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PLAN Jeffco Stewardship Academy – It’s Here!

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PJ Academy Fall 2022 banner imagePLAN Jeffco Academy Presents:  Stewardship of Open Lands

ALERT: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the PLAN Jeffco Stewardship Academy has been postponed until Spring ’23.

Join us for our full-day Stewardship Academy. Learn how open space conservation started in Jefferson County, why such lands are important, and increase your understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of open lands.

PLAN Jeffco was the driving force behind development of the outstanding Jefferson County Open Space Program that serves so many.  We want to help others to experience greater enjoyment and appreciation of open lands.

What will we talk about?

  • The role of PLAN Jeffco’s volunteers in the origination and development of the Jefferson County Open Space Park System has resulted in preservation of more than 56,000 acres of public land to date.
  • The history of land stewardship in Jefferson County.
  • The geological and ecological significance of our open lands.
  • Issues facing our ecosystems, especially along the Front Range, and how we can help address those issues.
  • Ensuring that open space parks are welcoming for all visitors.
  • How individual actions impact the land, other visitors, and maintenance needs and costs.
  • How you can help ensure that our open lands remain healthy into the future.

This full-day program is scheduled for Saturday, October 29th 9 am-4 pm
at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden, Colorado

There will be an optional Friday afternoon field project on October 28th for those who are interested in a hands-on field experience

$35 Enrollment fee* includes:

  • A full day of presentations by local experts in conservation, biodiversity, land management, and more.
  • An optional group stewardship project in one of the Jeffco Open Space Parks.
  • One-year full membership in PLAN Jeffco.
  • An intimate connection to the original founders of PLAN Jeffco and the Open Space program, as well as the opportunity to meet and greet the current PLAN Jeffco Board Members and possibly, become a Board Member yourself!

Enroll now. Download planned curriculum HERE.

STEWARDSHIP ACADEMY POSTPONED

Connect to PayPal to make your reservation,

or download this form, fill it out, and mail with your check for $35 to

PLAN Jeffco

11010 West 29th Avenue

Lakewood, CO 80215

Unsure about whether or not you want to participate in this Stewardship Academy? Not able to make it this time because of conflicts? No problem – sign up and we’ll keep you informed about future Academies as we roll them out.

 

*limited scholarship available upon request. Contact ac*****@********co.org for more information.

SLASH collection site

SLASH Collections 2022 – Just A Few More Weeks!

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SLASH collection site

Don’t waste this opportunity!

SLASH collections are winding down. Oct 6th through Oct 9th, SLASH will be at the Rainbow Hills Foothills Fire Station, 28812 Rainbow Hill Road, Golden.

SLASH will wind up the season at Blue Mountain Open Space, 1.5 miles west of the intersection of Coal Creek Canyon Rd (Hwy-72) and Hwy-93. SLASH will be at Blue Mountain every  Thursday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday until November 6th, 2022.

Don’t waste this opportunity, get rid of that stuff that’s been hanging around the house!

What is SLASH?

Slash is debris from nature, such as tree limbs, prunings and pine needles. If not removed, slash can add to potential fire hazards on your property. The importance of mitigating and preparing your property for wildfire cannot be overstated – and again this year, Jefferson County is your partner in this effort. Following is the proposed schedule for SLASH collection during the Summer and Fall of 2022.

Not sure what qualifies as SLASH? Check below for what is acceptable and what’s not.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. This posting will not be automatically updated if/when the schedule changes, so click the More Details link for the location/day you plan to contribute to the SLASH pile in your area to ensure they’ll be waiting for you.

SLASH Collection Calendar for Summer & Fall 2022

Slash Collection at Beaver Ranch Park

@ Beaver Ranch Park, 11369 South Foxton Road, Conifer, CO 80433

June 2, 2022, 9:00 AM - June 5, 2022, 4:00 PM

June 9, 2022, 9:00 AM - June 12, 2022, 4:00 PM

June 16, 2022, 9:00 AM - June 19, 2022, 4:00 PM

June 23, 2022, 9:00 AM - June 26, 2022, 4:00 PM

More Details

 

Slash Collection at Shaffer’s Crossing Aggregate Pile Site

@ Shaffer’s Crossing Road & Bridge Aggregate Pile Site – located at the intersection of Hwy 285 and Elk Creek Road, 12996 S Elk Creek Rd, Pine, CO 80433

July 1, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 3, 2022, 4:00 PM

July 8, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 10, 2022, 4:00 PM

July 15, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 17, 2022, 4:00 PM

July 22, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 24, 2022, 4:00 PM

More Details

 

Slash Collection at Settlers Drive Property

@ Settlers Drive Property, 8335 Settlers Drive, Morrison, CO 80465

July 28, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 31, 2022, 4:00 AM

August 4, 2022, 9:00 AM - August 7, 2022, 4:00 AM

August 11, 2022, 9:00 AM - August 14, 2022, 4:00 AM

More Details

 

Slash Collection at Marshdale Property

@ Marshdale Property is located near the intersection of Cty Rd 73 and N Turkey Creek Road, across the street from Marshdale Elementary School. 26624 N Turkey Creek Rd, Evergreen, CO 80439

August 18, 2022, 9:00 AM - August 21, 2022, 4:00 PM

August 25, 2022, 9:00 AM - August 28, 2022, 4:00 PM

September 1, 2022, 9:00 AM - September 4, 2022, 4:00 PM

More Details

 

Slash Collection at Tin Cup Ridge Park (Rooney Rd)

@ Slash collection at Tin Cup Ridge Park is located just south of the Rooney Road Sports Complex. 151 S Rooney Rd, Golden, CO 80401

September 8, 2022, 9:00 AM - September 11, 2022, 4:00 PM

September 15, 2022, 9:00 AM - September 18, 2022, 4:00 PM

September 22, 2022, 9:00 AM - September 25, 2022, 4:00 PM

September 29, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 2, 2022, 4:00 PM

More Details

 

Slash Collection at Foothills Fire Dept, Rainbow Hills

@ Foothills Fire Dept, Rainbow Hills Station, 28812 Rainbow Hill Rd, Golden, CO 80439

October 6, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 9, 2022, 4:00 PM

More Details

 

Slash Collection at Blue Mountain Open Space

@ Blue Mountain Open Space – This site is located approximately 1.5 miles west from the intersection of Coal Creek Canyon Road (Highway 72) and Highway 93. 23401 Coal Creek Canyon Road, Arvada, CO 80007

October 13, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 16, 2022, 4:00 PM

October 20, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 23, 2022, 4:00 PM

October 27, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 30, 2022, 4:00 PM

November 3, 2022, 9:00 AM - November 6, 2022, 4:00 PM

More Details

 

What is accepted?

Slash – limbs, branches and tree debris

Maximum length – 8 feet

Maximum diameter – 6 inches

Pine needles, tree bark and pine cones (unbagged)

 

What is NOT accepted?

Household trash

Tree stumps

Construction material and lumber

Metal material of any kind

Rocks

Yard waste/grass clippings

Bags of any kind

 

Fees for Slash Drop-off

Any size truck or trailer is welcome at Jefferson County Slash Collection sites. Dump fees are based on six cubic yards (162 cubic feet) of material: 6 yards = 1 load. The cost to drop off a single load is $20. Credit cards only.

This is equivalent to:

Truck bed full to truck cab height

Trailer up to 8′ l x 5′ w x 4′ h

Loads outside these parameters will be charged accordingly.

 

Miss Mountain Manners wants you to know that this is a public service announcement, and urges you to safeguard your home; fire season is year-round now. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to clear out the flammable slash before it’s too late.

Miss Mountain Manners-PLAN Jeffco

PLAN Jeffco Stewardship Academy Registration Is Open Now!

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CRAZY ABOUT CONSERVATION?

SERIOUS ABOUT LAND STEWARDSHIP?

CONCERNED ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?

Join us for our 7-week Stewardship Academy. During this time you’ll learn about

Jefferson County and what makes it so special.

The Jeffco Open Space Program and how it came to be.

The Open Space Parks, how they’re organized and maintained.

The Jeffco Open Space Greenprint and what it means for the Parks’ future.

Ecology, land preservation, and citizen science in Jeffco.

The Open Space Advisory Committee, what it is and what it does.

Threats to biodiversity and ecosystems, how to mitigate them.

Human activity and its impact on open spaces.

Visitor experience in Jeffco Open Space Parks.

Taking care of our precious lands.

This seven-week program, meets once a week, in a virtual classroom setting plus in-person field experience in the Jeffco Open Space Parks.

Enrollment is now open…classes start Tuesday, May 4th, 6-8 PM.

$35 Enrollment fee*, includes:

Six weeks of presentations by local experts in conservation, biodiversity, land management, and more.

Opportunity to observe the Open Space Advisory Committee in action.

A group stewardship project in one of the Jeffco Open Space Parks.

One-year full membership in PLAN Jeffco.

Download planned curriculum HERE.

REGISTER

Connect to EventBrite to make your reservation here

or download this form, fill it out and mail with your check for $35 to

PLAN Jeffco

11010 West 29th Avenue

Lakewood, CO 80215

EventBrite will collect email address, first name, last name and payment information during checkout.

*limited scholarship available upon request. Contact ac*****@********co.org for more information.

2020 Open Space Conservation Awards

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Jeffco Open Space hosts an annual volunteer and partner appreciation breakfast. Several PLAN Jeffco Board members were at the Lakewood Cultural Center to help celebrate this year’s recipients.

Aspen Rookie Volunteer Award – given to a first-year volunteer who epitomizes the enthusiasm of the Open Space Volunteer Program. This year’s recipient is Ian Francescato for his extraordinary work as a Trailhead Steward.

Rocky Mountain Juniper Stewardship Award – given to 6-year volunteer Tom Ging, who works with the Real Estate Group. He has developed a protocol for scanning and cataloguing real estate documents.

Douglas Fir Partnership Award – given to Mountainsmith, https://mountainsmith.com/ Mountainsmith has had an ongoing partnership with Open Space for many years. Formed in 1979, they manufacture and sell outdoor products and offer discounts on their product line for OS staff and volunteers. They participate in volunteer trail days and sponsor events that get people into the outdoors, as well as supporting the JCOS Adventure Club for foster children.

Blue Spruce Outdoor Connections Award – given to Great Outdoors Colorado for their quarter-century partnership with JCOS. They have awarded 176 grants, $47M, to conserve 6440 acres of land in Jefferson County alone.

Gambel Oak Pioneer Award – given to Denver Mountain Parks for their pioneering spirit and preservation efforts in the early 1900s that have influenced and helped guide Jefferson County Open Space.

John Litz Award – given to Jan Wilkins for her 15 years of service on the Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Committee and her other volunteer efforts in the realm of open space conservation. Jan chaired the committee that pushed for the Open Space bonds in 1997-98. Following passage of the bonds measure by 74% of the voters, Jan joined OSAC, served as Vice-Chair, and helped preserve nearly 20,000 acres of Open Space lands. She served on the committees for the Party for the Parks (2013) and 2014 OS Master Plan. Said John Litz, as he was presenting the award, “The main thing about Jan is that you could always count on her to be a solid performer and do everything that she possibly could to further the effort.”

Congratulations to all the recipients!

Jan Wilkins, when she accepted her award, said: “None of this (meaning the Open Space Program) would be possible if it weren’t for everyone else.” If you’d like to get more involved with Open Space, if you’re interested in learning more about the program, the annual Volunteer Fair will be held at the JCOS Headquarters, 700 Jefferson County Pkwy, Suite 100 Golden. You can check out all volunteer positions on Thursday, 2/20, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM and again on Saturday, 2/22, from 10 AM to 1:30 PM.

https://www.jeffco.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1070

You can view the award winners at https://bit.ly/2S982aS

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Not everything we post is about Jefferson County Open Space. For instance, the 2019 Pollinator Summit is an event you may want to check out if you have an interest in wildscaping your neighborhood.

Yes, even if you live in the city, you can enjoy the benefits of a wildscaped environment in your own back yard! Come and find out how it’s done!

Fourth Annual Colorado Pollinator Summit
Friday, Nov 1, 2019, 8 am-4:30 pm; $45

Sustainability, Energy, & Environment Center
CU Boulder East Campus, 4001 Discovery Drive
Boulder, CO 80303

Morning talks and panels will feature the theme of “Protecting Colorado’s Biodiversity” through

models for wildscaping urban neighborhoods, landscaping for biodiversity, and regenerating land through holistic farming-all with a Colorado focus. Kate Greenberg, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, will give opening remarks.

The afternoon will include a participatory format and short inspiring talks to spur breakthrough thinking and action.

Register now. Past summits have sold out in advance. Registration includes lunch and refreshments. Discount rates available for students.

https://tickets.butterflies.org/DateSelection.aspx?item=491

JCOS & the Climbing Community Re-bolt North Table

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From the Jefferson County Colorado Parks Insights, 10/15/2018:

  Rock climbers who use Jeffco Open Space Parks will be delighted to hear that on September 29, more than 40 volunteers came together to replace aged and deteriorating climbing hardware at the Golden Cliffs climbing area of North Table Mountain. The event was sponsored by the Boulder Climbing Community, Foothills Climbing Community, Access Fund, American Safe Climbing Association, and JCOS.

JCOS contributed 100 bolts and hangers, and the partners contributed another 114 for a total of 214 bolts and hangers replaced across 41 individual routes. This was the largest single re-bolting event that any of these organizations have completed, according to the Insights newsletter. The new stainless steel hardware will likely not need to be replaced for another 40-50 years and will provide much more reliable fall protection.

If you’re planning a guided rock or ice climbing adventure, check out the permitting required at https://www.jeffco.us/1512/Permits-Reservations. To view the overall regulations that govern access to Jeffco Open Space Parks, go to https://www.jeffco.us/1583/Regulations.

It’s Not Too Late for In Plein Sight® 2018!

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In Plein Sight 2018 is off to a roaring start, with a wonderful day of painting this past Monday at Lair O’ the Bear Park in Idledale.  Tuesday was the Artists choice day, as we set up the Art Gallery in the Golden Community Center. Today we were at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park in Evergreen, and what a beautiful day it was!

It’s not to late to view the two dozen plein air painters as they work in the field. Tomorrow, Thursday, 9/13, we’ll be at Elk Meadow Park, Lewis Ridge trailhead, 2855 Bergen Peak Drive, Evergreen.

On Friday we tackle Centennial Cone Park, the Ralph Schell (north) trailhead, 3956 Camino Perdido, Golden.

And Saturday we’ll be painting along Clear Creek in Golden (the booth will be opposite the Golden Community Center and adjacent to the trail, off 10th Street.)

So you see, there’s plenty of time to join us in the field!

In addition to the “in the Parks” experience, you can view the paintings produced during the week in our Art Gallery and even take home one or two of your favorites. The Art Gallery is at the Golden Community Center, 1470 10th Street, Golden, 80401, 2nd floor, in the Coal Creek Room.

Gallery hours:

Wednesday 9/12 – 2 to 8 PM

Thursday 9/13 – 2  to 8 PM

Friday 9/14 – 2 to 6 PM (building closes at 6 PM)

Saturday 9/15 – 10 AM to 8 PM

Sunday 9/16 – 10 AM to 4 PM

Saturday evening we’ll be having a Reception at the Art Gallery, starting at 5:30 PM. This will give you a chance to meet the artists and talk to them about the work they’ve been doing all week. So make plans now to join us for In Plein Sight 2018, and celebrate the beauty and wonder of our Jefferson County Open Space Parks.

In Plein Sight® in Mile High on the Cheap

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See the article, “Live Painting Across Jeffco” in Mile High on the Cheap. “There’s little doubt that Jefferson County has some beautiful spaces. Now artists will paint within a variety of Jeffco Open Space parks as part of the famous In Plein Sight® event.  You can see the results.” Go to milehighonthecheap.com/live-painting-in-plein-sight-across-Jeffco/

Stapleton Scoop connects with In Plein Sight®

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Denver’s Stapleton Scoop featured PLAN Jeffco’s In Plein Sight over the weekend on their Facebook Page. For details go to Facebook.com/StapletonScoop

Pixie Glore, In Plein Sight® 2018

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Jitterbug Fall by Pixie Glore

PIXIE GLORE, INDIAN HILLS CO

Beautiful contemporary landscapes and portraits done with palette knife, luscious color and lots of texture.

“The world is infinite to the eye of an artist.  Hopefully I can give the viewer a small taste of the immense beauty I see in the world and in my travels.  I love color and happy paintings that lift the spirit of us all to a higher threshold.  I look for beauty in everything from the smallest seashell to an expansive landscape, from the bends of a flower petal to the line of a delicate figure.  Adventure travel and art combine in my work, producing a new narrative in step with our times, yet timeless.”

Pixie earned a degree in Fine Arts from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, then went on to study under various Master Artists, earning multiple awards and participating in

Cottonwood Gold by Pixie Glore

juried and solo/group exhibits in the US and abroad. After spending years abroad, living and traveling around the world, Pixie now calls her mountain cabin in Colorado home.

For more about Pixie, visit https://pixieglore.artspan.com/home.

Pixie’s field schedule:

Monday 9/10 – Lair O’ the Bear Park, 22550 State Highway 74, Idledale

Tuesday 9/11 – Artists are on their own as we set up the Gallery

Wednesday 9/12 – Alderfer/Three Sisters Park, west trailhead, 5136 South Le Masters Road, Evergreen

Thursday 9/13 – Elk Meadow Park, Lewis Ridge trailhead, 2855 Bergen Peak Drive, Evergreen

Friday 9/14 – Centennial Cone Park, Ralph Schell (north) trailhead, 3956 Camino Perdido, Golden

Saturday 9/15 – Clear Creek in Golden (the booth will be opposite the Community Center and adjacent to the trail, at 10th Street and a small parking lot)

The works that Pixie creates will be on display and available for purchase at the In Plein Sight 2018 Gallery, Golden Community Center, Coal Creek Room (2nd floor), 1470 10th Street.

Gallery hours:

Wednesday 9/12 – 2 to 8 PM

Thursday 9/13 – 2  to 8 PM

Friday 9/14 – 2 to 6 PM (building closes at 6 PM)

Saturday 9/15 – 10 AM to 8 PM

Sunday 9/16 – 10 AM to 4 PM

Make plans now to join us for In Plein Sight 2018, and celebrate the beauty and wonder of our Jefferson County Open Space Parks.