Colorado Open Lands
North Fork Valley:
Preserving Small-scale Agriculture and Natural Landscapes
Colorado Open Lands’ first conservation easement in the North Fork Valley was in 2001. In 2005, landowner interest began to grow, and we accepted three more conservation easement donations. With nine conservation easements planned to close in 2006, it was clear that there is a long term need for us in the area, and we decided to formalize the North Fork Valley as our 10th Community Conservation Area.
Also in 2006, we established a new partnership in Delta County with the Conservation Assistance Program (CAP), a joint effort sponsored by the Western Slope Environmental Resource Council and the Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C. The mission of CAP, under the direction of Susan Lohr, is to educate local landowners in the North Fork area about conservation easements, gauge their interest in donating conservation easements on their properties, and provide assistance as they move through the donation process.
Colorado Open Lands has completed 13 conservation easements protecting 2,192 acres of farm and ranch lands, natural wildlife habitat, and scenic open space in the North Fork Valley to date. In 2007, we are in the process of closing an additional 12 conservation easements protecting approximately 2,000 acres.
Significance
The drainage area of the North Fork of the Gunnison River is primarily public land, with a mosaic of private lands in small-scale agriculture, primarily native grass hay, vineyards and fruit orchards. There are also numerous old-fashioned "truck farms" that raise organic produce for farmers' markets from Vail to Telluride.
Most of the private land is already in smaller parcels than in many other rural areas of the state. The average farm size is between 40 and 100 acres, and 40 acres is considered a large orchard. Nonetheless, agriculture is sustainable and actually increasing in viability, due to the creative marketing efforts of several co-ops and some nationally recognized food writers.
This mosaic of farms, ranches and orchards in the North Fork has pleasing scenic values, and there is a resurgence of interest by people who want to earn their living from "boutique" farming. Consequently, agricultural acreage in the Valley is increasing, and many NRCS programs bring efficient irrigation and cultivation practices to landowners as part of the Upper Colorado River Salinity Control Project.
The Valley also has excellent wildlife and ecosystem values. The watercourses that collect on the high mesas and then cut through steep canyons to the high-gradient North Fork River provide an unusually diverse biota for the high-desert environment. Vegetation is lush due to numerous springs in the canyon walls, and the resulting wildlife habitat hosts numerous resident and migrant species that are naturally uncommon and have relatively small ranges.
A large association (more than 2500 animals) of elk herds moves relatively freely from Grand Mesa to Black Mesa, even with two state highways (133 and 92) and more than 3,000 human residents in the area. However, development of rural acreage into 5-acre or smaller parcels is threatening the ease with which these elk herds can migrate.
Some important facts about the Valley include:
- The North Fork Valley was one of the first fruit-growing regions of Colorado.
- There is a direct connection in the Valley with the international "Slow Food" movement, and well-managed farms of 65 acres are viable economically.
- The Upper Gunnison Basin includes the North Fork of the Gunnison River (North Fork Valley) and is the only major watershed not tapped by metropolitan water concerns to the east.
- The Valley is an extremely important breeding, migration and wintering-over area for a diversity of raptors such as Golden and Bald Eagles, American Kestrels, Sharp-shinned and Cooper Hawks, Northern Goshawks, Peregrine and Prairie falcons, Swainson’s Hawk and Northern Harrier. Ferruginous and Rough-legged hawks also use the Valley, and are both species of special concern nationally and to Colorado.
- Side canyons in the Valley are heavily used by songbirds, including warblers and the Gray Flycatcher.
- The Raggeds Wilderness, West Elk Wilderness, Black Mesa of the Black Canyon National Park, and the Grand Mesa surround the North Fork Valley.
Threats and Impacts
With unusually lenient land use regulations, Delta County has seen an acceleration of minor subdivisions. Gunnison and Montrose Counties also have permissive regulations. Thirty-five acre or smaller parcels in Delta County can be subdivided into three parcels through the Minor Subdivision process as long as road access and water are available. Then these three smaller parcels can be subdivided yet again (and again and again…).
As the region also becomes a wine producing area and sustainable farming and green industry increases, tourism has begun to develop, bringing more people to the area. Rural real estate values increased 27% just in 2006, on top of the 25% increase in values that was experienced in 2005.
These ongoing development pressures mean that significant changes are occurring, including:
- Fragmentation and loss of wildlife habitat;
- Fragmentation of the elk migration corridor between Grand Mesa, West Elk Wilderness and Black Canyon National Park;
- Fragmentation of open spaces; and
- Degradation of the rural character of the area.
What Colorado Open Lands is Doing
As a result of the combined efforts of conservation organizations, corporate partners and government agencies in the area, many landowners are learning more about conservation easements and the Colorado tax credit program, and expressing sincere interest in protecting their properties in perpetuity.
Colorado Open Lands is continuing its partnership with the Conservation Assistance Program to educate and engage local landowners in Delta, Gunnison and Montrose Counties who are interested in selling or donating conservation easements on their properties.
Partners
Our partners in the North Fork Valley include:
- Local landowners
- Conservation Assistance Program
- Black Canyon Land Trust
- Colorado Conservation Trust (technical support)
- North Fork River Improvement Association
- United Companies [gravel]
- Army Corps of Engineers
How You Can Help
Your support is critical to our ongoing success in helping willing Colorado landowners preserve and protect the great natural, cultural, and working landscapes of Colorado. You can help support this project and Colorado Open Lands’ ongoing efforts by:
- Making an online donation
- Sending your donation to:
- Colorado Open Lands
274 Union Boulevard, Suite 320
Lakewood, CO 80228
303.988.2373
- Colorado Open Lands
- Funding or donating items listed on our Wish List! To accomplish our mission of land preservation, it is necessary to have the right tools. By donating either the item or the money necessary to purchase any of the items, you help ensure our ongoing effectiveness and efficiency.
- Consider putting a conservation easement on your land.
Project Descriptions
Colorado Open Lands has completed 13 conservation easements protecting 2,192 acres of farm and ranch lands, natural wildlife habitat, and scenic open space in the North Fork Valley to date.
Click here to view completed projects list.
Ninety-eight percent of our revenue goes directly to our land conservation programs.