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Item Open Access Post-fire noxious weed mapping in Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025-02-21) Cheadle, Jessica, author; Baldvins, Tom, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Biodiversity survey of Colorado State University lands: Foothills Campus & Environmental Learning Center(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024-06) Smith, J. P., author; Clark, A., author; Gilligan, L., author; Panjabi, S., author; Sovell, J., author; Anderson, D., author; Almansour, S., author; Birt, T., author; Blessing, R., author; Dilger, M., author; Jones, K., author; Lage, A., author; Ramstead, J., author; Schilling, A., author; Schmidt, M., author; Severance, O., author; Stafford, T., author; Thompson, N., author; Wilson, I., author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherDuring the academic year of 2021-2022, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) was contracted by Colorado State University (CSU) Facilities Management to complete a biodiversity survey of the CSU lands. This effort, involving students from two Ecosystem Science and Sustainability (ESS) classes at CSU, resulted in a published storymap and report (Smith et al. 2022). During the academic year of 2023-2024, CNHP was again contracted by CSU Facilities Management to build upon this original project with an in-depth biodiversity survey of two properties in the CSU lands: the Foothills Campus (FC) and the Environmental Learning Center (ELC). These lands were selected from the original project for more in-depth analysis based on their ecosystem diversity significance. The original assessment and this latest assessment will be used by Facilities Management to self-report on the Biodiversity component of the Operations category in the STARS (Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, & Ratings System) report. This report assesses biodiversity importance on CSU-owned and managed lands. Students from ESS classes were again led by CNHP staff to conduct the geospatial analysis, research, and field data collection efforts, thereby lowering project costs and providing an experiential learning opportunity for the students. This project had three phases: 1) a biodiversity review of the two properties relying on student research of existing data, 2) a field study completed by CNHP staff, ELC staff, and ESS 501 and 440 students in the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024 to verify existing observations, collect new species observations, and gain a better understanding of the ecosystem on the properties and their health, and 3) a comprehensive data analysis and review culminating in the development of an ArcGIS 2024 Storymap that communicates the data collected and provides guidance for future field work and management of these CSU system lands. A total of 481 taxa (412 identified to species level) were recorded from the FC campus through human observations or preserved specimens. Observations were subdivided into 310 Animalia taxa, 3 Fungi taxa, and 168 Plantae taxa. There were 1,074 unique taxa (810 identified to species level) recorded from the various data sources at the ELC from human observations or preserved specimens. Observations were subdivided into 749 Animalia taxa, 19 Fungi taxa, and 306 Plantae taxa. Over 100 new taxa were observed during the 2023 and 2024 field work for this project conducted by CNHP and ESS students, and these taxa were included in the lists at each property. Most observations were species specific and observed within the last 20 years. Twenty animal species observed on the Foothills Campus and 27 animal species observed at the Environmental Learning Center were of known conservation concern as listed in the Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan (CPW 2015). The vegetation at both properties was evaluated based on Coefficient of Conservatism (C) values and species richness. C-values range from 0 to 10 and represent an estimated probability that a plant is likely to occur in a landscape relatively unaltered from pre-European settlement conditions. High C-values are assigned to species which are obligate to high-quality natural areas and cannot tolerate habitat degradation, while low C-values are assigned to species with a wide tolerance to human disturbance. C- values are averaged to determine the mean C. At the Foothills Campus, we calculated a mean C of 3.13 based on 124 species with the oldest unique species observation being made in 2017. At the ELC, we calculated a mean C of 2.36 based on 195 species observations with the oldest unique species observation being made in 2012. These mean C values are considered low and reflect the higher number of non-native plant species, as well as prevalence of native plant species that are able to tolerate high levels of disturbance. Using the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), both properties fell into the "Largely Intact" category. An Ecological Integrity Assessment was conducted at the ELC and wetlands there were rated in the fair/good category. The resulting species diversity lists and ecological data analyses not only serve as a foundation for future conservation efforts at various levels, but also provide crucial insights for managers working to address species and habitats of concern, non-native species, proper land usage, and the overall health of these ecosystems.Item Open Access Survey and assessment of critical wetlands in the Roaring Fork watershed, Colorado(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022-09) Marshall, Sarah, author; Culver, Denise, author; Smith, Gabrielle, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Biological survey of Eagle Rock Ranch, Park County, Colorado(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023-12) Smith, Jessica Peterson, author; Sovell, John R., author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Public returns to private lands conservation in Colorado: the Conservation Easement Tax Credit Program: executive summary(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023-12-31) Seidl, Andrew, author; Crossett, Cole, author; Greenwell, Amy, author; Bennett, Drew, author; Menefee, Michael, author; Colorado State University, publisherItem Open Access Public returns to private lands conservation in Colorado: the Conservation Easement Tax Credit Program(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023-12-31) Seidl, Andrew, author; Crossett, Cole, author; Greenwell, Amy, author; Bennett, Drew, author; Menefee, Michael, author; Colorado State University, publisherItem Open Access Noxious weed monitoring and treatment year 17 at the U.S. Air Force Academy(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022-04-15) Smith, Pam, author; Greenwell, Amy, author; Baldvins, Tom, authorItem Open Access Distribution modeling for Colorado SWAP plants of greatest conservation need(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Decker, K., author; Smith, J. P., author; Fink, J., author; Handwerk, J., author; Doyle, G., author; Panjabi, S. S., author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherSpecies distribution models for 81 of the 117 plant species listed in the Rare Plant Addendum of the Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan (CPW 2015) were created using information on known locations and species habitat requirements. These distribution models have been included in the conservation data sharing platform, the Colorado Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX), to help conserve and protect these Plants of Greatest Conservation Need (PGCN) through environmental review and conservation planning. Expert review of species distribution models was solicited from regional botanists; Forty-six individual botanists reviewed a total of 75 species distribution models, with a total of 113 reviews. Over 80% of reviews concluded that the model in question was in the "Reasonable" or higher level of overall correctness. Also included in this report are results of a pilot project to predict changes in suitable habitat under two potential future climate scenarios for Astragalus microcymbus, Astragalus osterhoutii, Draba smithii, Eutrema penlandii, Frasera coloradensis and Ipomopsis polyantha. The modeling work of this project amplifies our knowledge, building upon decades of field work preserved in CNHP's database, and advances our understanding of species habitat.Item Open Access Roaring Fork Watershed biodiversity and connectivity study(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Rondeau, Renée, author; Fink, Michelle, author; Schuhmann, Andrea, author; Gruanu, Lee, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Biodiversity of the Colorado State University lands(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022-06) Smith, J. P., author; Balunek, E., author; Baldvins, T., author; Schuhmann, A., author; Anderson, D., author; Eastberg, O., author; Enebo, E., author; Garcia, K., author; Kim, M., author; Lansidel, D., author; Martinus, J., author; McCarty, C., author; Petrova, D., author; Richardson, M., author; Schell, A., author; Stansbury, T., author; Varga, S., author; Walker, B., authorDuring the academic year of 2021-2022, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) was contracted by CSU Facilities Management to complete a biodiversity survey of the CSU lands. This assessment will be used by Facilities Management to self-report on the Biodiversity component of the Operations category in the STARS (Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, & Ratings System) report. This report assesses endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) on CSU-owned and managed lands and areas of biodiversity importance on CSU-owned and managed lands. An additional aim of this project was to include students in the geospatial analysis, research, and field data collection efforts, thereby lowering project costs and providing mentorship and experience to the students. Biodiversity was assessed through a geospatial environmental review of the properties which includes documented and potential occurrences of regulatory species and other species of concern within the property and a 1-mile buffer, assessment of the conservation areas adjacent to the property and within a buffer, and the diversity and acreage of wetlands and other ecosystem types. The conservation value of each property, based on a Return-on-Investment report, is presented. Geospatial data area used to evaluate climate resiliency and landscape disturbance. Further research into species on the largest and most well-studied properties is presented, along with results of field work. Colorado State University holds 32 individual properties, spanning 14 counties across Colorado, covering a total of 3,943 hectares. Properties held by CSU had 303 documented occurrences of regulatory species and other species of concern within 1 mile returned in the environmental review; additionally, potential habitat was returned for another 2210 regulatory and other species of concern from a combination of range maps, general precision CNHP element occurrence records, and models. Through the many metrics of biodiversity assessed, several properties stood out; these included the Eastern Colorado Research Center, the Mountain Campus, Foothills, Horsetooth, and the Environmental Learning Center. At the Eastern Colorado Research Center, a combination of research field work recorded 187 species as visual observations and/or within a modeled area. At the Mountain Campus, student research and field work recorded a total of 1,044 species as visual observations and/or within a modeled area, with 754 Animalia species, 273 Plantae species and 17 Fungi species. Along with providing information on the biodiversity on the CSU lands, this project provided educational value to CSU students and facilitated the creation of a storymap to showcase the biodiversity of CSU lands to the public and stakeholders. The biodiversity assessment suggests several actions which could be taken to protect, enhance, or restore the biodiversity found on CSU lands and identified properties with possible conservation gains through enhancement and restoration.Item Open Access Final report: identifying potential landscapes for conservation across the grasslands of North America: integrating keystone species, land use patterns, and climate change to enhance current and future grassland restoration efforts(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Davidson, Ana, author; Augustine, David, author; Menefee, Michael, author; Krank, Lindsey Sterling, author; Van Pelt, Bill, author; Brum, Fernanda Thiesen, author; Fink, Michelle, author; Houts, Michae, author; Williamson, Matt A., authorItem Open Access Noxious weed survey and integrated noxious weed management plan: Schriever Air Force Base, El Paso County, CO(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017-05) Smith, Pam, author; Greenwell, Amy, author; Schulz, Keith, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Distribution modeling for Colorado SWAP plants of greatest conservation need: interim report - April 2022(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022-04) Decker, K., author; Smith, J. P., author; Handwerk, J., author; Doyle, G., author; Panjabi, S., author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherThe revised 2015 Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) includes 117 Plant Species of Greatest Conservation Need (PGCN) in the Rare Plant Addendum (Colorado Parks and Wildlife 2015). These species are ranked globally critically imperiled (G1) or imperiled (G2), at risk throughout their range and under threat of extinction. Known locations of these species are recorded in a statewide geospatial database maintained by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). However, surveys for these species have not been comprehensive, and therefore information on their distribution is incomplete. For this project, models of species distribution were created using information on known locations and species habitat requirements. These distribution models will be included in the conservation data sharing platform, the Colorado Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX), in order to help conserve and protect these PGCN though environmental review and conservation planning.Item Open Access Amphibian and reptile survey report and management plan for Buckley AFB, Colorado(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011-05-20) Sovell, John, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Noxious weed survey of Peterson Air Force Base, 2020(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021-04) Smith, Pam, author; Baldvins, Tom, author; Greenwell, Amy, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Colorado wildlife action plan: appendix A: rare plants(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Handwerk, Jill, author; Grunau, Lee, author; Spackman-Panjabi, Susan, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Noxious weed monitoring year 16 at the U.S. Air Force Academy(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021-04) Smith, Pam, author; Greenwell, Amy, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Noxious weed monitoring year 15 at the U.S. Air Force Academy(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020-05) Smith, Pam, author; Greenwell, Amy, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Noxious weed mapping and monitoring at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, 2018-2020(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021-04) Smith, Pam, author; Greenwell, Amy, author; Baldvins, Tom, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisherItem Open Access Noxious weed survey of Buckley Air Force Base 2019(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020-04) Smith, Pam, author; Greenwell, Amy, author; Tasker, Lisa, author; Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisher