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State conservation districts meet in Estes Park
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| Vern Vinson, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts secretary treasurer, received a Distinguished Service Award for outstanding lifetime commitment to conservation and conservation education at the 64th annual association meeting Nov. 17-20 in Estes Park. He and the association’s executive director Darlene Jensen live in Teller County. Photo by Norma Engelberg |
Norma Engelberg
The meeting was four days of education, networking and fun for members of the 77 conservation districts in the state. The 64th annual meeting of the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts took place in Estes Park Nov. 17-20.
Starting Nov. 17, members met for board meetings and attended seminars on such subjects as the latest U.S. Farm Bill, which includes a section on alternative energy for farmers and ranchers; climate conditions and water, weed management and grazing, small acreage and conservation education, building local and regional partnerships and resource extraction.
While the association has had only 64 annual meetings, at least two of the conservation districts represented have been around for longer. The Baca and Custer counties’ conservation districts received awards for being formed 70 years ago. The Yuma County Conservation District recently celebrated its 50th year. The Teller Park Conservation District celebrated its 66th anniversary in June.
Other awards also were handed out, including a distinguished service award that went to Vern Vinson, the association’s secretary treasurer, for outstanding lifetime commitment to conservation and conservation education. Vinson lives north of Woodland Park.
The annual meeting was sponsored by a number of organizations, businesses and agencies, including the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co.
Conservation districts were created by an act of Congress after the Dust Bowl under the U.S. Department of Agriculture to educate, promote, help obtain funding and provide information on issues and programs aimed at enhancing and protecting the nation’s natural resources. There are 3,000 conservation districts nationwide.
To find out about federal and state grants, other programs and the latest educational resources offered to landowners, foresters, farmers and ranchers, call the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Teller Park Conservation District office in Woodland Park at 719-686-9405.
The meeting was four days of education, networking and fun for members of the 77 conservation districts in the state. The 64th annual meeting of the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts took place in Estes Park Nov. 17-20.
Starting Nov. 17, members met for board meetings and attended seminars on such subjects as the latest U.S. Farm Bill, which includes a section on alternative energy for farmers and ranchers; climate conditions and water, weed management and grazing, small acreage and conservation education, building local and regional partnerships and resource extraction.
While the association has had only 64 annual meetings, at least two of the conservation districts represented have been around for longer. The Baca and Custer counties’ conservation districts received awards for being formed 70 years ago. The Yuma County Conservation District recently celebrated its 50th year. The Teller Park Conservation District celebrated its 66th anniversary in June.
Other awards also were handed out, including a distinguished service award that went to Vern Vinson, the association’s secretary treasurer, for outstanding lifetime commitment to conservation and conservation education. Vinson lives north of Woodland Park.
The annual meeting was sponsored by a number of organizations, businesses and agencies, including the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co.
Conservation districts were created by an act of Congress after the Dust Bowl under the U.S. Department of Agriculture to educate, promote, help obtain funding and provide information on issues and programs aimed at enhancing and protecting the nation’s natural resources. There are 3,000 conservation districts nationwide.
To find out about federal and state grants, other programs and the latest educational resources offered to landowners, foresters, farmers and ranchers, call the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Teller Park Conservation District office in Woodland Park at 719-686-9405.
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