Natural Areas Enews
Natural Areas Department Annual Report

For a short and colorful overview of the conservation and stewardship accomplishments of 2020, read the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Annual Report.  It highlights a big year of land acquisition, how the department navigated the pandemic and record visitation, some key metrics, and revenue and expenditure information. 
2020 Natural Areas Annual Report

Pick It Up FoCo
Join the community effort to protect our waterways from plastic pollution by using the fork - your reusable fork that is! And don’t forget about your reusable spoons, knives, and straws, too. If you want to channel the fork further, spring into action and help clean up our city by joining a litter pick-up challenge- Pick It Up FoCo.

Did you know that Fort Collins voters recently approved a Disposable Bag Ordinance to protect our natural areas and waterways starting in May 2022? This will help stem the flow of plastic bags and your efforts will help policymakers make data-informed decisions.

Use the Litterati App and enter code FOCO2021 to help clean up our community, keep plastic out of our neighborhoods, and collect community science data in the process! 
Pick It Up FoCo Challenge Details

Bobcat Ridge Restoration Video
The Cameron Peak Fire of 2020, which began in the higher elevations of Larimer County, eventually reached the foothills west of Fort Collins where it raced through Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Over 75% of the site burned, leaving behind a changed landscape and in places, damaged trails. Bobcat Ridge is closed to the public for restoration and recovery efforts including seeding of native grasses, repairing trails, and eliminating non-native vegetation where possible. Thanks for your patience until reopening in the late summer.

Restoration is supported by a grant from the Pulliam Charitable Trust, thank you!

Thank you voters! Sales tax ballot measures conserve natural areas and fund stewardship.
Watch the Video

Actualización de la Restauración en el Área Natural de Bobcat Ridge, Primavera 2021
El Incendio Cameron Peak del 2020, que inició en las elevaciones altas de Larimer County, eventualmente alcanzó la ladera del monte situada al oeste de Fort Collins donde se extendió a través del Área Natural Bobcat Ridge. El incendio quemó más del 75% del área dejando atrás un paisaje cambiado, y en algunos lugares, senderos dañados. Aunque Bobcat Ridge actualmente está cerrado al público, el personal de las Áreas Naturales está aprovechando esta oportunidad para restaurar y recuperar el área por medio del sembrado de pastos nativos, la reparación de los senderos y la eliminación de vegetación no nativa donde sea posible. Gracias por su paciencia; anticipamos reabrir más adelante en este año.

La restauración es apoyada por un donativo del Fideicomiso de Beneficencia Pulliam ¡Gracias!

¡Gracias votantes! Los impuestos sobre ventas propuestos por los votantes conservan las áreas naturales y financian su administración.
En Español

Gardeners Needed

Want to learn more about Colorado native plants and pollinators? Like to garden? Just want to be outdoors with fellow nature enthusiasts? Come join the Sugar Beet Pollinator Garden Crew! Training will be Thurs. May 20, at 4 p.m. at Sugar Beet Park where Nature in the City installed a pollinator garden. It is still a young garden and needs your help getting established.

Opportunities to garden will be weekly (Thursday or Saturday mornings).  No experience is necessary, so it’s a great place to learn about Colorado gardening, native plants, pollinators, and meet new people. Staff or experienced gardeners will be at each gardening day. 
Sign Up

Free Upcoming Activities
Sights and Sounds of North Shields Ponds   Tuesday, May 11 |   10:00 AM | North Shields Ponds Natural Area |  Registration Required

Discover a special Poudre River Natural Area right in town. North Shields Ponds includes riverbank and two large ponds with easy trails for exploration. Its wetland and forest habitats support a wide variety of animal life. Free, registration required at fcgov.com/register

Yoga and Wellness in Nature   Thursday, May 13 |   10:00 AM | Gateway Natural Area |  Registration Required

Discover the union of Yoga with Nature. Explore Natural Areas that compliment easy and peaceful yoga poses. No experience with yoga necessary. Yoga mats optional. Up to 1 mile; easy. Free, registration required at fcgov.com/register

Kestrel Fields Shrub Planting   Thursday, May 13 and/or Saturday, May 15  | 9:00 AM

Come help plant shrubs and trees at the new Kestrel Fields Natural Area. Groups of 5-7 volunteers will plant as many as 700 shrubs in 1-gallon containers and 50 ball and burlap trees over three shifts. Free, registration required at fcgov.com/register

Astronomy & Skygazing   Saturday, May 15 |   8:30 PM | Bobcat Ridge Natural Area |  Registration Required

This is a limited event. If registration fills, please know that we will also have another event at Fossil Creek Reservoir this month. Free, registration required at fcgov.com/register

Nature in the City Biodiversity Monitoring Training- Birds and Butterflies   Tuesday, May 18, 2021 |   5:30 PM

Everyone is invited to help gather information about wildlife in Fort Collins as a Community Science Biodiversity Project volunteer this spring and summer. It’s a great way to get outside and enjoy the city’s natural spaces. Free, registration required at fcgov.com/register

Sugar Beet Gardener Training   Thursday, May 20, 2021 |   4:00 PM | Sugar Beet Park

Want to learn more about Colorado Native Plants and Pollinators? Like to garden? Just want to be outdoors with fellow nature enthusiasts? Come join the Sugar Beet Pollinator Garden crew! Free, registration required at fcgov.com/register

A Parade of Prairie Bloom   Friday, May 21, 2021 |   8:30 AM | Pineridge Natural Area |  Registration Required

Explore the blooms through the months, while learning about native and non-native plants. Bring water, sun protection, closed-toe shoes and any other comforts you may need. 1.4 miles; easy-moderate. Free, registration required at fcgov.com/register

Hike through the Ages   Saturday, May 22, 2021 |   9:00 AM | Soapstone Prairie Natural Area |  Registration Required

Explore with experts in geology, ecology, and history to learn how Soapstone Prairie came to be, the creatures that keep in functioning, and the homesteading and ranching history.
Calendar of free activities

Natural Areas News is published on the first Tuesday of the month with occasional special editions. Newsletter comments are welcome. Please contact Charlotte Norville, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Public Engagement Manager, 970-221-6311 or cnorville@fcgov.com. 

To learn more about Natural Areas, visit our website.

City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department
PO Box 580, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road
Fort Collins, CO 80522