HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Mail Packet - 01/14/2025 - Memorandum from Tawnya Ernst re Natural Areas Department – 2024 End of Year Land Conservation Annual Report
1745 Hoffman Mill Road
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
TAWNYA ERNST / Land Conservation Lead Specialist
Natural Areas Department
970-416-2753 /P
ternst@fcgov.com /E
City of Fort Collins Natural Areas
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 2, 2025
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Dean Klingner, Community Services Director
From: Tawnya Ernst, Land Conservation Lead Specialist
Subject: Natural Areas Department –2024 End of Year Land Conservation Annual Report
BOTTOM LINE
Please see the attached report highlighting land conservation activities during 2024.
Cc: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Carrie Daggett, City Attorney
Katie Donahue, Natural Areas Director
Julia Feder, Environmental Planning Manager
Ted Hewitt, Assistant City Attorney
Ralph Campano, Real Estate Services Manager
Will Flowers, Senior Real Estate Specialist
Docusign Envelope ID: CAE89378-DDC2-46D3-985E-27BE5092B80B
2024 End of Year Land Conservation Annual Report
Rocky Ridge (W. CR 60)
Mountains to Plains Zone
484 acres adjacent to Rocky Ridge Lake was purchased in April. It is adjacent to the Thornton properties
(Farms 6 and 26) and Water Supply and Storage Company reservoirs that Natural Areas has an interest
in conserving. This parcel conserves a buffer along two large reservoirs, ensuring habitat and migration
corridors for wildlife. It also contributes to the Wellington community separator.
Magpie Meander Addition
Poudre Zone
16.5 acres of land was acquired adjacent to Magpie Meander Natural Area, securing additional habitat
for wildlife and protecting a remnant oxbow of the Poudre River. The addition expands Magpie Meander
NA to a total of 49 acres and increases the connected conserved riparian corridor along the north side of
the Poudre.
Prairie Ridge Addition
Foothills Zone
141.861 acres of land were added to Prairie Ridge Natural Area in partnership with the City of Loveland
and Larimer County. This acquisition builds on the 5,700+ acres currently conserved between the two
cities. This represents the southwest corner of the community separator with Loveland.
Canyon’s Edge Open Space (Heaven’s Door)
1,547 acres of land purchased by Larimer County in partnership with City of Fort Collins and City of
Loveland in 2022. In 2024, the three entities have finalized the conservation easement that Fort Collins
and Loveland will hold on the property. This property is a stunning addition to regional landscapes in
the Big Thompson river drainage.
The Snapshot.
3 Acquisitions 642 Acres
Docusign Envelope ID: CAE89378-DDC2-46D3-985E-27BE5092B80B