Environmental News
Environmental News from Boulder, Colorado
Bear Country U.S.A.
Feb 3rd
Click to Play Video
Boulder Channel 1 takes you through the grizzly expierence at: Bear Country U.S.A.
Open Space and Mountain Parks releases its West Trails Study Area Draft Plan
Feb 2nd
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) has released its draft West Trails Study Area (West TSA) plan for public review. The West TSA includes OSMP lands north of Eldorado Springs Drive, south of Linden Avenue and west of Broadway.
The draft plan includes recommendations developed by staff and those contributed by the Community Collaborative Group (CCG). The recommendations contributed by the CCG were accepted by the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) meeting held Jan. 19 for inclusion in the draft plan. The CCG’s recommendations are identified as such in the draft plan.
The staff recommendations contained in this draft plan include proposals about access for mountain biking and other recreational activities, trailhead improvements, trail re-routes, closures and designation of some undesignated trails. The department has used information contained in the comments received from individuals, and community groups throughout the 14-month CCG process.
“The community has given us valuable input at every step of the way,” said Steve Armstead, planner for OSMP. “The West TSA is important to many residents and visitors to Boulder, and they have shared their passionate concerns and suggestions with staff.”
The purpose of the plan is to provide management direction and describe the actions that will protect natural and cultural resources, improve the visitor experience, and provide a sustainable trail system.
The public is invited to provide feedback on the draft plan from Feb. 1 through Feb. 9. In particular, community members are invited to learn more about the staff recommendations for the plan at an open house scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway, in Boulder.
Immediately after the open house, the Open Space Board of Trustees will convene a meeting to review and discuss the draft plan starting at 6 p.m. The public will be welcome to comment on staff’s recommendations at that time.
The draft plan will be revised and then considered by the OSBT later in February and City Council in mid-March. The public is invited to offer input at both of these hearings.
The Draft West TSA Plan, background documents and information about how to get involved are available at the West TSA website, www.westtsa.org . For other information, call 303-441-3440.
Boulder County Youth Corps now accepting applications
Jan 31st
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Youth Corps is now accepting applications for summer jobs from residents ages 14-17 and from adults for team leader positions. Boulder County is especially in need of female corps members and leaders.
The deadline to submit youth applications is Friday, March 25. Other positions are open until filled.
The Youth Corps will hire up to 165 teenagers to work 30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, from June 13 to Aug. 3 on a variety of community service projects. Team leaders will be employed from May 31 to Aug. 5 to work up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Projects include activities such as forest thinning, trail building, fence construction, historic restoration and landscaping. Youth Corps teams work in unincorporated Boulder County as well as in Lafayette, Longmont and Superior.
Applications are available online at www.BoulderCounty.org/YouthCorps. Applications can also be picked up at counseling offices in Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley schools; city and town personnel offices; most local recreation and youth centers and libraries; and the county human resources department at 2025 14th St. in Boulder.
This year, corps members will earn a starting wage of $7.36 per hour, with the possibility of earning a $100 bonus at the end of the program based on merit and strong attendance. Teens who have worked for the corps in past years can earn up to $7.86 per hour. In addition, corps members are eligible for reimbursement for the purchase of work boots and gloves. RTD bus passes for the purpose of traveling to and from centralized work meeting places may be subsidized.
Team leaders must be high school graduates and at least 21 years old with two years or more of college coursework. Assistant team leaders must be high school graduates and at least 18 years old, among other qualifications. A list of full qualifications is available online at www.BoulderCounty.org/YouthCorps. Team leaders start at $13 per hour and Assistant team leaders at $11 per hour.
The Youth Corps offers one of the best first-job opportunities available in Boulder County. Teams have completed projects such as building the new Benjamin Loop Trail at Betasso Preserve and building picnic table pads on open space. Other projects have included historic restoration of buildings, construction and repair of fencing, trail maintenance, removal of Russian olive trees and noxious weeds, replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescents, landscaping and forest thinning projects.
For more information, visit www.BoulderCounty.org/YouthCorps or contact Youth Corps program manager Judy Wolfe at jwolfe@bouldercounty.org or 303-678-6104.
-BoulderCounty
