MESA COUNTY-
The Alpine Bank Environmental Fund recently made a generous $5,000 donation to match the $5,000 donated by Western Colorado Community Foundation last year. With this seed money, Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition is now eligible to apply for grants that may require match or reimbursement. Most commonly, these grants are related to wildfire fuel reduction projects, but can also work to build capacity or purchase equipment to help build a wildfire adapted community.
Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition co-chair Ellis Thompson-Ellis said , “With this seed funding the Wildfire Coalition will strive to have monies continually reimbursed by grants so these funds can be used again and again.” Initially the Coalition will look to use the funds to support fuels reduction projects in high-risk areas of Mesa County.
Tawni Kelly, Community Outreach Director for Alpine Bank said, “Alpine Bank is thrilled to be able to support such an important effort here in our local community and we hope that this small contribution will help to provide some additional resources towards the critical work already being done by Two Rivers Wildlife Coalition.”
Emily Orbanek, Programs Manager for Western Colorado Community Foundation said, “Our Community Foundation is pleased to support the necessary work of Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition. The Coalition’s work is urgent as western Colorado grapples with more frequent and more destructive wildfires. By working in collaboration across the spectrum of land managers, TRWC is better equipped to navigate the next fire season.”
Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition is a collaborative non-profit focused on protecting Mesa County communities and natural resources by bolstering wildfire preparedness mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. With over 15 federal, state, local, non-profit, and private agencies working together, the group looks forward to completing more mitigation and education projects in the area in the coming year.
For more information contact the coalition at TwoRiversWildfireCoalition@gmail.com or call 970-697-7052.
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