We Need YOU To Monitor Local Stream Temperatures
Drought has set in in the Roaring Fork Valley and with it, dropping river levels and elevated water temperatures which could lead to stressed fish and other aquatic organisms.
RFC is introducing a NEW program Hot Spots for Trout, a citizen scientist stream temperature monitoring program, and looking for volunteers who would be willing to:
- Follow proper water temperature collection protocols for accurate data. RFC will provide instruction.
- Collect at least 5 water temperature readings a week (same or different locations) from July through mid-October.
- Upload data via phone or computer to RFC's NEW Hot Spots for Trout app, as often as data is collected (at minimum, twice a week).
- Volunteers will check out a calibrated thermometer and will be expected to return thermometers when Hot Spots program is completed.
Learn more about Hot Spots for Trout and the importance of cool water at http://www.roaringfork.org/drought/hot-spots-for-trout/.
Check Out RFC's NEW Augmented Reality Sand Table:
Making Watersheds With Our Hands and Sand
Using sand, sensors, and software from an open source project by The University of California at Davis, with funding from the National Science Foundation, this model reacts to students manipulating sand!
As students create geographic features using their hands (somewhat like playing in a sandbox), topographic lines and lights are projected and layered onto the sand creating multicolored topography detailing peaks, valleys, and water features. Recent funding received from Pitkin County Healthy Rivers will allow RFC educators to give students a hands-on, interactive experience while learning about watersheds. The accompanying curriculum will inspire and empower youth to develop a keen awareness of their natural environment and use technology to observe and create, while exploring how geological features form and how water moves through a landscape.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
We’re thrilled to announce that Forever Our Rivers Foundation will support our Crystal River restoration project this year. The Foundation’s funds will help us restore 18-acres of riparian habitat and a half-mile reach of the Crystal River near Carbondale, CO. Interpretive trails will wind through the Riverfront Park area of the project, keeping our community connected to our river. Go to www.roaringfork.org to find out more about the project.
Roaring Fork Conservancy staff and board would also like to express our gratitude for Pitkin County Healthy River’s Board support of Crystal River and Riverfront Park Restoration.
RFC’s work to implement the 2016 Crystal River Management Plan is currently focused on the restoration of Riverfront Park in Carbondale. The $50,000 the Town of Carbondale was granted is integral for the project team to complete the planning and permitting for restoration and enhancement a one-half mile reach and surrounding 18-acre riparian zone of the Crystal River as it flows through the River Valley Ranch. The project will also improve the efficiency of the town owned Weaver Ditch diversion and reduce annual in-channel maintenance.
Pitkin County’s support for rivers and riparian areas throughout our watershed benefits our entire community. We are thankful for the collaboration and support for these important projects.
Hike with RFC & Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers: Lake Christine
Join RFC, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Colorado Wild and Public Lands for a hike at the Lake Christine State Wildlife Area on July 12 as we explore the effects of the 2018 Lake Christine Wildfire, and restoration recovery efforts. Space is limited, register soon!
Register at https://www.rfov.org/events/tour-the-trails-hike-series-26blg-s4swp
Come Create Art at The River Center!
There is still time for teens to register for RIVERSCAPES - a FREE, virtual summer camp hosted by RFC and Basalt Library. Teens will go with the flow and try their hand at drawing trout, mayflies, stoneflies and water at The River Center.
RFC will then host a gallery of river art created during this virtual camp, on the windows of The River Center. We encourage the community to come and view these works of art.
ADDITIONALLY....We are looking for families who want to create fun art, as well!!
Spaces around and outside The River Center will be outlined where families and individuals can add their own chalk drawings, creating a gallery of Riverscapes.
How will this work?
- Each family or individual can choose a designated space to create their own chalk masterpiece.
- Registration is required to reserve an outlined space and bucket of sidewalk chalk.
- Drawing Guides will be posted outside for guidance, and how-to videos will be accessible at RFC's activity page.
Originality is encouraged with fun being the most important objective! This event will take place from July 24-27.
Take a moment to let your creativity flow and leave a mural to inspire others to connect to our rivers through art.
This free event is made possible through RFC member donations.
REGISTER SOON. Space is limited to 15!
July Watershed Explorations
Whether you're walking next to the river, floating on it or looking in it, explore the gems of the Roaring Fork Watershed with us this month!
Filoha Meadows Evening Exploration - July 6, 13 and 20
Herron Park - Insects of the Roaring Fork River - July 14
Water in the Age of Silver: Touring Aspen's Holden Works - July 21
Float through North Star Preserve - July 22 and August 4
Participant numbers are limited for each program.
Registration is required.
Please visit www.roaringfork.org/events for program details and registration.
Listen to: Importance of Healthy Riparian Areas For Healthy Waterways
RFC's water quality manager, Chad Rudow, joined Lauri Rink from Middle Colorado Watershed Council and City of Glenwood Springs Mayor, John Godes, for a live Facebook discussion on the importance of healthy riparian areas for healthy waterways.
Listen in by clicking HERE.
SUMMER WATERSHED GAMES for Adults & Youth!
Helping you EXPLORE the Roaring Fork Watershed this summer!
RFC will share two new games a month this summer via Facebook, Instagram and website. Some activities will take a day or two to complete and others may take several weeks.
We are excited for you to discover the hidden, and not so hidden, gems of this beautiful watershed.
Happy adventuring!
Check-ins All Month Long
Are You Following Us?
Stay connected with RFC all month long by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
What we share:
- relevant water news
- fun facts about the Roaring Fork watershed
- weekly River & Snowpack Reports
- ways to get folks of all ages out exploring the watershed
- beautiful photos
- and much more!
Opening July 15 additional details to come for this incredible show!
10% of the proceeds will benefit Roaring Fork Conservancy
In the meantime, please view the beautiful artwork at www.aspenchapelgallery.org/gallery.
REMINDER: Stay Connected to Our Rivers
Virtual Resources for families, teachers and adults
Learn about a water drop's journey to the river, catch up on a Brooksher Watershed Institute presentation you might have missed, tour the watershed from home, or listen as education director, Megan Dean, reads our children's book Dee Dee the Fryingpan River Dipper. These are just a few examples of the virtual resources we made available to teachers, parents, and our greater community.
- River Ranger Activity booklet, Dee Dee the Dipper activities, Keep It Clean coloring book, word search, water inventory and more at http://www.roaringfork.org/activities
Click on images to see more!
City Market Rewards for your Rivers!
If you have a City Market loyalty card, supporting your watershed is as easy as 1-2-3!
1) Click enroll and log in to your account at www.citymarketcommunityrewards.com
2) Search for Roaring Fork Conservancy or CV113
3) Click Enroll and you're ready to support your rivers while you run errands!
Learn more at: https://www.citymarket.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/
JULY SPOTLIGHT BUSINESS MEMBER:
A legacy of providing a top shelf experience, every time.
OUR MISSION: Connecting our anglers with the invigorating beauty of a riparian adventure.
Our focus on a quality fishing experience extends far beyond the number or size of fish caught in a day. We strive to impart our passion for the valley we love and protect the health of the places we all enjoy while creating sustainable recreation. We strive to accommodate you with the best fly fishing outing we can, individually tailored to your goals for the experience.
Proudline is here to break you out of a day-to-day routine by producing the excitement of something different.
Thank you for helping protect our rivers and streams!