Environmental News
Environmental News from Boulder, Colorado
City opens some trail segments and climbing access previously closed due to fire
Jul 24th
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department has re-opened the lower portions of Fern and Shadow Canyon trails to hiking and access to several popular climbing areas on the west side of Mesa Trail. The area had been closed as a result of the June 26 Flagstaff Fire.
“With the lifting of closures in this particular area, the public can hike the loop near Fern Canyon and have access to climbing routes in the area such as The Slab, Fern Canyon Boulders, and The Maiden,” said Eric Stone, division manager for OSMP.
Some closures remain in effect. The boundary on the west is now points on both Fern and Shadow Canyon trails that are still marked with closure signs. On Fern Canyon, a new closure boundary will be placed at a point approximately 0.25 mile west of the junction with The Mesa Trail where an access to Fern Canyon Boulders exists. The closure boundary on Shadow Canyon Trail is now approximately 0.4 mile west of the junction with Shadow Canyon North to provide access to a climbing area known as The Maiden. The summits of both Bear and South Boulder Peaks will remain closed as will the upper portions of Shadow and Fern Canyons and Bear Peak West Ridge Trail until staff has the opportunity to conduct a complete assessment of this area in regard to visitor safety and resource protection. This area will reopen to on-trail travel only once it is determined to be safe for visitor access.
For questions about closures on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.OSMP.org
EnergySmart hosting public input sessions
Jul 23rd
Boulder County, Colo. – The EnergySmart program is hosting a series of public input sessions for residents and business owners to provide feedback to EnergySmart staff, ask questions, and hear updates on the program to date.
The sessions are free and open to current and prospective EnergySmart customers, and anyone wanting more information about the program.
Snacks will be provided. RSVPs are appreciated but not required.
Schedule
- Boulder (RSVP)
Thursday, July 26, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St.
- Louisville (RSVP)
Tuesday, July 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Rex Restaurant, 817 Main St.
- Longmont (RSVP)
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids & Solids, 1555 S. Hover St.
Visit www.EnergySmartYes.com for more information.
City to lift some seasonal raptor closures early
Jul 20th
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department will lift the following raptor closures effective Monday, July 23: Third Flatiron, The Matron, Skunk Canyon, Bear Creek Spire, Flagstaff Mountain, Fern Canyon, and The Sphinx.
The following closures will remain in effect through Tuesday, July 31, to continue to protect nesting raptors: Back Porch and The Box, Mickey Mouse Wall, Kolb, and Coal Creek. OSMP will also be lifting seasonal closures established to protect ground-nesting birds on the originally scheduled date of Tuesday, July 31. However, the property known as Superior Associates—north of the Coalton Trail—will remain closed through Oct. 31 because of the presence of nesting burrowing owls.
This year marked another successful season for raptors nesting on OSMP. Below is a table detailing what OSMP staff and volunteers recorded this season:
Species | Number of Nesting Attempts | Number of Successful Nesting Attempts | Number of Fledglings |
Peregrine Falcon | 4 | 4 | 12 |
Prairie Falcon | 4 | 4 | 17 |
Golden Eagle | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Bald Eagle | 2 | 2 | 3 |
This year was the most productive year for Peregrine Falcons since OSMP monitoring began in 1984. Volunteer raptor monitors are an integral part of the success of the monitoring program. Thank you to all the volunteer raptor monitors!
OSMP relies heavily on the public to respect the closures and the cooperation of visitors to these areas is greatly appreciated. OSMP would specifically like to highlight the cooperation among the Boulder climbing community with respect to these closures.