GOCO awards $25,000 grant to EVLT to extend riparian restoration efforts
Estes Valley Land Trust is delighted to announce that the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Board has awarded the land trust a $25,000 grant as a part of their Riparian Restoration Initiative. The stated goal of GOCO’s Riparian Restoration Initiative is to “provide meaningful opportunities for youth and volunteers to improve and restore rivers, streams, and connected wetlands that occur on publicly and privately protected open space properties.” Estes Valley Land Trust’s post-flood restoration work aligns well with GOCO priorities and EVLT’s efforts to restore private properties protected by conservation easements will now be extended through 2015.
EVLT, in collaboration with the Town of Estes Park, will plant native, woody vegetation and seed with native grasses and wetlands species on over 135 acres of flood-damaged riparian lands, including along Fish Creek, Fall River, Black Canyon Creek, the East Fork of Fish Creek, and the North Fork of the Big Thompson River. The goal is to restore habitat for wildlife and reduce erosion and run-off of sediment. Land trust volunteers and students from Eagle Rock School will be engaged in the work.
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts, and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created by voters in 1992, GOCO has funded more than 3,500 projects in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support. The grants are funded by GOCO’s share of Colorado Lottery revenues, which are divided between GOCO, CPW, the Conservation Trust Fund and school construction. For more information, visit goco.org.
Although the GOCO grant applies only to properties protected by a conservation easement, EVLT still has funding available for Fall 2014 re-vegetation open to the wider community.
If you are interested in volunteering with Estes Valley Land Trust, please contact us or email evlt@evlandtrust.org.
