Open Space and Trails / BOCC Memorandum
To:
CC:
From:
Date:
Re:
OSTB and BOCC
Jon Peacock, John Ely, Cindy Houben
OST Staff
Sept. 1, 2015
Staff Updates
OST Project Update
North Star Management Plan Implementation
Staff went to the annual East of Aspen Caucus to discuss the plan’s approval and what the next
steps are for implementation. There were over 45 residents in attendance and we had a great
discussion on how the action items in the plan will be employed. East of Aspen resident Ed Bass
spoke with residents on how they can help implement this plan and cause positive change for the
preserve and their neighborhood. Ed is offering to partner with ACES, the County and other
residents to come up with a signage and outreach plan that communicates to the demographic
that is causing the most issues. This includes his public relations person, who specializes in
reaching out to the younger generation. ACES and staff will be setting up a schedule of
meetings to develop a signage and communication plan that can be installed on both private and
public land. This is an incredible public/private partnership and OST looks forward to seeing
positive outcomes.
Another partnership has formed to install nest cameras at North Star for the herons and at Emma
for the ospreys. Holy Cross Electric is donating crew time and poles to install nest video
cameras in the next 2-3 weeks and Pitkin County Information Technology will purchase the
camera for the ospreys. It will be very exciting once this is online next spring to actually see
what goes on in these nests!
2015 North Star Preserve Bank Stabilization
Project – Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
Saturday, Sept. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., including
dinner
Project description: North Star Nature Preserve along
the Roaring Fork River just east of Aspen offers
significant wildlife habitat along the river corridor and
in the adjoining meadows and wetlands. Early settlers
altered the course of the river to create more arable
land. Over time, this eroded the riverbanks and
destroyed the native riparian habitat. One of these riverbanks threatens a mature stand of
cottonwoods near a rookery where great blue herons nest annually. Volunteers will plant native
willows on a regraded riverbank as part of this biostabilization project. This is a family friendly
project, so feel free to bring the kiddos. Our youth coordinator will have age-appropriate
activities just for kids ages 7 and up. Partners in the project are: Pitkin County Open Space and
Trails, Healthy Rivers and Streams, City of Aspen, Aspen Valley Land Trust, Aspen Center for
Environmental Studies and the Roaring Fork Conservancy.
09/01/2015 OSTB-BOCC Non-Confidential Staff Update
Page 1 of 5
Colorado Open Space Alliance Conference
See attached conference agenda for Sept. 14-16 conference in Snowmass Village.
Hunter Creek-Smuggler Mountain Cooperative Plan Implementation
Habitat improvement in Hunter Creek will commence in mid-September. Around 30 acres of
mature and decadent mountain shrub will be cut to enhance wildlife habitat and set the stage for
a potential prescribed burn in 2016. The map (see below) shows the location of the cutting.
ACES, the City of Aspen and OST will be funding the project and have been reaching out to
neighbors and the public on the goals of the project and what to expect while it happens. No trail
closures are planned; only temporary delays when the machinery is in close proximity. The
potential prescribed burn adjacent to the cut is still being planned and more information will be
provided in the near future. The partnership and support for the habitat improvement and
prescribed fire includes the Forest Service, Pitkin County, City of Aspen, ACES, Aspen Fire and
Wilderness Workshop.
The goal of the habitat improvement project is to stimulate new growth of mountain shrubs,
which occurs after cutting older shrubs. New growth is more nutritious and easier for wildlife
like deer and elk to access. This area has seen little disturbance by fire in over 100 years and
much of the mountain shrub habitat type is similarly aged. This cutting will provide some age
diversity, which enhances wildlife habitat value. While prescribed or natural fire is preferred, as
it produces the best response and most benefit to wildlife habitat, cutting is done closer to
neighborhoods and provides an area where fire can be easier to contain. The cut area will be on
the edge of the potential prescribed fire that is being proposed in 2016 to the west of the cutting.
09/01/2015 OSTB-BOCC Non-Confidential Staff Update
Page 2 of 5
Sky Mountain Park Habitat Improvement
The photos below show an area that was treated in fall 2014 and the current conditions. The
regrowth on the cuts has been vigorous and will provide excellent browse for fall migration and
winter habitat.
Taken May 30, 2015
Taken July 30, 2015
09/01/2015 OSTB-BOCC Non-Confidential Staff Update
Page 3 of 5
Glassier Management Plan Implementation
Agriculture on Glassier has been successful as the new lessees have worked the land and set the
stage for the future.
Plans are beginning to emerge for the new biking, equestrian and hiking trails up to the Crown.
Work is also progressing on the parking area at the soon-to-be-acquired Carricarte parcel. Staff
will have more detailed plans for the OSTB and BOCC to review during the budget discussions
that will take place in October and November. Here’s a photo from our initial site visit to plan
the equestrian trail.
Emma Farms closing completes the hat trick!
On July 30 we closed on our purchase of the conservation and trails easements on Emma Farms.
Pitkin, Eagle, Basalt and AVLT thereby completed a hat trick of permanently conserving four
big pieces of contiguous irrigated land in Emma! Combined with the adjacent Glassier Open
Space and Happy Day Ranch Conservation Easement, this is over 450 acres of contiguous prime
farmland in the heart of the valley. Since 1999, we have protected much of the remaining
agricultural lands in this breadbasket of our valley (see attached map). Tom and staff are
discussing a celebration for mid-September to celebrate our conservation of the farm and the
surrounding area. We hope to have a date to announce at the meeting.
09/01/2015 OSTB-BOCC Non-Confidential Staff Update
Page 4 of 5
The new Hummingbird Traverse
Mountain bikers have been raving about this new link on the north side of the Hunter Creek
Valley. The machine-built trail, funded jointly by the City of Aspen and OST, was completed at
the end of July.
09/01/2015 OSTB-BOCC Non-Confidential Staff Update
Page 5 of 5
White River National Forest
White River National Forest
OpenSpace
OpenSpaceEasements
ditch
Roads
Rivers/Streams
Rock Bottom Ranch
US Forest Service Owned Lands
State Owned Lands
BLM Owned Lands
BLM
STATE OF CO
USFS
Hooks Spur
River Parcel
Basalt SWA
Glassier
Open Space
Emma
Farms
CE
Ro
ar
Basalt Highland
Open Space
in
g
Fo
rk
Ri
Wilds
Open Space
Grange River Parcel
Open Space
ve
r
Emma Townsite
Emma
Open Space
ris
Cr
Clark CE
p
So
ee
Brackett
Open Space
k
Crown Mountain Ranch CE
tS
es
W
op
ri
r
sC
ee
Grange CE
Grace-Shehi
Open Space
0
1,400 2,800
5,600 Feet
²
k
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX,
Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community,
Pitkin County
This map/drawing is a graphical
representation of the features
depicted and is not a legal representation.
Accuracy is not guaranteed.
“Conservation Inspiration”
September 14-16, 2015
The Westin Snowmass Resort
100 Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village, Colorado 81615
Monday, September 14
8:45 - 12:00 p.m.
10:00 - 10:10
10:10 - 10:20
Registration and EXPO
Welcome
COSA updates
Session 1 - 10:30 – 11:45
1A –
Natural Resources
Wildlife
Reintroductions
1B –
1C –
Outreach &
Education –
Facilitated Discussion
Directors,
Managers, & Board
Members
1D –
1E –
Rangers – Outreach
& Education in
Natural Resources
law enforcement
Trail Builder Round
Table – Tools,
Techniques,
Technology & Tall
Tales
11:45 – 12:45 Lunch (plated) - COSA Blue Grama Awards presentation
Session 2 – 1:00 – 2:15
2AAstronomy – More
than just the “Big
Dipper”
2B-
2C-
Canyons, Rapids &
Conservation: Peaks
to Plains trail project
Easement
Stewardship
Roundtable
2D-
2E-
The Language of
Dogs- Understanding
Dog Behavior
Saying Thanks –
Volunteer recognition
Session 3 - 2:30 - 3:45
3AInspiring
Conservation through
Art Programs
3B-
3C-
When Disaster
Strikes your Trail
System
Triple Creek
Greenway – Thinking
Beyond a 10-ft wide
trail
3D-
3E-
Dog off-leash areas
Engaging 21st
Century Volunteers
Session 4 – 4:00-5:15
4A-
4B-
4C-
Mobile Apps: All that
Glitters is not Gold
River Enhancement is
NOT Restoration
The Movement to
Divest of Public Land
4DHunting on Open
Space
4EInteragency
Collaboration &
Cooperation
5:30 – 6:30 EXPO Social - DINNER ON YOUR OWN!
Page 1 of 3
Tuesday, September 15
7:15 - 8:00
7:30 - 8:30
8:00 - 8:10
8:15 – 9:00
Breakfast
Registration & Expo
Welcome & Orientation
Keynote Address (To be announced)
Session 5 - 9:15 – 10:15 AM
5AKeynote followup
5BVegetation
Management with
Wildlife in Mind
5CNatural Areas in a
Different Light –
Night programming
5D-
5EContent is King – Are
you reinventing your
message?
Community Based
Agriculture
Session 6 - 10:30 – 11:30 AM
6AManitou Incline
6BGOCO Strategic Plan
6CFloodplain
Management – Post
flood
6D-
6EWhat’s the Buzz
about Accreditation?
Open Space and
Production
Agriculture
11:30 - 12:15 Boxed lunch -Please recycle
All field trips meet in the lobby/registration area
12:30 - 5:30 Field trips
Field Trip
FT1
FT2
FT3
FT4
FT5
FT6
FT7
FT 8
FT 9
FT 10
FT 11
FT 12
Sky Mountain Park Bike Tour
Self-guided Fishing Tour on Open Space (bring your own equipment)
Aspen History Tour – Hidden in Plain Sight
Open Space Boot Camp (physical fitness activity)
Fossil Field on Sky Mountain Park Hike
E-Bike Demo and Discussion (demo in parking area, not on trail)
Hunter Creek Co-op Hike
Wetland Walk in Rio Grande Park
Mid Valley Ag Tour
Child Ranch Tour
Twin Lakes Diversion Tour (FULL DAY!)
Downhill Mountain Biking at Snowmass – Intermediate to Advance
5:30-8:30 p.m. Colorado Open Space Alliance Annual Networking Event
Page 2 of 3
Max.
15
20
15
20
15
30
20
30
20
15
15
20
Wednesday, September 16
7:15 - 8:00
Breakfast - Registration
8:00 - 8:15
Welcome
8:15 - 9:15
Conservation Stories
Session 7 - 9:30-10:45
7ALatino culture
7BWetland Mitigation
Banking
7CConservation Ballot
Measures across Colorado
and the West
7DCoyote Program update
Session 8 - 11:00-12:15
8AColorado Butterfly
Monitoring Network
8BTBD
8CWater Supply Reserve
Account through CWCB
8DDenver Park Ranger
Program
12:15 Conference concludes – Please recycle your name tag
Page 3 of 3