Phosphorus-Free Lawn Fertilizer Initiative
In 2022, the CCBWQA joined around 25 other entities in the Phosphorus-Free Lawn Fertilizer Initiative through Colorado WaterWise #LiveLikeYouLoveIt. The goal of the program is to keep phosphorus from getting into our lakes and streams by using phosphorus-free lawn fertilizers. (Additionally, several local governments are actively involved in reducing non-functional turf areas, thereby reducing overall fertilizer and water usage.)
How we implement public education
Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners
CCBWQA is responsible for developing and implementing a public information and education program, which it fulfills by partially funding and utilizing the service of the Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners (Partners).
The Partners promote awareness of the value and function of the many pollution abatement projects that have been constructed in the Cherry Creek Basin with funding from the CCBWQA and their valuable partners: Mile High Flood District, Arapahoe and Douglas County Open Space Programs, the Cities and Towns of Aurora, Castle Rock, Centennial, Denver, Lone Tree, Parker, Parker Jordan Metropolitan District, Colorado State Parks and Great Outdoors Colorado. Activities include outings, sponsorship of the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair, stormwater outreach, and the Annual Cherry Creek Watershed Conference.
2023 Outings
Each year the Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners lead excursions along Cherry Creek where interested local residents can see their tax dollars at work. Annual Solstice and Equinox hikes at the Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park add extra sets of eyes to observe and report on changing conditions in the watershed. Considerable beaver activity was noted at various locations in 2023. The Partners helped residents engage with land use agencies and build an understanding of ‘tolerable adaptation,’ which is a term that refers to land managers’ use of a common framework to assess beaver activity to determine when they can take a ‘hands off’ approach and when it is necessary to intervene and disrupt the beaver’s busy routine. Other outings included the late January Hawk Walk on Cottonwood Creek, and Unique to the Creek hike. Even though it was ‘raining like crazy’ that morning, the sun broke through for about an hour allowing a few brave souls to see how the Creek was adapting to the major storms that arrived during the spring of 2023.
Cherry Creek Watershed Conference
The 2023 Cherry Creek Watershed Conference was held in August 2023 at the Parker Events Center. The theme was “Piece by Piece” - An Urban Watershed Puzzle, which included presentations on water quality and the ecosystems of the watershed and Reservoir, stormwater and wastewater treatment, and sustainable development and land use practices. Bear Creek, Chatfield, and Barr Milton Watershed groups also spoke on current conditions and recent challenges and opportunities. The conference wrapped up with innovative opportunities to partner with nature and other groups to restore water quality in the Cherry Creek Basin.
Jim Wulliman of Muller Engineering received the Marie Mackenzie Legacy Award at the 2023 Annual Conference
More information about the educational activities can be found in the links below.