Prairie Restoration -- Windsor, CO

Project by Andrew Greenlee

Intoduction:

The site of my proposed prairie restoration is located in a developing area of Windsor, Colorado.  As the city expands, many sites such as this one are slated for development.  However, it is in the interest of the community to keep some areas as undeveloped open space.  These areas give the town a more rural feeling and increase the desirability of nearby areas, such as the residental neighborhood below.  The site I have chosen for the proposed prairie restoration is suitable because some of the property lies in the flood plane and is located adjacent planned developments and a neighborhood.  My proposal is to restore prairie and wetlands ecosystems in this area because that will be the best use of the land both from economic and environmental viewpoints.

What is the current state at the site?

The site is 10 acres, currently composed of reservoir and alfalfa field.  Because of the awkward shape of the property, it cannot be farmed effectively and since some of it is in the flood plane, the land cannot be developed as easily as other parcels nearby.  Therefore, the best course of action is to convert the site to a restored prairie.

This is a fairly recent picture of the site.  The land has since been planted with alfalfa.

In this image, the some alfalfa is growing, but there are "weeds" growing in the field as well.  This is because the alfalfa is primarily intended as a cheap ground cover and soil stabilizer.

What are the potential benefits of your plan?

Benefits to the Community:

Converting this site to a prairie would benefit the residents living east of the proposed restoration area because it offers a beautiful location for walking, jogging, and recreation.  The proximity of the restored prairie would make the adjacent neighborhood more attractive and increase the value of the residences.  People working in nearby offices will have an ideal location to take a lunch break.

Benefits to the landowner/developer:

The most important benefit of the prairie restoration is to encourage new native species of animals of birds.  This prairie will provide a habitat for several threatened species such as Preble's Meadow Jumping Mice, Burrowing Owls, and Piping Plovers.  Since these species are threatened (but not endangered), simply restoring a suitable habitat will hopefully be enough to attract these species. Predble's Meadow Jumping Mice are a threatened species that live in somewhat moist prairie areas, so a wetlands/prairie area will suit jumping mice well.  Burrowing Owls can fly, so they can live on this site even if adjacent land is unsuitable.  They feed on large bugs and small mammals (both of which should be available at this site).  Piping Plovers will be suitable for the site as well because of their ability to fly.  They generally live in sandy wetlands, which can hopefully be created around the water areas of the site.

The areas around the reservoirs could be restored to a wetlands area.

What ecological principles and information underlies your plan?

1. Native prairie grasses and other plants help to prevent soil errosion

2. Species variety encourages wildlife and prairie health

3. A dense prairie ecosystem helps reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (a perennial prairie has more biomass than annual crops)

Who owns/manages/uses the site and what are their needs or goals?

The site is currently owned by Chester Higgins.  He is currently trying to sell the land, for profit.  However, it is my goal to convince him that a prairie restoration would be a better and possibly more profitable alternative. HAVE YOU EMAILED/CONTACTED CHESTER? ATTACH EMAIL

What are the steps toward the ultimate goal?

1. Convince a developer of the benefits of the plan

       (See potential benefits section)

2. Help the developer apply for subsidies/tax benefits (See costs section)

    Conservation Easement

    Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 

3. Recruit friends and volunteers

4. Buy seeds and other materials

5. Maintainence

How much will each part cost?

Subsidies:

The site's value is about $800,000.  If the whole property was committed to nondevelpment by placing a conservaton easement on it, its value would be reduced to dry land farming agricultural value or about $1,500 an acre or $15,000 total value.  The landowner would get a Colorado tax credit tax deduction worth $375,000 and he would get a charitable deduction of about $785,000.  If the Owners marginal tax rate is 40% (federal and state tax rate combined) the value of the charitable donation would be $314,000 (785,000 * .4).  The combined tax benefit of placing the land in a conservation easement would be 375000 + 314000 or $689,000.  The owner takes a loss of $111,000; however a developer of an adjacent parcel could buy the property for $800,000 and take the $111,000 loss because having a permanent prairie nearby would increase the value of nearby land.  If may be difficult to place the land in a CRP program since it is so close to town, but if it did, this would increase the economic viability of the restoration. 

More information: http://www.revenue.state.co.us/fyi/html/income39.html

Seeds/Restoration:

Prairie Area: Blue Grama, Little Bluestem, Side Oats Grama: $800

Wetlands Area: Switch Grass, Common Reed $300

Total Seeds Cost: $1,100 (insignificant compared to other costs)

Who will do the work and how long will it take?

Myself, the landowner, friends and volunteers will make the restoration possible. ANY LEADS ON WHO MIGHT VOLUNTEER?  The project will probably take several days of work depending on how big of a tractor I can borrow. Since, I won't be living in Colorado during most of the year, I will need to find a volunteer interested in maintaining the prairie.

What will be the broader impact of your plan on the community?

The resoration will create an appropriate balance between city development and the need for open space.  The restoration will create an area for nearby residents to take walks and office tenants to take lunch breaks.

This picture was taken in the area designated as "Future Office Buildings" above.  It shows the site in relation to approaching development.

Benefits to Wildlife:

The landowner will benefit from the restoration because he will it will maximize his profit.  He can convince a developer(s) to buy a.  The landowner can also apply for subsidies from the government in order to buy supplies for the restoration.  Another benefits to the landowner is the knowledge that he has helped mother earth. THIS IS KNOWN AS MIDIGATION FOR DEVELOPMENT