Forestry
Boulder County Parks and Open Space manages over 30,000 acres of
forest. In the foothills and mountains of Boulder County, these forests
provide habitat for over 90 species of birds, large mammals like bears
and mountain lions, and an abundance of native plants. Boulder County’s
forests are adjacent to many mountain residents and US Forest Service
land, and have scenic and recreational trails. As trusted stewards of
these public lands, it is our responsibility to improve the health of
these forests.
Our goal is to maintain and monitor the forests on Boulder County
Open Space in ways that benefit the ecosystem and the public by:
- Assessing overall forest conditions through forest inventories
and surveys.
- Implementing management actions based on these inventories and
current science.
- Increasing individual tree and forest-wide health and vigor.
- Reducing wildfire danger.
- Maintaining and improving wildlife habitat.
- Preserving the aesthetic and ecological value of the forest.
The forestry division manages healthy forest ecosystems specific to
each life zone and transition zone (ecotone). Different open space
forests require different management actions, ranging from intensive
forest thinning, weed control or prescribed fire, to no action when
conditions warrant. Here are some examples of what the Forestry staff is
doing:
- More than 32 acres of forest were thinned at Heil Valley Ranch
in the summer of 2008. Parks and Open Space staff supervised crews
from Americorps, Youth corps, and the County jail. Sixty-five cords
of firewood were generated and removed, part of it from last year's
cutting. Approximately 180,000 cubic feet of slash were chipped.
Staff used about 70 cubic yards of chips at the Fairgrounds north
parking lot landscape project. A community forestry sort yard was
created in Allenspark in order to address the Pine Beetle issue.
Over 100 people brought in 1100 tons forest material from their
private property for fire mitigation.
- The 40-acre Bald Mountain Forest Restoration Project with
wildlife enhancements and wildfire mitigation was completed in 2009
along Sunshine Canyon. Staff supplied 700 tons of surplus wood chips
for Boulder County’s biomass heating system.
- Staff supplied 700 tons of surplus wood chips for Boulder
County’s biomass heating system.
- A community forestry sort yard was created in Allenspark in
order to address the Pine Beetle issue. Over 100 people brought in
1100 tons forest material from their private property for fire
mitigation.
We regularly communicate with the public about forest related
activities by identifying community values and incorporating them into
forestry management decisions. We value and provide opportunities for
public involvement in forestry and fire planning. If you would like to
volunteer for one of our many volunteer forestry projects or be a
forestry crew leader, visit the
Volunteer page.
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