Posts tagged OSMP
OSMP Implements Closures Thursday
May 1st
City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department will begin seasonal area closures to protect grassland ground-nesting birds beginning Thursday, May 1.
These closures will be in effect until July 31.
No designated trails will be closed as part of this protective measure.
The areas closed for grassland ground-nesting birds are:
Both sides of the Greenbelt Plateau Trail from Community Ditch Trail to the Greenbelt Plateau Trailhead on state Highway 128. Dogs will be allowed on the Greenbelt Plateau only if they are on leash (the trail is normally voice-and-sight control);
The area north of Community Ditch Trail and west of state Highway 93;
The area north of the Flatirons Vista North Trail and west of Highway 93 on top of the mesa;
The area north of the South Boulder Creek West Trail, east of the Bluestem Connector and south of Shanahan Ridge (dogs are prohibited in this area year-round).
Dog regulations on both the Community Ditch and Doudy Draw trails will remain voice-and-sight control.
For a variety of reasons, grassland bird populations in North America have declined sharply in the last several decades. Three species that OSMP monitors – Grasshopper Sparrows, Horned Larks and Lark Sparrows – have suffered at least a 50-percent population decline in the last 40 years, according to the National Audubon Society. The closures OSMP will implement Thursday are important in protecting these species’ habitats by keeping people and their pets away as the birds attempt to nest.
Please help OSMP protect these species and other ground-nesting birds by respecting the closures. Trespass violations can result in a summons with penalties up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
Source: City of Boulder
OSMP Ranger’s weekly report
Feb 6th
Cow attack, suicidal person, mt. lion cache, injured hiker fills the rangers’ week
Rangers responded to:
• A report of an injured on the Baseline Trail. The hiker slipped on the ice, attempted to brace herself with her arms and potentially broke her right wrist. Rangers worked with both Boulder Fire and AMR on this call.
• A report of a suicidal party in the Flagstaff area. The suicidal party stated that he wanted to jump off of one of the Flatirons to his Dad who then called 911. Rangers working with BCSO to find the party at Crown Rock and helped with his arrest and transport to hospital.
mountain lions bury prey and return to it often to feed
• A report of a mtn lion cache in the area of 800 Willowbrook. Mtn lion was seen pawing the home owners sliding glass door. Rangers worked with CPW on this call.
• A report of an injured hiker on the Mesa Trail who had slipped and fell on the ice, hitting his head. Rangers worked with Boulder Fire on this call.
• A report of a vehicle fire at Cathedral Park. The fire started because of an electrical issue with the car. Rangers worked with Boulder Fire and Denver Water on this call.
• A report of a hiker getting kicked in the head by a cow at the North Teller Trailhead.
The hiker saw a cow giving birth and thought it was in distress and went over to look and help. The cow promptly kicked her, loosening some of the hiker’s teeth.
• A report of an active criminal trespass happening off of Eldorado Springs Dr. OSMP Rangers were first to respond and detained the suspect. The suspect, later identified as Senator Mark Udall’s son, had broken into three vehicles and stolen a small amount of cash. The suspect was arrested and drug paraphernalia was found to be in his possession.
• A wildfire at Buckingham Picnic area. The fire started in a logjam and heavy equipment had to be used to get to the interior of the fire. Jay Jones brought in a backhoe to help clear the debris. Rangers worked with Lefthand Fire on this call, it is unknown how this fire was started.
• A report of an injured sledder at Chautauqua, Rangers worked with AMR on this call.
Seasonal raptor closures to begin Feb.1
Jan 31st
The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department will institute seasonal closures to protect area raptors on Saturday, Feb. 1. The closures – which protect peregrine falcons, prairie falcons and golden eagles raising their young in nests located along Boulder’s mountain backdrop – will be in effect from Feb. 1 until July 31. Closures may be lifted sooner if monitoring indicates that raptors are not present.
High-quality habitat and rich food resources make cliffs on OSMP lands a regionally important area for nesting birds of prey. The following areas and formations will be closed:
- Lefthand Canyon Palisades, at the intersection of Lefthand Canyon Drive and Olde Stage Road (Buckingham picnic area remains open);
- Mount Sanitas, First Buttress, accessible from the Mount Sanitas trailhead, a half mile west of Fourth Street and Mapleton Avenue (no closures to the bouldering areas along the ridge; Mount Sanitas trail will remain open);
- Third Flatiron, including the East and West Ironing Boards, Queen Anne’s Head and Jaws, and WC Pinnacle, accessible from Chautauqua trailhead;
- Flagstaff Mountain: the north side of Flagstaff Mountain will be closed (the Boy Scout Trail will remain open);
- Skunk Canyon, including Ridges 2, 3 and 4, the Aechean Pronouncement, the Dreadnaught, the North Ridge and the entirety of Sacred Cliffs, accessible from NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- The Back Porch and The Box, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- Bear Creek Spire, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- Fern Canyon, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road¡¡ (the designated Fern Canyon hiking trail will remain open);
- Shadow Canyon and the Matron, accessible from the South Mesa Trailhead (the Maiden will remain open and accessible from the east; Shadow Canyon Trail will remain open).
- The Sphinx and The Wings, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- The entire Mickey Mouse wall, accessible from the Goshawk Ridge Trail.
Boulder-area volunteers and staff have been monitoring important raptor nesting and resting areas on OSMP lands since 1984. They are an integral part of efforts to protect the species and adaptively manage the closures.
Prairie falcon
Trespassing into closed areas can result in a summons with penalties up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.¡¡ OSMP relies heavily on the public to respect the closures, and the cooperation of visitors to these areas is greatly appreciated.
Please visit Open Space and Mountain Parks’ website at www.osmp.org for detailed maps and up-to-date information on raptor closures or call 303-441-3440.
–CITY–
C
