Urban Spaces, Wild Places

The 2009 Urban Spaces, Wild Places event was a lot of fun! Many thanks to our award winners, our sponsor FirstBank of Denver, and everyone who attended the event. Below are some photos from the evening and information about the awardees.

This year’s awards went to:

Christine Hayes and Larry Kueter of Isaacson Rosenbaum P.C. accept BLNC's Conservator
Award from Dan Reimer, BLNC's Immediate Past Board President.

Bluff Lake Nature Center's Conservator Award acknowledges individuals or groups who make extraordinary contributions to conserve Denver and Colorado’s natural areas and was presented Isaacson Rosenbaum P.C. this year. The firm is recognized as a leader in environmental law and continually strives to ensure that natural areas are protected. A year ago, the City and County of Denver transferred ownership of the Bluff Lake site to BLNC. It was a momentous achievement for BLNC and means that this particular 123 acres within Denver will remain natural. The land transfer was made possible as a result of the diligence of Larry Kueter, Christine Hayes, and their colleagues at Isaacson Rosenbaum. While it means the world to BLNC, it is only a small example of the ways in which Isaacson Rosenbaum P.C. protect the environmental concerns in our community.

Charles Warren, Jim Schrack, Charles Bayley, and Kate Kramer (Sand Creek Regional
Greenway's Board Members and Executive Director), accept the Cottonwood Award
from Glenn Fee, BLNC's Executive Director.

Named for the cottonwood trees at Bluff Lake that provide a wonderful habitat for our wildlife, the Cottonwood Award is given to visionary individuals or groups who have helped protect the future of BLNC. This year’s winner Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership was founded in 1998 and is the driving force that brings together Aurora, Commerce City, Denver and the Stapleton Development Corporation to manage the 14 mile trail that links High Line Canal to Platte River Greenway. The trail winds through a diverse environment that includes industrial areas, new development, mature neighborhoods, and natural habitat. Allowing non-motorized uses of the trail, SCRG is another way for the community to explore wilderness in the city. A portion of Sand Creek Greenway flows through Bluff Lake. The proximity, complementary objectives and a reliable working relationship have made for a superb partnership between BLNC and SCRG.

John Nelson, a BLNC Site Steward Volunteer, accepts the Dirty Hands Award
from Chris Story, BLNC's Site Manger.

BLNC enjoys the dedication of dozens of volunteers who choose to spend their time teaching local children and restoring our site. These volunteers are truly the heartbeat of the organization and it is difficult to choose just one a year for the Dirty Hands Award. This year John Nelson - a master gardener, an avid outdoorsman, and a history buff - made it to the top of the list. ~ John doesn’t like Russian Olive trees. Their dense stands clog riparian areas, consume enormous amounts of water and offer little in the way of habitat for native wildlife. Thanks largely to John’s dedication to removing these destructive trees and chainsaw skills, the remaining Russian Olives at Bluff Lake are few and far between. Fifteen years ago, Bluff Lake’s wetland and riparian areas were choked by Russian Olives, but we now estimate that Bluff Lake will be free of them within two years. Also, John has extensively researched the history of the Bluff Lake area. From his sleuthing, he has created a complete timeline for the site dating back to the late 1800’s and made a connection with descendants of the original landowners. John’s hard work at Bluff Lake is an obvious testimony to his love of the site and his commitment to helping us keep Bluff Lake wild.

Billy Brown, BLNC's Board President (on right), mingles with Urban Spaces, Wild Places
guests after the awards ceremony.

A special thank you goes to Judy Weaver of Spector and Associates for
taking our guests on Green Tours during the event!