HAPPENINGS AT TWO PONDS

Hoorary! Hooray! Two Ponds is Saved

Many of us spent some anxious moments last fall waiting to learn the fate of a large part of Two Ponds. The first time Two Ponds was threatened by development, it was saved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Two Ponds became a national wildlife refuge, the first refuge created under the Urban-Wetlands Initiative. Last summer Two Ponds was again threatened by development. This time, approximately 20 acres still owned by Lutheran Medical Center (Parcels 4 and 5), but managed by the Service as part of the Refuge, was placed under contract by Writer-Houston Development Company.

After several tense months of discussions, letter writing, meetings, and telephone calls, Two Ponds was again saved from development. On December 7, 1998 the Conservation Fund, on behalf of the Service, secured a contract with Litheran Medical Center Foundation. Funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund was appropriated on December 23, 1998.

This feat was accomplished because Two Ponds has become an integral part of our community with the support of many. The Two Ponds Preservation Foundation would like to thank the following persons for their efforts on behalf of Two Ponds:

• Congressman David Skaggs
• Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
• David Kirk and Christine Quinlan of The Conservtion Fund
• Mayor Bob Frie and the City of Arvada staff
• Harvey Wittmier, Betty Adler and Dave Jamiel of the US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Peggy Hilton and other advocates who expressed their support of Two Ponds

  The Two Ponds Preservation Foundation in partnership with the Service, will be planning a celebration to take place at Two Ponds sometime in June. Details will be published as we get closer to June.

  Public Activities

  Throughout 1998, the Colorado Division of Wildlife held its Wonders in Nature - Wonders in Neighborhoods (WIN-WIN) Program at Two Ponds. Twelve schools from around the metro area participated in this program. In addition to Arvada and Westminster schools, students also came from Boulder, Castle Rock, and Aurora. Five other schools, not associated with the WIN-WIN program, also held educational programs at Two Ponds. A total of 1,036 students and adults participated in these school programs. In addition to providing educational opportunities for students, a teacher workshop was held at Two Ponds.

  Kathy Renwez, a science teacher at Pomona High, and several of her students, collected milkweed leaves to feed monarch butterfly larvae. This project was part of a study conducted by the university of Kansas. John Fuchi, also a science teacher at Pomona High School, is in the process of developing a project to study small mammals, such as mice and voles. Smoe goals of this project include teaching students how to calculate animals populations and to correlate species with habitats.

  During 1998 ther were 11 tours and one open house. The open house was held on May 23, 1998, and more than 400 people attended. The Foundation, along with the Service and the Colorado Wildlife Federation, presented informational displays. A volunteer from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted several wetland activities, and a volunteer from the Service led bird tours. A ceremony was also held to dedicate the completion of the entry gate/kiosk.

  Volunteers

  In 1998, 167 volunteers provided 1, 098 hours of service. These volunteers helped with leading tours, facilitating environmental education programs, conducting open house activities, and performing several maintenance projects.

  Scout Projects

  Three Scout projects were completed this past year. Mike Stagg designed and constructed a planter box around the Refuge entry sign located along 80th Avenue. Mike also planted prickly pear and yucca cactus when the planter was completed. Gable Moffit constructed a wheel chair ramp at teh kiosk/entry gate and 30 feet of additional trail leading from the kiosk/entry gate into the Refuge. Adam Mahan added another 75 feet of trail where Gable's trail ended. These scouts and their 52 helpers provided almost 300 hours of volunteer service.

  Construction Projects

  Several infrastructure projects were completed in 1998. A connection to the City's main water line was completed. Additionally, a sprinkler system along 80th Avenue and an above ground farm stop faucet were installed. An old power line was reconnected to a new transformer. Underground conduit was run from the transformer to the kiosk/entry gate, allowing lights to be installed on the kiosk/entry gate. Almost 1,200 feet of chain link fence were installed along teh west boundary of the Refuge.

  Interesting Statistics

  The number of visitors to Two Ponds has increased from 44 in 1994 to 1,832 in 1998. The total number of visitors during this time period was 3,010. This does not include all the hikers on the canal trails, or those using teh open trails on the west area of the Refuge.

  DONATIONS

  Ranya Kelly, President of the Redistribution Center and a Two Ponds Preservation Foundation Board Member, was able to salvage many items from the old Ridge Home Site for Two Ponds. Almost 20 evergreens were removed from Ridge Home and replanted at Two Ponds. An elevated boardwalk was dismantled and the materials will be used to construct boardwalks at Two Ponds. In addition, a ten-foot by twelve-foot canopy was dismantled and hauled to Two Ponds where it will be reconstructed. It will provide shelter until a larger structure can be funded and built. Many thanks to Ranya Kelly, Service personnel, State Land Board members, Mile High Properties, Red Rocks Community College, City of Arvada staff, and all the volunteers who helped with this monumental task.

  UPCOMING EVENTS

• March 10............Two Ponds Preservation Foundation Annual Meeting - Standley Lake Library
• May 15...............Arvada Pride Day
• June 5................Two Ponds Celebration
• June 5................National Trails Week Celebration

  1999 MAJOR ACTIVITIES

  Our focus this year is to raise funds for a parking lot along 80th Avenue. Currently buses unload children along 80th Avenue, creating a safety hazard with the high volume of traffic using this street. Also, during Refuge events, visitors and volunteers must park at the Lutheran Medical Center at 80th and Kipling and then walk along 80th Avenue to the Refuge Entrance. Because both of these situations create a safety hazard, building a parking lot is a top priority. The estimated cost for the parking lot is $97,200.

   

  LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT At the beginning of 1998, we thought the main focus for the Foundation would be to partner with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in building a parking lot for Two Ponds. However, in June we learned about a development threat when the Lutheran Medical Center Foundation accepted a contract from the Writer-Houston Development Company. For the next 6 months we focused on preservation and funding activities. Fortunately for our community, Two Ponds remains intact and we can again work at making Two Ponds a world class refuge. Our next challenge will again focus on raising funds for the parking lot. Give something to your community and become a part of this exciting challenge. To learn how you can help, please come to our annual meeting. It will be on Wednesday, March 10, 7:00 PM at the 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." John M. Kalkhorst