The Friends of the Yampa recently ran the following editorial in the Steamboat Pilot & Today. Since this was published, we have added two additional Board Members to our organization: Greg Hamilton and Ben Beall. Please welcome all of our new Board Members to Friends of the Yampa!
From the Steamboat Pilot & Today. Wednesday, January 20, 2016.
The board of the Friends of the Yampa is pleased to announce its new officers for 2016. Friends of the Yampa is the preeminent river advocacy group located in Steamboat Springs and dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the recreational and environmental integrity of the Yampa River and its tributaries through stewardship, advocacy, education and partnerships.
Charlie Preston-Townsend has been elected president for 2016, with Eugene Buchanan as vice president. Kent Vertrees will fill the role of secretary, while Greg Henion will continue as the board’s treasurer.
New to the board this year is Jonathan Stauffer. Jonathan brings much knowledge and experience in water resource management to the board. His company, Eco Hydro, leads the field in river improvement, restoration, reclamation, monitoring and permitting. With extensive experience in nonprofit river advocacy work, as well as a background in river ecology, Friends of the Yampa is pleased to add Jonathan to the board.
Friends of the Yampa is involved in a number of important projects in 2016, including the improvement of several stretches of the Yampa River for habitat and recreational purposes; you may have noticed construction equipment in the river adjacent to the Ambulance Barn in early December, where improvements to the “A Hole” feature and bank stabilization was completed as part of the city’s master plan for the river.
Friends of the Yampa is also collaborating with the city of Steamboat Springs, private land owners and water users to develop a master plan for a takeout at the Bear River Park below the Stock Bridge.
The organization also supports recent river access improvements at Yampa River State Park outside of Hayden, along with a project in the works to add a new river feature and habitat restoration in the city of Craig.
The Yampa River Festival is our flagship event and is scheduled for the weekend of June 3. Featuring a full day of river events — including down-river races, kayak, tube and raft rodeos, a SUP Cup and slalom races, along with local food venders, information booths and kids events — the Yampa River Festival is Steamboat’s favorite summer kickoff party.
Of course, none of this would be possible without generous contributions from our river community. Grants from the Conservation Lands Foundation, American Rivers, the Yampa Valley Community Foundation and the Steamboat Springs Chamber, along with small contributions from organizations and individuals throughout the river community, are greatly appreciated and help Friends of the Yampa to continue its work protecting and enhancing the Yampa River for all its users.
Our meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at Colorado Mountain College in the Eagles Nest. They are open to the public, and anyone interested in what we do is encouraged to join.
Stay up to date on all the latest happenings by visiting our website, friendsoftheyampa.com. You can also visit us on Facebook and Twitter at @MightyYampa.
See you on the river.
Friends of the Yampa
