CSU-Extension states: “Mountain Pine Beetles (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae, are the most important insect pest to Colorado’s pine forests.” They can have devastating effects on whole systems. Unfortunately, there are currently millions of dead trees across western North America. Prior to signs of dying trees, indications of an MPB infestation include:[Read More…]
Tag: Douglas Creek Conservation District
Conservation Corner: Forest health and watershed impacts
Forests play a major role in natural systems. Forests can protect watershed health and function, provide suitable habitat for numerous wildlife species, promote a robust logging industry, provide soil erosion control, supply forage for livestock, and offer endless recreational opportunities. While healthy forests provide these benefits, a mismanaged or unhealthy[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Protecting your water rights
The adage, “Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting” helps us to all understand just how important water and water rights are in an arid climate like ours. If you own a water right, you may wonder how you can learn what records the State has regarding your water[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Natural Resource Technical Assistance in Rio Blanco County
RBC | The White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts (Districts) participate in multiple federal, state, and local partnerships to increase on-the-ground natural resource conservation. One such partnership provides additional technical assistance to landowners on private and public lands with a District Conservation Technician (DCT). Kendra Young is the DCT[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Sagebrush in the ecosystem
While large clusters of brush on the landscape can be a nuisance to many agricultural producers by competing with grasses and other palatable plants, sagebrush can have several positive effects on the ecosystem. Sagebrush provides critical forage and cover to numerous wildlife species. Sagebrush can also have large effects on[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: How do the Conservation Districts affect me? (Part 2 of 3)
Last week you read about the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts’ (Districts) mission and the work being done to study the excessive algae growth in the White River. Today, we share the purpose of conservation districts nationwide which is, “To make available technical, financial, and educational resources, whatever[Read More…]
CONSERVATION CORNER:
How do the Conservation Districts affect me? (Part 1 of 3) The White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts’ (Districts) stated mission is, “To provide guidance and technical assistance to encourage and promote the wise use of all the natural resources within the District by private landowners and government land[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Wildfire and Watershed Management Planning
A century ago, how many trees would you have found in an acre of Ponderosa Pine forest in Colorado? The answer is 20 to 50 trees. Colorado’s forests were historically more open and diverse than they are now. Today, the average tree density in our Ponderosa Pine Forests ranges from[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Aug. 20, 2020
Forest Health and Wildfire What is hydrophobicity and why are hydrophobic soils significant? Many resources are dependent upon each other, leaving no room for error in one without affecting several others. Severe fires burning with high intensity impact the soil, forest, and watershed health for many years to come. After[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Water measuring devices
What is the standard water measuring device for the Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR)? There are several other types of measuring devices, including electronic flow meters, but the Parshall Flume is most commonly used. A Parshall Flume might be the most recognizable measuring device readily available. With an[Read More…]
NEPA Regulation Changes
What does the acronym “NEPA” stand for and how does it affect you as a Rio Blanco County resident? “NEPA” is the National Environmental Policy Act and the process that is required for all decisions made by all federal agencies. In July, President Trump and the Council on Environmental Quality[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Water Law in a Nutshell
Did you learn the definition of an alluvium this weekend? Or what estoppel means? If you attended the Douglas Creek Conservation District’s “Water Law in a Nutshell” class this weekend, presented by Mr. Aaron Clay, you now know the answers to both questions. The Water Law in a Nutshell class[Read More…]