Do You Have an Interest in Natural Resources?

Camp Rocky is a week-long educational camp for 14 through 17-year-olds who enjoy the outdoors and are interested in natural resources! Camp is set for July 9th-14th 2023 and is located outside Divide, Colorado.

Camp Rocky’s participants learn about the environment through hands-on experiences by working in teams focusing on specific resource areas: Rangeland Management, Forestry Management, Soil and Water Management and Fish and Wildlife Management. At the end of the week, students will use their group learning plan to complete a natural resource management project.

Here are some additional details of what participants will learn in the specific resource groups:

• Fish & Wildlife Management: The Fish & Wildlife resource group examines how resource availability or scarcity impacts fauna across Colorado, how changes we make impact the relationship between humans and wildlife, learns methods for observing and quantifying fish & wildlife behavior, and will learn about the careers available in this sector from those who live them.

• Rangeland Management: The Rangeland Science resource group examines both ecology and management practices with the goal of sustaining healthy, productive rangelands. Students learn about the various range environments found in Colorado, native and introduced species of rangeland grasses, and how those species impact the landscape.

• Soil & Water Conservation: The Soil & Water resource group studies how water flows across our natural and managed landscapes, how soil type and quality impact the flow and availability of that water, and how all these factors affect agriculture, the built environment, and natural resources throughout Colorado's landscapes.

• Forest Management: The Forestry resource group evaluates data on forest and soil health, assessing the impacts of human use, the potential for and impact of events such as fire, and learn about the impact that various stages of forest health have on watersheds and availability of other natural resources.

The Yuma County Conservation District awards a full camp scholarship to Camp Rocky annually to the winner of the 4-H Natural Resources division at the Yuma County Fair. The winner of the 2022 scholarship was Lydia Mekelburg. In addition, partial Camp Rocky Scholarships are available to all YCCD Camp Rocky applicants. Registration slots are filling quickly, so register soon at www.camprocky.org. For more information, please contact Tanya Fell at 970-332-3107 ext. 9002.

Raymond Peters Memorial Conservation Scholarship 2023 Award Winners Announced

The Yuma County Conservation District is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Raymond Peters Memorial Conservation Scholarship. Help us congratulate Caeden Bauer, Chase Buoy and Jenna Wieser.

Caeden is the son of Douglas and Jessica Bauer of Wray. He plans to attend Western Colorado University in Gunnison to pursue a degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology.

Chase is the son of Martin and Yvonne Buoy of Holyoke. He plans to attend Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS to pursue a degree in Agronomy and Soil Science with a minor in Ag Business.

Jenna is the daughter of Dennis and Rebekah Wieser of Idalia. She plans to attend West Texas A&M University to pursue a degree in Agriculture Education with a minor in Ag Business.

This $4,000 scholarship was established by the Yuma County Conservation District to assist students to attend post-secondary education in areas of study related to conservation and/or natural resources. Congratulations to our 2023 scholarship winners!

YCCD DISTRICT CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN POSITION AVAILABLE

This position provides technical services in the planning, survey, design and installation of conservation engineering practices. The position is headquartered in the NRCS office located in Wray, Colorado and primarily provides assistance to the clientele in the Yuma County Conservation District with the possibility of providing occasional services to neighboring areas.

RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Addresses resource concerns in such areas as erosion control, water management and water quality enhancement and addresses irrigation efficiency concerns association with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

• Prepares designs, drawings, specifications and cost estimates for conventional engineering practices or systems.

• Provides quality control services including layout and construction checks to ensure adherence to technical standards. Explains construction details to service center personnel, landowners, and contractors.

• Review designs prepared by others for compliance with Agency technical standards, accuracy of information, completeness and feasibility of construction.

• Assist with conservation practice implementation, within NRCS standards and specifications as required.

• Conduct research related to conservation issues, best practices, best science, service providers, permitting requirements, and potential cost share or funding assistance.

• Skill in effective two-way communications, listening and communicating in verbal and written form, and in making public presentations.

• Skill in time management and effectively managing multiple priorities.

• Assist with conservation plan reviews and spot checks as needed.

• Act as a district liaison to landowners for conservation district projects and programs.

• Prepare and maintain files, correspondences and some administrative duties necessary to carry out conservation technician responsibilities in a professional and timely fashion.

• District Board meetings and other meetings or training are required by supervisor(s)/district board.

• Skill in using common computer applications and ability to master new applications and technologies.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle on both public and private roads during daylight hours and occasionally after dark as needed to perform the duties of the position. Strong navigation and map reading skills. Must be able to navigate in rural areas. A clean and valid state driver’s license is required.

• Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions; ability to get along well with others; manual dexterity; mechanical aptitude; accuracy; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

• Displays courteous and tactful behavior towards internal and external customers, supervisors, coworkers and/or team members. Projects a positive and professional image of the Yuma County Conservation District. Performs all duties in a manner which consistently demonstrates fairness, cooperation and respect towards coworkers, office visitors and all others in the performance of official business. Demonstrates an awareness of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights responsibilities based on NRCS policies of valuing a diverse, yet unified workforce. Assures the delivery of agency programs and services are carried out in accordance with policy and producers without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or physical or mental handicap.

MINIMUM REQIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or GED

• At least two years’ experience in agriculture and/or natural resource conservation.

• Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills – preferably including rural communities and government agencies.

• Demonstrate ability to maintain confidentiality of cooperator business and records.

• Project work will require all-weather physical activity, including in-water work, use of basic hand and field tools, navigating in rural areas, and the ability to lift 40 pounds.

• Working longer days may be required during field season with some evening and weekend work required.

• Must be able to pass government background check.

Apply: Send a completed a cover letter, resume, and three references to the address below or email yccd77@gmail.com.

Tanya Fell, District Manager

Yuma County Conservation District

247 N Clay Street, Wray, CO 80758

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by, delivered to the YCCD office, or received via email by Friday, June 16, 2023. EOE