Aspiring local gardeners can apply for CSU program
The Colorado State University Extension Office in La Plata County is accepting applications for the 2015 Colorado Master Gardener Program until Dec. 19.
Students will receive training in tree care, vegetables, soils, native plants, water-wise gardening, pruning and more.
The training uses a variety of experts to teach the classes. The 12-week series will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays beginning Jan. 29 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
The cost is $170 if participants who intend to volunteer or $530 for a certificate without volunteer time.
Each student is responsible for obtaining a copy of the textbook, The Science of Gardening.
The training is equivalent to a four credit-hour course. Volunteers are expected to complete 50 hours of volunteer time in the first year and 24 hours in subsequent years.
For applications and more information, visit www.laplataextension.org or 2500 Main Ave.
Alpine Bank receives environmental award
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in cooperation with the Pollution Prevention Advisory Board and the Colorado Environmental Partnership, presented the 15th annual Environmental Leadership Awards on Oct. 2 in Denver.
The awards recognize Colorado organizations with Gold, Silver and Bronze designations for voluntarily going beyond compliance with state and federal regulations and for their commitment to environmental improvement.
Alpine Bank was recognized as a renewing Gold Leader, and the status applies for another three years. Alpine Bank first earned its Gold Leader designation in 2008 and is the only financial institution that participates in the Environmental Leadership Program.
The program is a statewide environmental recognition and reward program administered by the Department of Public Health and Environment’s Office of Environmental Integration and Sustainability.
For more information about Alpine Bank’s environmental efforts, visit www.alpinebank.com.
Native Plant Society to meet Wednesday
San Juan/Four Corners Native Plant Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Lyceum Room of the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College.
Bryan Peterson will present “Human-Bear Conflict in the Durango Area,” which will provide a better understanding of black bears in the wild, especially in the Durango area.
Peterson became involved in human/wildlife issues in 2000 while serving on a wildlife advisory board for La Plata County.
He has attended regional and international bear conferences in Montana, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nevada and British Columbia, Canada.
In 2011 and 2014, he assisted the National Park Service in Northwest Alaska with educational outreach to Native Villages and black and grizzly bear research in Kobuk Valley National Park.
Herald Staff
