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City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department Releases 2011 Annual Report
Released on Friday, April 13th, 2012
Contact Information
Zoë Whyman, Natural Areas Community Relations Manager, 970-221-6311,
City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department Releases Annual Report for 2011
The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department is pleased to announce the publication of its 2011 Annual Report. The report gives an overview of the Natural Areas Department and highlights projects, accomplishments and revenue/expenditure information. Articles include:
• Their Hearts Are In Nature- Nearly 1,400 people demonstrated their love of natural areas by volunteering in 2011. There were more service learning projects that combined volunteer service with education and reflection. Volunteers made a big difference by adopting a trail or natural area, serving as Master Naturalists and Master Naturalist Assistants, welcoming visitors as Volunteer Ranger Assistants, leading stargazing events, or collecting data as citizen scientists.
• Survey Says… A survey of residents found that 80% of respondents had visited a natural area in the past year. Ninety percent said the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department is doing a good job, very good job or excellent job.
• Amenities for Visitors- The Gateway Natural Playground was created, the trails were improved at Pineridge and Gustav Swanson natural areas, fishing line recycling receptacles were installed, and visitor amenities at Red Fox Meadows were completed.
• Focus on Running Deer Natural Area- The historic White Pine Fire Lookout cab (or top) was moved to Running Deer Natural Area, the reclamation of the site won the Jack Starner award, and about 78 tons of concrete and trash were removed.
• Natural Heroes- In 2011, Rangers made 12,000 friendly contacts with visitors and responded to more than 700 inquiries on the ranger hotline (970-416-2147).
• Caring for Nature- The update to the Cache La Poudre River Natural Areas Management Plan was completed. Four acres of cottonwood forest and three acres of wetlands were restored at McMurry Natural Area. Twelve new rare plant populations on natural areas were discovered in 2011.
• Bobcat Ridge Historical Grant- The State Historical Fund awarded the City $93,392 to restore the historic log chicken house and pioneer barn at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area.
• Land Conservation Update
• 2011 Revenues and Expenditures
The report is available on-line at www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/naars.php. Printed copies will be available soon at natural area trailheads or the Natural Areas Department offices at 1745 Hoffman Mill Road.
It’s all made possible by Fort Collins and Larimer County voters. Your citizen-initiated sales tax dollars conserve land and provide visitor services such as trails, restrooms and parking lots. Thank you!
The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department is pleased to announce the publication of its 2011 Annual Report. The report gives an overview of the Natural Areas Department and highlights projects, accomplishments and revenue/expenditure information. Articles include:
• Their Hearts Are In Nature- Nearly 1,400 people demonstrated their love of natural areas by volunteering in 2011. There were more service learning projects that combined volunteer service with education and reflection. Volunteers made a big difference by adopting a trail or natural area, serving as Master Naturalists and Master Naturalist Assistants, welcoming visitors as Volunteer Ranger Assistants, leading stargazing events, or collecting data as citizen scientists.
• Survey Says… A survey of residents found that 80% of respondents had visited a natural area in the past year. Ninety percent said the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department is doing a good job, very good job or excellent job.
• Amenities for Visitors- The Gateway Natural Playground was created, the trails were improved at Pineridge and Gustav Swanson natural areas, fishing line recycling receptacles were installed, and visitor amenities at Red Fox Meadows were completed.
• Focus on Running Deer Natural Area- The historic White Pine Fire Lookout cab (or top) was moved to Running Deer Natural Area, the reclamation of the site won the Jack Starner award, and about 78 tons of concrete and trash were removed.
• Natural Heroes- In 2011, Rangers made 12,000 friendly contacts with visitors and responded to more than 700 inquiries on the ranger hotline (970-416-2147).
• Caring for Nature- The update to the Cache La Poudre River Natural Areas Management Plan was completed. Four acres of cottonwood forest and three acres of wetlands were restored at McMurry Natural Area. Twelve new rare plant populations on natural areas were discovered in 2011.
• Bobcat Ridge Historical Grant- The State Historical Fund awarded the City $93,392 to restore the historic log chicken house and pioneer barn at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area.
• Land Conservation Update
• 2011 Revenues and Expenditures
The report is available on-line at www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/naars.php. Printed copies will be available soon at natural area trailheads or the Natural Areas Department offices at 1745 Hoffman Mill Road.
It’s all made possible by Fort Collins and Larimer County voters. Your citizen-initiated sales tax dollars conserve land and provide visitor services such as trails, restrooms and parking lots. Thank you!