HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 - Land Conservation And Stewardship Board - Work PlanMemorandum
Natural Areas Department
1745 Hoffman Mill Road
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2815
970.416.2211 - fax
fcgov.com/naturalareas
Date: September 9, 2016
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Land Conservation and Stewardship Board
Re: 2017 Work Plan
The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board is pleased to submit its 2017 work plan as well as a Statement of
its Role and Responsibilities.
Please contact the Board Chair, Kent Leier, if there are any questions or concerns.
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Key Initiatives/Work Items for 2017
Review the Nature in the City Strategic Plan and associated work plans and initiatives. Discuss and
potentially make recommendations regarding priorities and future direction.
Review the Natural Areas Department’s public outreach and community engagement strategies and discuss
how the Board might assist in these efforts.
Develop a 5-year approach to accelerating the City’s land conservation efforts. Discuss and potentially make
recommendations regarding priorities and future directions.
Review the Mountain Vista Sub-Area Plan.
Review the Gateway Natural Area Management Plan as well as other plans or Natural Areas Department
management initiatives.
Review administrative charges to the Natural Areas Department and develop a better understanding of how
Natural Area funds are utilized for general infrastructure needs. Discuss and potentially make
recommendations as to how those funding approaches might be improved.
Review and make mid-cycle budget recommendations.
Discuss how land held in the City’s Natural Areas inventory can be maximized for benefits to the public. If
necessary, develop recommendations.
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Land Conservation and Stewardship Board
Role and Responsibilities
1. Review proposed land and water conservation transactions, including fee acquisitions, sales,
conservation easements, and right of way easements and make recommendations to Council as
necessary.
2. Periodically review plans for local, regional, and community separator land conservation and provide
input on prioritization of land conservation efforts. Provide this input to City Council and Planning staff
as appropriate.
3. Review and comment on long range land conservation strategies and priorities.
4. Review various legislative and policy proposals that have a relationship to the Natural Areas Department
and make recommendations to Council as necessary.
5. Receive updates and provide input on wildlife management, including prairie dog management.
6. Review and comment on Natural Area management issues, programs, and plans as needed.
7. Review and comment on Nature in the City related initiatives as the Natural Areas Department works
closely with staff from Planning and in collaboration with staff from Parks, Forestry, Environmental
Services, and Stormwater to implement the Nature in the City Strategic Plan.
8. Periodically organize and hold meetings with the Larimer County Open Lands Board, and the Loveland’s
Open Lands Board to discuss regional conservation planning and funding.
9. Provide one LCSB member to serve on the Bicycle Advisory Committee, who reports back to and seeks
input from the LCSB.
10. Attend staff sponsored field trips when needed to better understand field management issues or land
conservation opportunities in order to stay knowledgeable and able to make informed
recommendations.
11. Receive a report on Natural Areas small grant program projects and recipients.
12. Review and provide input on Poudre River initiatives.
13. Encourage and welcome public input.
14. Encourage presentations from experts in fields related to land conservation and stewardship.
15. Hold a Board retreat annually to discuss how the board can be more strategic, provide vision, be more
engaged, and have fun doing it.
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16. Review Natural Areas and Parks new trail placement and provide input regarding avoidance or
minimization of impacts to natural areas values.
17. Review and provide comments on Natural Areas Restoration Master Plan and site restoration plans and
invite Stormwater to present its stream restoration projects for input.
18. Review and provide comments on City Capital Projects that impact Natural Areas.
19. Invite city staff including Police, Stormwater, Parks and Parks Planning to meet with the Board to
discuss topics that impact Natural Area.