HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 03/04/2025 - Memorandum from Katie Donahue re Natural Areas Strategic Framework Draft Released for Public FeedbackNatural Areas Department
1745 Hoffman Mill Road
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970.416.2815
kdonahue@fcgov.com
CC: Dean Klingner, Community Services Director
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 19, 2025
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
From: Katie Donahue, Natural Areas Director
Subject: Natural Areas Strategic Framework draft released for public feedback
BOTTOM LINE
The draft Natural Areas Strategic Framework is now available for review. Staff is seeking
feedback from the public, partners, and boards and commissions to support a final plan. This
memo outlines the public engagement process, and next steps toward finalizing the plan.
BACKGROUND
The Strategic Framework serves as a long-term, systemwide guide for Natural Areas planning
and management over the next 10-20 years. The framework remains firmly rooted in the
principles of the City of Fort Collins Open Space Yes! and Larimer County Help Conserve Open
Space ballot measures, and the department mission.
As presented at the October 22, 2024, Council Work Session this plan will:
Align with the City’s broader values and strategic policies
Update Natural Areas’ vision, values, and goals
Inform future management and work planning
NEXT STEPS
Between February-April 2025, staff will gather public feedback on the draft plan through a
variety of channels, including:
Docusign Envelope ID: C2E34DBA-403D-4CD8-86DF-FED03A14EBEB
Email outreach and follow-up conversations with community members previously
engaged in the planning process
A community questionnaire
Social media engagement
Press release
Additionally, staff will seek feedback from the City boards and commissions including: the Land
Conservation and Stewardship Board, Water Commission, Natural Resources Advisory Board,
Air Quality Advisory Board, and the Active Modes Advisory Board. Also, to ensure broad
participation, staff will specifically notify via email City departments, partner agencies, Technical
Advisory Committee members, and Historically Underrepresented Group members (HUGs) that
previously participated in the Strategic Framework engagement process, inviting them to
provide feedback and share perspectives.
Staff invites councilmembers to review and provide feedback on the draft Strategic Framework
which can be accessed via the Our City webpage. If you prefer a printer-friendly version, you
can access that here. Staff anticipates returning to Council for adoption of the final version of
the Natural Areas Strategic Framework in June 2025.
Docusign Envelope ID: C2E34DBA-403D-4CD8-86DF-FED03A14EBEB