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Media invited to Arkansas Darter stocking in Sand Creek, Thursday, Aug 14
Dean Miller
Alex Jouney, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Native Aquatic Species Biologist, releases Arkansas Darters into Sand Creek in Colorado Springs. In collaboration with the City of Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, the project is working to establish a robust, self-replicating population of Arkansas Darters within the Colorado Springs region. Photo courtesy of Colorado Spring Stormwater Enterprise
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife Southeast Region, in collaboration with the City of Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, continues native fish conservation and recovery of the Arkansas Darter in Sand Creek on Thursday, Aug 14 at 1:30 p.m.The Arkansas Darter was historically common in headwater spring-fed creeks throughout the eastern plains and the front range. In recent decades, the species experienced drastic declines. Beneficial to spring-fed ecosystems, Colorado populations of the species are genetically distinct and worthy of conservation, according to Alex Jouney, CPW Native Aquatic Species Biologist.
“The project, ongoing since 2023, is working to establish a robust, self-replicating population of Arkansas Darter within the Colorado Springs region,” said Jouney. “The collaboration is promoting biodiversity in Colorado Springs waterways.”
The effort aligns fully with the mission of the Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise to convey water, protect people, property and the environment. Early in the collaboration, the team identified high quality habitat for the recovery of the Darter.
“This project supports a holistic view of a healthy water corridor,” said Jerry Cordova, Stormwater Specialist. “Biodiversity builds healthy habitats and the reintroduction of this important native species highlights the overall health of our urban waterways.
“We’re finding that in many neighborhoods there are ideally-suited locations for a variety of fish species throughout Colorado Springs,” said Cordova. “In the context of city waterways, not only are we conveying water, but we’re ensuring eco-systems supportive of restoring an imperiled fish species.”
The project is made possible by CPW’s Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility in Alamosa where the fish are spawned and reared. Since 2023, the team has successfully repatriated thousands of Darter’s to Sand Creek.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: News media are invited to attend the next scheduled fish stocking of Sand Creek, Thursday, Aug. 14, 1:30 p.m. in Colorado Springs as fish from Alamosa are stocked into Sand Creek. The availability includes photo and B-roll opportunities, interviews with the project’s partners, and includes a short walk in muddy conditions. The event location will be provided to attending media representatives as they RSVP. Media outlets are asked to RSVP with the name, email and mobile phone number of attending staff to [email protected] or at (719) 466-3927.
Photo Captions
Arkansas_Darter_Spring: In early Spring, Jerry Cordova, City of Colorado Springs, Stormwater Enterprise, Stormwater Specialist, and Alex Jouney, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Native Aquatic Species Biologist, celebrate proof of live Arkansas Darters that survived the winter in Sand Creek. Photo courtesy of Colorado Spring Stormwater Enterprise
Arkansas_Darter_1: Alex Jouney, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Native Aquatic Species Biologist, releases Arkansas Darters into Sand Creek in Colorado Springs. In collaboration with the City of Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, the project is working to establish a robust, self-replicating population of Arkansas Darters within the Colorado Springs region. Photo courtesy of Colorado Spring Stormwater Enterprise
Arkansas_Darter_3: Buckets of live Arkansas Darter are ready to be poured into Sand Creek earlier this summer. The fish are spawned and reared at CPW’s Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility in Alamosa. Since 2023, thousands of fish have successfully been repatriated into Sand Creek. Photo courtesy of Colorado Spring Stormwater Enterprise
Arkansas_Darter_4: Alex Jouney, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Native Aquatic Species Biologist, nets Arkansas Darters into 5-gallon buckets in the bed of his CPW truck. The fish are spawned and reared at CPW’s Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility in Alamosa. Since 2023, thousands of fish have successfully been repatriated into Sand Creek. Photo courtesy of Colorado Spring Stormwater Enterprise
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
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