Rio Grande - Rio Grande Initiative_Application_2008

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Initiative. . Rio de la Vista, Coordinator, San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area Committee and Co-coordinator of the Rio Grande Initiative Rio has been working with nonprofit organizations on land related issues since 1980 and in various aspects of conservation since 1994 and in the SL V since 1998, including coordinating the successful Rock Creek Heritage Project, which has protected approximately 8,000 acres of ranch land south of Monte Vista. . Aaron Welch, Assistant Project Manager, Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust and Ducks Unlimited Aaron Welch is a Fellow with the Colorado Conservation Trust and recent graduate of Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies where he earned a Master's Degree in Environmental Science. He works part time for Ducks Unlimited and part time for RiGHT assisting with all functions of the organizations. Board of Directors of RiGHT: . President Peggy Blenden has a Masters Degree in Wildlife Biology. . Vice President Ralph Curtis is the retired General Manager of the RGWCD and one of most knowledgeable people on water issues in the SLV. . Secretary Cathy McNeil was the founding President of RiGHT, former President of the Rio Grande Watershed Association of Conservation Districts, and winner of several national conservation awards. Her husband Mike is a fourth generation rancher in the SL V and the McNeil's have protected their ranch. . Treasurer, Pete Atkins is a full time rancher who has protected his ranch and is active with the Colorado Cattlemen's Association. . Linda Schoonhoven is a full time rancher who has protected her ranch. . Cathy Morin is a professional fundraiser for the SL V Regional Medical Center, the only full service hospital in the Valley and holds a PhD in Nutrition and is an active river boater. . Jim Rhett is the recently retired BLM/USFS Assistant Supervisor for the Rio Grande National Forest and Center Manager for the BLM Area Office. . Steve Russell is the retired District Conservationist for the NRCS. He implemented many of the river restoration projects that the NRCS has cost-shared, helped start the Rio Grande Restoration Project, and has extensive knowledge about range and ranch management and Farm Bill programs. RiGHT's Advisors: RiGHT has the legal services of attorney Jeanne "Gigi" Darricades who has served RiGHT for six years and technical advisors in various fields, including Pat McDermott and Craig Cotton with the Division of Water Resources, Kirk Thompson with Agro Engineering, NRCS personnel, and others. RiGHT has on- going working relationships with numerous professionals who can provide the expertise for all due diligence requirements for easements. Partner Organizations and Personnel: Ducks Unlimited: Page 25 of 32 Rio Grande Initiative Janual'Y 2008