Natural Areas Strategic Framework

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Lee esta página en español.

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, which has resulted in an amazing network of conserved lands. Now, your voice will guide the future of conservation and stewardship with a planning document called the Natural Areas Strategic Framework. Your perspective will help the City embody the community-driven nature of our work.

Draft Plan Coming Spring 2025


Person taking a photo standing in grassland with mountain view in distanceFossil 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. 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.



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

  • Increasing flooding, wildfires, and stressed ecosystems due to climate change and population growth Green and yellow prairie landscape with red foothills behindSoapstone 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:

  • Building on land conservation accomplishments through future acquisitions and conservation easements
  • 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


Learn more about the trends that will impact the foundations of conservation and stewardship in a changing world.

3 people stand behind a table with various papers and objects background of trees and water


Draft Plan Coming Spring 2025


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


Lee esta página en español.

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, which has resulted in an amazing network of conserved lands. Now, your voice will guide the future of conservation and stewardship with a planning document called the Natural Areas Strategic Framework. Your perspective will help the City embody the community-driven nature of our work.

Draft Plan Coming Spring 2025


Person taking a photo standing in grassland with mountain view in distanceFossil 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. 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.



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

  • Increasing flooding, wildfires, and stressed ecosystems due to climate change and population growth Green and yellow prairie landscape with red foothills behindSoapstone 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:

  • Building on land conservation accomplishments through future acquisitions and conservation easements
  • 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


Learn more about the trends that will impact the foundations of conservation and stewardship in a changing world.

3 people stand behind a table with various papers and objects background of trees and water


Draft Plan Coming Spring 2025


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


Page last updated: 19 Sep 2024, 11:19 AM