of amazement it brought? As you read the
following examples of the Foundation’s current and past projects, remember
funding the projects is possible when we work together.
If you are seeking funds for a
wildlife benefiting project, go to our “Apply For A Grant” page and complete our
on-line application.
Current Projects
Lynx Restoration Project /
Rocky Mountain Bird
Observatory
Schoolyard Habitat Grants /
Reptiles and Amphibians
Past Projects
Love Ranch Meadow Acquisition /
Study Buddy
Early Childhood Project
Argosy Foundation Missionary Ridge Burn Area Projects
CURRENT PROJECTS
Lynx Restoration Project -
Species Recovery
Goal: To Establish A Self-Sustaining Population of Lynx in Colorado
Once native to Colorado, the last known lynx
was seen in 1973. In 2000, the lynx was listed as "threatened" under the
federal Endangered Species Act. Not wanting their designation to be elevated
to "endangered," which could mean federal restrictions on the use of
our public and private lands, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has
been working to establish a lynx population in the San Juan Mountains. A
self-sustaining population is the long-term goal.
We have made a commitment to
raise a total of $1 million to help fund this groundbreaking project (Phase
I - $600,000 and Phase II - $400,000). To date, we have raised over 3/4 of
our Phase I goal of $600,000. The DOW is making species recovery history
with this project and is creating a species recovery protocol that can be
replicated nationally, benefiting many wildlife species. The lynx are
thriving with more than 55 kittens being born over the past two springs. You
can help ensure they produce young of their own. Click on the button below
to make a donation to the Lynx Restoration Project.
CWHF raised funds: $470,000 (to date)
(back to top)
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
- Wildlife Research
The Foundation has recently awarded the RMBO over
$9,700 from the Jack Grieb Memorial Fund to conduct bird banding operations
in a number of Colorado locations. Jack Grieb, a past director of the
Division of Wildlife, dedicated his life to wildlife management and was
especially interested in wildlife education. RMBO provides a unique
opportunity to teach groups of school children (more than 30 each weekday
morning) about bird adaptations, behaviors and habitat needs, while
conducting field research on migratory songbirds.
(back to top)
CWHF funded: $9,700
Schoolyard Habitat Grants - Wildlife
Education
This is both a current and past program. Since
1989, the Foundation has helped secure over $100,000 for Schoolyard Habitat
Grants. Colorado teachers who have taken a Division Of Wildlife Project
WILD, Project WET or Project Learning Tree workshop are eligible to apply.
Grants of $1,000 are made to a number of elementary, middle, high school and
colleges every year. The funds are used to improve school grounds into
wildlife habitat while utilizing important strategic thinking/planning
skills, and applying math and science knowledge. Students have an
opportunity to pass along a legacy of positive change in their environment
in the process. More than 90 schools and 2,500 students have been impacted
by this program. (back
to top)
CWHF raised funds: $100,000
PAST PROJECTS
Love Ranch Meadow - Habitat
Preservation
Love Ranch Meadow provides critical wildlife habitat in
Chalk Creek Canyon, near Nathrop in Chaffee County. A lush, 11-acre hay
meadow at the foot of the steep, rocky Chalk Cliffs, the meadow is visited
by bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk and many other species. Featuring
viewing kiosks and interpretive panels, the meadow provides winter range in
an area of increasing human population. This “island for the animals” is
protected in perpetuity.
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Our Funding Partners: Foundation for North American
Wild Sheep: $11,500; Colorado Division of Wildlife: $7,500; Elk Foundation:
$3,000; Great Outdoors Colorado: $20,000; International Order of Rocky
Mountain Goats: $5,000; Colorado Bighorn Society: $2,000; Individuals:
$8,000
Total Raised: $57,000
In addition to Love Meadow, CWHF owns 80 acres
in Elbert county; and holds conservation easements on the 14,000 acre Fox
Ranch in Yuma county; 50,000 acres of the Medano-Zapata Ranch in Saquache
and Alamosa Counties, 13 acres at Sol Vista in Grand county and 165 acres in Mesa county. An additional 170 acres were preserved in Mesa county in 2007. More to come.
Study Buddy Wildlife Projects
- Wildlife Education
The Study Buddy Project teamed middle and/or high
school classes with elementary schools classes. Students were paired and
worked with each other over the course of a school year. Buddies undertook a
variety of environmental, conservation or stewardship projects ranging from
building terrariums to tree planting to bird house building. From 2001-2004,
over 6,000 students statewide participated in the Study Buddy project!
(back to top)
CWHF raised funds through: The Denver Foundation:
$5,000; Chevron/Texaco Foundation: $90,000; The Berger Foundation: $20,000
Our Partners: U.S. Forest Service: $4,962; EPA: $6,125;
Yampa Valley Foundation: $1,600; Colorado Division of Wildlife: $11,825;
Northwest Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children: $1,000;
Colorado Project WET Program: $2,000; Colorado State Forest Service: $1,000
Project total: $143,512
Fire and Drought Relief for Wildlife
Project Types: Education;
Restoration/Stabilization; and,
Research.
The Argosy Foundation granted CWHF $100,000 to
help alleviate the devastation caused by the fires and drought of 2002 to
wildlife and habitat, specifically in the Missionary Ridge burn area in
southwestern Colorado. In turn, CWHF granted the funds to three different
types of projects, noted above. By combining the Argosy funds with our other
partner’s funds, a total of 14 wildlife benefiting projects -- totaling more
than $530,000 -- were completed.
(back to top)
The Missionary Ridge Fire burn area can be seen
outlined on the map above. High intensity areas are colored in red.
1) EDUCATION
Wildlife Management Course
Students from the Ft. Lewis summer Wildlife Management
course surveyed sites near Vallecito Lake in La Plata county.
CWHF raised funds: $2,276
Match: $3,995
Project Total: $ 6,771
Fire Area Interpretive Signs
Five interpretive panels were created to educate the public on
the effects of wildfire on various habitats and species, to highlight the
ways that wildlife adapts to a changing environment.
CWHF raised funds: $20,000
Project Total: $20,000
Durango Nature Studies
Durango Natures Studies is an education organization
that travels to schools to give educational classes on wildfire ecology and
how it affects wildlife habitat. These programs have had much success
informing both children and adults about the basics of fire ecology.
CWHF raised funds: $15,000
Project Total: $15,000
9-R School District Field Trips
Field trips were taken to the area of the burn so that
elementary aged children could learn about wildfire ecology first hand. (back to top)
CWHF raised funds: $2,000
Matched funds: $1,000
Project Total: $3,000
2) RESTORATION/STABILIZATION
East Animas Ditch
The Animas River was saturated with sediment and debris
after the fires burned all the vegetation that held the ground soil in
place. Every rain brought another river of mud into the river killing almost
all fish and aquatic plants for long stretches of the river. The East Animas
Ditch was constructed to keep the mud from reaching the river.
CWHF raised funds: $10,000
Our Partners: Natural Resources Conservation Service:
$135,356; East Animas Ditch Company: $45,118; Others: $49,526
Project total: $240,000
Mesa Verde National Park Re-vegetation
East escarpment reseeding project allowed for the
stabilization of 65 acres, and a reduced sediment particle count in the
nearby Mancos River. Bald eagles, river otters, elk and all native wildlife
have benefited from the increased habitat
vegetation and stabilization.
CWHF raised funds: $10,600
Our Partners: National Park Service: $3,000
Project total: $13,600
Mud Creek Restoration
Restoration of native grasses and forbs and woody
plants along an important elk migration corridor.
CWHF raised funds: $3,000
East side of Vallecito Reservoir at Pine River
Re-vegetation
Plant shrub and seedlings of a variety of native plants
including Ponderosa and Bristlecone pine trees, after the area was
devastated by the Missionary Ridge fire.
CWHF raised funds: $400
Aerial Re-Vegetation
Aerial reseeding a 640 acre parcel, which burned
completely, with native grasses.
CWHF raised funds: $5,330
Cool Water Ranch Re-Forestation and Re-Vegetation
To improve habitat critical to spring elk migrations. (back to top)
CWHF raised funds: $831
3) RESEARCH
Effects of Missionary Ridge Fire on Bird Communities
Look at the effects of fire and how wildlife responds
to restored areas versus areas that have not been restored.
(back to top)
CWHF raised funds $11,000
Match: $6,000
Total Project: $17,000 |
