Our Future Depends on
TREES, BEES & SEAS
 
Saturday, April 20 - 9:00 am
 
Please join us on April 20, 2024, for a celebration of Earth Day hosted by Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS). We will gather at one of the jewels of JCOS called Crownhill Park, 9357 W. 26 Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO, which is centrally located and not far from downtown Denver.  Crownhill Park is a spectacular location with a beautiful lake and adjacent Wildlife Sanctuary with an expansive backdrop view of the Colorado Mountains. The Park is a refuge from the busy surroundings and offers ecosystem services to native birds, bees, bats, butterflies, and other wildlife. The park is famous as a nesting site for American bald eagles which is a spectacular species that appears on the Great Seal of the United States of America and represents an enduring and powerful symbol of our Great Nation.
 
The Colorado Native Plant Society (CoNPS), which is the leading voice in Colorado for the preservation and promotion of native horticulture, is helping JCOS with the revitalization of native plants and ecology. The Colorado Native Plant Society has worked closely with CSU, CU, Audubon Society and Denver Botanic Gardens for almost 50 years and promotes education and knowledge through its chapters, members and spectacular publication, Aquilegia. This event is also being supported by The Rotary Club District 5450 and the 57 area Rotary Clubs within it. Rotary International has joined a project called Operation Pollination which is a National and International effort to protect and promote our most delicate and sensitive creatures commonly called Pollinators. Rotary International recognizes the essential role that Pollinators have in food production, plant propagation, ecosystem services and the resulting benefits of clean water, fresh air, and sustainable soil. Rotary is the world leader in humanitarian projects and Operation Pollination is just one of the many important programs undertaken on a global scale.
 
We hope to gather as many Rotary members and other volunteers as possible for a Pollinator Pledge signing ceremony on that day to witness our support and outreach to communities and encourage Rotary members, families, and friends to take up this ultra important focus. Operation Pollination is a part of The Rotary International Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG). ESRAG was formed to empower members of the Rotary Family to take actions to sustain our environment, particularly to stabilize our climate. Please join us as thousands of Rotary members and hundreds of clubs worldwide have already done to show your support. Operation Pollination is new to Colorado and is being led by Tim Berg, one of our District 5450 club members. Tim has spoken to many members and clubs already and welcomes you and your club to join these efforts. We will also have hands on restoration projects on that day if you wish to participate in that.
 
We plan to start about 9am on April 20 and kindly request as many club leaders and members be present to witness the signing ceremony facilitated by our incredible District Leaders. In addition to Earth Day, we will also be showing our respect for events at Columbine High School and observe silence and memories for our loved ones. Rotary International’s mission of Peace is a cornerstone of our leadership as a humanitarian organization, and we kindly request that our members come out and join us in this celebration of peace. Our peacebuilding initiatives span the world, and many people worldwide are lifted by our efforts, in addition we must also remember to bring our focus home to where we live and help those efforts take root in our own soil right here in Colorado.
 
We look forward to seeing as many members as possible of our Rotary Family on April 20 at Crown Hill Park. Contact Tim Berg for more information.