October/November 2010

We have now reorganized FOY, electing a Board of Directors and applying for 501c3 status, which will help us immensely in our cause.

The Fiends of the Yampa’s (FOY) mission is to protect and enhance the river’s environmental and recreational integrity through stewardship, advocacy, education and partnerships.

How to Join? You can join our cause and become a member for just $10, which includes 2011 membership, discounts to local businesses, free entry to 2011 Yampa River Festival and more. Email Pete at Backdoor Sports about membership.

News from the Fundraiser Front!
We have two fundraisers coming up to help our cause.

Community Garage Sale: On Saturday, November 30th, we’re holding a Community Garage Sale from 8 a.m. – noon at the Sweetwater Grill parking lot next to Backdoor Sports. You bring it, we sell it. Bring in items you want to sell to Backdoor Sports on Friday. All items under $50 go to FOY, with items over $50 split 50/50. Pick up remaining items at Backdoor Sports Saturday afternoon.

Snow Dance: We’re holding a family themed Snow Dance and silent auction on Nov. 20 at Sweetwater Grill from 5 p.m. till the cows come home. Enjoy a pasta dinner, games of chance, a silent auction, ski movies and raucous dancing to Missed the Boat. We need donations valued at $100 or more, so let us know how you can help (email tommylarson58@yahoo.com). The cost is just $20 for dinner and party ($5 for kids), which includes a drink ticket, or $5 after 7 p.m. We’ll also be selling FOY memberships. Monies raised will go toward recreational and environmental grants in partnership with the City of Steamboat Springs.

What We’re Up To:
Current projects we’re pursuing include:

  • Rebuilding Charlie’s Hole by the library;
  • Implementing other priorities outlined in the Yampa River Master Plan;
  • Continuing public education campaigns about preserving/protecting the river.

FOY volunteers also pitched in to help the Carpenter Ranch Garden Work Day on Saturday, Oct 23, the first phase of the Nature Conservancy’s new public garden as part of its Yampa River Program. Part of the Deep Roots program, the project involved raising beds, moving dirt, laying walkways and taking down a fence to relocate a vegetable garden to restore a native meadow garden.

FOY has also sent a letter to the BLM supporting its findings for 22 miles of the Yampa River being suitable for inclusion in the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers system. The sections include nearly 19 miles of the river through Little Yampa Canyon and three miles in Cross Mountain. The letter encourages the BLM to sign a Record of Decision for the Little Snake RMP and actively recommends the river sections’ Wild and Scenic designation by Congress.

Want to keep more up to speed? Join us on Facebook!