Two local organizations selected for drought mitigation project funding

KJCT, Jan. 21, 2024Two local organizations have been selected to receive grant money in the future for a drought mitigation project.

The Mesa Conservation District and Colorado West Land Trust were selected to receive around $4.6 million in grant funds for their Drought Resiliency on Western Colorado Conserved Lands project under the Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation Program.

The grant funding was made possible through the Bureau of Reclamation and the Inflation Reduction Act.

According to Holly Stanley, the executive director for the Mesa Conservation District, the project will support working lands through a series of ecological restoration strategies, that are a part of a broader and transformative investment working with farmers to address climate change and drought challenges.

Some of the strategies include:

  • Restoring wetlands to improve water retention and support diverse ecosystems.
  • Reconnecting floodplains to reduce flooding risks and improve water flow.
  • Installing erosion control structures to minimize sediment transport and enhance water quality.
  • Promoting habitat restoration for at-risk species, including the yellow-billed cuckoo and the Gunnison sage-grouse.

“We are honored to be part of this historic investment in the resilience and sustainability of the Upper Colorado River Basin,” said Stanley. “This funding will allow us to partner with the Colorado West Land Trust to implement impactful strategies to safeguard water resources, restore critical habitats, and build a more drought-resilient future. We are also heartened to see other essential projects, such as the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project and Southwestern Water Conservation District’s initiatives, receive substantial funding as part of this program.”

Watch KJCT Broadcast Here, By Davis Devereux

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