Contact Information Contact Information
- Dept Head: John Stokes
- 1745 Hoffman Mill Road
Fort Collins, CO 80524
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (M-F, except for holidays)
Natural Areas Newsletter Natural Areas Newsletter
Foothills Management Plan Update
The management plan that applies to Coyote Ridge, Pineridge, Maxwell and Reservoir Ridge natural areas and the Foothills Trail is due for an update in 2019.
Work on the plan includes setting goals and strategies for promoting ecological integrity, protecting natural and cultural resources, and connecting people to nature. The process for developing the Foothills Plan also includes analyzing the existing management plan, evaluating visitor amenities (including trails) and facilitating a public engagement process.
The final Management Plan product is planned to be released in the third quarter of 2019. To achieve the outcomes described in the plan, a handful of specific projects will be outlined to be accomplished in the next 1-3 years. The final Management Plan will describe the process for developing future projects and the associated public engagement.
Native Meadow Garden in a Box
Garden In A Box is a selection of professionally designed, perennial garden kits tailored for Colorado. It has never been easier to transform your yard or natural space into an attractive, low-water landscape. Whether you are looking to redesign a portion of your yard, attract bees and butterflies, or simply increase your curb appeal, these water-saving boxes make landscaping easy. The plants will need little to no water to thrive.
This season you can receive $25 off the Native Meadows box with code NATIVE19, courtesy of Nature In The City. Native plants provide habitat uniquely suited to support local pollinators (bees, butterflies, birds), conserve water, eliminate the need for fertilizer and are naturally disease and pest resistant.
Lead | Explore | Collaborate | Give Back |Join ROOTS!
In ROOTS Club youth 14-18 will:
- Establish ROOTS in your community
- Participate in grass-ROOTS stewardship efforts
- Stay true to your ROOTS while branching out with new friends
ROOTS meets Fridays, June 7- August 16, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. ROOTS is for all youth 14-18 years old. Free, transportation is provided.
Can Fort Collins residents find the most wildlife and plants? Everyone is invited to join the friendly competition between cities across the world, City Nature Challenge. Get outside and collect scientific data!
Three Easy Steps to Participate
- Download the iNaturalist app
- Capture photos of wildlife and plants, April 26-29
- Identify what you found April 30-May 5
Play it Safe on the Poudre River
Sure the water looks inviting- but is it really?
If you decide to get on the water, study this brochure and make a plan. Walk the route before you go tubing, or boating.
Restoration at Kingfisher Point Natural Area
Restoration projects are one example of how residents and the Natural Areas Department conserve and care for natural areas now and for future generations. The restoration project at Kingfisher Point Natural Area will connect a stretch of the Cache la Poudre River to its floodplain and improve habitat. At Gadwall Pond, wetlands are being created and habitat will be enhanced. Visitors to the Poudre Trail might see heavy equipment and construction, but no trail closures are necessary.