On behalf of AmeriCorps, the Western Hardrock Watershed Team, and the Coal Creek Watershed Coalition in Crested Butte, CO, we would like to invite you to a celebration of AmeriCorps Week and a presentation about the work of AmeriCorps*VISTAs in watershed groups throughout Colorado.  The presentation will be held in conjunction with Western State College’s 33^rd Annual Colorado Water Workshop, May 14-16^th.  Our presentation and celebration will take place May 14^th from 11 am – 12 pm in the Kebler Ballroom of the College Union Building, Western State College, Gunnison, CO.  xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Why should I attend?

AmeriCorps has been fighting poverty and helping community groups throughout the Unites States build capacity through support, awareness and education for over 75 years.  Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) is the only federally funded anti-poverty program in the nation.  The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) has been involved with supporting VISTAs for many years in Appalachian coal country, fighting impoverished communities and severe environmental impacts from historic mining practices.  Very recently, the program extended its reach by beginning a Western Hardrock Watershed Team (WHWT) of VISTAs in Colorado, with a similar mission and goals.  In celebrating our debt to the program, we are hosting an educational and networking event before the start of the Water Workshops’ Mining, Energy, and Water in the West conference.  Volunteers from local watershed groups will present on “AmeriCorps*VISTAs Working in Local Watersheds,” with Q&A time and light refreshments served. We hope you will join us.

We are calling representatives, elected officials, VIPs, and other interested members of the community to recognize the importance of community service and volunteerism, not only locally, but nationally as well.  With economic crises and environmental problems rampant, AmeriCorps and *VISTA is more important than ever, but is constantly threatened with loss of funding.   We join with AmeriCorps members all over the country this week, pledging to promote service and volunteerism within our state and local communities.  Please join us to honor the AmeriCorps programs and the OSM/VISTA s working within their communities, and get the chance to meet your locally devoted volunteers and the next generation of Watershed Development Coordinators!

Who will be presenting?

Sponsored in part by the Office of Surface Mining, the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, and Trees, Water, People, the organization seeks to expand its Team into other Hardrock mining communities throughout Colorado and the western states.  In its inception year, the WHWT has placed five VISTAs throughout Colorado, come learn how to get an OSM/VISTA member in your watershed community. 

Coal Creek Watershed Coalition (CCWC) is a collection of stakeholders, local, state and federal representatives, and local community groups seeking to maintain, restore and enhance the Coal Creek watershed from point and non-point source pollution. Logan Reese, the OSM/ VISTA for Coal Creek Watershed Coalition will be co-coordinating the event and presenting their work on the protection of local water resources. Colorado Watershed Assembly and the North Fork River Improvement Association are sponsors as well.

Who will be at the event?

We’re inviting you:  Local and state representatives from throughout Colorado, critical supporters of the projects, press, and interested parties!

We hope to see you there!