HAPPENINGS AT TWO PONDS
Visit by Secretary Babbitt
On April 6, Secretary of Interior, Bruce Babbitt and Congressman David Skaggs visited Two Ponds to celebrate the partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service, City of Arvada, and the Two Ponds Preservation Foundation. "It's not enough to have great wilderness areas and national parks, but we also have to come to terms with the landscape we live in. We need to provide for young people a window on nature right where they live.' said Babbitt. Both Babbitt and Skaggs toured Two Ponds, along with many other visitors to the Refuge. Two kestrel falcons were released during Babbitt's visit.
Open Houses and Tours
During 1996 there were 14 tours and two open houses. The open houses were held on April 27 and October 12. Approximately 360 people participated in the tours and open houses.
Scout Projects
Two Eagle Scout Awards were earned with Two Ponds projects. One project constructed a foot bridge across the overflow canal going from the Middle Pond into the Marshall Pond. The other project installed two Refuge signs along 80th Avenue. The signs identify the site as a national wildlife refuge and provide information on how to contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Trails
During the spring of 1996, the US Fish and Wildlife Service marked and mowed walking trails. The trails south of the Lutheran medical Center are open to the public seven days a week from dawn to dusk. The trails can be accessed along West 77th Drive, and from the Lutheran parking lot. The trails on the east side of the Refuge are opened to the public on a limited reservation basis.
Volunteers
In 1996, 323 hours of service were provided by volunteers. In addition to performing cleanup activities, installing fence and conducting wildlife surveys, volunteers also planted trees, cleaned irrigation canals, constructed foot bridges, and conducted tours. If you would like to become a Refuge volunteer, contact David Jamiel at (303)289-0232, extension 127.
Earth Day Celebration/Arvada Pride Day
Volunteers celebrated Earth Day and Arvada Pride Day with a general cleanup of the Refuge. Two truck loads of trash were removed from the Refuge. Afterwards, the volunteers were treated to a free lunch, courtesy of the City of Arvada. If you would like to participate in this celebration this upcoming spring, contact David Jamiel at (303)289-0232, extension 127.
MASTER PLAN
The Comprehensive Management Plan is in the final stages of approval. The original plan was downsized from 80 acres to reflect the currently held 63 acres. The plan designates the eastern area of the Refuge for educational use, while the western area will be for general public use.
GOCO GRANT
The US Fish and Wildlife Service, the City of Arvada, and the Foundation teamed to submit a proposal to Great Outdoors Colorado. A total of $6,350 was awarded to build a gate house for the Refuge entrance. An additional $3,000 was pledged by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, City of Arvada, University Physicians, Personal Benefits Services, J.K. Kalkhorst, and the Two Ponds Preservation Foundation.
EPA GRANT
The US Fish and Wildlife Service received a grant of $2,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency. This grant was used to develop and publish a brochure about Two Ponds. Copies can be obtained by calling David Jamiel at (303)289-0232, extension 127.
LAND ACQUISITION
On April 11, 1996 Two Ponds grew with the addition of another seven acres. The City of Arvada transferred another 7.1 acres to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This parcel is primarily wetland habitat and is located between the Croke and Farmer's Highline Canals. This acquisition increases the Refuge size to a total 62.7 acres. Two Ponds is still one of the smallest refuges within the national refuge system.
THANK YOU
Special recognition needs to be given to several members of the Foundation who have dedicated a significant amount of time the past six years to preserving Two Ponds. Today, we know Two Ponds as a National Wildlife Refuge and not a housing development because of their dedication and fortitude to this most worthwhile effort. Thanks to Linda Oliphant, Richard Feely, and Bini Abbott.
David Jamiel, the Refuge Officer assigned to Two Ponds, also deserves a thank you from all of us. His enthusiasm for Two Ponds is unmatched. All of the improvements to the Refuge can be credited to Dave's hard work and dedication to Two Ponds.
Many thanks to our corporate donors: King Soopers, Safeway.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
This past year represented a turning point for Two Ponds. With major land acquisitions complete and a master development plan finalized, attention can now be placed on creating the outdoor educational center we have all envisioned. With federal government cutbacks, we will not be able to sit back and let our government complete the job. We all need to work harder than we have in the past if we want Two Ponds to be a world class refuge. Our next challenge will be to raise funds for trails, observation decks, blinds, fencing, a covered amphitheater and parking lot. Give something to your community and become part of this exciting challenge. To learn how you can help, please come to our annual meeting. It will be on Wednesday, March 12, 7:00 PM at Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling, Arvada.
Thank you for all your support and interest in Two Ponds, and remember "We have not inherited the Earth from our ancestors, but we are borrowing it from our children."
Janet Torma-Krajewski