TNC Protects 200+ Playas with CO Ranch Purchase

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of Colorado is making history by being the first to protect a major playa complex in one fell swoop. Last month, TNC announced it was purchasing the 23,000-acre Smith Ranch in Lincoln County, Colorado. The property adjoins another 26,000 acres of conserved ranchlands, which together contain more than 200 playas. (MORE…)

NAWMP Assessment IDs JV Strengths, Weaknesses

The North American Waterfowl Management Plan Committee recently completed the first continental assessment toward achieving the Plan’s goals and objectives. Among its purposes, the assessment looked at each Joint Venture and identified its strengths and weaknesses and provided recommendations for improvement. (MORE…)

The “Rechargers” Promote Playa Conservation in West Texas

The Rechargers - it sounds like the name of a football team, but it is actually the name of a group of 8th grade conservationists from Whiteface, Texas. The group is working with their science teacher, Laura Wilbanks, to lead a public outreach campaign to raise awareness about playas in their local communities. (MORE…)

PLJV Welcomes New USFWS Board Members

Two new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representatives recently joined the PLJV Management Board. Deputy Regional Director Todd Jones will represent Region 2 and Assistant Regional Director Emily Jo Williams will represent Region 6. (MORE…)

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Featured Project: Huerfano Lake Small NAWCA

Huerfano Lake is a 255-acre wetland located in Pueblo County, Colorado, that provides important habitat for hundreds of nesting and migrating birds such as Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon, American Avocet and Snowy Plover. This project involved installing a fence to keep livestock from the lake and surrounding wetlands and implementing a Tamarisk-control program. The project area encompasses 400 acres including the lake and surrounding marsh. Browse all projects.

Follow the Money: EPA/USDA Ecological Impacts from the Interactions of Climate Change, Land Use Change and Invasive Species

This is a collaboration between the Environmental Protection Agency’s Science to Achieve Results Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program. The application deadline is June 26, 2007. Browse all funding opportunities.

Happenings around the PLJV: Nebraska Flatwater Festival

The Ogallala Common’s Flatwater Festival is taking place May 15 - 17 at the Western Nebraska Community College in Sidney. The Festival is an interdisciplinary, three-day program designed for elementary schools where students will learn about the unique features of the Nebraska Panhandle water cycle through science, history, art, writing, and music with some of the region’s most creative teachers. Browse all upcoming events.

Playa Country Radio - May Programming:

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