Did you see those big ugly crickets this summer?! Mormon crickets have occupied Rio Blanco County for many years but WOW, there were a lot of them this year! Any fields, roads, homes, corrals, etc. that were in their path were covered with crickets. They did damage in some places[Read More…]
Tag: Conservation
New CPW director discusses conservation, recreation, wolves and winter-kill at White River Alliance meeting
RBC | Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) newest director, Jeff Davis, joined RBC residents at the White River Alliance (WRA) monthly meeting via Zoom last week. WRA members met at Smoking River Brewery to hear Davis detail his focus and goals as director of the state agency. They also asked[Read More…]
Connecting kids with conservation efforts
Every year, the fifth grade Meeker Elementary School class takes a field trip to Trappers Lake. Staff members of the U.S. Forest Service Blanco Ranger District (BRD) coordinate with teachers to interact with students and share their knowledge of the “Cradle of Wilderness,” its many wonders, and how to best[Read More…]
NEWS NOTES: February 3, 2022
Paid leave mandates presentation MEEKER | Attend this presentation on the new paid leave mandates Thursday, Feb. 3 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Meeker Regional Library, lunch provided Open Mic Feb. 3 MEEKER | Open Mic Night Thursday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m. at Smoking River Brewing Co. Sing,[Read More…]
Villa Ranch conserved
MEEKER | The 2,226-acre Villa Ranch has been conserved in perpetuity by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) and the Krueger family. The conservation project was made possible with support from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Villa Ranch is located northwest of[Read More…]
Slash EV Ranch conserved by Colorado Cattlemen’s Ag Land Trust
RBC | The Slash EV Ranch along Colorado’s White River has been conserved in perpetuity by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT). The project was made possible with the support from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and The Nature Conservancy. The 477-acre ranch[Read More…]
Cattle: The Ultimate Upcyclers
Every day, cattle graze and unknowingly turn natural resources like solar energy and pastureland into high-quality proteins and other invaluable products. They’re upcyclers that take otherwise useless materials, add nutritional and environmental value, and transform them into something more — a better product in disguise. What is Upcycling? A little[Read More…]
CONSERVATION CORNER: Algae Study Update
The White River Algae Study is on schedule with all the data collection being complete for the three-year study. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will now analyze all the data they have collected and provide a final report in late 2021. The USGS staff presented an update to the White[Read More…]
Colorado Leopold Conservation Award now seeking nominees
RBC | Nominations are now being accepted for the Leopold Conservation Award® honoring agricultural landowners in Colorado who demonstrate outstanding stewardship and management of natural resources. Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 21 states for extraordinary achievement in[Read More…]
CONSERVATION CORNER: It all start’s with soil.
Many people enjoy designing attractive landscapes around their homes. These areas may be dominated by lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, or vegetable gardens. To protect the financial and time demands of these efforts, gardeners must first understand the specific soil conditions in their yard. How well does the soil hold (or[Read More…]
Drought impacts to evergreen trees
Many evergreen trees (pine, pinyon, and spruce) are currently exhibiting decreased vigor, twig dieback, and needle browning or needle drop. The primary cause of these conditions is prolonged drought. Dry air, low precipitation, low soil moisture and fluctuating temperatures are common conditions in western Colorado and trees can usually bounce[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Forest Health and Pine Beetles
CSU-Extension states: “Mountain Pine Beetles (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae, are the most important insect pest to Colorado’s pine forests.” They can have devastating effects on whole systems. Unfortunately, there are currently millions of dead trees across western North America. Prior to signs of dying trees, indications of an MPB infestation include:[Read More…]
