On Saturday, April 13, the Mancos Conservation District will host its annual meeting from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Mancos Community Center, 130 Grand Ave.

Breakfast from Fenceline and coffee from Fahrenheit will be served at 9:30 a.m., with the meeting to start at 10 a.m.

The meeting will open with a welcome and guest speaker presentation. This year’s guest speaker is Esther Vincent, who is the director of environmental services at Northern Water.

She will speak on wildfire restoration after 2020, the East Troublesome fire and how the community can prepare for wildfire.

Additionally, her presentation will touch on the post-fire impacts to watersheds and provide more information on restoring wildfire-damaged watershed areas.

Mancos Conservation District Executive Director Danny Margoles told The Journal that Vincent’s presentation will help shed a light on what the local community can do regarding water and wildfire.

“Ultimately, we want to learn as much as possible before a major fire and reduce our risk of damage to water resources,” Margoles said. “Being able to effectively plan and know what we should be doing and what to do when a major wildfire does happen.”

After Vincent’s presentation, photo contest winners will be announced, landowner and volunteer recognition will take place, as well as bylaw discussion.

“Please come by and share your ideas, concerns and conservation needs for our area,” organizers said.

Those who wish to attend are asked to register. Registration can be found on the Conservation District’s website at https://forms.gle/VXesuB2jJ4NDTCww7.

“This meeting is a great opportunity for the community to meet the board and to meet the MCD staff to learn about our great conservation programs and how community members can get involved and receive assistant,” Margoles said.

Margoles also shared that MCD’s mission is to meet conservation goals for watershed restoration, improving water quality, supporting sustainable use of Mancos River water, supporting ecological services of the river and more.

MCD also has a forestry program that has been running for about a year, and this program helps “support and implement” forest management projects.

“I hope those who attend learn more about what we’re doing and learn about some of our new programs and how our efforts are really aimed at supporting locally-led conservation,” Margoles said.

Requests information and questions can be directed to Neva Connolly at (970) 508-0674 and neva@mancoscd.org.