CONSERVATION NOTES
 

by Dave Johnson

DOW SETS WILDLIFE WATCH PROGRAM FOR SEPT. 6

Become a better wildlife watcher at this fun, wildlife viewing-skills program from the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Learn where, when & how to see wildlife—sharpen your senses to sights & sounds—discover wildlife habitats, use binoculars and field guides.

A trail walk follows dynamic presentations and informative, hands-on activities. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Pueblo Zoo, 9:00 a.m. ‘til 1:00 p.m.  $15 per person or household. Adults and families, ages 12 & over.  RSVP (719) 561-5346 or
www.wildlifewatch.net.

Vote ‘No’ on Referendum A on November 4!

Referendum A is based on Senate Bill 236 passed last spring. The bill authorized a ballot referendum on whether to approve $2 billion in bonds to finance new water projects. “New water projects” basically means building new dams or enlarging existing dams to provide more storage capacity.

This is a very short sighted and environmentally destructive way to deal with the drought. Improving water use efficiency as promoted by Senator Doug Linkhart’s SB87 makes a lot more sense.

Opposition to Referendum A spans the political spectrum. Third District U.S. Representative Scott McInnis (R) and Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar (D) find themselves on the same side of the issue. All major environmental groups, including Audubon, Sierra Club and the Colorado Environmental Coalition are opposed to it.

The referendum provides little or no protection for basins of origin. With the ongoing urban raids on water in the Arkansas Valley, more counties will suffer the fate of Crowley County. Litigation provided by Referendum A is woefully inadequate.

Fundamentally the question becomes “Do we want to continue to promote urban sprawl and unrestricted population growth in Colorado by transferring water from rural to urban areas?” I submit the answer is “No.”  Vote NO on November 4.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ARKANSAS VALLEY AUDUBON’S

BIRD-N-NATURE FEST!

In Pueblo City Park on Saturday, September 27, 9:00 a.m. ‘til 3:00 p.m.

MANY ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY INCLUDE:

·          Nature and Bird Walk along the river with local experts (starting at 9:00 a.m.)

·          Educational and entertaining activities for children

·          Live birds of prey and program by Pueblo’s Raptor Rehabilitation Center

·          Instructional programs about nature, including wolves

·          Bird-banding demonstrations

·          Nature-related art exhibit and for sale by local artists

·          Informational booths by the Colo. Division of Wildlife, the National Forest Service and others.

·          Products on display and for sale by nature-related vendors

·          Samples of bird-friendly coffee

COME JOIN US UNDER THE TALL TREES OF CITY PARK NEAR

THE FOUNTAIN!  IT’S FREE!!