MEDIA ADVISORY-Outdoor Stewardship Day at Capitol Thursday

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Coalition of Organizations to Host

Outdoor Stewardship Day at State Capitol

Governor to Issue Proclamation; Coalition to Release Impact Report

 

DENVER, Colo., April 21, 2011 – Volunteers play a critical role in caring for Colorado’s public lands.  As those lands face increasing pressure from budget cuts, a growing population, and a changing climate, the need and opportunity for citizen involvement continues to grow. 

 

To educate the public on State stewardship needs, volunteer impact, current efforts, and ways to get involved, a coalition of Colorado’s leading outdoor stewardship organizations is hosting an Outdoor Stewardship Day at the State Capitol on Thursday, April 21, 2011.  The day will include breakfast, an educational panel of speakers, a session on working with legislators, and a press conference with Governor John Hickenlooper.  Additionally, a resolution proclaiming it Outdoor Stewardship Day will be on the floor of the Senate and House. 

 

WHO:             Press Conference: (noon)

Governor Hickenlooper

Sue Anderson, Director of Programs, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Bryan Martin, Director of Conservation, Colorado Mountain Club

 

Panel Speakers: (8:30 – 10:00am)

Moderator:  Tim Wohlgenant, Executive Director, Trust for Public Lands and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Board member

Steve Sherwood, Regional Director for Recreation, Wilderness and Heritage Resources, US    Forest Service

Helen Hankins, Colorado State Director, Bureau of Land Management

Kim Burgess, COO, Colorado Department of Natural Resources

Tom Hoby, Director, Jefferson County Open Space

Doug Young, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Hickenlooper

Rep. Matt Jones, Legislator and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado crew leader

Senator Gail Schwartz, Legislator

 

How to Work with Government Session for Constituents (10:00 – 10:30)

Craig Mackey, Government Affairs, Outdoor Industry Association

 

WHAT:           OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP DAY – educational program for media and the public to hear from several representatives from State agencies.   

Free light breakfast (RSVP) 7:30-8:30am

Educational panel 8:30-10am

How to talk to legislators 10-10:30am

 

PRESS CONFERENCE – At noon, Governor Hickenlooper will speak on the importance of outdoor volunteers to our State and will deliver a proclamation.  The press conference will announce for the first time to the public several key results from a collective impact study commissioned by the coalition.

 

WHERE:          State Capitol

                          Outdoor Stewardship Day events in the Old Supreme Court Chambers, 2^nd Floor

                          Press Conference in the West Foyer (off the Rotunda)

 

WHEN:           Thursday, April 21

Outdoor Stewardship Day event: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Press conference with Governor Hickenlooper: 12 noon

 

CONTACT:     Sue Anderson, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, 303-818-7264 (cell), or sue@voc.org

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Spring into Service with the Colorado Mountain Club

CMC, REI and Jefferson County Open Space Present the First

Trail Stewardship Project of the Season

 

GOLDEN, Colo –The state’s leading recreation, conservation, and education organization, the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC), will host its first trail stewardship project of the season Saturday, May 7 at 9 a.m. at the North Table Mountain Park trailhead on Highway 93 in Golden.  Spring Into Service is a family friendly outdoor volunteer project, co-hosted by Colorado Mountain Club, REI and Jefferson County Open Space. 

“While making your summer outdoor plans, think about volunteering time to help improve the heavily used trail system in Colorado that thousands utilize each year,” said CMC’s Land Partnerships Manager Lisa Cashel. "North Table Mountain Park is truly a local gem and we hope that our volunteer project will create a group of citizen stewards that will take interest in enhancing recreation opportunities in the park while protecting this special place now and for future generations.”

This event will feature three types of service projects – a family friendly nest box building station and park clean up, a teen friendly fence removal project and new trail construction for adults.  All projects will be designed and led by Jefferson County Open Space staff. Volunteers are asked to bring a day pack with water, snacks and extra layers for unpredictable Colorado weather. The event will take place rain or shine.

The CMC will also provide information about its popular hiking and mountaineering schools, adventure travel opportunities, conservation and youth education programs.  New members who join the Colorado Mountain Club at Spring Into Service will be eligible for a discount.

The Spring Into Service event wraps up with a free lunch provided by REI, gear giveaways, education booths, live music from the bluegrass ensemble Drive Fast, Turn Left, and a pack horse demonstration with the Backcountry Horsemen of America.

Pre-registration is encouraged. For more information, visit www.cmc.org/spring2service