Open house scheduled for Aug. 2 to discuss Rock Creek Grasslands plan
Jul 28th
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department will host a public meeting on Tuesday, August 2, to present the proposed management plan for Rock Creek Grasslands Open Space.
What: Rock Creek Grasslands Management Plan Public Meeting
When: Tuesday, August 2, 6:30-8 p.m.
Where: Meeting Room, Lafayette Public Library 775 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette, CO
Staff will present the proposed management for the Rock Creek Grasslands Open Space and take questions and comments from the public. This is the first step towards final approval of the draft management plan.
The management plan is a guiding document to help protect, preserve and share information about the site’s native ecosystems while providing sustainable recreational opportunities.
The new plan will address:
· Access issues
· Trail development
· Natural Resource Management
· Education and Outreach Opportunities
Visit the Rock Creek Grasslands Management Plan web page at www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org for project information and to submit a comment, or contact project planner Jesse Rounds at 303-678-6271 or rockcreekgrasslands@bouldercounty.org.
August 5 is Deadline to Register for August 9 Boulder County Farm Tour
Jul 28th
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department and Colorado State University Extension are hosting this summer’s second tour to farms in Boulder County to inform the public and advisory committees about the issues relevant to the county’s Cropland Policy. Registration is required by Friday, August 5, to allow staff to arrange for adequate transportation.
What: Boulder County Cropland Policy Farm Tour
When: Tuesday, August 9, 5:15 p.m.
Registration Deadline: August 5, $5 per person, at http://agtours.eventbrite.com/
Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont
The tour will depart from the Boulder County Fairgrounds north parking lot at 9595 Nelson Road in Longmont. Participants must arrive by 5:15 p.m. to check in. Buses will leave promptly at 5:30.
The Cropland Policy will outline the guiding principles that county staff will use to make management decisions on open space properties managed as cropland. Defining these principles will streamline decision-making processes during planning and clarify the goals of the cropland program for tenants and residents.
Tour participants will learn about agricultural production systems and the issues, challenges and opportunities particular to Boulder County open space lands. The tours highlight different farms, representing field and forage crops, vegetable crops and livestock.
Guests will travel in air-conditioned buses equipped with restrooms and an audio system. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Participants should bring a water bottle, wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. The tours are not recommended for children under 12. Participating farmers will be available to answer questions.
For more information, please contact Agricultural Resource Specialist Meaghan Huffman at 303-678-6181 or agriculture@bouldercounty.org.
City has lifted some seasonal raptor closures early
Jul 27th
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department lifted the following raptor closures effective July 25: Third Flatiron, Shadow Canyon, Fern Canyon, Bear Creek Spire, and Flagstaff. The following closures will remain in effect through July 31 to continue to protect nesting raptors: Back Porch and The Box, Mickey Mouse Wall, Lefthand Palisades, and Coal Creek. OSMP will also be lifting seasonal closures established to protect ground-nesting birds as scheduled on July 31. Finally, the property known as Superior and Associates in the southern grasslands 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. Four Peregrine Falcon pairs nesting in the mountain backdrop produced ten fledglings, making it the most productive year for this species since monitoring began. Unfortunately, Golden Eagle productivity on OSMP was low, as it was all around Boulder County. Of particular interest to OSMP, in terms of ground-nesting birds, was the influx of Cassin’s Sparrows to the grasslands. Staff detected approximately 30 Cassin’s Sparrows during seasonal monitoring. Cassin’s Sparrows are more common in southeast Colorado and it is possible that ongoing drought conditions in that area are forcing them north and west.
The City of Boulder has been monitoring raptor nesting and roosting areas since 1984. It has become an important part of protecting the species in the area. In 2011, OSMP volunteers logged more than 600 hours monitoring cliff-nesting raptor sites. They are an integral part of the success of this program. OSMP relies heavily on the public to respect the closures. The cooperation of visitors to these areas is greatly appreciated.
