The Nature Conservancy: Colorado River Program

11/20/2025

We are thrilled for our partners at the Jicarilla Apache Nation, who were honored today with an Excellence in Governance Award from Harvard University’s Project on Indigenous Governance and Development at Harvard Kennedy School’s Honoring Nations Program for our joint water sharing agreement with the Nation, TNC and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.

This well-deserved recognition highlights their visionary leadership in addressing water challenges in the San Juan River, a tributary of the Colorado River. It’s been an honor to collaborate with them in developing innovative, multi-benefit solutions as we navigate growing water scarcity in the West.

Learn more about the water sharing agreement: nature.ly/42pePSb

📸: © Erika Nortemann/TNC

11/14/2025

This week marked the deadline set by the Bureau of Reclamation for Colorado River Basin states to come to a consensus agreement on management of the Colorado River after 2026. The states were unable to meet that deadline but are continuing to work towards one. Celene Hawkins, TNC’s Colorado River Program Director, responding to this development, emphasized the urgent need for collaboration and sustainable solutions to protect the river and the communities, ecosystems, and economies that depend on it.

Statement from Celene Hawkins, The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado River Program Director.

12/09/2024

One of the focuses of the Colorado River Water Users Association conference starting today at Paris Las Vegas will be discussing paths forward ...

09/04/2024

09/03/2024

Join us in celebrating and preserving the beauty and value of the rivers and lakes around Summit County at Blue River Watershed Group's Festival Launch party on September 6th! 💧 Volunteer and make a huge difference in our community by joining BRWG for their annual county-wide river cleanup and volunteer after-party on September 7th.

At last year's clean-up, 160 volunteers removed more than 1500 lbs of trash, and we hope to remove even more this year! 🌱 Learn more and register to volunteer at https://www.blueriverwatershed.org/blue-river-festival.html.

08/29/2024

Come work with us at The Nature Conservancy - we're ! 🌎 If you are passionate about advancing conservation goals through strong, effective communications, continue reading ⬇

As a Media Relations Manager, you will manage and implement media strategies, create messaging for targeted audiences, and cultivate media relations networks and relationships - all to elevate stories and build awareness around conservation priorities in the southwest, such as the Colorado River Basin, Western Dry Forests and Fire, and beyond. 💧 🔥 This candidate must live within Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, or New Mexico. Hybrid and remote options are available.

If this sounds like a role you would thrive in, learn more and apply at https://careers.nature.org/ and search for Job ID 55485.

08/14/2024

Do you enjoy organizing, planning, and logistics? 💡 Are you interested in supporting The Nature Conservancy's conservation mission by helping our teams operate more effectively? ✔ Well, you're in the right place - we're a Team Operations Coordinator!

As a Team Operations Coordinator for TNC's Western US and Canada Marketing and Communications team, you will help advance our collective mission by coordinating tasks such as operations support, contracts administration, meetings management, special events, training, program evaluation and reporting, project management, etc.

Learn more and apply for this role by searching for job ID 55520 at https://careers.nature.org/. 🌱

08/08/2024

Join us this Saturday in Fort Collins for the Poudre Riverfest's 10th Anniversary Celebration at New Belgium Brewing! 🍻

The Poudre RiverFest is a free, family-friendly festival that celebrates the Poudre River, promotes restoration, and educates people about our river corridor, an important natural resource in our community. 💧

Learn more about the festival (and TNC's Predator Olympics activity!) here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/river-fun-zone-predator-olympics-tickets-944372843597?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

08/02/2024

“We are honored to be recognized a top Inspiring Workplace in North America and especially proud to be ranked as the #1 non-profit,” said Michael Tetreault, Chief People Officer of The Nature Conservancy. 🍀

“Our focus on creating a positive and inclusive work environment allows us to harness the full potential of our diverse and talented team. This award reflects the incredible efforts of our staff, and is a testament to our collective dedication, passion, and shared commitment to our global mission. Together, we are creating a positive and inspiring world where nature and people can thrive.”

Read the full story here: https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/the-nature-conservancy-top-100-inspiring-workplaces-north-america-2024/?en_txn1=s_lio.gd.x.x.&sf194234504=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawEYp4dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHezbwYbBqFM5Dwku5HqyN6f1s3U9wed1JgY82HM4r4rDedTbcU7rk4P18Q_aem_9_HgBwKl_ud47ZJ1sF0tzA

TNC is ranked fourth overall and #1 non-profit in North America by awards recognizing organizations that have created a positive and inclusive work culture

07/31/2024

Do you like beavers? Well then, add this podcast episode to your queue! 💡

In a new episode of Mountain & Prairie, TNC experts Nancy Smith and Austin Rempel join host Ed Roberson to discuss how The Nature Conservancy and partners are improving our streams in the West by adding simple structures made of natural materials to simulate processes like beaver dams in streams and wetlands. 💧

Listen here or whenever you get your podcasts: https://mountainandprairie.com/nancy-austin/ 🎧

The Nature Conservancy in Colorado is always grateful for our ongoing partnership with Ed Roberson and the podcast 🤝

07/03/2024

As negotiations continue over the future of the critical system, the 30 Tribal Nations that depend on its water are demanding a seat at the negotiating table — from which they’ve been excluded for a century.

"Tribes should be seen as equal players at the negotiating table with state representatives and federal officials", said Lorelei Cloud, the vice chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council, the first tribal member of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and The Nature Conservancy in Colorado Board Member.

Continue reading The Denver Post article with insight from Lorelei Cloud, Celene Hawkins, and other important voices:

As negotiations continue over the future of the critical Colorado River system, the 30 tribal nations that depend on its water are demanding a seat at the negotiating table — from which they’…

06/03/2024

Arizona is one of the largest and most biodiverse states in the U.S., which creates unique conservation challenges and opportunities—both in its arid, wide-open landscapes and densely populated urban centers. 🌵

In this new podcast episode of Mountain & Prairie, The Nature Conservancy in Arizona State Director Daniel Stellar joins host Ed Roberson to discuss forest heath, rivers, aquifers, outdoor recreation and resilient cities.

🎧 Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://mountainandprairie.com/dan-stellar/

📷: Ian Adrian/TNC Photo Contest 2022 (1), Rick Triana Photography (2), Mark Skalny Photography (3)