Core Natural Areas Management Plan

The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department manages 43 natural areas ranging in size from the 1-acre Williams Natural Area to the 22,258-acre Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. The Core Natural Areas are small, urban sites, ranging in size from 4 to 41 acres that fall outside the Poudre River, Fossil Creek or Foothills corridors. The Core Natural Areas are:

• Red Fox Meadows Natural Area
• Fischer Natural Area
• Ross Natural Area
• Mallard's Nest Natural Area
• The Coterie Natural Area
• Redwing Marsh Natural Area
• Evergreen West Pond (Future Natural Area)
• Site #13IS1 (Future Natural Area)

Because of their smaller size, central location, and separation from each other, the Core sites provide a feel of the neighborhood natural area more so than the larger tracts of connected protected lands. Conservation of these islands of habitat in the urban environment provides a natural setting in the urban landscape, nearby recreation, local pockets of biodiversity, and a home for wildlife species that otherwise might not be able to co-exist in the urban environment.

Core Natural Areas Management Plan Completed

The Core Management Plan has been published.