Conservation Maps
Conservation of natural resources requires analysis and planning as part of a broad process. Mapping is an incredibly helpful tool for visualizing the future and making important management plans. Plans of land managers can have far-reaching consequences, so the inclusion of scientific studies and stakeholder perspectives are crucial. Maps can bring it all together to help planners imagine what can be.
Releasing Gray Wolves
In November of 2020, Colorado voters elected to re-introduce gray wolves into Colorado with a plan in place by 2024. Since then, Colorado Parks and Wildlife determined that the best part of the state to reintroduce wolves was where voter approval was high and habitat is suitable. The analysis narrowed in on the southwestern part of the state (Brasch).
Pitkin County is a good location for wolf re-introduction because of prevailing animal rights attitudes of local residents. In 2020, “Pitkin County voters approved the measure 61.7% to 38.3%” (Taris). For this suitability map, I analyzed the presence of prey, suitable terrain, and distance from roads. Historically, wolves have been the major predators of elk and moose, who are often too big for mountain lions to take down. Wolves stay away from steep slopes, which provide safety for ungulates while rearing young.
Based on the criteria, the best place to release gray wolves in Pitkin County is on the west side of the county between Highway 133 and Creek Road. It is highlighted in dark blue on the map below. The second best place to release gray wolves is at the end of Maroon Creek Rd, highlighted in red. Both locations are within US Forest Service land.
References
Brasch, S. (2022, September 9). Here’s the general region where Colorado plans to reintroduce wolves. Colorado Public Radio. https://www.cpr.org/2022/09/09/where-colorado-will-reintroduce-wolves/
Taris, J., & CPW, C. of. (2025, January 14). Wolves near release in Pitkin, Eagle or Garfield counties. Aspen Daily News. https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/wolves-near-release-in-pitkin-eagle-or-garfield-counties/article_9d064486-d255-11ef-a602-0bc25ca435b2.html
New Reservoir Next to Heritage Square
Colorado planners are on a quest to acquire enough freshwater to serve the state’s booming population growth. In Jefferson County, one project that might be considered is to develop a reservoir next to the old Heritage Square site off of Highway 40. Long-time residents may remember Heritage Square as a small amusement park nestled against the foothills. Through a series of land dealings between Martin Marietta and Jefferson County Open Space, Martin Marietta acquired the land for its rock quarry mining. The Heritage Square site will be protected.
I created a map of the eventual reclamation site if it is turned into a reservoir in 30-40 years. It shows adjacent watersheds that could be diverted to deliver water to the reservoir.
References
Boster, S. (2022, January 5). Nearly 1,200 acres added to Jefferson County Open Space portfolio. Colorado Springs Gazette. https://gazette.com/life/nearly-1-200-acres-added-to-jefferson-county-open-space-portfolio/article_aba04ae2-6ce5-11ec-99d1-2783ab917828.html
Kenney, Andrew. “Jefferson County Could Get 1,200 Acres of Open Space in Exchange for Allowing a Pit Mine to Expand.” Colorado Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, 7 July 2021, https://www.cpr.org/2021/07/07/jefferson-county-open-space-expansion-martin-marietta-pit-mine/.
An Elusive Owl
While walking through a Colorado forest in El Paso County, Colorado, one might hear the ethereal “oo oo oo oo oo” of the Mexican Spotted Owl, a federally threatened species. In the Habitat Preservation Priority Map, below, I analyzed the habitat priorities for land managers to protect the home of this special owl.
Mexican Spotted Owls nest on NW facing slopes and they hunt in dense forests. So, using raster data, I combined NW facing slope aspect and evergreen/mixed forest data. I placed that information within the US Forest Service’s Critical Habitat boundary for the Mexican Spotted Owl.
Land conservationists could use the Very High, High, and Medium rankings on the map to help prioritize habitat preservation when faced with land use decisions. One such decision might be zoning changes. For example, knowing that a land parcel lies within critical habitat and has a high priority designation, land planners could choose to decline rezoning the parcel from agricultural to residential.
References
United States Forest Service, “The ‘Living Map’ of Mexican Spotted Owl Habitat: Rocky Mountain Research Station.” The “Living Map” of Mexican Spotted Owl Habitat Rocky Mountain Research Station, United States Forest Service, April 2020, https://www.fs.usda.gov/rmrs/projects/living-map-mexican-spotted-owl-habitat
Data Sources
El Paso County, Colorado. Free GIS Data. Shapefile. Acquired December 5, 2022 https://admin.elpasoco.com/free-gis-data/
ESRI AND United States Fish and Wildlife Service. USA Critical Habitat Final (MatureSupport). Jan 25, 2021. Shapefile. Acquired December 5, 2022. https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=bad5c810721c4d0c94cfb93a18119c47
Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium. NLCD 2019 Land Cover (CONUS). 2019. Raster. Acquired December 5, 2022. https://www.mrlc.gov/data/legends/national-land-cover-database-class-legend-and-description