Greetings from Colorado Wildlife Federation! | |
President's Message
Dear Colorado Wildlife Federation (CWF) Supporters and Members,
Since the January start of the Colorado State Legislative session, CWF has been working diligently to protect Colorado’s wildlife and wildlife habitat in light of state legislative actions that could be either helpful – good legislation, or contrary to sound wildlife management. CWF's Executive Director and several Board members have spoken in support of specific bills that are described in our Executive Director's column below and on our website.
Your CWF Board is working with the Regional Office of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to bring on board a Deputy Director for CWF that would enable us to grow our influence statewide and have greater statewide outreach to continue our efforts to ensure that sound wildlife and wildlife habitat management has even greater consideration when we deal with the myriad of changes Colorado is experiencing.
Our Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program and Event Director has been working hard to expand and grow the number and style of events for women to experience the outdoors.
In order for the Federation to be effective and grow our educational outreach programs, as well as continuing the battle against wildlife management by ballot initiative, our financial need now is greater than ever.
When you financially support us and donate $10, $100, or $1,000 by check or on-line, you can be proud of our part in keeping Colorado wild places and critters alive and enhanced for your and future generations enjoyment.
Please give generously and consider joining our King Soopers Community Rewards program described at the end of the newsletter.
Enjoy our Colorado outdoors and magnificent wildlife in the months ahead!
Robin Knox
Board President, CWF
KnoxR@coloradowildlife.org
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CWF is busy at work to safeguard wildlife habitats on public lands in Colorado. Here are some highlights from the past two months: | |
The BLM issued 2 important new rules in April: | |
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Public Lands Rule
On April 18, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced its final Public Lands Rule to elevate conservation so that it is fully considered an essential equal element in the agency's work to balance multiple uses. CWF and NWF issued a lengthy comment letter to the proposed rule in June of 2023.
“The Public Lands Rule will elevate BLM’s attention to conservation so that it gains equal footing among the array of multiple uses it must manage. We particularly applaud the emphasis on ecosystem resilience, intact and connected landscapes, and on setting priorities for restoration of degraded lands.” - Suzanne O’Neill, Executive Director of Colorado Wildlife Federation.
Click here for more information.
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Oil and Gas Leasing Rule
On April 12, the US Department of the Interior issued its awaited "Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process Rule." CWF applauds the BLM for its oil and gas leasing program reforms because it prioritizes balanced management of public lands that benefits our rural communities, wildlife habitat they need to survive, recreation, grazing, and responsible energy development. It is fair that energy companies pay reasonable royalties that are in line with what states charge, post reasonable bonds, and clean up when they drill on our public lands. All too often taxpayers and government have been stuck with the massive clean-up costs and remediation when wells are simply abandoned or orphaned.
The BLM will also focus on leasing in areas with the highest potential for oil and gas development and less conflict with other uses. This is very important because in the past, some areas that have been leased have little or no oil and gas development potential but are squarely located in high priority habitats. CWF had urged BLM not to lease in such areas including severe elk and deer winter range, migration corridors, and bighorn sheep winter range and birthing areas.
Here is the press release.
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Siting of utility scale solar projects
The BLM issued a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Utility Scale Solar Energy Development (Solar PEIS). This programmatic process for western states is intended to identify lands suitable for siting utility-scale solar development. It is important to ascertain areas that will be available for this development that pose fewer conflicts with lands and waters, fish and wildlife and habitat, cultural and Indigenous resources, and recreational opportunities.
CWF participated in development of a Colorado specific comment letter and NWF, TRCP, and TU submitted an overall letter that addresses the western states included in the planning area.
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Planning for the Greater sage-grouse
BLM’s planning process for the Greater sage-grouse is underway and the public comment period closes June 13. The purpose is to strengthen conservation for this bird and its sagebrush habitat. The Greater sage-grouse is facing challenges from habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species. Certainly, the moment for decisive action is now. We all want this conservation effort, one of the country's largest, to succeed and to enable the Greater sage-grouse to thrive.
In 2015, the BLM's management plans for the Greater sage-grouse were good but since then the situation for the bird and the sagebrush ecosystem has become worse. Throughout the West, 1.3 million acres of its habitat are lost annually, and now is half of its original expanse.
The BLM is working hard to avoid the necessity of a listing under the Endangered Species Act by targeting updated conservation efforts around the most important habitat. CWF will provide technical comments and work hard at each stage of the process.
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Suzanne O’Neill
Executive Director, CWF
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Executive Director's Message
Between bills moving in Colorado’s general assembly, and the federal planning and rulemaking processes noted above, CWF has been very busy! Read on for the highlights.
The Colorado General Assembly session concludes on May 8 and these are the bills on which CWF has testified in favor:
SB 24-171: A bi-partisan bill to restore the North American Wolverine in Colorado would authorize Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to reintroduce wolverines after a non-essential experimental population rule under (10j) for wolverines, listed as a threatened species, is published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act. The requirement for a 10(j) rule resolved the concerns of some key stakeholders. The bill also provides compensation for livestock owners from wildlife cash fund except it shall not use money within the cash fund that is generated from sale of hunting and fishing licenses.
SB 24-126: Conservation Easement Tax Credit bill would raise the limit on conservation easement income tax credits available to donors in one calendar year. (In the past the fund has been depleted very early in the calendar year.)
HB 24-1379: This bill would remedy loss of protections for Colorado waters from the US Supreme Court Sackett decision re Clean Water Act. It will provide protections for wetlands that otherwise are at risk of pollution and destruction.
SB24-026: Public Engagement Requirement for CPW Commission – to participate in two public meetings per year.
SB 24-199: Annual Species Conservation Trust Fund projects - CWF testified in support of the bill and recommended a funding increase in light of the ballooning responsibilities of CPW.
SB 24-212, the renewable siting bill, was just introduced April 22 as a study bill. CWF will testify and recommend some changes to improve attention to wildlife high priority habitats.
To track the outcomes of these bills, see our website State Legislative Update.
CWF also is a party in the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission’s (ECMC) rulemaking process to decide whether to approve CPW’s mapped big game High Priority Habitats in its Northwest Region and other High Priority Habitats throughout the state. CWF supports approval of the maps.
CPW Commission is in the process of determining the 2025-2029 big game season structure. CWF has presented our recommendations by letter to the Commission. Overall, CWF is in support of CPW staff’s proposals. If you want a copy, let us know at cwfed@coloradowildlife.org.
The Partners in the Outdoors Conference convened April 16 -17, following the Colorado Outdoors Partnership and the Regional Partnerships meetings which CWF participated in. The Conference included informative presentations and solicitation of ideas for updating the State Wildlife Action Plan and the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.
Suzanne O’Neill
Executive Director, CWF
cwfed@coloradowildlife.org
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Becoming an Outdoors Woman Weekend Workshop
When: July 19-21, 2024
Where: CSU's Mountain Campus (16321 Pingree Park Rd, Bellvue, CO 80512)
What: The BOW Weekend begins at noon on Friday and ends around noon on Sunday. Each class session is 3 hours long. It is an opportunity for women at any fitness level, 18 years or older, to learn a variety of hands-on outdoor skills. No experience is necessary! BOW is a supportive environment conducive to learning, making lifelong friends, and having fun. Participants can learn skills such as plant identification, hunting education, fly fishing, camping, map and compass reading, and lots more! Food and lodging are provided for the weekend.
Registration will open in the next couple of weeks!
BOW strives to be a welcoming, safe, and inclusive place for all women. If you would like to learn more about how BOW is working to increase diversity and be a more inclusive space where all women feel a sense of belonging, visit our Bridges to BOW page.
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Día de Pesca
When: May 19th, 10am-3pm
Where: Garfield Lake Park (1200 S Lowell, Denver, CO 80219)
What: An instructional fishing day full of fun for the whole family! All fishing gear will be provided. Spanish-language speakers will be on-site to help with instruction, answer questions and ensure the experience creates long-lasting connections to nature and the health benefits of being outside. Free food is provided but feel free to bring snacks and water as well!
Click here to register and learn more.
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Elk License Governor's Tag Raffle Drawing
When: June 15th, 1pm-3:30pm
Where: Colorado Clays (13600 Lanewood St, Brighton, CO 80603)
What: Join us for a fun day of trap and skeet shooting and a cookout before we draw the big winner of the Elk License Governor's Tag!
Please click here to RSVP.
Enter the raffle today for your chance to win! Click here to enter.
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Colorado Wildlife Spotlight | |
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Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
Canada lynx are stealthy and powerful predators who typically travel and hunt solo. Snowshoe hares make up most of their diet - the populations of both animals are closely tied together, fluctuating almost simultaneously.
Lynx have adapted to live in mountainous areas where the winters are harsh and snowy. They have a thick fur coat and massive fur covered paws that allow them to navigate in deep snow without sinking. The tufts on their ears help them to hear. They are often confused with the bobcat but some ways they can be distinguished from bobcats is by their large feet and grayish coats without spots. Lynx tails are also shorter compared to a bobcat.
The population of lynx in Colorado was declining rapidly in the early 1900's due to habitat loss, trapping, and poisoning. Colorado’s last known lynx was illegally trapped in 1974, a year after the state listed the lynx as endangered. The mammal remains a federally threatened species and a state endangered species, but their population has rebounded since the successful restorative efforts from Colorado Parks and Wildlife that started in 1999!
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Next month is National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) 12th annual "Garden for Wildlife Month". This May, consider replacing a section of your lawn with native plants. Doing so will create a quality garden habitat that attracts birds, butterflies and other wildlife in your yard and community. While lawns might be the American standard, they aren’t the best choice for wildlife – lawns limit biodiversity and wildlife need a diverse and resilient habitat to survive. A diverse and resilient habitat means it is made up of not just one species, but thousands of native plants, all interacting in a complex food web.
Unfortunately, most yards don’t feature a diversity of plant species at all and instead only consist of turf grass, a non-native plant that provides next to nothing in terms of food or shelter for local wildlife. Planting native is key in order to support your local wildlife as many of these animals rely heavily on native plant species as their food source. For example, “96% of terrestrial bird species rely on insects like caterpillars to feed their chicks during nesting season, meaning that fewer caterpillars will result in fewer birds” (Renusch, 2024). The types of plants you choose for your yard matter to wildlife!
Click here to learn more.
CWF is pleased to continue as NWF’s partner for certifications of wildlife garden habitats in Colorado. The requirements for certification simply are these: native plants and feeders (although not in bear country) for food; water sources such as a well-maintained birdbath; shelter and places to raise young – such as trees; and sustainable practices to maintain the garden or yard.
Click here for more info.
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Do you shop at King Soopers? Supporting CWF is easier than ever with King Soopers Community Rewards! Follow the steps below to sign up and link your card today! | | |
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Step 1: Visit the appropriate link below..
Step 2: Sign in or create an account and then click "My Account" in the profile drop down menu
Step 3: Click "Community Rewards"
Step 4: Search for Colorado Wildlife Federation or our nonprofit #: NC167
Step 5: Click enroll
Step 6: All done! Simply use your shopper's card as normal and start earning cash for CWF!
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Membership & Supporter Voice: Your Stories, Your Impact!
Share your wildlife encounters, outdoor adventures, and snapshots of Colorado's beauty with fellow members. Email us (cwfed@coloradowildlife.org) your stories and photos to inspire us all and remind us of the profound connection we share with nature. We will choose one submission to highlight in our next newsletter!
Thank you so much for your continued support, and let's work together to ensure a vibrant future for Colorado's wildlife and natural landscapes.
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