The Two Ponds Preservation Foundation is applying for a Great OutdoorsColorado (GOCO) Grant for surfacing the mowed trails on the west side of the Refuge and constructing two pedestrian bridges across the Farmers Highline and Crook canals. The City of Arvada and the Fisha nd Wildlife Service will partner with the Foundation on this project. Another new partner is the Mile High Youth Corps. The Corps will be involved in actually surfacing the trails.

The trails on the west side are the most heavily used and are beginning to show wear and tear. They are particularly muddy followinga rain or snow. The trail material will be a hard-packed soil material called crusher-fines and will closely follow the existing mowed trail. The bridges, on the other hand, will span the Farmers Highline and Croke Canals and will connect the east and west sides of the Refuge for environmental education groups, hikers and other users.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $100,000. The Grant requires a 50% in-kind and-or cash match, which will be provided by te several partners mentioned above.

The GOCO Board of Directors will finalize their project approval in the spring of 2002. If approved, construction will begin shortly thereafter.

SCFD DAY AT THE ZOO

Last February, the Foundation qualified as a Tier 3 Scientific & Cultural Facilities District organization. On October 6th, the Foundation joined the Denver Zoo and many other SCFD organizations for the “SCFD Day at the Denver Zoo.” The event provided opportunities to inform others from around the Denver metro Area of our mission, and to provide fun activities for children. Ocer 550 visitors stopped by the Foundation booth! Children received coloring books, pencils and tattoos. Most were intrigued with identifying the different types of animal pelts, and actually seeing frogs at different stages of development. Thsi event turned out to be a great opportunity to inform the public about the Refuge and the Foundation, and to form partnerships with other SCFD organizations.

ANNUAL MEETING - MARCH 26TH

The Two Ponds Preservation Foundation will conduct its annual meeting on March 26th at the Majestic View Nature Center. A reception with refreshments will begin at 6:30 pm, and the annual meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. There will be a brief review to date of the various grants and other fund-raising activities, and a discussion about upcoming Refuge events. The meeting will conclude with an election of Foundation Board members. Anyone interested in running for a Board position, or being appointed as an officer (President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer) should contact John “JK” Kalkhorst at 303-423-8085.

Following the annual meeting, a special presentation, entitled “Logging on with Beavers,” will be given by Jody Morse. Jody is a Park Naturalist Supervisor at Bear Creek Lake Park. Her presentation will focus on the impact of beavers on wetlands and urban areas.

Makestic View Nature Center is located at 7030 Garrison Street. Directions: West on 68th Avenue to Garrison - watch for slight jog at Carr Street, north on Garrison to Nature Center.

PARTNERSHIP IN THE WORKS

Sierra Elementary and Two Ponds are establishing a partnership through the Earth Stewards Program. The Earth Stewards program is an environmental education collaboration among the Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, schools, local organizations and businesses. The primary goals are to build educational value on refuges, develop critical thinking skills and connect educators to colleagues across the country. The first Sierra project will be creating a native vegetation garden located along 80th Avenue between the two canals.

SIERRA ELEMENTARY STUDENT COUNCIL VISITS TWO PONDS

Some Sierra Elementary Student Council officers, students and parents visited Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge in October. We were met by Ranger Dave and he gave us a brief history about Two Ponds. He told us about how Two Ponds NWR got its name and why having Two Ponds as a refuge was important. Next we went into Two Ponds for a walking tour where we saw a mule deer, a Swainson’s Hawk, a frog and lots of birds. As we walked we saw fox dens, snake holes, rodent paths and cacti.

After about a half an hour walk, we talked about what we could do to help Two Ponds NWR. Ranger dave said we could help Two Ponds by helping pick up trash and plant new wildlife trees and plants. We asked our questions and had terrific answers by Ranger Dave and then we headed back to school.

After visiting Two Ponds NWR we realized how lucky we are to have a place where animals can be safe and happy. We are planning on helping out Two Ponds when we have time. We will surely come back soon!

Bridgette and Brooke

RANGER'S RAMBLINGS by Park Ranger, David Jamiel

The change in the color of the leaves marks the fall season and the beginning of winter.it also marks the end of the fiscal yea for the federal government. During the 12 month period between October 1, 2000 and September 30, 2001, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tracked all of the activities that occurred at the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge. the past year has been a record year for public use.

More than 12,000 people took part in Service-sponsored activities on and off the Refuge during the year. Activities included 27 school programs, 14 toours, three Boy Scout Eagle projects, an exhibit at Arvada’s harvest Festival, three teacher workshops and three large public events. This was also the second year that the east side of the Refuge three days a week for people to drop in and walk around. Approximately 3,000 visitors visited the east side of the Refuge; an additional 6,000 people walked the trails on the west side.

Scout groups and local school students assisted staff with the development of a prairie garden at the Refuge and helped with “Take Pride in Arvada Day,” and with weed management. A special thanks must go to the Two Ponds Preservation Foundation members, and Service volunteers for their hard work in facilitating these activities. Staff from the Colorado Wildlife Federation gave hundreds of hours assisting with environmental education programs during the past year.

During October more than 1,000 people took part in Service-related activities that included seven tours, four school programs and three off-site activities. one of te off-site activities included an exhibit at the National Park and Recreation Association’s nationa conference. More than 3,000 people attended the event at the Richie Center, and many of the 300 people who stopped at the Service’s exhibit were from the Denver metro area.

Winter hours are in effect until mid-May The trails on the west side of the Refuge will remain open seven days a week, from dawn to dusk. The east side is closed to drop-ins, however, groups of 10 or more can still arrange to tour the Refuge by contacting the Service at 303-289-0471.

Deer Stay At Refuge Yes, despite all the construction along Kipling, the deer have stayed at the Refuge, and can generally be found on the east side of the Refuge. However, they can occasionally be seen in yards bordering the Refuge. This past summer the herd increased to six.

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND LEAVE A LEGACY Our many thanks to all of you who have given so generously during our 2000-2001 fundraising campaign. Through your contributions, the Foundation has helped pay for kiosk panels, engraved bricks and benches, trees and shrubs, and educational materials. A significant portion of the matching funds for the upcoming trails and bridge project has also been set aside from your donations. However, the costs of the trail development and bridges in 2002 are rising faster than our current revenue stream. So, please, renew your membership. Any season is a good time to remember family, friends, and departed loved ones with an engraved brick for the walkway located at the Refuge main entrance. The engraved bricks are a lasting legacy and provide financial support to the Refuge. T-shirts and sweatshirts also make a nice gift. A supply of sizes (S, M, LRG, XLRG, and XXLRG) is available. A free T-shirt is still available to anyone donating $50 or more.