Bees are important to our ecosystem. As pollinators, they are essential to the growth of the fruits and vegetables we eat. But bees are disappearing. Increased urban development means less habitat and fewer of the native plants that bees rely on. Pesticides, disease, and climate change are also factors. So Colorado State University is sponsoring […]
Tag: ecology
Identifying Ash Trees
The spread of emerald ash borer (EAB) is a growing concern here in Colorado. This invasive insect was first detected in the United States in 2002 and “is now considered the most destructive tree insect pest ever to be introduced into North America,” according to the Colorado State Forest Service. It was first seen in […]
May is American Wetlands Month
Wetlands and riparian areas are important parts of our ecosystem. They provide for a diverse array of fish and wildlife species and vegetation, provide protection from erosion, help mitigate floods and drought, naturally decompose organic waste, and even help purify the air. According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), May marks American Wetlands Month, […]
New Report on the Health of Colorado’s Forests
How did the 2018 fire season affect our state’s forests? What impacts are insects having on our trees? And what can the State of Colorado do to protect our natural resources? All of these questions are explored in a new report from the Colorado State Forest Service released this month. Each year the Forest Service, […]
How Colorado Keeps Its Waters Full of Fish
Not all of Colorado’s fishes are born in the waters they call home. Each year, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) breeds over 90 million fish in 19 hatcheries across the state. These fish are then distributed to waters around Colorado. There are two main reasons for fish stocking — one is to provide more fish […]
Why are Colorado’s Deer Populations Declining?
According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW), the state’s current mule deer population of around 450,000 is about 25% below their objective. Populations have been declining over the last several decades due to human population growth resulting in habitat loss and vehicle collisions, as well as other factors like climate change, malnutrition, diseases like chronic […]
2018 is Year of the Bird
All this year, conservation and wildlife organizations across the US have been celebrating Year of the Bird, a campaign to bring awareness to the importance of birds and to celebrate the centennial of the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Here in our state, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) is participating in Year of […]
Should Wolves be Reintroduced in Colorado?
If wolves were reintroduced in our state, would they benefit the environment or be a nuisance for ranchers? In spite of a 2016 resolution passed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife stating that wolves would not be purposefully reintroduced into the state (although those that wander here on their own won’t be removed), the debate continues. […]
Time Machine Tuesday: Biodiversity
Did you know that today, May 22, is International Day for Biological Diversity? Biological diversity – usually shortened to “biodiversity” – refers to the variety of species and natural processes in an ecosystem. As habitats are reduced by development and increased human habitation, some species of plants and animals are pushed out or become endangered, […]
Colorado Grasslands
On the plains of Colorado, grassland ecosystems provide habitats for many species of plants and animals. Yet increased human migration and development is causing the disappearance of much of the state’s historic grasslands. Some, however, have been protected, such as the Pawnee and Comanche National Grasslands, which draw visitors to experience nature and learn about […]
Time Machine Tuesday: The Colorado Conservation Commission
“It is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests, and […]
Gardening with Native Plants
Spring is coming, and as you begin planning your yard and garden, consider the benefits of using native plants. Native plant species are a good choice because they are adapted to Colorado’s climate and soil, so can be easy to grow here in Colorado. Native plants are also good for water conservation, as they are […]
Conserving Colorado's Rare Plants
Endangered species conservation isn’t just about animals — plant species often become rare and endangered as well. Colorado is home to a number of rare plants that various state agencies, including the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and Colorado State University’s Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) have been working to […]
Colorado's Biodiversity
The concept of biodiversity refers to conservation of plant and animal species in their natural environments to ensure a wide variety of species in an ecosystem. Having a rich biodiversity means plants and animals can serve each other as nature intended. Biodiversity studies explore habitat loss, threatened and endangered species, and conservation of ecosystems. Two […]
Don't Release Non-Native Species into the Wild
Have you ever seen a tropical bird flying around Denver, or caught a strange-looking fish in a mountain stream? It happens — but it shouldn’t. Sometimes people think releasing an animal back into the wild is a kind way of letting it go free — but this is far from the truth. In fact, when […]
Dying Trees and the State of Colorado Forests
If a tree dies in the forest does anyone notice? The Colorado State Forest Service does. The 2011 Report on the Health of Colorado’s Forests has just been released. If you’ve driven up to the high country lately you may have noticed large swaths of red colored pines where there used to be pre-dominately green […]
Miller Moths
This year is an especially heavy year for miller moths. Millers migrate in the late spring/early summer from the plains to the mountains, passing through the Front Range on their way. Moths often get into homes and cars and, although they can be a nuisance, miller moths don’t eat household furnishings and they don’t reproduce […]
Prairie Dogs
As more and more land gets developed, these cute little critters are becoming endangered. Because prairie dogs are (or at least, used to be) one of the most visible species of wildlife along the front range, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has published a number of guides to these little animals. Available from our library: […]
Amphibians and Reptiles
Did you know Colorado is home to a variety of frogs, toads, and other amphibians? You can find out all about them in some of the publications available in our library and on the web, including Quick Key to Amphibians and Reptiles of Colorado Hip on Herps: Colorado’s Reptiles and Amphibians Colorado Herpetofaunal Atlas Colorado’s […]
Garden Butterflies
This is the time of year when yards and gardens are filled with bees, birds, and butterflies. I have seen a number of large yellow butterflies this month, and they look so pretty flitting through the colorful gardens blooming in the summertime. The CSU Cooperative Extension has produced a publication called Attracting Butterflies to the […]