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5 Career Benefits of Volunteering Abroad for College Students

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by SYDNEY E. LUTZ

- Published March 16, 2017, Updated June 26

Why volunteer? We’ve all heard the phrase “if money grew on trees,” and it seems that jobs and steady employment are the things we wish forthe most. Gotta live up that American Dream, right? When times are tough and money is tight, it may seem like the options are limited for new andsoon-to-be grads, which can heighten anxiety for their uncertain futures.

However, this isn’t a horror story. Rather, new and aspiring grads should look in another direction, towards opportunities they may have previouslyoverlooked. One such direction encompasses becoming an international volunteer. Before you start thinking that participating in a volunteerprogram is a form escaping the “real world,” consider this: demonstrating your work ethic and combating that dreaded-unemployed-patch onyour resume in a creative way will set you apart from the crowd for future employers.

How will volunteering abroad help you? (Yes, it’s okay to volunteer for your own benefit too). It creates opportunity for structured learning, helpsdevelop more clarity for your career path, gives you the chance to help vulnerable populations that are less fortunate or voiced than you, and theskills gained from volunteering will be invaluable in your future career path. It’s sure to make your job interview stories more memorable, and caneven serve as a backdrop to cultivating some seriously competitive professional skills. Read on to learn more about the career benefits ofvolunteering abroad.

5 benefits of volunteerism abroad that will pay off in your future career:

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1. Save Money While Traveling Abroad Meaningfully 

Your piggy bank will thank you for saving money.

Traveling abroad can make it difficult sometimes to find affordable options. When you’re on your own, the cost of things like accommodation inhostels or hotels add up quickly. Many volunteer programs abroad cover the cost of meals, accommodation, transportation in the country,activities, and equipment. Not only will you be saving money for your piggy bank, but you’ll be part of an international experience that translatesto job skills. Talk about being fiscally savvy!

2. Brush Up on New Language Skills 

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Say “Sí” to a new language!

Language skill acquisition (and ample opportunity to practice!) is one of the top benefits of volunteerism. Like most forms of educational travel,volunteering abroad gives you the chance to work on a new language as you become accustomed to the culture and country. The total immersionaspect of volunteering will give you a boost towards grasping the native language, including enhancing your own grammar and vocabulary usage.Once you start filling out job applications and writing cover letters, you’ll be thankful (and so will employers) for your attention to detail and thelanguage skills gained from volunteering.

3. You can Volunteer BEFORE Graduating 

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Graduating should look exciting, not ominous.

Having these achievements and skills gained from volunteering on your resume before you graduate, job hunt, and start a new career will makeyou even more of a hot commodity. Employers typically value a breadth of experience in their new hires, and attractive skills such as adaptabilityand flexibility cannot be overstated. Volunteer abroad as a college student to get a headstart!

There is much to learn in the way of volunteer abroad career advice; with thoughtful reflection, you should be able to articulate the value of yourinternational experiences, identify the skills gained from volunteering, and ace any job interview.

(Psst! Here’s how to put your volunteer abroad experience on a resume.)

4. Offset Your Loan Payments

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Shoo, clock! Hold off loans by volunteering.

It’s been mentioned once, but it bears repeating. After all, it doesn’t make any sense to be struggling to pay your student loans when you’reunemployed. Private loans are typically harder to defer, but if you’re paying back federal loans, these can be deferred because of unemployment.Settling for a menial job won’t make it any easier, as you’ll have to start paying them back. When you’re already strapped for cash and trying tomake payments, this can create a constant headache of worry. On the the bright side, participating in something like a health and wellnessprogram in India will allow you to defer the payments AND gain valuable job skills, which will help lead to a career where you can make loanpayments with peace of mind.

5. Complement Your Desired Career 

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Take the road less traveled toward your career.

You aren’t the only recent grad or soon-to-be grad struggling with the ever-changing job market — employers will tire of hearing that story.Instead, why not leverage volunteering to get a job? 

Use volunteerism as a way to interact with your desired field in new ways and to better understand a different facet of what a career in thatgeneral trajectory could look like. Not only will you get valuable experience, but the skills gained from volunteering can help act as a steppingstone to start your new career by networking with other professionals and eventually landing your dream job.

Programs to consider if you hope volunteering will lead to a job/career

From volunteering with children to animals to mother nature, you can start your adventure to complement your desired career with any one ofthese volunteer programs:

Children

Perhaps you’re interested in social work, teaching, pediatric care, counseling, or any other field that involves helping children. Why not volunteerto teach English in a school in Peru with A Broader View Volunteers Corp? You could also be a role model to children at daycares, where you’llread to children, supervise them, help with daily activities in South Africa with Pod Volunteer, or assist with health education and empowerorphans in the Philippines with Kaya Responsible Travel.

Animals

Maybe your crystal ball holds veterinary science or ranch work in your future. Volunteer with Projects Abroad in Kenya, where you can restorehabitats, track animals, mend fences, and more to help preserve animal species. Take a chance and rescue stray dogs and cats in Nepal with ELI,where you’ll prepare meals, feed animals, clean cages, and save the day for these furballs. Take your love for horses all the way to Zimbabwe andvolunteer in stables with African Impact.

Mother Nature

From environmental science to marine studies, you’ll find volunteer programs that will pump up your ecological skills. Venture to the rainforest inPeru with International Volunteers HQ to assist with environmental conservation efforts. Promote and protect the wildlife, flora and fauna,coastlines, by volunteering abroad in Australia with Oyster Worldwide. Get free accommodation and food in exchange for farm work in Englandwith World Choice Education. FIND VOLUNTEER ABROAD PROGRAMS

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It's time to see the career benefits of volunteerism abroad for yourself!

Unfortunately, money doesn’t magically grow from trees. Neither do jobs, but the benefits of volunteerism are endless, and the skills gained fromvolunteering numerous. It’s up to you to make your future bloom, and it starts by thinking outside the box. There are so many volunteer programoptions out there, from a couple of weeks to several months, and volunteering will give you an opportunity to improve your marketability, makeproductive use of your free time, and become a more active global citizen. Give yourself an edge in the job market by volunteering abroad!

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6 Benefits of Study Abroad Volunteer Programs

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by SYDNEY E. LUTZ

- Published April 20, 2017, Updated August 2

When you hear the term “studying abroad,” you probably conjure up images in your mind of picturesque scenes of canal cruising in Amsterdam,club hopping in Barcelona, riding high on a red double-decker bus through London, or exuberant hiking through the lush, mountainous terrain ofthe El Yunque in Puerto Rico.

Give the countries a hand with service.

While these experiences are enriching and highly recommended, there’s still an important potential component to study abroad that is oftenoverlooked: volunteering. Unfortunately, global awareness is something the United States is often accused of lacking. However, finding studyabroad volunteer programs can help in this arena — as typical study abroad students often hang out with other classmates from their homecountry rather than getting chin-deep in a foreign culture.

Your desire to volunteer and study abroad does not have to detract you from participating in a traditional study abroad program. Instead, it takesthat typical program to the next level—offering incredible chances to better discern and learn from your surroundings.

Here’s everything you need to know to find study abroad volunteer programs (and why they come with the GoAbroad stamp of approval!):

Can I volunteer and study abroad, for real?

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That head-scratcher question of “Can I volunteer while I study abroad?” might be keeping you up at night, but we’re here to tell you—Absolutely!Study abroad programs highly encourage students to find ways to give back to and better integrate with the community.

If you choose to sign up for a regular study abroad program, talk to your program coordinators, study abroad advisors, and professors right awayto see if there’s any local volunteer opportunities available within your program. Otherwise, enroll specifically in study abroad volunteerprograms from the gitgo. You can also find short-term volunteer opportunities to take advantage of during your academic breaks as well if youdon’t think you’ll have time when your classes are in session.

6 life perks when you volunteer and study abroad

If you’re still not sure if you want to juggle academic and service responsibilities, here are six solid benefits to push you past the “convinced”line:

1. You’ll Connect with Locals Abroad on a Deeper Level

You’ll be immersing yourself into the culture.

Adding a volunteer component to your study abroad program helps prepare you to live and work in our deeply interconnected world whileallowing a greater understanding for both yourself and your worldwide neighbors. Plus, you’ll come to appreciate the way of life in the country byliving it yourself through volunteering. You’ll have a unique experience serving a local community and having a cultural immersion experience,rather than hitting up the nightlife that mostly Westerners can only afford.

2. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

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Get off the beaten path and into the rainforest.

You’re in another country for a short amount of time — this may be the only time in your life that you’re there! If you’re filling your days with justclasses, studying, and hanging out with classmates because you’re scared to get out of your comfort zone, then you’re not broadening yourhorizons enough. Volunteering teaches you more than you’ll know; you’ll learn more about life in this culture, bond with locals in a meaningfulway, and gain new perspectives. Not to mention you can pat yourself on the back for helping others!

3. Improve Your Chances of Getting Hired

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A job opportunity could be just around the corner.

When you’re out in the field volunteering, you’ll have sincere and genuine conversations with staff members and other volunteers. You neverknow when one of these conversations could lead you to the right person who has a job opening, either abroad or at home. Forget about trivialawkward networking events, you’re making connections in an alternative, better way with your service abroad.

Why not also increase the chances of your resume standing out to employers with volunteer experience? When companies see that you took timeto help out others in need during your free time while studying abroad, they will be doubly impressed! You’ve also more than likely picked up skillsabroad that you couldn’t at home, such as intercultural communication skills or foreign language (they’re like bling bling for CV’s). Byvolunteering in a way that relates to your major, you’ll have a better understanding of what it entails and its global trends, which will make for anexcellent conversation starter and impress employers in interviewers.

Psst: You might also like this article on the three steps to adding “study abroad” to your resume too.

4. Work Toward a Cause You Believe in

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Say koo koo kachoo to saving turtles. 

Whether your major is in business, liberal arts, or STEM, you’re taking classes that interests you, right? Maybe you chose the subject based onfuture income, but more than likely, you chose your major because you want to make a difference somehow. You’re learning about these subjectsvia textbooks and lectures, so why not APPLY that knowledge in a way that will make a difference? To answer, “How can I volunteer while I studyabroad?” You can start by researching programs and organizations in need of your help right where you’re studying (Huzzah to saving on airfare!).

From childcare to animal welfare to environmental work, your service will have positive ripple effects for the country you study abroad in. If you’restudying earth science in Nepal, you can apply your skills and support Himalayan mountain conservation. On the other hand, if you’re exploringenvironmental science in Australia, you could spend your free time promoting conservation of the Great Barrier Reef. Maybe you’ve decided tostudy community development and social justice in South Africa, well then, it would make sense to fill your free time by volunteering withdisadvantaged children right? Even STEM students studying abroad in China can find time to help with infrastructure development in some way.

Volunteering while studying abroad will help you see your major in a new light and motivate you even more to work in the field.

5. Participate in an Unforgettable Experience

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You’ll never know what you’ll uncover by volunteering.

When you decide to volunteer while studying abroad, you’ll discover the true beauty of the country with its peoples, languages, and landscapes.Not to mention you’ll get a break from your studies! Anyway, even if other students don’t want to join you, you’ll make long-lasting friendships inthe community and learn about cultural differences. The challenges you’ll overcome along the way may feel like a roller coaster, as you adapt to anew language and the gritty reality of some situations, but it’ll be worth it.

The best part? You could have an adventure, all for a good cause. You could be exploring the Amazon Forest in Brazil, diving in the depths of theGreat Barrier Reef, or excavating for ancient ruins in Italy. While not all of the volunteer work will be glamorous, and granted, some will begrueling, difficult work, you’ll be able to share an incredible story and spread awareness to your friends, family, classmates, professors,employers, your dog, and anyone else who will listen.

6. Complement Your Studies in a Meaningful Way 

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Learning from the local people is what it’s all about.

Rachel Halder, a study abroad student, spent a semester in Peru, where women’s studies was her minor. She became acquainted with women ina brothel in an area of 90 percent employment. By working with another group of women who made traditional hand-woven bracelets, she cameto realize that the ladies at the brothel could learn this craft and earn an income doing it. The group of women and herself set up a “cooperative,”and Rachel sold their bracelets in the United States and mailed the income back to the creators.

Rachel experienced first-hand more pressing issues being faced by women around the world while in Peru. She said she learned more abouttransnational feminism and the global women’s rights movement from her volunteering experiences there than she ever could have from books. 

This experience was transformative in numerous, multi-faceted ways. Though I ‘helped’ these women, I received far more than I felt I wasoffering. The kindness, laughter, generosity, and pure acceptance that these women showed me was profound.” – Rachel Halder 

Volunteer and study abroad—a winning combo!

You can quote us: Studying abroad is the yin to volunteer abroad for college student’s yang; they’re like BFF’s or Gilmore Girls. One is morefocused on theory and the other is more focused on real life. With study abroad volunteer programs, you’re not only experiencing the surfaceculture of a country by doing all the touristy things. Instead, you’ll be immersing yourself in a deeper level of the culture that will make your timeabroad that much more meaningful. You’ll come out of the experience as a much stronger, resilient, knowledgeable, humble, and well-roundedglobal citizen. Booyah!

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5 Benefits of Volunteer Vacations Abroad

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by SYDNEY E. LUTZ

- Published April 5, 2017

Everybody loves a good vacation, right?! All work and no play makes for a boring life—vacations are a chance to escape from the dull daily grindfor a little while, but how do you decide where to spend this precious time? Do you opt for a chic city escape in Europe or a beach holiday in theCaribbean? Maybe you’re looking for more of an adventure, so do you’re choosing between a safari in Africa or a trek in New Zealand? But we’rehere to challenge you to take it a step further. If you’re looking to do a little good in the world with your free time, then consider looking intovolunteer vacations abroad.

Increasingly, more and more people are deciding to spend vacation time doing something meaningful by giving back. Countries all over theworld are in a high demand for someone like you to help them out. Now “working” while you’re on a holiday may seem like an odd thing tochoose, but volunteer vacations abro`ad have several benefits, and options.

The perks of volunteer vacations abroad

1. There are Endless Types of Volunteer Vacations Abroad

You can choose from a variety of meaningful activities for your volunteer vacation—you could be teaching in the townships of South Africa,assisting with conservation of African lions in Zimbabwe, working in hospitals or clinics in Kenya, or helping to research sea turtles in the

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Seychelles! There really is a volunteer vacation for everyone, if you take the time to look. Volunteering isn’t a one-way street either; not only areyou helping underprivileged communities or contributing to important conservation efforts, but the experience will be of real benefit to you too.

Where do you want to send a postcard from?

2. You Can Complement Your Career with New Skills

In addition to the lovely feeling you get from helping others, you can learn valuable skills that could help you in your chosen career, and it’s a realplus for your resume or CV. You could also use volunteer vacations as opportunities to develop your existing skills. For example, doctors andnurses can use their knowledge to assist on medical projects and teachers are able to make a positive impact by teaching English inunderprivileged schools.

[7 Benefits of Doing a Homestay Program While Volunteering Abroad]3. You'll Experience an Authentic Cultural Exchange

If you choose to sign up for volunteer vacations abroad, working with the local people will offer you an insight into the country and culture thatyou’d be hard-pressed to experience as a more-generic tourist. You get to see the “real” way of life in the community you’re visiting – eat wherethe locals eat, shop where the locals shop, and so on, rather than moving between tourist traps that are often overcrowded and overpriced. Youcan still visit these places on the evenings or weekends, or on the side, during most volunteer programs, if you’d like.

There is no doubt about it, a volunteer vacation will leave you with a much more well-rounded view of thecountry you’re visiting, providing you with a truly authentic experience."

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Learn skills that come in handy for your career.

4. You'll Get More Bang For Your Culturally-Curious Buck 

Volunteer vacations are often more inexpensive than your usual tourist package. Sharing accommodation with other volunteers (often fullycatered) is much cheaper than spending your time in hotels in popular tourist areas and eating out at restaurants every night. However, bear inmind that accommodations can differ, so be realistic; you can’t always expect 5-star luxury when working in a rural location!

Another advantage of volunteering is that people you know may be willing to sponsor your trip, as it will be for a good cause. With crowdfundingplatforms, like FundMyTravel, you could fundraise up to 100 percent of your travel costs and volunteering fees, while raising awareness of theprojects and causes you’re supporting in the process!

5. You Can Build Long-lasting Meaningful Friendships

A volunteer vacation is a great way to meet people, especially if you’re traveling solo, as you will usually be a part of a larger group duringactivities on the projects. The uniqueness of the experiences can help you foster lasting and meaningful friendships with fellow volunteers from amultitude of ethnic backgrounds, and it’s an opportunity to learn about different cultures from all over the world. However, volunteer vacationsare not just for the singletons – couples and families are welcome too (and most voluntourism organizations will offer options for group bookingsfor corporations, schools, and clubs too). Volunteering abroad together is a great way to strengthen relationships and spend quality time workingtogether with those close to you.

11 recommended volunteer vacations abroad

Overwhelmed with all of the options? Need a little help finding a program that works for you or your family? Whether you’re an animal whisperer,childcare maven, or a conservation enthusiast, there’s an opportunity out there that can meet your needs and align with your interests. Here area few volunteer vacation suggestions to get you started:

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Fill your brain with knowledge of other cultures.

Volunteer Vacations with Animals Abroad

If you just can’t get enough of Animal Planet and want to make a difference for our nonhuman neighbors, then look into any one of thesevolunteer vacations:

1. IOI Galapagos Turtle Center: Come out of your shell and soar to the far-off Galapagos National Park to take care of the turtles from twoweeks to three months. A basic ability to speak Spanish will help you here, as you’ll live with a family while you’re there.

2. Vervet Monkey Project – Khaya Volunteer Projects: Help rehabilitate these 65-million-year-old monkeys in the Rainbow Nation of SouthAfrica by assisting vets with repair, construction, feeding, and more.

International Volunteer Vacations for Families

Why go by yourself when you can bring the whole crew? After all, a family that volunteers together stays together. Here are our top picks forvolunteer vacations for families:

3. Unearthing Ancient History in Italy with Earthwatch Institute: Help researchers piece together the past of Populonia as you excavate forartefacts of ancient sites. On the side, take your family to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and have pizza afterwards!

4. Big Cat & Wildlife Research in Kenya with African Impact: One of the top priorities of this program is safety, so you can be sure that you’llhave a good experience. Your family will be assisting with conservation efforts to protect these endangered predators. 

5. Assist with Social Services in Thailand with Cross-Cultural Solutions: The stunning beaches and mountains will make you and your familyawe in delight as you assist with caring for children and adults with disabilities.

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Save a euro or two with a volunteer package.

Volunteer Vacations for Singles Abroad

The great thing about a volunteering by yourself? You can eat, pray, and love to your heart’s desire. The world is your oyster with these awesomevolunteer vacations for singles:

6. Work at a Youth Center in Brazil with ELI: Develop and organize programs and activities for at-risk youth in Rio. Help promote betternutrition while teaching anything from sports to music and sewing on the side.

7. Help Conserve the Great Barrier Reef in Australia with GoEco: Dive on into the depths of the Great Barrier Reef for a couple of weeks!You’ll be exploring the likes of the coral disease and contributing to a good conservation cause.

8. Teach English in South Africa with Love Volunteers: Get a leg up in your career and provide more education opportunities for locals whileexploring the natural wonders and cultural diversity of South Africa.

Volunteer Vacations Abroad for Seniors

From conservation to community projects, finding volunteer vacations for seniors is easier than bending over and standing up quickly:

9. Care Work with Children in Costa Rica with Projects Abroad: Provide emotional and social support for the children while experiencing LaPura Vida in Costa Rica. This program is for volunteers of all ages, as care centers are severely understaffed.

10. Guiding People with Special Needs in Israel with GoEco: Fly on over to the land of the Dead Sea, for a slice of its beauty, where you’llhelp individuals with special needs by overseeing children, social activities for adults, and more.

11. Volunteer Teach in Ecuador with WorldTeach: Share some drops of English wisdom to the children in the geographically and culturallydiverse country of Ecuador. You can learn some Spanish along the way as you live with a host family.

[Browse ALL Volunteer Vacations Abroad]

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Volunteer vacations abroad as are good as they soundSo the next time you’re planning a vacation, consider incorporating volunteering to make it more memorable and impactful. Whether you chooseto volunteer for a couple of weeks or a couple of months, you will be making a BIG difference by helping those in need abroad, no matter howsmall your part may seem. We can’t promise your decision will be any easier with the multitude of different volunteer vacations available, but wecan promise you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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The dynamic cast of Legends in Concert, Las Vegas’ longest-running live tribute show at Flamingo Las Vegas, introduced Barbra Streisand to its castof award-winning tribute artists on Monday, Sept. 29 (Pictured: Sharon Owens as Barbra Streisand – Photo credit: Gaylin Addis). 

Through the end of the year, the talented Sharon Owens will honor the legendary Barbra Streisand with her uncanny resemblance and breathtaking vocalrange of three full octaves. Owens found success after winning FOX TV’s “Performing As…” reality competition show where she stunned audienceswith her talent. Owens has been featured as the legendary singer in “Entertainment Tonight,” “Access Hollywood,” “Extra” and in People Magazine.With more than three decades of experience as a tribute artist, Owens continues to take audiences back in time to ‘60s Broadway, ‘70s disco and ‘80sfilms with her rendition of Barbra Streisand performances.

The addition on Sharon Owens to the Legends in Concert lineup comes as Streisand just released her 34th, best-selling studio album, “Partners.”Featuring twelve harmonious duets with popular chart-topping singers such as Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, John Legend,Michael Bublé and John Mayer, among others, Billboard reports the hit album will reach the Top 200, which would make Streisand the only person inhistory to have a No. 1 album in six different decades.

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https://www.vegasnews.com/123613/lasso-national-finals-rodeo-specials-at-chayo-mexican-kitchen-tequila-bar.html 2/11

Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar, located at The LINQ, will offer food and drink specials and an unforgettable party experience during NationalFinals Rodeo viewing parties from Thursday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 13 (Pictured: Rib Eye Nachos – Photo credit: Peter Harasty). 

Throughout the NFR run, Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar will be a rodeo-haven, as all coverage will be viewable from the establishment’s high-definition televisions. The authentic Mexican restaurant and bar will start the flavor fiesta with 25 percent off appetizers, including the massive rib eyenachos, crispy empanadas and the botana platter, which includes two mini sopes, two empanadas, guacamole and two chicken gorditas. Drink specialsinclude draft beers, priced at $5; Sauza tequila shots, priced at $5; and house margaritas, priced at $7.

Cowboys and cowgirls, alike, can practice their rodeo skills and saddle up on the establishment’s feisty mechanical bull, named Chayo.

Glade Reservoir

The Glade Reservoir is part of Northern Water’s

Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP).

April 8, 2014

Overview: The controversy surrounding the Glade Reservoir

Water is undeniably an important source for human beings. People use water for a variety of reasons, and when the population grows, so does the need for water. The population of the Northern Front Range of Colorado is continuing to grow: in 2010, it was around 550,000 and will likely reach 1,000,000 by 2035 (“Demographics,” 2012). To supply water for the increasing population, Northern Water, a public agency, proposed a water storage and distribution project called the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP). Part of the project is to create the Glade Reservoir. The reservoir would be northwest of Fort Collins, CO, on Highway 287 and would hold 170,000 acre-feet (AF). By diverging water from the Poudre River, it would supply water to several communities (Handy, 2013a). Since the reservoir would be near Fort Collins, the City of Fort Collins has concerns about its costs and safety. The City of Fort Collins and environmental organizations are also concerned about how the reservoir would impact the ecosystem of the Poudre River. The issue brief discusses different viewpoints concerning the creation of the Glade Reservoir and the research, values, and opinions related to those viewpoints.

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Background: An aversion for the diversion

In the 1960s, the Bureau of Reclamation considered a water supply project called the Poudre Project, and in the 1980s, it filed water rights for a reservoir. The project rested for some time, and as the population grew, the idea of the Glade Reservoir came to fruition in the early 2000s; a group of participants formally said they were ready to fund it in 2002. Since 2004, Northern Water has been working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to create an Environmental Impact Statement through the National Policy Environmental Process to meet the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act to receive a permit to construct the reservoir (C. Brouwer, personal communication, March 28, 2014).

In 2008, the City of Fort Collins received the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) from Northern Water. After reading the DEIS, the City of Fort Collins (2008) had some concerns. One of its concerns was that the amount of total organic carbon (TOC) levels increasing to 5.5 mg/L, which is twice the amount in the Horsetooth Reservoir (2.9mg/L). The City of Fort Collins said it would have to spend $90 million in capital costs to upgrade its water treatment plants and spend $3

million annually to operate it. Some other concerns are the amount of Trichlorethin (TCE) in groundwater and the costs to treat wastewater. Another concern was how a 25-71% reduction in river flows would affect the river’s ecosystem. Historically, the effects of diversions and dams to rivers in the Front Range “include altering the magnitude, duration, and frequency of flows, as well as sediment transport, disturbance regimes, water chemistry, and water temperatures” (Wohl, 2005, Table 1). The City of Fort Collins requested Northern Water to provide a supplemental DEIS due to come out by mid-2014.

Northern Water is not only working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create a supplemental DEIS, but it is also working with other environmental groups to ensure the protection of the Poudre River and its surrounding habitat (Northern Water, 2012a). However, Northern Water presents a self- interest level of

altruism, which means it wants to protect the environment to take care of themselves and those they care about: economically speaking, constructing the reservoir would create hundreds of jobs and the reservoir would help agricultural businesses grow (Northern Water, 2011). It also demonstrates a humanistic value because it argues that the reservoir would benefit other people by supplying 40,000 AF of water for agricultural purposes in 30 towns; without the reservoir, 60,000 acres of farmland would dry up in the future (Northern Water, 2011). It also seems to be in alignment with the familiarity principle, which means evaluating risks for new innovations the same way we evaluate existing or past innovations. In the past, it contracted with the government to build the Colorado-Big Thompson Project and saw all of the

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Background continued…

benefits of creating it, so it focuses on the benefits of creating another dam the same way it looks at creating the Glade Reservoir Northern Water, 2012c).

On the other hand, environmental organizations like Save the Poudre present a biospheric level of altruism, which means they seek environmental protectionism for the environment itself, and seeing its intrinsic value beyond human needs. Save the Poudre argues that the reservoir would endanger the Poudre River’s environment because the reservoir would reduce the flow of the river (Save the Poudre, 2014). According to Bartholow (2010), the flow of the Poudre River needs to be about 1,400 cubic feet per second (cfs) for at least one day annually. Mark Easter (personal communication, April 1, 2014) said, “If the project were built, the peak would be between 1,000 and 1,200 cfs on average, so the peak would be much, much lower.” Sediment buildup from low flows has historically caused large amounts of fish to die and can negatively affect aquatic biota and its habitat (Rathburn & Wohl, 2001). Save the

Poudre also values humanity because it argues that the reservoir could harm people’s drinking water (Save the Poudre, 2014). Lastly, environmental organizations are in alignment with the precautionary principle, which means caution should be taken when risks are unknown or uncertain. They do not support the reservoir because it has several plausible environmental risks, but not all of its potential environmental risks are known for sure since the reservoir does not currently exist.

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Viewpoint: Proponents for the Glade Reservoir

Northern Water is the main proponent for the Glade Reservoir. It says it has the support of Larimer County and Weld County: Ciruli Associates, a polling and consulting company in Denver, surveyed 900 people in Larimer County and Weld County and found that a little over 70% of participants said they were in favor of the construction of the Glade Reservoir (Handy, 2013b).

Northern water argues that conservation strategies are not enough to supply water for the growing populations, and the reservoir would provide 40,000 AF of reliable water to help meet their demands (Northern Water, 2012b).

As far as environmental concerns, the reservoir would have little impact on the environment. Northern Water may also do some good things like improving the habitat for fish during low flows and create pools and ripples for them. It will only take water during the spring flows and not all year long as well as release water during critical low-flow times and coordinate with other reservoirs to release water

(C. Brauwer, personal communication, March 28, 2014). The Glade Reservoir would also be bigger than the Horsetooth Reservoir and would allow several recreational activities like fishing and boating (Northern Water, 2011).

Northern Water and other participants had scientists and technical experts address City of Fort Collins’ concerns. Their results found that TOC concentrations could be between 5 mg/L and 6 mg/L, but lower averages would result from biological processes taking place in the Glade

Reservoir. The current water treatments can treat TOC levels at 13 mg/L, and the creation of new treatment facilities are not necessary under current laws, and it would only need to spend about $3,500 a year to treat the water that blends together

from the Poudre River and the Horsetooth Reservoir. They also said that the amount of TCE would hardly be noticeable and if need be, Northern Water can create a drain system. It also said that it would have no impact on wastewater treatment operations (Wilkinson, 2009).

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Alternative Viewpoint: Opponents of the Glade Reservoir

Environmental organizations argue that the Glade Reservoir will have several negative impacts. The Glade Reservoir would cost between 1-2 billion dollars and all of the towns would have to pay for those costs. The facility would also give off ½-1 ton of carbon dioxide equivalence for every acre-foot of water (M. Easter, personal communication, April 1, 2014). The Glade Reservoir would also negatively affect agriculture. Save the Poudre (2011) argues that the Glade Reservoir would cause salty water to flow downstream affecting nearly 3,000 acres of agriculture, which would ruin crops.

Another big concern is that the Glade Reservoir would reduce the peak flows of the Poudre River. The reservoir would store a lot of that water from the peak flows, and less water running through the Poudre River means the decline of the riparian forests (N.L. Poff, personal communication, April 3, 2014).

According to Western Resources Advocates (2012), if the towns used conservation strategies, then 60,550 acre-feet of water would be available in

2060. The conservation strategies include water-sharing agreements between towns, utilizing the water they’re using to irrigate to provide water for the municipal demands of the towns, using the water conservatively and efficiently, and minimize the water they use for developments.

Another possible solution to conserving freshwater and energy is by using greywater for toilets. Glick, Guggemos, and Price (2011) defined greywater as “the wastewater that comes from all indoor plumbing fixtures except toilets” (p. 45). The researchers found out that if Fort

Collins/Loveland area used greywater for their toilets, the freshwater savings would be 2,640 AF/year in 2025 with total energy savings of 1.53 million kwH/year in 2025 assuming a population of 287,696 people with 1.6 gallon/flush.

Environmental organizations and scholars argue that if towns used various conservation

strategies, the towns would not need the Glade Reservoir to supply water for them.

Summary: An uncertain future for the Glade Reservoir

The controversy surrounding the construction of the Glade Reservoir exists for a variety of reasons. Northern Water argues that conservation strategies are not enough, and the reservoir would provide 40,000 AF of water to the growing communities in Northern Colorado, and it would not have an impact on recreation activities, water quality, and the environment. Northern Water also argues that the reservoir would create more jobs and stimulate the economy. The opponents of the reservoir argue that the reservoir would be expensive and would negatively impact the flow of the river, which would impact recreational activities, water quality, wildlife, vegetation, and energy consumption. The opponents also believe that towns should use conservation strategies to efficiently use water instead of relying on a reservoir. The Glade Reservoir does not exist yet, so it is hard to know for sure how it would impact the environment and the economy.

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References Bartholow, John M. (2010). Constructing an interdisciplinary flow regime recommendation.

JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 46(5), 892-906. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00461.x

Brauwer, C. (2014, March 28). Telephone interview. City of Fort Collins. City of Fort Collins NISP DEIS comments. (2008, September 10). Retrieved from

http://www.fcgov.com/nispreview/pdf/nisp-comments-part1.pdf Demographics. (2012, July 27). Northern Colorado Business Report. Retrieved from

http://www.ncbr.com/article/20120727/PUBLICATIONS09/120729892 Easter, M. (2014, April 1). Personal interview. Glick, S., Guggemos, A. A., & Price, J. (2011). Increasing resource efficiency through residential

greywater use. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 7(1), 41-57. doi: 10.1080/15578771.2010.543260

Handy, R. M. (2013a, October 7). Would Glade Reservoir have prevented Poudre flooding? Not likely, experts say. Coloradoan. Retrieved from http://www.savethepoudre.org/news- articles/would-glade-reservoir-have-prevented-poudre-flooding_coloradoan-2013-10-07.pdf

Handy, R. (2013b, October 26). Survey: Strong support for NISP water storage plan. Coloradoan. Retrieved from

Northern Water. Environmental stewardship. (2012a). Retrieved from NISP Web site: http://www.northernwater.org/WaterProjects/NISPEnvironment.aspx

Northern Water. Water, jobs, and the economy. (2011). Retrieved from NISP Web site: http://www.northernwater.org/docs/NISP/NISPNews/Releases2011/NispEconomyFactS heet.pdf

Northern Water. Who we are. (2012b). Retrieved from NISP Web site: http://www.northernwater.org/AboutUs/WhoWeAre.aspx

Poff, N.L. (2014, April 3). Personal interview. Rathburn, S. L., & Wohl, E. E. (2001). One-dimensional sediment transport modeling of pool

recovery along a mountain channel after a reservoir sediment release. Regulated Rivers: River Research and Applications, 17(3), 251-273. doi: 10.1002/rrr.617

Save the Poudre. The farm facts about NISP. (2011, April 13). Retrieved from http://www.savethepoudre.org/docs/farm-facts-april2011.pdf

Save the Poudre. Project impacts. (2014). Retrieved from Save the Poudre Web site: http://www.savethepoudre.org/project-impacts.html

Western Resource Advocates. A better future for the Poudre River. (2012, December). Retrieved from http://www.westernresourceadvocates.org/water/nisp/BetterFuture.pdf

Wilkinson, E. W. (2009, January 16). Army Corps of Engineers letter re: Black & Veatch results. Retrieved from http://www.northernwater.org/docs/NISP/MapsDocuments/WQ_ArmyCorpsLtr_FCissu es.pdf

Wohl, E. E. (2005). Compromised rivers: Understanding historical human impacts on rivers in the context of restoration. Ecology and Society, 10(2), 24-40.