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The San Juan RC&D partners with many groups that address the issues of land management in Southwest Colorado. These issues may include energy conservation, including the production of energy crops; the protection of agricultural land, as appropriate, from conservation to other uses; farmland protection; and the protection of fish and wildlife habitat. Click on a project below to read more.
Dolores River Tamarisk Action Group (D-TAG)
Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE)
Montezuma Climate Action Network (M-CAN)
San Juan Bioenergy
Dolores River Tamarisk Action Group (D-TAG)
Starting in the 1850s, several species of tamarisk were imported to the United States as ornamentals and for use in erosion control. Since its introduction, tamarisk has invaded almost all watercourses and other wetland habitats throughout the Southwest, taking over more than one million acres of wetland. Up to 500,000 small, windblown seeds can be produced per plant. The tamarisk is highly adapted to arid climates. It thrives in very saline and nutrient-poor soil. It can usually out-compete native plants for water. A single, large tamarisk can transpire up to 300 gallons of water per day. In many areas where watercourses are small or intermittent and tamarisk has taken hold, it can severely limit the available water, or even dry up a water source. Tamarisk can grow in salty soil because it can eliminate excess salt from the tips of its leaves. When the leaves are shed, this salt increases the salinity of the soil, further reducing the ability of native plants to compete. Because of its ability to spread, its hardiness, its high water consumption, and its tendency to increase the salinity of the soil around it, the tamarisk has often completely displaced native plants in wetland areas.
The Dolores Conservation District has worked hard to form a strong coalition of landowners, government agencies and environmental groups banded together to begin reclaiming vital riparian areas. D-TAG has received $35,000 from the USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant which was matched with $10,000 from Colorado Department of Agriculture, $10,000 from Southwestern Water Conservation District, $5,000 from Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company, $5,000 from Dolores Water Conservancy District, $5,000 from the Tamarisk Coalition, and $5,000 from the Habitat Partnership Program. This significant funding is only a portion of what will be needed to reverse the loss of riparian habitat in the area.
With the leadership of Steve Miles, President of the Dolores Conservation District, an inventory of the infestation in the McPhee Reservoir and Lost Canyon areas was completed during the summer of 2008. During the fall of 2008, approximately 200 acres were sprayed.
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Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE)
In early 2007 a group of individuals including representatives from La Plata Electric Association (LPEA), the City of Durango, La Plata County, Southwest Colorado Renewable Energy Society (SWCRES), San Juan Citizen’s Alliance, San Juan RC&D, La Plata County Energy Council, Three Springs Development, BP America, Atmos Energy and the FLC Environmental Center formed a steering committee to explore the feasibility of establishing a regional, non-profit “environmental” organization for the purpose of increasing adoption of resource conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy activity in the Four Corners region.
The Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) promotes increased energy efficiency and the use of clean, renewable sources of energy in order to reduce energy consumption, decrease the emission of pollutants, strengthen the economy, and lower utility costs.
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Montezuma Climate Action Network (M-CAN)
Montezuma Climate Action Network (M-CAN) got its start at a grassroots climate action forum held July 9, 2007 at the Anasazi Inn in Cortez. More than 65 citizens attended the session, including representatives from Empire Electric Association, Montezuma Cortez RE-1 school district, City of Cortez, Montezuma County, as well as residents of Cortez, Dolores, Mancos and the County. After a presentation about the impacts of global warming, the group held a brainstorming session in which local residents offered their own ideas about how our community could become more sustainable and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. During the fall, the group voted to name itself Montezuma Climate Action Network, started a bi-monthly Movie Night series, and established five Green Teams to work on initiatives prioritized at the early meetings. A volunteer Steering Committee was formed, and it developed a vision statement, mission statement, and a list of core values which were then reviewed by M-CAN members. The Steering Committee has continued to meet consistently and productively during the past twelve months, and held a professionally facilitated strategic planning retreat in early May. In addition to considering policy initiatives and recommendations, the Steering Committee has arranged for speakers, selected (and often purchased) films for the series, served as individual liaisons for the Green Teams, facilitated public meetings, handled advertising (PSA’s, flyers, etc.),worked at festivals and attended public meetings on local regulations and policy. Volunteers have frequently joined SC members in these activities, and we have often collaborated with other local groups (Greater Dolores Action, League of Women Voters, farmers market organizers) to reach a bigger audience.
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San Juan Bioenergy
 San Juan RC&D assisted in fundraising and information programs for San Juan Bioenergy who's goal is to improve the agricultural economy and produce a local energy source. The sunflower crushing facility and biodiesel operation in Dove Creek, CO was opened in December 2008. Market conditions have shifted the initial plan to produce biodiesel fuel to food oil production. Over 40 growers, most within a 50 mile radius, are producing 15,000 acres of seed oil crops. The San Juan Bioenergy facility utilizes every part of the sunflowers. The flower hulls, stems, and leaves are gasified to produce renewable heat and power for the facility.
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