Newsletter Summer 06

Over the past ten years I have frequently marveled about the high degree of collaboration and involvement routinely practiced by community members of the San Luis Valley. Enormous achievements have been made that started as classic "grass roots" ideas hatched around coffee tables and meeting rooms in this rural valley. You don't have to think too long to see examples like, the defeat of American Water Development Incorporated, protection of water on east side of the Valley through establishment of Great Sand Dunes National Park, and the Baca National Wildlife Refuge, establishment of ground water management sub-districts and the serious effort to bring the Valley water use to sustainable levels. These efforts and accomplishments haven't happened on their own or by accident. It takes thoughtful, committed, creative, knowledgeable, and respected people that, not only have ideas, but carry them forward.
I am very involved with

the San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area Committee. This diverse group of individuals is one of 10 similar groups in the state that are part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Colorado Wetlands Program. Not only do we come up with project ideas for wetland protection, enhancement and management but serve as a regular forum of discussing conservation relating to water, wildlife and living off the land. This group recently nominated some worthy community members for two coveted awards.
The University of Colorado's Wirth Chair in Environmental and Community Development Policy "is committed to helping governments, businesses, non-profit groups and community organizations form sustainable development and partnerships that carefully balance economic, environmental and expanded social welfare objectives and strategies." It honors and is named after former Undersecretary of State and U.S. Senator Tim Worth. In a gala ceremony on April 12, 2006 Ralph Curtis, who recently retired as general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, received the Wirth Chair Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ralph's service to the community goes far beyond his 25 years as manager of the water conservation district. He has been in numerous leadership roles, including the Colorado Water Congress, Saguache Planning Commission, a school board, Center Soil Conservation District, Colorado and National Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust, San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area Committee and Colorado Cattleman's Association Water Steering Committee.
Ralph has received numerous awards and commendations for his devotion and commitment to water, agriculture and natural resources. The Weltands Focus Area Committee has been extraordinarily appreciative of Ralph's interest in wetland habitat and its relationship to water policy and agricultural land use. He has been a constant source of advice and direction when it comes to the planning and generation of project ideas that are compatible with water law, custom and common sense. I'm pleased to report Ralph may be retired but he's just as involved as ever with the Wetlands Focus Committee.

It is also a thrill to report that the wetlands committee also successfully nominated the Higel Family for the "Landowner Stewardship Award" given by the Environmental Law Institute. This non-partisan organization was established in 1978 to "…advance the dialog on wetland law, science and policy…" and recognize "…outstanding individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of our nation's wetlands." The co-sponsors of the wetland awards include all of the federal natural resource agencies. The Higels will be honored at a May 10, 2006 ceremony on Capitol Hill at the Cannon House Office building in Washington, D.C.

Greg and Jim Higel have been exemplary land owners and managers. The Higel ranch, along the banks of the Rio Grande, has been a successful example of how agriculture and wildlife can prosper. Their management was so successful the Colorado Division of Wildlife acquired part of the ranch several years ago and established "Higel State Wildlife Area." This state wildlife area features a beautiful riparian zone and outstanding adjoining wetlands. Greg is a leader in water policy in the San Luis Valley and has become an active board member of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District where he has promoted wise and sustainable use of water for agriculture, wildlife and people.

Greg and Jim Higel, and Ralph Curtis serve as vivid reminders to all of us that this community is truly special. We work together to accomplish monumental achievements for people, land, water and wildlife, and our leaders and practitioners are as good as they come.

The Avocet Home	Excerpts from the Summer 2006 Avocet. President's Message Tim Armstrong We have been busy this spring working on trying to obtain some funding to run the Baca NWR for the next fiscal year. As many of you know, the Baca was created in 2003, but no operations and maintenance money has been allocated to fund day to day operations. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has been unable to allocate funds because of continuing budget cuts, due primarily to the ongoing war in Iraq. The refuge's, and our, ongoing concern is that much of the infrastructure at the Baca was left to deteriorate while the sale was pending, and the condition of the buildings, water control structures, and other infrastructure continues to deteriorate each year that maintenance is deferred. The Alamosa and Monte Vista refuges have provided some staff and resources to address the highest priority concerns on the Baca, but these resources have come at the expense of the Alamosa and Monte Vista refuges. For example, Ron Garcia transferred to managing the Baca in October 2005, but they have been unable to fill Ron's former position as the assistant refuge manager of the Alamosa and Monte Vista refuges because approval to fund the position seems to change from month to month. Clearly, it is difficult to manage refuges effectively without consistent financial support. It has been interesting how the Friend's focus has changed over the years. When I first agreed to serve as President, it was with the understanding that I wanted nothing to do with politics. Seven years later, I have come to understand that we must get involved in politics to help support our refuges. Last spring, we submitted an appropriations request to fund the Baca with Senator Allard's office, but it was not funded. This year, we modified the appropriations request and resubmitted it. One of many potential reasons that our request was not funded last year is that in Washington, as everywhere, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." We have contacted most of you to ask you to support the Baca appropriations request by contacting Senators Allard and Salazar, and Congressman Salazar. If you haven't done so yet, it's not too late. Contact information is available at the websites provided below. We have a several activities planned for the summer and fall, including several refuge workdays, our annual meeting on Saturday, June 10, and the second annual Kid's Crane Festival on October 14th. I hope you can make the time to join us for some or all of these events! Congressional Contact information: Senator Allard http://allard.senate.gov Senator Ken Salazar http://salazar.senate.gov Congressman John Salazar http://www.house.gov/salazar	Friends Co-sponsor Environmental Educator Presentation In March, the Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges teamed with the Colorado Field Institute to bring Denny Olsen, renowned environmental educator/entertainer to Adams State College for programs to local elementary school children. The event was organized by the Environmental and Conservation Education Council and raised money for local schools to pay for fieldtrips. The one hour production was attended by over 600 students from across the Valley
		Valley Conservation Leaders Honored Mike Blenden Over the past ten years I have frequently marveled about the high degree of collaboration and involvement routinely practiced by community members of the San Luis Valley. Enormous achievements have been made that started as classic "grass roots" ideas hatched around coffee tables and meeting rooms in this rural valley. You don't have to think too long to see examples like, the defeat of American Water Development Incorporated, protection of water on east side of the Valley through establishment of Great Sand Dunes National Park, and the Baca National Wildlife Refuge, establishment of ground water management sub-districts and the serious effort to bring the Valley water use to sustainable levels. These efforts and accomplishments haven't happened on their own or by accident. It takes thoughtful, committed, creative, knowledgeable, and respected people that, not only have ideas, but carry them forward. I am very involved with the San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area Committee. This diverse group of individuals is one of 10 similar groups in the state that are part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Colorado Wetlands Program. Not only do we come up with project ideas for wetland protection, enhancement and management but serve as a regular forum of discussing conservation relating to water, wildlife and living off the land. This group recently nominated some worthy community members for two coveted awards. The University of Colorado's Wirth Chair in Environmental and Community Development Policy "is committed to helping governments, businesses, non-profit groups and community organizations form sustainable development and partnerships that carefully balance economic, environmental and expanded social welfare objectives and strategies." It honors and is named after former Undersecretary of State and U.S. Senator Tim Worth. In a gala ceremony on April 12, 2006 Ralph Curtis, who recently retired as general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, received the Wirth Chair Lifetime Achievement Award. Ralph's service to the community goes far beyond his 25 years as manager of the water conservation district. He has been in numerous leadership roles, including the Colorado Water Congress, Saguache Planning Commission, a school board, Center Soil Conservation District, Colorado and National Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust, San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area Committee and Colorado Cattleman's Association Water Steering Committee. Ralph has received numerous awards and commendations for his devotion and commitment to water, agriculture and natural resources. The Weltands Focus Area Committee has been extraordinarily appreciative of Ralph's interest in wetland habitat and its relationship to water policy and agricultural land use. He has been a constant source of advice and direction when it comes to the planning and generation of project ideas that are compatible with water law, custom and common sense. I'm pleased to report Ralph may be retired but he's just as involved as ever with the Wetlands Focus Committee. It is also a thrill to report that the wetlands committee also successfully nominated the Higel Family for the "Landowner Stewardship Award" given by the Environmental Law Institute. This non-partisan organization was established in 1978 to "…advance the dialog on wetland law, science and policy…" and recognize "…outstanding individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of our nation's wetlands." The co-sponsors of the wetland awards include all of the federal natural resource agencies. The Higels will be honored at a May 10, 2006 ceremony on Capitol Hill at the Cannon House Office building in Washington, D.C. Greg and Jim Higel have been exemplary land owners and managers. The Higel ranch, along the banks of the Rio Grande, has been a successful example of how agriculture and wildlife can prosper. Their management was so successful the Colorado Division of Wildlife acquired part of the ranch several years ago and established "Higel State Wildlife Area." This state wildlife area features a beautiful riparian zone and outstanding adjoining wetlands. Greg is a leader in water policy in the San Luis Valley and has become an active board member of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District where he has promoted wise and sustainable use of water for agriculture, wildlife and people. Greg and Jim Higel, and Ralph Curtis serve as vivid reminders to all of us that this community is truly special. We work together to accomplish monumental achievements for people, land, water and wildlife, and our leaders and practitioners are as good as they come.
	Nature of Learning Grant Provides Fieldtrip Opportunities on the Refuge Fall 2004, the Friends received a $5000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for a Nature of Learning Startup Grant. The grant provides funds to create a science curriculum tied to state standards that assists elementary school teachers with wetland and wildlife concepts. The curriculum has two parts; classroom lessons and outdoor field based lessons and activities at the Monte Vista and Alamosa Refuges. The curriculum was designed by the refuge's Outdoor Recreation Planner, Kristen Gilbert prior to her acceptance of another job in December 2004. Thankfully, the Friends were able to hire environmental educator Judy Lopez to complete the project. We are thrilled to report that the curriculum is finished and being tested with school groups this spring at the Alamosa Refuge!! Final edits of the curriculum are being completed and CD copies of the lessons will be made for all SLV elementary school libraries.