Eagle River Fund Announces Inaugural Competitive Grantmaking Awards

The Eagle River Fund board of directors has voted to disburse $25,000 total for two awards that provide match funding for projects in 2026. ​Application submissions requesting funding were received throughout the month of February and reviewed in March by the Technical Advisory Committee, a 12-person expert stakeholder group. The awards mark the results of the inaugural competitive grantmaking opportunity by the Eagle River Fund, which is a permanent funding source for projects and activities that support the long-term health of the Eagle River.

The two projects receiving Eagle River Fund awards are “Water-Wise Native Landscaping at the Conservation Center” and “Abrams Creek Road Crossing Project.” 

The Eagle Valley Land Trust submitted the request for support for Water-Wise Native Landscaping at the Conservation Center, in which water-efficient plants will be installed at the Conservation Center's North Courtyard in Edwards, allowing the site to serve as a demonstration of water-wise landscape design and complementing local turf-replacement efforts by Beyond Lawn. Signage, events and programming will highlight the water savings and other benefits of installing place-appropriate vegetation in lieu of nonfunctional turf.

The Eagle River Coalition submitted the request for support for the Abrams Creek Road Crossing Project, in which a specialized armored crossing will be installed to mitigate the source of sediment that currently threatens a 95% genetically pure indigenous population of Uncompahgre Cutthroat Trout in Abrams Creek. The population is targeted for its unique value in terms of the biodiversity of cutthroat trout populations in the Upper Colorado Watershed, as it features adaptations that allow it to survive in lower-flow and higher water temperature conditions than other populations.

Staunton Golding, chair of the Eagle River Fund Board of Directors, says, "this Eagle River Fund grant cycle is supporting projects in line with our goals. This year, more than any other, our community needs to come together to find ways to ensure water stays in our rivers and support infrastructure that protects all who rely on it - whether they're two-legged, four-legged, or finned - as well as those in generations to come. I am thrilled about the difference this Fund is making, and the early support from donors encourages us that people are understanding the foundational role rivers play in our regions. We hope this interest only continues to grow, because it will mean more work can be done to protect this lifeblood system that defines the Eagle River Valley."

This winter has been exceptionally dry, and the low snowpack levels are anticipated to result in low flows, water quality issues, threats to the fishery, increased wildfire risk, water use restrictions, and economic impacts from reduced tourism activities.

There are projects being led by organizations, agencies, and municipalities in the Eagle River Valley that protect the waterways on which local communities and wildlife rely. Examples of this work include turf replacement efforts, rain barrel deployment, irrigation reduction programs, invasive species mitigation, riparian restoration projects, and education programs. However, efforts are frequently and significantly restricted by available funding that will move the needle on conservation initiatives.

The Eagle River Fund is a secure, permanent, local match funding source that leverages existing resources to increase the scale of projects and expedite their progress. Approximately $2.5 million has been raised to-date toward the $5 million goal.

To learn more or make a tax-deductible donation to the Eagle River Fund, visit eagleriverfund.org or contact Melanie Smith, Fund Manager, at info@eagleriverfund.org.