Conservation | Nature Fix

A Non-Hunters Guide to Conservation in Colorado

Heather5 months ago5 months ago09 mins

When conservation issues come up very often I am reminded that hunters and fisherpersons fund the conservation in Colorado. But, Colorado’s conservation system operates through a combination of government agencies, non-profit organizations, private landowners, and community initiatives and are not all funded by hunting & fishing. This is important because our lands are valued in many different ways in this state. Here’s an overview of how it works:

Bad Year for Birds at Barr Lake

Heather8 months ago7 months ago08 mins

In the third week of September I visited the Banding Station at Barr Lake operated by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. This is one of two sites where the BCOR bands and monitors birds migrating through the area in spring and fall. I checked in and took a seat on a shaded deck along…

Update on the Centennial Prairie Dogs

Heather10 months ago7 months ago05 mins

An adult and baby black-tailed prairie dog chase each other around their burrows. – Copyright 2021 Heather Valey Remember my summer post regarding the bulldozing of the black-tailed prairie dog colony in Centennial, Colorado? Well, here’s the latest update on the neighboring colony that managed to survive. Prairie Dog Activist Persists Centennial Prairie Dogs activist,…

More Isn’t Always Better: Reservoir Expansion Puts Bird Habitat at Risk

Heather10 months ago7 months ago210 mins

During the 3rd week of September an email appeared in a nature email group I follow. It sounded the alarm for birders and nature lovers in the Colorado Front Range. Important bird habitat was being destroyed to expand water capacity for Barr Lake State Park. Worry mounted that the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (BCR), who has had a bird banding station there for 35 years, would lose their post and the habitat for the migratory song birds they study.

From Burrows to Bulldozers: The Plight of the Centennial Prairie Dogs

Heather12 months ago10 months ago09 mins

It was a cloudy morning on July 14th as Karen Carter drove to her work office in Centennial Colorado. While waiting to turn on a road near her job, she turned to look at a prairie colony in the adjacent field like she always did. She enjoyed watching their antics as they ran from burrow…

Exploring the Living River: a Tale of Hope in the Colorado River Watershed

Heather1 year ago10 months ago04 mins

Second Creek swells with spring runoff in the Colorado River watershed – photo by Heather Valey – copyright 2023 Where Does Your Water Come From? Where does your water come from? Many of folks might just say “the tap”. I turn the faucet on and there is water. But where does the water that flows…

Prairie Dog Controversy on Land Managed for Multiple Uses

Heather1 year ago8 months ago019 mins

Introduction I wrote a post a couple weeks ago about prairie dogs being trapped on Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS). Unsurprisingly, it produced a great deal of drama and feedback. One person close to me chastised me, saying “Of all the effed up stuff going on right now, you’re focusing on 150 prairie…

Death Sentence in Disguise for Prairie Dogs at Picture Rock Trail

Heather1 year ago8 months ago022 mins

First, Let’s Set the Scene Boulder County Open Space in Colorado has a reputation for world-class parks and trails. The Picture Rock trail at Hiel Ranch near Lyons in Boulder County is a great example of this. With its stunning views, diverse habitats, and multiple recreational opportunities, Hiel Valley Ranch is a wonderful piece of…

Snow Geese in Colorado

Heather1 year ago8 months ago07 mins

This winter I made the trip up to Lamar Colorado for the High Plains Snow Goose Festival. Over 30,000 snow geese migrate through Colorado in the winter. I tried to find the geese on my own last year and didn’t know enough about the bird’s behavior to look for them in quite the right place. …

There is More to Ashe Juniper Than Cedar Fever

Heather1 year ago8 months ago012 mins

In the Texas hill country, the changing of seasons is more subtle compared to some other areas of the US. Locals usually mark their winters with different events rather than snow and ice. One of these occurrences is Cedar Fever, the cedar allergy season. Cedar trees are ubiquitous in the Texas hill country, just like barbecue and tacos. These trees are found almost everywhere you look, and at times it might seem like the whole world in Austin is made up of cedar trees, as depicted in the picture to the left.