RIVER

macroinvertebrates, including sensitive species, this indicates good water quality. Dissolved oxygen is just one important aspect of overall water quality,” Harman said.

Harman said these macroinvertebrates tell them what they do and a lot about water quality. If certain kinds of bugs are present, the water quality can sustain these macroinvertebrates, and they’re also an essential part of the food chain for the sh that consume these bugs.

“We amended that agreement and since then we built four di erent drop structure locations along the river to improve habitat and will select a fth spot to construct by fall. en when complete, we will go into phase six and continue ongoing monitoring of aquatic life forever at all these locations,” Dorsch said.

Dorsch said to improve the water quality, stirring it and building miniature waterfalls to put the oxygen back in the river over time, so it starts to get better. In addition, they will place large rocks that will provide protective cover for sh, create pools close to the bank of the fast-moving water—trees will be plants and shrubs for aquatic shade and creates a riparian zone, which is a vegetation area between land and river.

e Metro Water Recovery scientists will stock the river with Colorado native species, primarily minnows, they said.

“ ey are not very big, but we love our native species and want to protect them every chance we can,” Dorsch said. “We also target Johnny Darters and Iowa Darter which are the most sensitive species of minnows in the South Platte River.”

While Metro is working on the Platte River project, Dorsch said shing will still be allowed even when constructing ri es which are fast-moving sections of stream and other habitat improvements farther down the river. e scientist will continue to monitor the water quality daily and how much sediment is released during construction e orts.

“We don’t want that sediment going downstream and impacting aquatic life. My sta and I are out here every day checking on what’s going on and what’s gone wrong. If there are problems, we will correct it,” Dorsch. e Metro Water Recovery scientists’ work didn’t go unnoticed in saving the aquatic life on the river — they received the National Environmental Achievement Award from the National Associations of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) for the South Platte River Aquatic Life

Habitat Improvements Projects, according to a news release. is fall, the honorees will be recognized at the NACWA’s winter conference in Sonoma, CA.

“We love getting awards, (but) like most biologists — we come in do our job,” Dorsch said.

“It’s nice to get the award,” Harman added. “People aren’t aware of the work we do, so it’s kind of nice to get some recognition and people realize we’re out here in the river.”

We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www.canyoncourier.com/ calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email dbrobst@coloradocommunitymedia.com to get items in the print version of the paper. Items will appear in print on a space-available basis.

WEDNESDAY ent: “Pinyon Jays: Natural History, Research and Opportunities for Citizen Science.” For program information, including location details or Zoom access, visit www.EvergreenAudubon.org. e Bergens and Parmalee. Open houses will be Friday, March 3, from 5- 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 5, from 2-5 p.m. e show will run from March 3-26. Shadow Mountain Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in downtown Evergreen between Java Groove and Beau Jo’s.

Evergreen Area Republican Club: e Evergreen Area Republican Club will meet at 6 p.m. March 1 in the Evergreen Fire/Rescue Administration Building, 1802 Bergen Parkway. Guest speaker is Antonette Smith with Americans for Prosperity. Check the evergreenarearepublicanclub.org website for more information. Independents and una liated welcome.

Evergreen chamber monthly breakfast: e Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, at Troutdale Tavern. For more information and to register, visit evergreenchamber.org.

Free legal clinic: A free legal clinic for people with no attorney will be from 2 to 5 p.m. ursday, March 2. By telephone or video, volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help ll out forms, and explain the process and procedure for all areas of civil litigation. Pre-registration for individual 15-minute appointments is available by calling 303-235-5275 or visiting https://tinyurl.com/ ykzs2ej7.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY in Georgetown. Kimberly Knox of Georgetown Outdoor Discovery and Evergreen Audubon’s Emma Vasicek will lead hikes on March 4 and April 1. For more information and to register, visit www.evergreenaudubon. org/events/snowshoe-hike-withgeorgetown-outdoor-discoveryjanuary-2023

“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”: Ovation West is performing the comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” through March 12 at Center Stage in Evergreen. Rated PG-13. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $32 for adults and $28 for seniors, and may be purchased at ovationwest.org.

SATURDAY 285 TechConnect Radio Club: e 285 TechConnect Radio Club for ham radio enthusiasts interested in its technical aspects, will hold its monthly meeting from 10 a.m. – noon Saturday, March 4, at e Bridge Church at Bear Creek, 3101 S. Kipling St. in Lakewood. For more information, visit https://na0tc.org/.

SUNDAY

Rockies Springtime art show: Shadow Mountain Gallery will display artists’ renditions of springtime in a wide range of media from March 5 through April 29. One-of-akind artwork will be priced for every budget. Shadow Mountain Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in downtown Evergreen between Java Groove and Beau Jo’s.

UPCOMING

Evergreen chamber mixer: e Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer from 5-7 p.m. ursday, March 9, at Restoration 1 of West Denver in Wheat Ridge. In conjunction the showroom will have an open house, where the community can meet designers and tour the showroom.

THURSDAY

Evergreen Audubon meeting: Evergreen Audubon’s March 2 chapter meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Church or via Zoom. Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Amy Seglund, sensitive species coordinator, and Liza Rossi, bird conservation coordinator, will pres-

FRIDAY, SUNDAY e Kids Are Back art show: Shadow Mountain Gallery will again display artwork by local elementary school children. “ e Kids Are Back!” e display is in recognition of National Youth Art Month and includes artwork from six schools: Wilmot, Marshdale, King-Murphy,

“Spirit of Love” show: Shadow Mountain Gallery in downtown Evergreen will have its “Spirit of Love” Valentine’s show and sale through March 4. All items are made by local artists e gallery, which is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, is next to Beau Jo’s Pizza.

Snowshoe hikes: Explore the beauty of Colorado’s winter wonderland on a guided snowshoe hike

Parmalee Elementary carnival and auction: Parmalee Elementary, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, will host its annual carnival and auction from 4-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 10, at the school. For more information, visit parmalee.je copublicschools.org.

“Chapter Two:” Evergreen Play-

SEE HAPPENINGS, P19