Projects

Upper South Platte Watershed Association

Contact Information:
OSM/VISTA: Amy D. Raines
Supervisor: Jonas Feinstein
Address: 655 Parfet St., Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: 720-544-2807
Email: amy.raines AT co DOT usda DOT gov
Website: www.jeffersonconservationdistrict.org
US Congressional District: 7th
County: Jefferson

Description of organization and mission:

The Upper South Platte Watershed Association is a consortium of 15 Colorado conservation districts within the Upper South Platte Watershed (USPW). The mission of the Association is to "protect the natural resources and ecological health of the watershed through the locally led efforts of conservation districts and watershed stakeholders, with an emphasis on sustainability". The USPW serves 13 counties and covers over 13,000 square miles from the peaks of the continental divide down to farmland on the eastern plains.

The Jefferson Conservation District (JCD) received two OSM/VISTA volunteers to assist in projects related to watershed health issues within Gilpin, Clear Creek, and Jefferson Counties. By working with community organizations, elected officials, landowners, and emergency response teams, JCD provides technical and financial assistance to ensure resource conservation.

Goals of the OSM/VISTA in the Upper South Platte Watershed Association

The OSM/VISTA(s) assist in capacity building for JCD on projects that include wildfire mitigation and urban agriculture. This includes community outreach, grant writing, identifying areas of concern/interest, and overall project development.

The VISTA's objectives on the Watershed Health Program for wildfire mitigation are to engage local officials and community leaders in the areas that pose the highest threat to watershed health and human safety in the event of a wildfire. This includes establishing contacts and creating a database, working in GIS to indentify feasible projects and create mitigation plans, securing funding for the projects, and building a strong volunteer base for the communities. The development of this and other projects will maintain sustainability of Upper South Platte Watershed Association and JCD's mission to ensure the health of USPW.