Mesa Conservation District and Partner, Colorado West Land Trust,  Receive Award for B2E Next Phase

We are pleased to announce that Mesa Conservation District (MCD) and its partner, Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT), have been selected to move on to the next phase of the application process for its project ”Drought Resiliency on Western Colorado Conserved Lands.” 

This Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation (B2E) funding opportunity provides support for projects that deliver environmental benefits and restore ecosystems and habitats impacted by drought. B2E represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the severe impacts of drought and ensuring the long-term sustainability of water resources.

MCD is excited to partner with the CWLT to deliver significant conservation outcomes, including riparian and wetland restoration, drought-affected agricultural restoration, and forest health enhancement and wildfire mitigation. MCD and CWLT will work with landowners (and other partners) to apply appropriate techniques that landowners can sustain independently. CWLT holds well over 100,000 acres under conservation easement in six western Colorado counties within the Upper Colorado River watershed and has developed a Stewardship Plan.

Mesa Conservation District is hiring!

We are seeking an energetic and organized District Manager to serve as a support contact between the district, private landowners, agricultural producers, and the community.  The District Manager will play a key role in engaging stakeholders, managing communications, and supporting day-to-day operations of the district. This position involves administrative duties, financial management, community outreach, and supporting the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and district staff in various initiatives.

Interested in applying?

Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your qualifications and experience to mesaconservationdistrict@gmail.com.

Application review will begin on June 1st, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled. 

2026 Palisade Farm Festival

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Palisade Farm Festival event on May 2nd! We had a great time speaking to landowners about our noxious weed program and available resources. Thank you to everyone who participated in the seed ball activity and telling us what conservation means to you!

2026 Children’s Water Festival

On May 11, 2026, more than 1,500 fifth-grade students gathered at Las Colonias Park & Amphitheater for the two-day Western Colorado Children's Water Festival. During this event -- Colorado’s largest event of its kind -- students learned about how water plays a role in their lives, communities, and the environment while partaking in interactive activities.

MCD participated for a second year, presenting a lesson to the students illustrating that how limited water availability cannot meet all our needs, particularly in our backyards. Students learned how native species, noxious weeds, and turf (many of our lawns) have differing water requirement needs, and with our limited water supply, they may only be able to satisfy some, but not all of these needs. Students worked in teams with various tools to transport water and decide which plant groups to prioritize, while experiencing simulated water loss from inefficient irrigation and evaporation. We presented to over 130 students from seven local schools during this one-day event!

Thank you to Village and Wilderness!

Mesa Conservation District's strategic plan for a microhabitat program has been approved for a Startup Award from the Incubator Grant from Village and Wilderness. MCD is excited to continue its program development after previous support from a Village and Wilderness planning grant. MCD plans to launch its programming, including development of educational workshops for adults and youth that demonstrate habitat-supporting and waterwise landscaping practices, and one-on-one technical assistance for landowners.

Village and Wilderness, through its flagship initiative the Microhabitat Accelerator, “helps communities transform everyday spaces into living systems that restore ecosystems and build resilience.”

https://www.villageandwilderness.org/

Support MCD Today!

There are two simple and impactful ways you can help MCD protect and conserve our priceless natural resources!

• Give Directly – Your donation makes a lasting impact. Every contribution, big or small, strengthens our programs that conserve natural resources and safeguard the land for future generations.

• Shop with Purpose - Support MCD through the City Market Community Rewards program! Simply link your City Market card to MCD (organization number BH872), and every purchase you make will support local conservation efforts—at no extra cost to you. Your fuel points, discounts, and other rewards stay the same. Enroll today through City Market Community Rewards. Sign up today at City Market Community Rewards

  Thank you for your support!