Projects

North Fork River Improvement Association

Contact Information:
OSM/VISTA: Sean Barna
Supervisor: Dr. Dave Stiller
Address: PO Box 682, Hotchkiss, Colorado 81419
Phone: 970-872-4614
Email: sean AT nfria DOT org
Website: www.nfria.org
US Congressional District: 3
County: Delta

Description of Organization and Mission:

Established in 1996, the North Fork River Improvement Association (NFRIA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded to improve stream stability, riparian habitat, and ecosystem function along the North Fork of the Gunnison River.

Since then, NFRIA has grown into a vigorous watershed organization that empowers a broad-based coalition of riverfront landowners, farmers, ranchers, environmentalists, irrigation companies, outdoor enthusiasts, in-stream gravel mining companies, and concerned members of the community as the driving force behind resource restoration efforts.

NFRIA has worked for more than a decade to foster the restoration of the North Fork into a healthy, usable, and sustainable river while promoting community enrichment and sustainable agricultural practices. We have established a remarkable record of successful restoration and enhancement projects, with grants from over 60 local, state, and national organizations and individual donations of our membership — now more than 450 people.

Goal of OSM/VISTA in the North Fork River Improvement Association:

Sean's activities will revolve primarily around community outreach and education.

Every successful non-profit organization needs to be in touch with the entire community it is trying to serve. This can be done through an innovative, modern, and comprehensive outreach program that brings the message of an organization to the people in as many ways as possible. A person should be able to pick up the newspaper and see an article about a recent NFRIA event. If this catches their interest, a user-friendly, attractive website should provide details on the event, future events like it, and of course, "how you can help." A teacher should be able to download educational electronic presentations on watershed issues that would catch the interest of a classroom full of children, and a larger organization looking to fund a local watershed group in Colorado should be able to download an informational brochure to pass around at a board meeting.

What NFRIA has been able to accomplish since its inception is impressive, and the future looks just as promising. Sean is excited about this opportunity to help spread the word.