Meeting Summary
Presiding: Dave Hansen
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Shaun Bullock and Crew
Inspiration:
Professor’s Quote: Dave Hansen
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests: Michelle Johnson
Visiting Rotarians:
Guests: Jerry Gruber introduced prospective member, Daron Wyatt
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Lovely, Braxton, Alexa
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Sarah Brown Mathews
Foundation Card Game:
Announcements:
- Don’t forget to volunteer to work the greeting table!
- District Conference is June 5-7 in Fort Collins. If you’re interested in going, let a board member know.
- Dave Hansen noted that reading is in progress for Read to Feed. We are half way to the fundraising goal, so pitch in if you can.
- A social hour is coming up on April 30.
- Tony Hoch is stepping off the Program Committee. We need a volunteer to replace him.
- Tom Mangan announced that the MS Walk in Cheyenne is May 30, with one to potentially follow in Laramie the next day.
Upcoming Programs:
- April 30: Downtown Clinic/Taste of Laradise, Kelly Neville
- May 7: The Land Institute, Tessa Peters
Rotarian of the Week: Dave Hansen nominated Michelle Johnson for volunteering to schedule the greeting table.
Songs: Bill Bailey; Beer Barrell Polka
Program: Laramie Rivers Conservation District, Katie Wynne
Introduction: Tony Hoch
It is the mission of the Laramie Rivers Conservation District to lead efforts to conserve Albany County’s Natural Resources. LRCD’s vision is to contribute to a thriving Albany County where healthy lands, clean water, and resilient ecosystems support vibrant communities, sustainable agriculture, and abundant wildlife for generations to come.
There are three staff and board of supervisors. The board is made up of elected volunteers.
In 1935, Congress passed the conservation act to support soil conservation after the Dust Bowl. It was updated in 1937.
In 1941, Wyoming passed legislation to start conservation districts. The Laramie Rivers Conservation District was established in 1945. There are 34 districts in Wyoming and 3,000+ nationally.
LRCD serves all of Albany County over 2.7 million acres. Most of this is private land. LRCD handles organizational operations, land use planning, programs, and community engagement, education, and outreach. Their goal is to make mission-driven and fiscally responsible decisions. They receive some funding from the Albany County mill. LRCD recently moved to a new building.
LRCD’s land use planning involves coordinating with individuals and partners and working on certain plans. They review notices, work on irrigation projects, and help with reclamation and restoration plan review.
For programs, LRD handles analysis and rural cost-shares, a community enhancement grant, technical/financial assistance, leads conservation efforts, and living snow fence projects. All of this work is done collaboratively with many partners.
For outreach, they handle weed spraying, have a community garden in LaBonte Park, host youth programs, and have a conservation education expo. This is coming up on May 9 from 10am-2pm at the Laramie Ice and Events Center.
So far this year, LRCD has handled 15 rural cost shares, five living snow fence projects, and three small water projects.
Response: Chris Downs