Final Project Assignment: Design, lead, and document a portion of the final field trip
The final two class meetings will consist of field trips on the following days: June 30 and July 1.
The class will be divided into teams of two students.
Each team of two students will be responsible for planning and leading a one hour segment of the field trip.
Activities
Possible activities for the field trip include but are not limited to visiting natural and man-made features of interest, identification of plants and animals, etc. General topics could include botany, ecology, history, geology, and recreation.
Sources of information
I expect you to use at least two of the following sources of information:
OSMP or POS website
Guidebooks or reference books
Interviews with relevant staff or other experts
Deliverables
9 copies of 1-2 pp handout/worksheet for each student to fill out during/after the field trip
1 copy of an 8-10 page background report (12 point times, double-spaced) from each team of two students
Background Report
• Introduction and rationale for the location and topics covered in your one-hour segment
• Detailed description of location and activities in your one-hour segment (as if you had to explain to a teaching assistant what to do and why)
• List of learning objectives and which activities during your hour support each learning objective
• List of sources of information used with a brief description of why each source was chosen
• Report on the actual field trip and recommendations for future modifications
Evaluation
30 pts Field trip presentation is coherent and well-researched
15 pts Worksheet helps organize and reinforce material presented during field trip
10 pts Background Report is free of grammar and spelling errors and adheres to specified format
5 pts Background Report contains all (5) required sections
25 pts Teaching Assistant could take Background Report and lead effective field trip because all information is present (sections 1, 2, and 3 of Background Report)
5 pts Quality and justification of sources
10 pts Report and reflection on field trip experience
·US is different than the rest of the world because of our background
·It is important to understand our background to understand our wilderness and wildlife
·Sportsmanship and gadgetry are too closely related.We need to stop relying on gadgets and focus more on experiencing nature.
oMaking your own wilderness tools is much more rewarding than buying them
oControlling animal populations and using gadgets to hunt is not hunting in the true wilderness
·We do need better industry and urbanization but we also need to keep some wilderness
oWe need it for recreation
§Canoeing and Packing
·We are quickly running out of wilderness which leaves us unable to do some of the things Leopold suggests to connect with wilderness
oPack animals create the most trail damage per use and since we have so few trials now it is hard to use them like Leopold suggested.
·Wilderness is a resource which can shrink but not grow
Mike
·Not much has changed with the mountain bike conflict since 1985 when mountain bikes were banned
·Rides Mountain bikes
·Previous president of Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance
·2/3 of open space acreage in Boulder is in public ownership
·The board of trustees told the volunteers on the CCG (Scott and Guy) to “keep their opinions to themselves”
·Believes that the CCG wont come up with a solution for the mountain bike conflict
·Need to come up with a new definition/vision of wilderness because bikes are not allowed in wilderness
oWe should still be able to protect land from logging, destruction of species, destruction of habitat, etc. while still allowing mountain bikers
·BMA also wants to protect land so they wish that they could work with wilderness organizations instead of against them
oWilderness organizations are too stubborn and refuse to let mountain bikes in wilderness
·Should wilderness be taken care of on a national level or local level?
oShould a senator from NY be able to make a wilderness proposal for Montana?
oLocal groups have a much better perspective of local wilderness problems
·Mountain biking is allowed on National land but not in wilderness areas
·Visitor master plan took 7 years and millions of dollars to put together
oMade BMA stronger because of its’ negative opinions about mountain biking
oSays “the want to make visitors feel welcome” was their number 1 goal but that was not the case
oBMA was able to win OSMP over by building a personal relationship between them OSMP and other recreation groups such as dog groups and horse groups
·Mining had more of a negative effect on the land than recreational users ever will
·Land does recovery from use
oUsed ATVs to help build Picture Rock Trail and now there is no evidence left of ATVs
·Mike believes that if the land can recover from disturbance within 5 years than it is ok to disturb it on order to improve other regions
·BMA specifically met with people from other groups who the knew were more open minded
·Didn’t like CCG caucus process
oEach member should have been specifically picked from each group with the idea of open mindedness as a main deciding factor
·Boulder is not a destination mountain bike area.
oBMA is simply trying to make all trials accessible by bike instead of car
·140 access points to the west TSA at this time
·Want to build a new trail near Eldorado Canyon to connect existing trails in hopes of eventually having a trail from the Mountains to the Plains
·One of the biggest problems facing mountain bikers is being able to build sustainable and rideable trials in the small pieces of land they are given.
oEx) Cliff on one side and private property on the other
·Chunder-pile of rubble left behind when soil is washed away from trials
·Mike believes on repairing trials as soon as they start to get destroyed but the city and the county do not operate that fast
·Mike got Heil Valley Ranch trials shut down earlier this season because of bad conditions
oCitizens of Boulder do not get upset about trail closures if they are for legitimate reasons
·Both the city and the county are running out of trial money because it is being given to other places
·Speed differential is one of the main reasons for conflict between mountain bikers and hikers
·In a case study at the Spring Brook trail 94% of users had an enjoyable experience once trails were open to bikers.
oOpponents of mountain biking used this against them because they were shooting for 95% so it was “an utter failure”
1.) How does Leopold feel about using gadgets in the wilderness?
2.) Does Leopold support hunting and the sportsman use of wilderness?
3.) Why Does Leopold believe we need wilderness?
4.) What position did Mike previously hold on the BMA?
5.) About how much of Boulder’s open space is publically owned?
6.) What does Mike believe the CCG will conclude with the mountain bike conflict?
7.) Why are some of Leopold’s ideas about wilderness use no longer valid?What is an example of an activity he advocated that we can no longer do sustainably?
8.) How was the BMA able to win over OSMP and get them to add more about mountain bikers to the Master Plan?
9.) How long does Mike believe is an acceptable recovery period for a disturbance to the land?
10.) Currently how many access points are there to trails in the West TSA?
11.) What is the number 1 cause of conflict between mountain bikers and hikers
Heil Valley Field Trip with trail builder Mike Rutter
-Built in 2000 using a 4ft wide bulldozer (Sweco) (pic in the back of the pdf that you were assigned to read) -Sandstone quarried there was used to build CU buildings -Heil experienced a very wet spring this year -The water table was already high because of snow and spring rains. Additional water created random springs and water flowed on and through the trail -Area is very rocky and sandy -Leads to Erosion issues -Volume and speed of water=greatest threat -more volume=more ability to transport sediment -more speed also = more ability to transport sediment -Water cuts into the trails and carries sediment downhill (sometimes into riparian areas) -Water also exposes the many rocks underneath the trail -Solutions to Erosion -Can be fixed by making the trail UAM -Undulate and Meander -Grade Reversals also a common solution to divert water off of the trail -This method forces water off the trail. -The use of pavers and road base helps -Pavers cover the width of the trail -Road base doesn’t erode as easily and absorbs water -Box culvert- allows water to run underneath trail by using two bricks and a paver -Create climbing turns for MTBers -Slight uphill before and after turn keep rider’s speed down -Riders do not need to slam on the brakes going into the turn -One turn can take over a week to build -Ditching -used to catch water coming downhill towards the trail and diverts it over pavers, box culverts, etc -The original trail has been rerouted to make it more sustainable -Optimal grade between 6-8% -Trails designed to “feel fast” for MTBers -Because bikers are forced to constantly think and watch the trail for choke points, etc. the feel as if they are going fast, but in reality they are not going as fast as they think they are -Trees were used on the Wild Turkey Trail near a climbing turn to keep hikers from cutting thru and creating an undesignated trail -60% of trail users are MTBs (on the County Parks and Open Space) -Horses have the greatest single impact on a trail, but only account for 3% of trail users
Study questions: 1. Describe a grade reversal and explain its purpose. 2. Why is it so critical to get water off the trail? 3. Why are trails outsloped and how much should a trail be outsloped (look this up in the pdf). 4. What type of rock is the substrate for the soils at Heil Valley Ranch? 5. What must trail designers consider in addition to technical trail qualities such as slope and grade reversals when they decide where a trail is going to be located? 6. Name 3 hand tools used for trail building and describe their uses (look this up in the pdf). 7. How steep is too steep for a sustainable trail? 8. What is the difference between paving and pitching? 9. Who feeds the bears?
What happened at OSBT meeting? Public involvement--comments first. Background: When new Springbrook and Goshawk trails were added, biking group leaders felt that OS board ignored their suggestions for trail safety and joint use. Last night, president of bike association (Jason) briefly spoke, thanked Board for their involvement in the issue now. Bridge out by Red Lion.....may be a while to fix. Expensive new bridge, loss to business there at Chapman Drive Boulder Falls still closed, work to re-open ongoing. Motion passed to allow annexation of Burke property Problem discussed re: allowing voice and sight control for dogs on the part of Continental Trail that runs through annexation. Passed, we think?
Greenways maintained interdepartmentally. Transportation, parks and rec. Concern about how long it was taking to get up to speed on weed control.
Staff report----what CCG is doing, how process is going. Then CCG rep. Got up and gave his resignation speech. Ouch! Said the stress from personal attacks by the Chanahan 6 HOA wasn’t worth it, and he hoped CCG”s purpose would continue without being undermined by further attacks. Left his alternate Guy to fill his shoes.
Guy speaks, talks about his position as a trail user
Next neighborhood rep Scott speaks, he resigns as well!
Next public comment period. LOTS of comments....pro and anti bikes. Mostly against bikes it seemed. Reasons given were potential damages to sensitive environmental areas, danger/discomfort for other trail users and to children around neighborhood area, increased numbers of users from Boulder and Denver may lead to too much trail traffic. Basically the bikers want a total of 13 miles of the trails opened up for their use--mostly flat trails. Perhaps the reason so many people are opposed is because of fear and misinformation==not understanding what the proposal really is.
Point made that HOA should not be given preferential treatment--would preclude others’ voices from being heard.
Other issues to think about: horses on trail; compromise; being aware of community issues;
While there are many positives to Open Space, also some negatives depending on viewpoint--what is nature, and how should we treat it? First settlers see New World as virgin wilderness--untouched by humans. This implies that humans’ impact on nature is negative--we should leave it pristine and untouched. Another view is that using labor to tame the land is a good thing, humans are mandated to use the land to better themselves. Transcendentalists (thoreau and emmerson) start publicizing views that nature is actually there to give humans a personal spiritual connection and a vehicle to get closer to God....humans should be outside, in touch with nature....complete immersion with nature was Thoreau’s viewpoint. He secluded himself in nature, wrote books. What a life.
After transcendentalists, we have progressives: Muir, Pinchot (1st forester in US, started forestry school at Yale). Pinchot saw nature as a valuble resource, very anthropocentric; embraces using resources wisely, with eye to the future; doesn’t see humans as part of nature. Thought govnt and scientists should be ones to make decisions.
John Muir, contemporary of Pinchot, were friends. Muir loved to “commune” with nature--represented spiritual experience for him. Muir saw nature as threatened more than Thoreau did, but they have much in common. Both Muir and Pinchot thought govnt should be the one to protect nature.
Building of Hetch Hetchy Dam---moment when idea of govnt as main protector/parent of nature is cemented. Nature still seen mainly as resource for humans.
After these progressives came Leopold. He fought against the view that nature was just there to be mastered by science. He saw nature as a teacher to humans--we have much to learn from nature. Ecosystem and community: not necessarily responsibilities in an ecosystem, whereas in a community there are specific obligations to others--your actions impact others.
What is nature, are humans part it, how should humans interact with it, who makes those decisions---his 4 questions
Leopold differed from Muir in that he wanted to provide a practical view of nature for humans where they could live from the land and enjoy it without destroying it or its purity/symbolism. wants people to be educated about nature so they can make choices on their own without being forced to by law. He saw this as a better way to accomplish conserving and protecting the land. Muir was more about conserving nature entirely pristine--use power of govnt to accomplish this. Leopold says use education and experience to teach value of the land to people. Also can be a very messy process, not always a neat system.
1. Who maintains Boulder’s Greenway system? 2. What were reasons given at the meeting by those opposed to bikes on trails? 3. What is a possible explanation for why so many people were strongly against opening trails to bikes? 4. What are practical ways that ‘opposing’ trail users can compromise? 5. Can we have our cookies and eat them too? 6. Muir and Leopold were both avid lovers of the land--how did their views differ practically? 7. What are the two biggest ways that Leopold would say this land ethic can be instilled in people? 8. What are some of the negatives associated with Open Space?
• Gus Heil is the last descendant expected to work the land. The Heil family has expressed selling the remaining privately owned land to Boulder Open Space, or to developers. • The existing Heil homestead is assessed at over $20 million (600 acres).
Kevin Grady (CSU, Natural Resource Management) is the caretaker at Heil and a POS ranger and he discussed the smooth fencing option rather than barbed wire, or the Lodgepole pine fencing for their (elk) eyesight to see better and avoid going through the fence, but still have access over it. He talked about the urban interface studies of tagged wildlife, including the 180# male mountain lion who called Heil Ranch his home (and where all he had travelled). Kevin also talked about weed control using herbicides, bioagents, and volunteer man power to reduce the invasive weeds among the trails and parking lot areas.
Nick Stremel (CU, Geography/ENVS) from the Forestry Department discussed several issues regarding forest management:
• Main goals are restoration, fire mitigation, habitat creation and maintenance. • #1 way to monitor and manage the forest is to walk and hike into the areas of study and collect data from the field. • Boulder County acquires land that has been grazed, logged, or mined and where the trees have been removed or clear cut. • Other land has been (fire) suppressed so the trees are dangerously dense and must be masticated or chipped by using machinery (that's one way to thin the forest). • The remains of the tree particles are left as fine fuel in the understory of the lower montane ponderosa pine open space where invasive species like the Mullen or thistle plants sprout through the disturbance but will eventually be choked out by the native revegetation process (hopefully). • BCPOS reintroduces native species of vegetation and wildlife. • The desired outcome of prescribed burning is increased diversity in ecological wildlife, vegetation, and forestry so the user experience is enjoyable and the properties are protected.
Methods of calculating tree density and study areas for habitat:
• Thinning structure of stand is calculated by targeted basal area where the tree diameter is considered per square acre. • Where 3000 smaller 1" diameter trees will have the same basal area of 4 large 20" diameter trees based on canopy base height, thickness of bark, and width of branch sprawl. • Ideal tree stands will have 100-150 basal area depending on the diameter of the remaining choice trees. • Prescription parameter objectives for "restoration" structures that consider historical climate indicators attempt a grouping of mosaic variation where multiple species cohabitate. • Tree stands can remain in cluster areas with open Savannah type meadows of grasslands in between to mitigate crown fire fuel. • Indicator species like the Abert's Squirrel which prefer a clumpy tree stand structure, and the migratory Myotis Bat, are each increasing in population and considered a success after the last mastication process of thinning tree densities in 4/09-6/09. • The wildlife specialists proposed a "buffer" space of disturbance around the bat nests on the northern ridge to consist of 1300 ft, however the fire division based the buffer criteria on the steep slope area below the nests which is around 650 ft, where the bat is still protected, while the forest can be managed through planned disturbance. • Compromise is key when varying open space departments express varying concerns from wildlife, botany, fire suppression, trail use, and private residence. • Human values and property possession make clear cutting or demolition fires impossible, so the county works with land owners to clear cut a specified area around private property. • Patch cutting protects property values and increases the intrinsic value of open space land by fulfilling human expectations of experiencing thriving flora and fauna among natural habitats. • Balancing values of staff/public/species is the ongoing goal of Boulder County Open Space. Historical Climate indicators: • Tree ring analysis • Climatology almanacs • Historical photos • Vegetation • Fire scars • Stumps
Some thoughts on fire suppression: • Beginning in 1860-1867 fire suppression began in Heil Ranch. • 40 year fire frequency with varying intensity, meaning some constructive fine fuel fires, and some destructive crown embellishment. • Untreated stands with no understory have tier system of vegetation: top- domination, middle-medium, and lower-crippity crap. • 150 years ago there where maybe 12 Ponderosa in a small area compared to 300 Ponderosa today due to fire suppression. • Maintenance is now the goal rather than destruction--small patchy areas of tree stands, rather than large overgrown areas of forest surrounded by large areas of grass meadows. Pine beetle behavior and prevention:
Mainly are known to attack older mature Lodgepole Pine in upper montane with thick bark and rich sap content, but are now attacking younger, varying tree species even in lower elevations. Since many of the stands are the same age, pine beetles have an unlimited "buffet" of food supply. Patch cutting increases mosaic and variable ecosystems which accelerate regrowth after pine beetle disturbance.
Overland Fire 10/29/03-10/31/03 • Largest fire in Boulder County history, 3500 acres. • 270 fire fighters responded with no casualties. • Ignited in the evening by downed power line in Jamestown. • Chinook westerly winds at 50mph pushed the fire directly west to east down the Lefthand Canyon ridge from Jamestown through Heil Ranch. • 300 families were evacuated but only four structures burned. • The total damage assessed to $400,000. • Rocky Mountain Fire Department lit back fire below, which swept westward and charred the fine fuel prior to the crown fire reaching the lower areas. • Eastern cold front pushed westward 36 hours after initial fire started, shifting the winds to an upslope low pressure system, bringing precipitation and snowfall, with much needed fire suppression.
Questions: 1. Fires generally burn uphill. Why did the Overland fire burn downhill? 2. Why do log fences work better for elk migration than wire fences? 3. What is "crippety-crap"? 4. Why does the POS forestry department feel the need to "treat" the Ponderosa forests of Heil Ranch? 5. What are some of the other factors (besides restoring the structure and function of the forest) must the forestry staff consider when planning forest treatments? 6. Why not just return fire to Heil without thinning beforehand? 7. What is the historic fire regime in the Lower Montane Forests?
Tall Grass Prairie • 98% of all tall grass prairie is gone – threatened ecosystem • aesthetics not appreciated by white settlers • designated Colorado state natural area – very rare 4 Major Grasses 1. Big Blue Stem Grass 2. Switch Grass 3. Yellow Indian Grass 4. Prairie Cord Grass
Climate • 12000 years ago – climate much cooler and wetter • Eastern deciduous forest and tall grass Prairie • 10,000 years ago global warm occurs o as a result there was high water volume o helped carve boulder valley o removed most of tall grass prairie as a result of warming o this is a relict population of Xeric Tallgrass Prairie o many past inhabitants are now gone: grizzlies, bison, wolves, Cheyenne-Arapahoe o people have been part of this ecosystem for a very long time o Wilderness is a white man’s concept Trees in the city of Boulder are a new phenomenon--planted by settlers within the last 100 years
Plant Adaptations o Grazing keeps grasses under control – Boulder Open Space trying to compensate for the Bison that used to graze the prairies—concentrated, intensive grazing o Fire! Prairie is a fire-adapted ecosystem o Ecosystem is adapted to a variety of disturbances (fire, drought, grazing) o Area has seen 6-700 generations of use by people
Plants o Ute Ladies’ Tresses orchid – endangered native species – choked out by un-grazed grasses o Orchard Grass and Smooth Brome – invasive European grasses that out compete natural prairie grasses o Indian Blanket flower- native, pollinated by the gaillardia moth adapted especially to this plant o Yucca- exclusively pollinated by the Yucca moth
Dog Tags o Voice and Sight control tags- watch a video and lays out expectations for dog etiquette o Complicated dog regulations in different areas o dogs fertilize along trails and encourage growth of invasive weeds
Human recreational use and impacts o building trails into sensitive habitat is controversial ex: Goshawk Ridge, where remote wildlife cameras have seen Goshawks o both monitoring of behavior (spies in the woods) and surveys (people lie) o monitoring wildlife by counting poop in permanent plots o compliance with regs overall good. mtb=best, dog walkers=worst o everyone has a different perception and all are valid at some level o most people want to do the right thing—10% are jerks o recreation stops being passive when it starts interfering with wildlife
South Mesa Trailhead o well-developed TH facility with outhouse, picnic tables, multiple trails o quite busy on a Friday morning o users in a wide variety of age ranges, plus dogs and horses o old homestead building and stone walls = cultural “BSO” o South Boulder Creek and dense riparian vegetation
Doudy Draw Trailhead o newer parking lot o trailhead map and handouts o bottom part of trail has been reworked to remove asphalt, now a highly engineered trail on roadbase with “crusher fines” on surface
1. Name the 4 Major Prairie Grasses.
2. Name 3 other plants that we observed.
3. What is a “code black”?
4. T/F explain – Orchard grass and smooth brome are widespread and native to Colorado.
5. How do OSMP staff monitor user compliance with trail regulations?
6. Why are there cows grazing on remnant tall grass prairie?
7. What are the two elements behind green tags and what do they mean?
8. How much of the tall grass prairie is left? a. 10% b. 2% c. 15% d. 36%
9. T/F Global warming after the Pleistocene reduced the tall grass prairie’s ability to survive on the front range. 10. Which BSOs did we observe near the South Mesa Trailhead?
-During the 1960-70’s Boulder was buying land to protect urban sprawl. When then looked at a map that was made in 1999 and there was no more land to buy. -Boulder felt that “growth is coming” and the city needed to buy as much land as possible to stop growth. -The main people in charge of what land to buy was real estate people. The downside is that these people did not have the environmental knowledge -Then the citizens wanted to know when they could use the land, for which the Visitor Master plan (VMP) starts. (this plan includes bikes as passive recreation). VMP adopted in 2005.
PROCESS: A staff makes a plan, then they show it to the citizens, and the citizens citizens/put their input to the plan, then the staff revises and tries to meet everyone’s needs. -However, sometimes the revised plan does not make everyone happy, the staff tries to find a medium.
-In 1983 bikes are band in mt parks because of their impact. -Bikers want same experiences as hikers.
Dogs -there is some user conflict -debate between preservation and reservation -dogs peeing in environment add Nitrogen to soil and changes ecosystems
TSA PROCESS: offshoot of VMP. A staff builds a solution to a trail, the community comments, then revision—process can be extremely controversial. Staff is in the middle and everyone ends up angry.
Trying a new approach: The cities approach to different plans: Get a representative from the different interest groups, have these representatives make a draft plan. These different groups make up the CCG. -These representatives are voted upon the interest people through a caucus. -The CCG: tries to find a balance between the competing groups, and also helps the staff from being pulled/yelled from the different competing groups.
The debate on how to manage trail usage. (Bikes, hikers, horses) Have biker’s bike on odd days and hiker’s hike on even days. There can be a separate tail for bike users and a separate trail for hikers.
CULTURE debate: There are also some archeological sites in the areas where the trail is. Should we allow these sites to be investigated or preserved? (the finding of the arrowhead) -There is a CCG representative for this.
How trails where made: Social trails- trails people made by walking Some trails where made by wild game and people started to use these trails. Designated trails- trails that are official trails and are on the map.
Things discussed at the meeting: -Making south boulder for mountain biking. -The owners who lived near or had boarder property to the OMSP complained about all the visitors -there was some uproar about the alternated speaker and whether he was stating everything the representative wanted to say. -update the web site to make it more user friendly -North Boulder trails should have a leash, because the dogs are scaring the birds away to re-habitat the area -more easier ways to contact the representative -ways to find trails to re habitat an area and does not run through other people’s property -Discussion of where trails should be put: they do not want to put them in the middle because it splits the habitat, but they do not want to put trails by property, because these edges are transition zones (ishness) -Some trails are barriers for animals (but not mountain lions) -the issue of trashcans along the trails (Funding issue and practical issue) -Finding ways to show maps that people can tangablity understand (Google earth) -having an email list that is sent out to the community so they are all on the same page.
****************************************************************** 1)What are some alternative ways to accommodate all trail users? A:Have odd days be used for bikers and even days be used for only hikers. Or build a separate single track for bikers so they are not in the hikers way.
2)What are some of the people’s concerns at the meeting? A: Mt biking, dogs and the leash debate, trash cans, the website usability, ways to contact representative, closing trails to re-habitat area, where trails should be put
3)How many visitors does Boulder OMPS receive a year? A:2 B:500 C: 2 Million people D: 100,000
4)What do the mt bike people want in Boulder parks? A:jumps B:access to trails C:picnic tables D:water
5)How does Visitor Master Plan make a solution to a problem? A: Makes a plan, has the community comment, then revises and acts
6)What are some factors/issues that are up for debate in the parks? Dogs and whether they should have a leash or even be allowed in Trash cans, parking, bikes, horses access. Where the trails should be made, what areas should be closed for re vegetating
7) What does the CCG do? A: tries to find a balance between competing groups B:helps the VMP staff from being pulled/yelled at by competing groups C: both A and B
8)Majority of the trails in Boulder are for: A:Hiking B: Mountain Biking
9)What are some problems in the forest ecosystems? (Choose 3) A: too much under growth, and growth of trees B: fire danger C:non native plans not re vegetating, and protecting species D: Getting too much solar radiation because of the altitude
10) After hearing the debates and research, do you believe OSMP should make more trails or fix the trails that are in operation to make them more suitable for bikers? A: opened ended question…
d.Owned by City (Open Space and Mountain Parks) and County (Parks and Open Space)
e.Previously private land therefore it often has high economic value (investments)
f.History
i.Population boom in 1950’s
ii.New subdivisions and urban development’s became a threat to “nature”
iii.The public initiated the open space program in the 60’s
iv.It was started in the late 60’s and early 70’s
g.Currently
i.Most of the land is acquired
ii.How do we manage our open space land?
2.How do people think about nature? How people think about nature determines how they will treat it. (4 questions)
a.What does nature represent (values) to people?
i.Historically for Americans, the European settlers believed it was their right to “Tame the Land.”
ii.Pinchote and others believe that nature is our possession, but it must be treated well.
iii.Leopold and others believe that we are part of nature and we must be good members
b.Are humans a part of nature? Yes or no?
c.How should humans interact with nature?
d.Who should decide how nature is to be treated?
3.Discuss “What does nature represent to people (1st question)?
a.Scale issue – often rural communities versus federal government or big organizations
b.Land use issues – peaceful nature for quite reflections versus many activities and often activities are not compatible
c.Preservation
i.Ecological (i.e. Wetlands, native species)
ii.Scenery and visual aesthetics
iii.Agricultural (cultural heritage)
iv.Urban growth boundary
4.City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks
a.Mission Statement
i.To preserve and protect the national environment and land resources that characterizes Boulder.
ii.To foster appreciation and use that sustains the natural values of the land for current and future generations.
b.History
i.First purchase was alfalfa fields and apple orchards in what is now Chautauqua Park.
ii.Second purchase was 1600 acres of land on Flagstaff Mountain.
iii.5 years later Boulder citizens bought another 1200 acres on Flagstaff Mountain.
iv.A large community of volunteers including members of the Lions Club, the Civilian Conservation Core, and the Jaycees was established to build, maintain, and patrol these lands.
v.In 1967 Boulder became the first U.S. city to vote for taxing themselves in order to protect land.
vi.In 1970 the city of Boulder hired its’ first park ranger and has since switched to mostly hired workers to maintain the land.
vii.In 1973 Boulder citizens called for the creation of an open space department to protect land.
viii.In 2001 Mountain Parks Division and the Open Space/Real Estate Department merged to form OSMP
ix.Today 45,000 acres of open space
c.Administration
i.Acquisitions are approved by the Open Space Board of Trustees and City Council, with extensive opportunity for public input.
d.Funding
i.Funding is provided through sales tax revenues, bond issues, private donations and development dedications.
5.Boulder County Parks and Open Space
a.Mission
i.To conserve natural, cultural, and agricultural resources
ii.To provide public uses that reflect sound resource management and community values
b.History
i.In mid-1960’s citizens interested in protecting land from rapid development initiated the POS
ii.In 1975 the Betasso Ranch became the first open space acquisition
c.Administration
i.Open Space properties are governed by the Parks and Open Space Advisory Board
ii.Consists of nine members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners
iii.Recommend to the county commissioners what land to acquire and how to use the land
iv.Meet once a month and encourage public participation
d.Funding
i.Property tax revenues
1.$3.8 Million annually
ii.Proceeds from the Colorado State Lottery
1.$5 Million from the Conservation Trust Fund since 1992
2.$5.9 Million from the Great Outdoors Colorado Grants
iii.County Open Space Sales Tax of 0.45%
iv.Grants from various organizations
e.How is land acquired
i.Direct Purchases
ii.Joint City and County Purchases
iii.Conservation Easements
iv.Privately owned land with restricted use
v.Donations
vi.Other various land transactions
vii.Involves development rights and intergovernmental transfers
f.Protected Wildlife and Plants
i.Prairie Dogs
ii.Bluebird
iii.Raptors
iv.Native vegetation
g.Recreational opportunities
i.Hiking, fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, snowshoeing, etc.
ii.Some activities are restricted in certain areas
6.Heil Valley Ranch
a.Located outside of Lyons
b.History
i.Heil Valley Ranch has remained relatively undeveloped from prehistoric times through present day, making it premier wildlife habitat.
ii.Evidence shows there were at least four Native American camps here prior to Anglo settlement. The first Anglo populations were most likely beaver trappers exploring nearby creeks around 1800. Later, the discovery of gold coaxed adventurous fortune-seekers to try their luck. In 1888, Solomon Geer became the first settler to patent land here, followed by Joel Plumlee and Charles Ingersoll in 1893. During this period, building materials needed for the growing Front Range towns changed from wood to brick and stone. In fact, Lyons sandstone was quarried on this property.
iii.In 1949, the Heil family purchased the land and grazed Hereford cattle here. In the 1970s, the family ventured into tourism and recreation, providing horseback rides, hayrides, and hunting. In 1996, Boulder County completed the purchase of Heil Valley Ranch and Hall Ranch, as well as adjacent conservation easements.
c.Demographics
i.Hiking: Five trails are available for hiking.
ii.1.3-mile Lichen Loop trail is for pedestrians only and has a series of interpretive signs.
iii.The 2.5-mile Wapiti, 2.6-mile Ponderosa Loop, 2.9-mile Wild Turkey and 5.2-mile Picture Rock trails are multiple-use.
iv.Heil Valley Ranch, comprising 5,020 acres, is part of the North Foothills Open Space which also includes Hall Ranch and additional conservation easements adjacent to the two ranches.
v.The relatively undeveloped nature of Heil Valley has been maintained by prehistoric people through homesteading and its modern day use by ranchers and farmers.
d.Ecological Features
i.The western part of this property is closed to visitors, allowing wildlife that need large ranges to move naturally within them. This area is home to over 50 species of mammals — that represents 70 percent of all the mammals found in Boulder County. Among these animals are Abert’s squirrels, cottontail rabbits, prairie dogs, marmots, red and gray foxes, mule deer, bobcats, black bears and mountain lions. Close to 100 birds were observed during a one-season survey. Mountain chickadee, chipping sparrow and yellow-rumped warbler are common in the ponderosa pine forests. Shrublands are dominated by rufous-sided and green-tailed towhees and you can see vesper and lark sparrows in the meadows.
e.Flora and Fauna
i.The cliffs and canyons on Heil Valley Ranch are good places for golden eagles and prairie falcons to nest.
ii.Colonies of white-throated swifts, cliff swallows, violet-green swallows and rock doves also call these cliffs home. Rising above the shrublands, woodlands cover much of the western part of the property.
iii.Abert’s squirrels depend on the ponderosa pine for survival. Northern goshawk and Cooper’s hawk hunt prey here, sometimes catching it in mid-air. Many cavity nesting birds such as woodpeckers and nuthatches are here.
iv.There is a good chance you’ll see wild turkey during your visit—they are well established here.At the turn of the 20th century, elk were eliminated from Boulder County, but reintroduced between 1913 and 1917. Today, Heil Valley Ranch is an important winter range for elk.
v.Elk feed on grasses, aspen bark, sedges, conifer needles and some aquatic plants. You can see dark marks on tree trunks showing you how far up the elk can reach.
f.Restrictions
i.No dogs are permitted at Heil Valley Ranch.
ii.Mountain biking is permitted on officially designated trails only.
iii.Collecting, removing, destroying or defacing any natural or man-made objects is not permitted.
iv.Installing rock bolts and constructing trails or structures is unlawful.
v.Feeding, disturbing, trapping, hunting or killing wildlife is not permitted.
vi.Building ground fires is not permitted (fine $300).
vii.Discharging or carrying firearms, crossbows, fireworks or projectile weapons of any kind is not permitted (fine $300).
