Master Plan#

The Natural Areas Master Plan and Executive Summary was created in 2014. The Natural Areas Master Plan is updated every 10 years.

Past Plans

• 2004 Land Conservation and Stewardship Master Plan 2004
• 1992 Natural Areas Policy Plan

Zone Management Plans#

Foothills Zone

• Foothills Natural Areas Management Plan (2019)
  • Read the Executive Summary
  • Updates the 2007 Foothills Management Plan

Fossil Creek Zone

• Fossil Creek Natural Areas Management Plan (2017)
  • Updates the 2005 Fossil Creek Natural Areas Management Plan and 2003 Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space Management Plan

Montane Zone

• Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Management Plan (2017)
  • Updates the 2005 Management Plan

Mountains to Plains Zone

• Mountains to Plains Zone Update (2022)
  • Updates the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Management Plan (2007)

Poudre River Zone 

• Poudre River Zone Update (2023)
  • Updates the Cache la Poudre River Natural Areas Management Plan Update (2011) 
• Gateway Natural Area Management Plan (2019)

Urban Zone

• Core Natural Areas Management Plan (2015)
• Urban Zone Update (2024)

Other Policies, Position Statements#

• Agriculture Position Statement
• Bison Management Plan (2018)
• Commercial Use Policy
• Drone Policy (2017)
• Fire Management Plan 
• Other Power-driven Mobility Devices Policy and Trail Assessment
• State of the Poudre River & Report Card
• Resource Management definition 
• Restoration Plan (2016)
• Wildlife Conservation Guidelines (2017)
• Vegetation Management Guidelines includes 2015 addendum on pages 27-31.

Research and Survey Reports#

Interpretive Sign Evaluation

• 2009 Interpretive Sign Evaluation Report by Shawn Davis, Colorado State University

Resident Surveys

• 2021 Resident Survey
• 2016 Resident Survey
• 2011 Resident Survey

Visitor Surveys

• 2024 Arapaho Bend Natural Area Visitor Report
• 2023 Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Visitor Report
• 2023 Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area Visitor Report
• 2023 Gateway Natural Area Visitor Report
• 2023 Urban Zone Natural Areas Visitor Report
• 2021 Poudre River Natural Areas Visitor Survey
• 2019 Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Visitor Survey
• 2019 Foothills Zone Natural Areas Visitor Survey
• 2006 Visitor Survey

Research Tools

• 2023 Habitat Equity Tool (Featured in the American Planning Association's Blog)

Easements#

An easement is required for any work on/access to the City's Natural Areas.

Typical projects requiring easements or rights-of-way include but are not limited to streets, water, sewer, drainage, flood control, electric power, and telecommunications facilities.