February E-News: Generation Wild's #SayHiWithASnowman is back.
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
We invest a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds in partner-led conservation and recreation projects across the state.
Hello!
We hope you’re enjoying the winter season as it winds down and are looking forward to the official start of spring, just 20 days out now.?
In honor of Black History Month, we’d like to share the new guide "Black Faces in Green Spaces" from Project Learning Tree. It introduces youth to careers in the forest and conservation sector through the lens of Black professionals in the industry and is designed for anyone looking to increase diversity within natural resource professions. Buy a printed guide, or download the free e-book. You may even see a familiar face or two from partner organizations in Colorado.?
Speaking of partners, one of the Generation Wild coalitions, Get Outdoors Leadville (GOL!), has a new video promoting its Pathways Program. GOL! introduces young people to paid opportunities in the outdoor industry and creates spaces for youth to grow, develop, and create community together.?
On Feb. 13, Gov. Polis, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and GOCO announced the recipients of the third round of the Outdoor Regional Partnership grants. This funding supports coalitions that connect conservation and outdoor recreation interests, land managers, and local governments to enhance equitable access to the outdoors while ensuring that Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife thrive. Here’s to collaboration and innovation for Colorado’s outdoors.
Keep reading to learn about some snowy friends who returned to Generation Wild this month, get the latest scoop on recently completed GOCO-funded projects, and more.
Questions or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at [email protected].
Latest News
Generation Wild’s #SayHiWithASnowman is back
Back for its third year, Generations Wild’s #SayHiWithASnowman campaign kicked off on Feb. 14 and rolls through March. We’re recruiting volunteer snowman builders to help bring the dream snowcreatures of patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado to life. It’s a banner year with over 150 volunteer sign-ups so far. It’s clear that it’s never too cold to warm someone’s heart. Colorado resident volunteers will be entered in a sweepstake to win a grand prize featuring sweet REI swag and gear. Sign up to brighten a patient's day today.
Where Do You GOCO - Projects completed in January
In January 2022, 11 GOCO-funded projects crossed the finish line, representing more than $779,161 in GOCO investments in local communities across the state. With the help of GOCO funds, Crested Butte Land Trust conserved a privately owned 107-acre property adjacent to the town (pictured left). The property was one of the last undeveloped large open spaces near Crested Butte and protects critical wetlands, open grasslands, and a significant stretch of the Slate River, which provides habitat for nesting birds, fish, and big game species. GOCO funds also supported the Town of Palisade in removing invasive plant species at Riverbend Park and Larimer County’s forest restoration and wildfire mitigation work at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch.
GOCO and CPW Annual Reports
In case you missed it, last month GOCO released its Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report. Each year, GOCO invests half of its funding, thanks to Colorado Lottery proceeds, through competitive grant programs. The other half is invested through Colorado Parks and Wildlife for projects that protect and manage the state’s wildlife, habitat, and the state parks we all love. To recap the impacts and outcomes of GOCO’s investments through the agency, CPW has released an annual report. Check out what CPW and GOCO achieved together last year in the new report.
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Coming Up?
CSU Salazar Center invites you to the premiere of Elevating Voices
Join the CSU Salazar Center for North American Conservation and Next 100 Colorado for a public premiere of Elevating Voices, a student documentary exploring the intersection of storytelling and environmental injustice. The free event takes place at the new CSU Spur Hydro Theatre in Denver on March 9 at 6 p.m. Join for a reception with light refreshments and a discussion with local environmental justice leaders.?
GOCO’s board meeting is around the corner
On March 10, the GOCO board will meet and announce awards for our triannual grant programs, which include Land Acquisition, Community Impact, Planning & Capacity, and Stewardship Impact. The board will meet in Greeley, and members of the public are welcome to attend.
Register now for the 2023 eeLeadership Conference
Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education’s 2023 eeLeadership Conference is on March 10 at the Mesa County Workforce Center. This year’s conference will focus on the needs of environmental educator managers and supervisors from agencies, nonprofits, schools, and environmental, nature, and conservation fields. Register now to connect with peer eeLeaders from across the state and discuss topics of recruitment, program evaluation, staff management, and more.
Palmer Land Conservancy hosts TENACITY: Women in Conservation 2023
Join Palmer Land Conservancy in Colorado Springs on March 15 as they host an evening with three women who have made their marks in Colorado’s conservation sector. GOCO Executive Director Jackie Miller will be featured as one of the three women sharing their inspiring stories. The event starts at 5 p.m. and will feature a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception and a cash bar.?
Next 100 Colorado is now accepting applications for its Mentorship Program
Next 100 Colorado is accepting applications for the third cohort of its mentorship program that connects people of color in the fields of natural resources management, conservation, and outdoor recreation. The coalition will match 10 mentees with 10 mentors for six months to learn from experts, discover new leadership skills, and form long-lasting relationships. Applications are due March 16.
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 when voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1992, GOCO has since funded more than 5,600 projects in all 64 counties of Colorado without any tax dollar support. Visit GOCO.org for more information.