America’s Big Six Focal Region: Western Wildlands
Focal Landscape: Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Location: Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area and Chancellor Ranch near Trinidad, Colorado
Cost estimate of completed project: $ 885,000; NWTF contribution: “In-kind” staff time for program oversight
Overview: A unique public-private partnership between the NWTF, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado State Land Board has been formed to complete landscape-scale habitat improvements on public lands across Colorado. Improvements include opening the forest canopy, reducing tree density and promoting increased tender, understory forage for feeding and nesting habitat.
Description of work being done:
- Remove and reduce trees and shrubs using a Hydro-Ax machine operated from a front-end loader
Partners: Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado State Land Board
Species targeted: wild turkey, bighorn sheep, mule deer