Celebrating 10 Years!
2021 marks the 10th anniversary of Colorado Canyons Association! Since 2011, CCA has proudly been serving the community and the National Conservation Areas of Western Colorado. Throughout 2021, we’re excited to celebrate our 10th birthday with YOU! Each month we’ll have a new theme and birthday wish to share. Keep reading to learn more about this month’s birthday wish!
Our birthday wish for january…
Learn more about Colorado Canyons Association!
A lot has happened over the past 10 years! For those of you who are new to CCA, take a moment to learn more about our history; and for those who have been with us for the entire journey, now is a great time to reflect on our milestones.
Our 10 year Journey to 2021
In 2011, Colorado Canyons Association was officially born. Although Friends of McInnis Canyons had existed since 2007, the organization was developing into something bigger - a more robust organization that represented all three of Colorado’s National Conservation Areas - McInnis Canyons, Dominguez-Escalante, and Gunnison Gorge. Working closely with the Bureau of Land Management, Conservation Lands Foundation, and former congressman, Scott McInnis, CCA developed a mission to promote stewardship, education, and awareness for the three NCAs and officially opened the office in 2011.
CCA’s first Scavenger Hunt in Dominguez-Escalante NCA (2012)
With a dedicated new board, an Executive Director, Joe Neuhof, and the first Education Coordinator, Rosa Gardner, CCA began implementing new programs for the NCAs. One of the first programs stemmed from CCA’s adopted section of highway within Rabbit Valley. Volunteers organized to help clean-up trash from the busy I-70 corridor on a yearly basis. CCA’s education programs began to grow as well. What once began as a 2-bus field trip for the traditional Scavenger Hunt in McInnis Canyons NCA, grew into a multi-day program, Nature Knowledge Days, getting hundreds of 3rd graders outside for environmental education. Education programs such as Cottonwood Days and Escalante Field Experience were created soon after, engaging the Delta and Montrose communities. By 2015, CCA had achieved getting 3,000 kids outside in one calendar year for environmental education.
Then, in 2018, a brand new program was formed. With rivers being such an integral part of each NCA, CCA developed the river program and enlisted community support to purchase rafts and other equipment. The river program would be able to provide kids with pivotal, multi-day long educational experiences within the NCAs. With the donation of the use of the Catalpa Camp property by a generous donor, along with support from other key donors, CCA was able to establish a private, outdoor education camp to better facilitate these Colorado River rafting trips. Along with education, the river team conducted riparian restoration projects such as removing tamarisk and restoring the scarred landscape of the Dog Island fire.
In recognition of its growth, leadership, and innovative programs, CCA received the National Public Lands Foundation award in 2018. To this day, CCA continues to foster community stewardship, education, and awareness of our regional National Conservation Areas and remains committed to serving our community. Thanks to all of our members, donors, Board members, volunteers, staff and other friends who have enabled this exciting 10-year journey.
Looking back with Owen O’fallon
Owen O’Fallon, one of CCA’s first Board Chairs, shares his memory about the roots of the organization with Joe Neuhof:
“Amy and I had a nice raft and took Joe down Ruby Horsethief. Joe rowed (one of his first times I think) and I gave him a few tips. One thing led to another and we became partners in the raft. We are still partners and still enjoy boating. I think that this arrangement played a role in how CCA developed the river program. One never knows when a simple thing like a trip down the river can ripple forward through the years.”