DOINews: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for PMB Visits Overland Pond Park in Denver, CO

On March 27, 2015, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget, Kristen Sarri, visited Overland Pond Park in southwest Denver to promote DOI's 50 Cities Initiative. The initiative's purpose is to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards and inspire young adults to play, learn, serve and work in the outdoors. Denver was chosen as one of the initial 12 cities to participate in the program.

Recent restoration work at Overland Pond Park was partially funded by DOI with damages acquired through a Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) settlement with the S.W. Shattuck Chemical Company, Inc. Restoration work at the park began in 2009 and included invasive tree and shrub removal, weed management, and native grass seeding. In addition to enhancing migratory bird habitat at the park and along the South Platte River, these projects provided abundant educational and volunteer opportunities for area youth programs and park neighbors.

Kristen Sarri was met at the park by representatives from The Greenway Foundation, Earth Force Inc., Water Association of Student Stewards Urban Program, Overland Park Neighborhood Association and Stewardship Partners, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and DOI Restoration Support Unit. The occasion offered a valuable opportunity to highlight restoration and volunteer successes to DOI leadership.