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2009 Annual Report
Wind For Schools
A new environmental science class at Burlington High School is at capacity this fall, thanks to the efforts of science teacher Jim Jones and others in the school district and the Burlington community who supported the "Wind for Schools" project. 'Curious' is how one student described the anticipate installation of the 2kw demonstration sized wind turbine scheduled for completion as soon as the construction permit arrives.
Kit Carson School superintendent, Gerald Keefe, is also excited for the project to be completed. Keefe was the first school in the East Central region to submit an application to the Colorado Governors Energy Office. Cheyenne County partnerships will completely fund the project. Flagler and Stratton School Districts are also participating in this valuable renewable energy project.
 The 'Wind for Schools' project has contributions from many partners: the Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Lab, Colorado Governors Energy Office, Colorado State University, KC Electric Association, City of Burlington, Cheyenne County, Crystal Springs Foundation, Cooper Clark Foundation and numerous others.
The East Central Colorado RC&D Council supported each project school with 
funds intended to contribute to curriculum training or other needs associated with installation. NRCS Coordinator Kristi Gay encouraged the interested schools to submit the project from a regional approach and provided grant writing assistance that resulted in funding that is expected to cover 80 percent of each individual schools anticipated costs.
Cheyenne Wells Recreaction Association
The Cheyenne Wells Recreation Association formed as a volunteer organization over 40  years ago but was incorporated in 1981 for the purpose of furthering the athletic development and recreational opportunities for the residents of the Town of Cheyenne Wells and the surrounding area. The CWRA maintains three ball fields for the summer recreation league and Cheyenne Wells High School utilizes the fields during the school year. Due to improvements to the fields in 2007 that included blue grass sod and sprinklers, a more durable industrial mower was needed for maintenance of the new ballpark. A grant was received for the mower in the summer of 2008.
Conservation Districts
High Plains/Prairie Conservation Districts will address conservation  projects for livestock water, windbreaks, living snowfence plantings, and earthwork for erosion work. The Big Sandy Leafy Spurge Alliance will target noxious weeds. Economic impact of the proposal is $25,000.
Agate Conservation District  cost share program will address conservation projects for livestock water, windbreaks, and noxious weeds. Economic impact is $25,000.
Double El Conservation District cost share program will address  projects for most conservation practices commonly utilized in the district with priority to innovative practices and noxious weed activities along Big Sandy. Economic impact is $25,000.
The Flagler Conservation District cost-share program will address  conservation projects for most conservation practices with emphasis on livestock water, tree plantings, and limited assistance for purchasing flow meters for water conservation in the Ogallala aquifer. Economic impact is $25,000.
Historical Preservation
Lyle Stone, Flagler Historical Society, was honored at the 2008 Annual Meeting for his dedication to historical preservation in Eastern Colorado.
The Grand Theatre opened in 1930 and although several smaller  theatres also opened at that time, this theatre included sound for ‘talking’ movies! Six unique hand painted murals adorn the interior walls. Public roller skating, dramatic performances and community meetings made the theatre a social gathering place in the good ol’ days.
Hotel Watters, constructed in 1915 by the Watters Brothers, the hotel  was built to serve the traveling public as they drove on the ‘Ocean to Ocean Highway’, a transcontinental road connecting the two coasts. The hotel was extensively remodeled in 1954 to add indoor plumbing and to update the wiring. The Prairie Trails Lodge now accommodates retreats and a host of other community groups in need of lodging as part of the Wheatland Christian Camp and Conference Center.
Limon Heritage Museum is actively seeking funds for the development of a re-creation of a 1940’s era memorabilia room. The museum features photos and mementos wonderfully displayed to tell the story of the pioneers and others who followed to settle on the unforgiving high plains. A visit to the museum is a trip ’back in time’. The efforts of local volunteers is an asset to the community.
Russian Olive/Tamarisk Removal Project
After several informational meetings of interested partners, the Republican River Weed Management Area (RRWMA) was recently formed to develop and implement a coordinated strategic weed management plan for the riparian area of the Republican River and it’s tributaries. The purpose of the organization is to form partnerships in order to raise awareness of noxious weeds through education and to identify, contain, and control the spread of noxious weeds throughout the Republican River Watershed region. Membership is open to any individuals and entities having interests in the RRWMA. Membership is voluntary. The steering committee has targeted 22 miles of the north fork of the Republican River for removal of Tamarisk and Russian Olive as phase one of the project. Landowners will have the opportunity to participate in voluntary costshare agreements for the removal of these species on their property. Collaborative grant writing efforts are underway to support funding of these voluntary agreements.
 
Typical view of river with Russian Olive invasion (left) and river after invasive species removed (right).
Tri County Biofuels Project
Tri County Biofuels is a project that was originally funded through a Conservation Innovation Grant  from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in July 2007. Eight growers in Kit Carson, Lincoln, and Washington counties were interested in a ‘grow your own biodiesel’ project. Camelina and Canola are the crops chosen to determine the ease, feasibility, and economic value of growing these biodiesel crops in this part of the Colorado Eastern Plains. The first crop of ‘winter’ camelina was planted in September 2007. Due to high wheat and corn prices, the study has been downsized to those producers who are willing to provide acres to the grant. Forty acres of canola were planted in September 2008 by Washington County grower Steve Diamond.
Future plans for the study remain for limited irrigation acres and grower production on a larger scale. Camelina and canola meal will be evaluated  in trials with livestock. Camelina meal and oil are also valued for their health benefits, the seed is high in Omega 3 fatty acids. The seed itself adds a ’nutty flavor’ when sprinkled on salads. A fact sheet will be produced with site prep, nutrient needs, and planting guidelines at the conclusion of the project. Cooperating producers and sponsors are: Gene Brouwer, Steve Diamond, Brad Grimes, Cory McCaffrey, Randy Loutzenhiser, Dan Mills, Doug Klann, Ron Brent, CSU Cooperative Extension, Flagler Conservation District, Stratton Equity COOP, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and East Central Colorado RC & D.
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