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
Wildflower Walk CANCELED
The Wildflower Walk scheduled for Friday, May 24 has been CANCELED as Pineridge Natural Area is closed due to wet and muddy conditions. Please join us Tuesday, June 4 instead.
Tracks & Trails is Now the Natural Areas Explorer
The Natural Areas Explorer is your guide to free activities this summer in Fort Collins natural areas! Formerly called Tracks & Trails, the Explorer booklet lists events like Skygazing and Nature Play Dates for kids, plus a Science Behind the Scenery series, outdoor art classes, and lots more for you to discover.
New this year, the Explorer features trail recommendations and stewardship tips. Registration is required and new this year, registration opens 30 days prior to the activity.
The Explorer booklet is available online now with printed copies expected in mid-May at natural area trailheads, Natural Areas Department headquarters (1745 Hoffman Mill Road, M-F, 8-5), and local businesses.
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.
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 early fall 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.
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.