Conservation & Action
Next Conservation Committee Meetings:
"Think globally, act locally."
The conservation issues committee of ASGD takes this saying to heart. They keep an "eagle eye" on governmental policies and actions that affect the South Platte watershed and other areas of concern to our members.
The committee typically meets on the third Tuesday of every other month at 7pm. Meeting locations vary. Please contact committee chairperson, Polly Reetz at reetzfam@juno.com for more information.
Activities of the Conservation Issues Committee
Global Warming Forum
Saturday, May 31, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
Assisting Citizen Activists
Provides support to Denver-area residents and activist groups trying to protect their local natural areas and wildlife. Assistance ranges from providing advice and guidance to writing letters and testifying at hearings. Recent examples include:
- Protested a proposed shopping mall on agricultural land adjacent to Barr Lake State Park through letters and testimony at the Brighton City Council meeting.
- Aiding East Piney Creek Preservation Foundation in an effort to save a riparian area from being turned into ball fields, a parking lot and concession stand by providing an on-site visit and letters to officials.
If you need help with an environmental issue in your neighborhood, contact Polly Reetz at reetzfam@juno.com or Ann Bonnell at abonnell@juno.com.
A Pro-Environmental Voice on Conservation Issues
Monitors legislation, government policies and actions at the local, state and national levels. Alerts Denver Audubon members when action is needed through the "Eagle Eye" column in our newsletter and an e-mail distribution list (members without e-mail can be added to a volunteer phone tree for alerts).
- Participates in the Colorado Division of Wildlife's (CDOW) environmental roundtable discussions. Routinely comments on actions of the CDOW via letter and/or speaking at Wildlife Commission meetings. Recently the committee wrote and spoke against allowing the "take" of peregrine falcon chicks from wild nests for falconry.
- Comments on federal actions that affect our priority areas - the Cherry Creek and Chatfield Basins, the Pike/San Isabel National Forest, Rocky Mountain National Park and wildlife refuges. Recent examples include: Commented on the Hayman Fire Salvage Project, the re-location of the Gem Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Peregrine Falcon Monitoring Plan and the redevelopment of I-25 and CR 85 near Chatfield State Park.
- Contributes to the Audubon-Colorado lobbyist fund that hires a professional lobbyist to represent Audubon at the Colorado state legislature. This person is one of only two pro-environmental lobbyist working on state issues!
Annual Legislative
Workshop
(co-sponsored by the Sierra Club)
This full-day workshop introduces participants to issues and bills facing the current state legislature. Breakout sessions rovide in-depth information on issues of concern and training on how to effectively make your voice heard. The workshop is usually held on a Saturday in early February.
Partnerships for the Environment
Works in partnership with other groups to protect natural areas and wildlife. Currently members of the conservation issues committee are actively involved with the Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners, the Chatfield Basin Conservation Network and the Prairie Dog Coalition.
Polly Reetz, Chair
of Conservation Issues Committee,
addresses participants at the 2003 Legislative Workshop.
