Natural Areas Strategic Framework

What do you want for the future of your natural areas? For over 30 years, the Fort Collins and Larimer County community has prioritized natural areas conservation. Now, your voice will guide the future forward with a planning document called the Natural Areas Strategic Framework. Your perspectives will help the City embody community-driven conservation and stewardship.

Questionnaire will be available in June, 2024. Sign-up for email updates.

Person taking a photo standing in grassland with mountain view in distance

Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area (Kevin Borchert)

Over the past 30 years, natural areas have grown from 13 to 53 protected open spaces with 136 miles of trail today. Natural areas protect a diversity of habitats, wildlife, and native plant communities. When visiting these spaces, you’ll find opportunities to experience nature through recreation and education. You and your neighbors might also treasure these community assets because they are a place for health, cultural connections, research, and economic vitality. Your community-initiated city and county sales taxes fund natural areas.

What do you think the next 20 years should hold?

Challenges natural areas will face in the next 20 years include:

Increasing flooding, wildfires, and stressed ecosystems due to climate change and population growth Soapstone Prairie Natural Area (Greg Fencl)
Increasing needs for infrastructure maintenance
Increasing visitation and recreation use
Diverse and sometimes conflicting community interests

Opportunities for the next 20 years of natural areas include:

Bringing together people who value natural areas
Partnering with volunteers, non-profits, other agencies to conserve land, improve habitats, and provide visitor opportunities to build resilience
Planning for the challenges ahead

Questionnaire will be available in June, 2024. Sign-up for email updates.

Want to give feedback on something else? Visit the Natural Areas Feedback Portal

Questionnaire will be available in June, 2024. Sign-up for email updates.

Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area (Kevin Borchert)

What do you think the next 20 years should hold?

Challenges natural areas will face in the next 20 years include:

Increasing flooding, wildfires, and stressed ecosystems due to climate change and population growth Soapstone Prairie Natural Area (Greg Fencl)
Increasing needs for infrastructure maintenance
Increasing visitation and recreation use
Diverse and sometimes conflicting community interests

Opportunities for the next 20 years of natural areas include:

Bringing together people who value natural areas
Partnering with volunteers, non-profits, other agencies to conserve land, improve habitats, and provide visitor opportunities to build resilience
Planning for the challenges ahead