Kristy Burnett
Communications Manager
(970) 491-4920
Kristy.Burnett@colostate.edu
EAB is on the move along the Front Range, and with Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week taking place this week, partners with the Colorado Emerald Ash Borer Response Team are encouraging residents to prepare for EAB and ‘plant ahead’ for the inevitable.
More than half of all Coloradans live in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where homes and other structures meet wildland vegetation, and are at some risk of being affected by wildfire. An updated Home Ignition Zone guide from the Colorado State Forest Service can help these residents prepare their home and property for wildfire with practical steps and guidance.
Governor Jared Polis has signed a proclamation declaring this May as Wildfire Awareness Month, an annual observance to encourage residents to better prepare their homes and communities for wildfires. With about half of all Coloradans – about 3 million people – living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), it’s important for people to take action to reduce the risk wildfire poses to their homes and create more fire-adapted communities.
Colorado landowners who want to protect environmentally valuable private forest areas that could someday be threatened by development or conversion to other non-forest uses – and who desire to receive monetary compensation in the process – now have the opportunity to submit proposals to protect their forestlands.
Arbor Day in Colorado is celebrated on the third Friday in April. What is Arbor Day? Colorado State Forest Service director Mike Lester explains and also shares trivia about one of his favorite trees.
Spring is an ideal time to plant trees in Colorado, when new trees have the best chance of getting established. It is also the time of year Coloradans celebrate Arbor Day and recognize the importance of trees in their communities. With Colorado Arbor Day this Friday, April 16 and National Arbor Day on Friday, April 30, the Colorado State Forest Service is encouraging residents and communities to plant and celebrate trees.
The Colorado State Forest Service announced today that it is accepting proposals for FRWRM grants from Colorado HOAs, community groups, local governments, fire protection districts, utilities and nonprofit organizations seeking funding to improve forest health, conduct forest restoration and reduce wildfire risk on non-federal land in the state. In March, Governor Polis signed a bill (SB21-054) to transfer $6 million from the General Fund to the FRWRM grant program to address wildfire risk in Colorado. Approximately $6 million in total funding is available, and grant awards are available up to $1 million during this FRWRM grant cycle.
The Colorado State Forest Service has recognized Rose Banzhaf with its Volunteer of the Year award for 2020. Banzhaf has been instrumental in supporting the Colorado State Forest Service’s work with the Colorado Project Learning Tree (PLT) program.
The Colorado State Forest Service has recognized Eric Howell with its Partner of the Year award for 2020. Howell is the Forest Program Manager for Colorado Springs Utilities and the Deputy Administrator for the Colorado Springs Utilities Catamount Wildland Fire Team.
With spring around the corner, the Colorado State Forest Service is reminding residents that late winter or early spring is the best time to prune most trees. Trees are still dormant at this time of year and, unlike in early winter, wound closure will happen sooner if pruning occurs just prior to the time new growth emerges.
