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Environmental Stewardship Award Winners

2008

Big Thompson Watershed Forum’s Volunteer Monitoring Program, for their collaboration with community volunteers to collect water samples. The Big Thompson Watershed is crucial for providing water for drinking, agriculture, recreation and natural habitat. Water samples collected as a result of this program allow the Forum to compare sample results with water quality standards and to identify water quality trends within the watershed. The volunteer monitoring program also increases community awareness and understanding of watershed issues and the importance of good stewardship. The result is an effective blend of science and community involvement that benefits the Big Thompson River.
FortZED Task Group of UniverCity Connections, for their success in organizing a diverse group of public and private entities around the goal of creating a net zero energy district. The goal of FortZED is to create a district where all of the energy used is created locally via sustainable non-polluting sources such as wind and solar that provide for long term stewardship of the environment by reducing carbon emissions produced through traditional energy production. A combination of technology, education, financing and most of all commitment will be needed in order to achieve success. While the complexity of the work ahead should not be underestimated, the Task Group represents unprecedented grassroots community collaboration aimed at one of the most important issues of our time.
Jim Reidhead, for an important body of work that includes both environmental and historic preservation. Jim was instrumental in the creation of the 1,600 acre Phantom Canyon under the Nature Conservancy. That model for success was expanded during his tenure as director of the County’s Rural Land Use Center. Under that program more than 11,000 acres have been protected using voluntary agreements with landowners who develop a small portion of their property in exchange for preserving large tracts of valuable natural resources and agricultural lands. The skills necessary to accomplish these tasks include technical knowledge about environmental values, an understanding of legal conservation practices, and exceptional personal skills to develop good relations with land owners. Jim also has a record of accomplishment in renovation and historic preservation efforts in Old Town Fort Collins. The results of Jim’s dedication and skill will benefit the community far into the future.
Darlene Halvorsen, for her work with River Watch at Loveland High School. Science teacher Darlene Halvorsen coordinates the activities of the River Watch club. Weekly meetings center on monitoring the biological, chemical and physical health of the Big Thompson Watershed. The River Watch students perform monthly water analyses at designated river locations and share that information with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. They also organize river cleanup events and provide educational presentations. The nomination received for this award notes that “Mrs. Halvorsen has been the driving force behind River Watch at the school for 9 years. Her passion for preserving the environment and teaching others truly sets her apart”.
Legacy Land Trust, for their efforts that have resulted in the conservation of over 35,000 acres of important lands since the Trust’s founding in 1993. The Legacy Land Trust is a non-profit organization which works with local land owners, the community, and local government to conserve important wildlife habitat, farm and ranch lands and scenic areas in Larimer, Weld and Jackson Counties. All of the conservation easements held by the trust were negotiated as a result of voluntary agreements with willing landowners. The emphasis is on maintaining a trust and mutual dialogue. The Legacy Land Trust has demonstrated that they have the technical, management and personal skills necessary to partner with our region on these important conservation projects.

2007

Anita Comer from Waste-Not Recycling, for her leadership in all aspects of solid waste recycling. Under Anita Comer's leadership, Waste-Not has grown from providing volunteer-based curbside recycling programs to offering complete recycling services to hundreds of businesses, schools and public entities. Services include recycling of construction and demolition wastes, electronics waste recycling, recycling programs in schools, and help with zero waste events. Waste-Not staff provides waste audits to determine the current status of a business's waste, and designs recycling services tailored to those needs. These services include everything from recycling containers to education and training for client needs. Anita and her staff have the reputation as problem solvers when it comes to finding solutions for recycling or reusing all manner of wastes. The result is a significant reduction of materials going to the landfill and a more sustainable community.
Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, for their stewardship program which has been active for more than fifteen years to protect and improve the natural resources on the ranch property. The stewardship program is lead by volunteers and accomplished through numerous work projects. For example, a conservation committee made up of volunteers, many of whom are professional natural resource managers, developed both a forest stewardship plan and a grazing plan for the property. The ongoing implementation of these plans has improved the forest health and grazing resources. Ben Delatour Scout Ranch has also developed effective partnerships related to their stewardship activities including students from Colorado State University and Front Range Community College. The stewardship activities at Ben Delatour serve as an example for other public and private institutions that manage large tracts of land in Larimer County.
Loveland Youth Gardeners, for their important efforts to cultivate skills, stewardship and service in young people through sustainable gardening. A variety of programs are offered each year to serve Loveland area youth. In conjunction with gardening skills, the students learn important job and life skills such as team work, leadership, public speaking and the importance of service to the community. In addition to the youth gardening, other programs include "Plant a Row for the Hungry" and "Leaf Out". In the Leaf Out program, students volunteer to organize a variety of service projects in the community, such as landscaping at a local middle school, assisting with gardening at the Benson Park Sculpture Garden, teaching younger children about gardening, and landscape design, planting and maintenance for local nonprofit agencies.
Rose Watson, for her commitment, dedication and skill as education coordinator for the Garbage Garage Education Center. Rose hosts classes for children ages 5 and up to teach them about solid waste and the importance of reducing and recycling waste. Both parents and coworkers report that the result is motivated children that challenge their families to lower the amount of waste they set out on the curb each week. Through Rose's leadership, classes designed for families have recently been added for the fall and winter. Rose is able to be effective because she brings enthusiasm, knowledge and hard work to her efforts, plus a willingness to be such an important leader for the Garbage Garage Education Center.
Platte River Power Authority, for their commitment to stewardship activities as demonstrated in many actions and projects related to their core service of power generation. Environmental accomplishments include the voluntary installation of a new air combustion system at the Platte River Rawhide Energy Station that resulted in a 63 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions, and a 16 percent reduction in both sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide emissions. Other activities include wind energy generated from Platte River's Medicine Bow Wind Project, customer conservation assistance programs, reducing employee gasoline consumption through the purchase of hybrid vehicles and participation in the Smart Trips VanGo program, and programs to foster wildlife on the property surrounding the Rawhide Energy Station. Major utilities such as Platte River Power Authority have a unique opportunity to demonstrate environmental stewardship by going above and beyond regulatory requirements.

2006

The Roberts Ranch: for granting conservation easements on its entire 16,500 acres. The Roberts family has been involved in ranching in the Livermore area since 1874, and their ranch has a Centennial Ranch designation. This is a working ranch that still supports traditional Hereford cattle ranching. It also provides exceptional open vistas and scenery including red bluff landmarks such as Steamboat Rock and Tug Rock. The Ranch is part of the Laramie Foothills Mountains to Plains Project, a partnership for conservation that includes private landowners, Larimer County Open Lands Program, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program, Legacy Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy. The Roberts Ranch lies in the very heart of the project. The Roberts have put their passion for preservation of the land above considerations of economic gain. The result is a permanent legacy that benefits all the Citizens of Larimer County and serves as an example for the conservation of private working farms and ranches.
Glacier View Meadows Ecology Committee: for their educational efforts related to sustaining the long-term well being of the natural habitat in the Glacier View Meadows residential community. Glacier View Meadows is located in the mountains west of Livermore and east of Red Feather Lakes. The Ecology Committee has used several educational procedures to help property owners learn how they can live in and interact with the surrounding environment in a manner that does not significantly alter or degrade the environment. The Ecology Committee has: constructed and now maintains a demonstration garden to show residents how to select and care for plantings that are appropriate for the area; they have constructed a self-guided nature trail to acquaint residents with many of the important ecological features of the habitat in which they live; they have produced educational articles about issues such as noxious weeds, pine beetle and mistletoe management; and, they have encouraged fire-wise safety practices. The efforts of the Ecology Committee have been ongoing for 10 years.
Envirofit International's Two-Stroke Engine Retrofit Kit: for their partnerships at the local and international level to reduce air emissions from two-cycle motorcycle engines. The original technology grew from a Clean Snowmobile Competition by Colorado State University (CSU) students to a full blown operating corporation that has the backing of the Philippine government. Envirofit developed from research work undertaken at the CSU Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory. This locally produced technology has important practical applications for developing nations like the Philippines where serious air pollution from two-cycle engines is occurring. We are very proud that this synthesis of intelligence, technology, and business springs from our County.
Timnath Education and Charitable Association's Timnath Community Garden: for their efforts to preserve the rural and gardening heritage of Timnath. This 2.5 acre garden is in the heart of town. During this first year of operation, it helped to promote a sense of community by bringing together groups and individuals to learn about organic gardening. Two of the garden plots were planted by Traut Core Knowledge School kindergarteners, who later harvested tomatoes, peppers and cilantro to make fresh salsa. Over 550 pounds of produce from the garden were donated to the Larimer County Food Bank. The garden has brought together community members, educated people, created beauty, and fed people in need.

2005

The Environmental Club and Rocky Mountain High School and sponsor Dave Swartz, for their sustained stewardship activities. The club coordinated a school wide recycling program for the past 15 years. Members collect, consolidate and prepare recyclables on a weekly basis for pickup by a recycling vendor. During the past year, the school recycled over 19,000 pounds of paper, as well as metal cans, plastic and glass bottles, batteries and printer cartridges.
Dr. Robert Streeter, Wildlife Commons Committee Chair of the Trappers Point Homeowners Association, for conservation activities on the Association's eight acre open space parcel. Dr. Streeter led the effort to transform a parcel of reverted farmland covered with weeds to a seasonal wetland surrounded by a mosaic of native grasses, wildflowers and shrubs. The revegetation plan was designed to attract breeding and migrating birds to a semblance of native prairie that was no longer present in the surrounding farmlands and developments. Management of the area, especially weed control, will be an ongoing homeowner's association responsibility.
The Town of Estes Park and their Knolls-Willows Conservation Project, for their conservation activities on this strategic property. The Knoll-Willows properties include 20 acres of contiguous natural open space located in Estes Park between the Highway 34 bypass, MacGregor Avenue, and the downtown. It contains a number of important natural features. These include jagged rock cliffs, ponderosa pine forest, and a riparian zone with wetland and willows. Cultural features include a 1904 historic stone ruin on a promontory overlooking downtown Estes Park, and a 1908 cabin listed on the State Register of Historic Properties. A master plan for managing the property was developed by an eleven-member Citizens Advisory Council.

2004

Gary Householter and his dog Timber, for a unique human-canine relationship. Timber has been taught to retrieve litter and trash, and the pair has faithfully worked together on daily walks over the past 5 years. People are amazed at Timber's performance as he goes deep into the bush, into a river, or over obstacles to pick up what others have carelessly discarded. Gary bags the trash and deposits it in his own dumpster for proper disposal. The stewardship ethic need not always be technical in nature. Personal commitment and leading by example can achieve results and motivate others to act is similar ways. Gary and Timber live in the Estes park area.
Vicky Jordan, for environmental education activities at Wellington Jr. High School. Vicky teaches 8th grade science, and was nominated for a stewardship award because of her dedication and creativity in making important concepts about nature's cycles relevant to students. Students review the water cycle by creating a story, song or cartoon that depicts the flow of water through different locations on earth. The concepts become more complex as the class studies the carbon/oxygen cycle, and finally the nitrogen cycle. Field studies include observations at a recycling center, sewage treatment plant and dairy. The result is a learning experience that is part of the culture at Wellington Jr. High, and shows students how they can make a difference and become environmental stewards themselves.
Jon and Susanne Stephens, for land stewardship activities on their Rocky Mountain Lazy J Bar S Ranch. The Ranch is located at the upper end of Ryan's gulch in southwest Loveland. The Stephens provided a conservation easement for the Ranch in 2002 which will permanently preserve 327 acres, balancing the historic agricultural operation with protection of important wildlife and plant habitat. Examples of wildlife enhancement including the planting of over 2,800 berry-producing trees and shrubs in buffer areas between fields, establishment of non-traditional slash piles to attract burrowing wildlife such as the eastern cottontail, and modification of their tractor with an attachment to flush out birds while cutting hay. The Ranch is an excellent example of preservation of functional open space adjacent to an urban area.
Lafarge Northern Division, for commitment to citizen outreach in conjunction with their Kyger sand and gravel operation. The Kyger pit is located adjacent to a rapidly growing urban area near Windsor. The Kyger-Lafarge neighborhood committee was formed to identify community concerns and develop solutions before issues become serious problems. Issues such as noise and truck traffic are often very difficult to address in areas where gravel mining and residential development are in close proximity. Examples of measures developed to lower the potential impacts in this case include vegetative buffers, and berms to conceal operations from the surrounding neighbors, and the use of electric pumps instead of the more common diesel generators to reduce noise levels. This sand and gravel operation will ultimately become a landscaped water storage reservoir.

2003

Poudre School District, for constructing the Zach and Bacon Elementary Schools in Fort Collins as the state's first high performance, sustainable schools. The schools feature energy efficient design, the use of recycled building materials, and "learning walls" through which students and others can actually view the buildings' internal systems. Both schools also subscribe to the Fort Collins Utilities' wind power program.
Josie Plaut, for her work as operations manager at the High Plains Environmental Center in Loveland, where she showed dedication and enthusiasm in her quest to protect and enhance 275 acres, including wetlands, former agricultural land and a reservoir.
Racinda Godbold, Katrina Korzyniowski, Kim Krenning and Nancy Kreider, kindergarten teachers at Dunn and McGraw IB World Schools, Fort Collins, for collaborating together to write, implement and revise a unit planner entitled, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." The planner has become an integral part of the kindergarten International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program curriculum at the Dunn and McGraw schools.
MacGregor Ranch, Estes Park, for its dedication to long-term research on wildlife and vegetation management in a ranch setting, as well as providing educational opportunities to more than 3,000 students and teachers annually. The ranch serves as a working model of sustainable agriculture and conservation stewardship
Mark Easter and the Resource Use Audit Committee of the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory (NREL) at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, for their research into the NREL's resource use and environmental impacts. Their final report includes suggestions, many of which have been implemented, on how to minimize the lab's "environmental footprint." The report also describes the methods they used to quantify their resource use and impacts, so that other entities can follow suit.

2002

Gina Harvey, for her work as a wildlife rehabilitator. Deer, elk and bighorn sheep are cared for in this operation, which provides safe, professional licensed care for injured or orphaned wildlife. The Colorado Division of Wildlife relies on volunteer facilities for this important function.

2001

Nancy and George Wallace, for their Wallace Family Environmental Stewardship Activities. Since 1993 they have worked tirelessly creating a working model of farming and environmental compatibility on their farm north of Fort Collins. In addition to expected crops and livestock, they have cultivated a large number of native plants, and created valuable wildlife habitat and corridors. Approximately 25% of the farm is uncultivated and managed for wildlife habitat. Over the years, the Wallaces have freely shared their knowledge and experience with community members and CSU students.
Ken and Steve DeLine, for their DeLine Environmental Stewardship Activities. The Northeast Neighborhood Coalition nominated the DeLines for their commitment to preserving a working agricultural landscape, ensuring open spaces, protecting wildlife habitat, and maintaining the rural character of Larimer County while at the same time pursuing a limited amount of residential development. The DeLines have accomplished this, the nominators write, by working with the county's Rural Land Use Center in the development of several properties northeast of Fort Collins. The projects include the Westview and Cottonwood Farms Rural Land Use Projects and the Douglas road Farms Exemption. Each provides new clustered rural residential lots while preserving the majority of the property in working agriculture.

2000

Trees, Water & People, for development of the Larimer County Wetland Education & Enhancement Program. The goals of this program are to facilitate on-site wetland education with schools, community groups and youth organizations. The EAB noted that projects such as the Dragon's Lair Wetland (one of this group's programs) combine educational, youth-oriented emphasis, with the very tangible community benefit of sustaining urban wetlands.
Volunteers of the Larimer County Master Gardener Program, for their efforts over 25 years at improving the horticultural environment of Larimer County. The program currently involves 86 volunteers, two of whom have been active for 20+ years. The EAB recommended the Larimer County Master Gardener Volunteers, in part, because of their long-term success in assisting thousands of people in maintaining and enhancing their piece of the natural environment through sound horticultural practices.
Stan Everitt, for his work with Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins in the development of the Fossil Lake Planned Unit Development in advance of passage of the Fossil Creek Special Area Plan. The Planned Unit Development represents a voluntary integration of important wildlife protection strategies, transfer of development units, and residual lands management provisions. The EAB felt it was appropriate to recognize Mr. Everitt specifically for his cooperation with Larimer County and the City of Ft. Collins in creation of the Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan, the county's pilot program for the implementation of TDUs.

1999

Poudre School District River Watch Teachers and Students, for ongoing efforts to monitor local water quality by collecting and testing water samples on the Poudre River and Spring Creek. This effort involves teachers and students from Rocky Mountain High School, Poudre High School and Blevins Junior High and represents over 4,000 hours of volunteer time in the past 7 years. The data becomes part of a statewide water quality database maintained by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. This project results in creation of a useful database, education of students about water quality issues, and creation of lasting partnerships between teachers, students, and community members.
Jon Anderson, for his commitment to composting and community education about its benefits. Jon Anderson lectures to public school classrooms and community groups about vermiculture composting using worms and worm castings. He has developed a "Worm Mobile" (an old ambulance) and demonstration composting bins as visual tools to engage public interest. Through his efforts, community members learn important principles about solid waste reduction, soil amendment and self-sufficiency.
New Belgium Brewing Company, for their commitment to purchase 100% of their electric power needs for the next 10 years from wind turbine generation. Through a unanimous vote of employees for wind power, the costs of doing business will increase and employee bonuses will lowered. However, the decision will result in a significant community benefit due to reduced air pollution by decreasing demand on fossil fuel generation. It is estimated that the wind power used by New Belgium Brewing Company will reduce the amount of coal burned by more than 900 tons per year, eliminate more than 4 million pounds or carbon dioxide emissions annually, and reduce sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions. Had these gasses been produced, they would have contributed to air pollution and global warming.
Help Preserve Open Spaces, for their tremendous efforts in preserving open spaces, natural areas, wildlife habitat, parks and trails through out the county. This volunteer countywide citizens group organized a successful grassroots petition drive and political campaign that resulted in a 15-year extension of the current open spaces sales tax in the county. Sixty percent of voters said 'yes' to the initiative. The efforts of the Help Preserve Open Spaces Citizens Committee will leave a lasting legacy for Larimer County.

1998

Harris Bilingual Elementary School, for the Harris Schoolyard Project, a playground with an environmental theme designed to help teach environmental ethics and stewardship.
Holnam Inc., for many projects that reduce the amount of pollution generated or emitted from the cement plant.
Fort Collins Board of Realtors, for corporate donorship to the Larimer Land Trust with a 5-year contribution of $7500 per year.
Howard Alden, for his organization of the annual Poudre Riverfest and other efforts to preserve the Poudre River.

1997

Houska Automotive, for its ongoing efforts regarding pollution prevention in an automotive repair shop and for community involvement including participation in the Larimer County Pollution Prevention Advisory Group and regional workshops to provide training to other shops.
Friends of the Poudre, for ongoing activities regarding protection of the Poudre River. Activities over the past year include participation in the northern Colorado GOCO Legacy Grant, the 11th Poudre River Festival, participation in three water forums, and community education projects.
Larry Gamble and the National Park Service, for their work with neighboring landowners to develop strategies for protecting natural and cultural values using citizen work groups and computer-generated mapping data in a project called the Related Lands Evaluation.
Steve Hird, for his donation of $15,000 for reclamation activities of two roadcut scars crossing ridgeline property recently purchased by the Larimer County Parks and Open Lands Department.

1996

Poudre Wilderness Volunteers, for the education and trail maintenance efforts of this volunteer ranger program.
Committee for the Poudre-Big Thompson Rivers Legacy Project, for environmental protection and enhancement.
Poudre School District, for its many environmental programs.

1995

Merrill R. Kaufman (Fort Collins), for saving his cabin during a fire by creating a 'defensible space.'
Doug Gladwin, Mike Sheahan, Jeff Lakely, Robert Wilkinson, for their efforts to transform the W.R.E.N. gravel mine into a wildlife habitat.