Embedded Files
Conservation districts, which are local, government agencies, provide specialized assistance to landowners for the conservation of natural resources. Historically, they have been considered "best kept secrets."
However, to move beyond being a "secret" and enhance our visibility and collaboration, we initiated the Enhancing Visibility and Collaboration: Monthly Conservation District Submissions. This voluntary monthly submission allows conservation districts to share a brief update on a recent success, challenge, or project. This process not only showcases the districts' work to the public but also fosters awareness and connection among the districts themselves.
The complete collection of monthly submissions is provided below.
March 2026 Key highlights
March 2026 Key highlights
Water and Irrigation:
Several CDs, including Bookcliff, Debeque- Plateau Valley, and Fremont, approved cost-share applications for irrigation infrastructure improvements and held irrigation workshops.
Lake County is continuing collaboration on an instream flow effort.
High Desert launched a new Alternative Forages project focused on drought-tolerant species.
Wildfire and Forest Management:
Lake County partnered with a GIS Analyst to develop a publicly available Wildfire and Forest Treatment Planning Map.
Delta heard a presentation on wildfire preparedness, and La Plata continues work on a Fire Mitigation grant.
Wolf Conflict Mitigation:
Mount Sopris, South Side, and Bookcliff CDs collaborated on wolf conflict mitigation efforts through grants.
Mount Sopris is working with partners to establish an MOU for a dedicated USDA APHIS/Wildlife Services staff member to cover their districts.
Debeque- Plateau Valley also approved funding for Wolf Conflict Mitigation.
Biochar and Soil Health:
Bent completed its first successful Biochar Demonstration.
Rio Grande sponsored a biochar demo and is considering future opportunities.
Mancos is working on soil and moisture measuring plans.
Noxious Weed Management:
South Side and Mount Sopris started site visits and noxious weed mapping for a cost-share program.
High Desert partnered with Montezuma County on a herbicide cost-share program.
Debeque- Plateau Valley developed an application for a new Noxious Weed Cost Share Program.
Spanish Peaks-Purgatoire welcomed a new District Noxious Weed Tech to fulfill a recently awarded CDA Grant.
Outreach and Education:
Many CDs hosted workshops, including a Tree Workshop series (Morgan), Plant ID (Bent), Estate and Succession Planning, and Pasture Management (High Desert).
El Paso County held workshops on Pruning and Grafting and ordered 150 heritage apple trees for participants.
Longmont and Boulder Valley CDs hosted the 14th annual "From Our Lands to Your Hands Workshop" for 1,180 fourth-grade students.
Centennial ordered 200 trees to give to fourth graders.
Branson-Trinchera began planning for their Annual Youth Day.
High Desert kicked off a youth education program and a seedling sale.
Administrative/Staffing:
Mancos welcomed a new employee and is working on a backlog of applications.
Delta welcomed a new Educational Coordinator.
Centennial is struggling to hire for an IRA/DCT position.
La Plata noted a further reduction in local NRCS staffing.
Teller Park welcomed a new District Manager who started a community Conservation book club.
Grant and Project Status:
Center is experiencing setbacks on their SOCOWPP due to grant reimbursement timelines but anticipates receiving prototype wool pellet mill equipment soon.
Colorado First has started groundwork on grants to treat invasive annual grasses and enhance Sagebrush biomes.
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