Natural Area

Excerpts from Back40’s Land Management Plan:

October 2021 - The short-term management efforts in this shared space should be focused around maintaining proper water flow and drainage, encouraging the success of desirable plant species, and controlling the spread of noxious/invasive weed species. The long-term goal for this space is to create a low maintenance natural area that attracts both the interest of humans and wildlife, providing a valuable refuge for community residents, native plants and the wildlife who call it home.

Correctly timing mowing cycles and mowing at the correct cutting height promotes grass health, which in turn acts as its own form of weed prevention. Grasses should be cut at a height of five inches, ideally only one to three times per year. The best time of year to mow taller species of perennial grasses is just after they set seed and begin to dry out, usually late June/early July. Mowing at this point will stimulate dense vegetative growth and stronger root systems as grasses increase their rates of tillering in response to mowing. A second (or third) mowing visit may be necessary in late September/October if we experience an especially wet growing season. Mowing too low and too frequently stresses unirrigated grasses and causes stand thinning, which allows weeds to infiltrate. In these bare or thinning areas, species like bindweed and thistles will begin to pop up.

November 2023 - The wetland perimeter will be mowed (see map) instead of mowing the entire area. This is slightly different than what is prescribed in the 2021 management plan, the main intent here being to preserve taller grasses towards the center of the wetland area for wildlife habitat, while maintaining a fire buffer around the perimeter to protect homes and discourage dumping trash over fences into the highly visible area.

>> Click here for the full version of the land management plan

Matt Parker, who oversees the ecological stewardship of the City’s Natural Areas:

September 10, 2024 - While mowing does help mitigate wildfire risk, it doesn’t alleviate the risk altogether. In many circumstances, mowing can lead to a reduction of native grasses (that tend to stay green longer) and an increase in invasive winter annuals (such as cheatgrass). When winter annuals die off in the summer, the fire danger increases.

A mowed buffer (of 6’-10’) is probably a good idea to help slow fire, but the timing of the mowing would be important to avoid harming desirable grasses. Mow in the late fall to create a clean slate for next year, and then mow when there is sufficient moisture (in the soil, or in the forecast) to allow the grass to regrow. If mowing is completed under dry conditions the desired grasses will quickly fade out and be replaced by cheatgrass.

Shawn McGaffin, City of Fort Collins Division Chief/Fire Marshal

August 30, 2024 - The grasses in that area are what we would call fine, flashy fuels, meaning they can ignite quickly and burn up quickly. The recommendation for mitigating those fuels is by mowing at least 5 feet from the fence line to a height of 4 inches or less.