The State of Colorado's Watersheds Report 2005

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statewide update ;R Trees, Water & People Trees, Water & People (TWP) is a watershed protection group that works throughout Colorado, but also has integrated local, regional and international programs. International Programs TWP manages watershed protection programs in six countries — Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico and Brazil. International projects focus primarily on reforestation, watershed protection and fuel efficient stoves. TWP recently was awarded an Ashton Award by Prince Charles in London for its fuel efficient stove program that improves family members' health while dramatically lessening the amount of firewood needed. Regional Programs TWP manages a Tribal Lands Alternative Energy Program which provides education about solar energy and installs supplemental solar heating systems for low income tribal families on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. We also plant windbreaks and shade trees for Lakota families to cut down on energy costs and provide a more livable situation, given the harsh weather in South Dakota. In northern Colorado, we operate the Community Resource Protection Program. This local program develops outdoor wetland science labs for local schools, cares for open spaces and encourages the use of alternative energy. We have conducted over 130 volunteer events and currently manage the Adopt an Outdoor Classroom program in conjunction with the City of Fort Collins and manage the Million Solar Roofs program for the Department of Energy. One of our most significant programs is our Regional Watershed Protection Program. This program has focused on helping watershed groups develop the skills and resources to become more sustainable. For the last five years, TWP has been working to support Colorado's watershed groups in numerous ways: Managing the Colorado program for the National Watershed Health Project, which provides: • On -site training and ongoing coaching for watershed groups with a primary focus on fundraising and leadership development. Organizational development and scientific workshops that IMP P relieves that local watershed groups provide the best framework for effectively protecting out- watersheds, improve skills while increasing the sharing of ideas between different watershed groups. Supporting the Colorado Watershed Assembly with staff, interns and financial support. Examples include: • TWP's National Director, Richard Fox has served the last four years as the President of CWA. • Establishing and coordinating a volunteer effort that provides professional, scientific and intern - level support for numerous CWA projects. • Providing supervision, office space, computer and other equipment and supplies to CWA's staff Watershed Coordinator. • Funding staff and volunteer expenses and travel related to CWA business. • Coordinates the information gathering, design, and publication of the State of Colorado's Watersheds Report. In addition to its work in Colorado, Trees, Water & People provides assistance and scientific workshops to watershed groups in several other states. TWP believes that local watershed groups, working collaboratively with local, state and federal agencies, provide the best framework for effectively protecting our watersheds, our rivers and other natural resources that we depend on for our long -term survival and well being.