The Conservancy in Colorado created the Center for Conservation Science and Strategy bringing together stakeholders, experts and the best information to address these important issues:
Measuring Conservation Success—How successful are our conservation efforts in Colorado? Where do we need to be focusing more of our efforts? In collaboration with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, we are developing a Measures of Conservation Success assessment that shows which species and ecosystems need more protection.
Forests—How can we catalyze a massive increase in forest restoration to improve the health of our forestes and protect communities and conservation values from catastrophic wildfire? The Front Range Roundtable catalyzes efforts to reduce wildfire and improve forest health, and has spurred efforts such as the Upper Monument Creek Landscape Restoration Initiative.
Conservancy science is helping to strategically prioritize forest restoration activities, such as
prescribed fire, on the Front Range.
Water—How can we protect rivers and streams while meeting the needs of people in Colorado? The Healthy Rivers Assessment provides an index of the current state of freshwater ecosystems in Colorado. This work can serve as a resource for practitioners, managers, and decision makers to identify watersheds where protection and restoration opportunities are most critical for freshwater conservation outcomes.
Energy—How can we reduce the footprint of oil and gas and renewable energy development? Colorado is a key location for energy development—the Conservancy's Development by Design approach helps to guide decisions that avoid, minimize and mitigate environmental damage. See the report Colorado: Mountains to Plains: Energy by Design.
Climate—The Conservancy, in collaboration with the Gunnison Climate Working Group, has completed a vulnerability assessment to identify which species and ecosystems of the Upper Gunnison Basin will be affected by projected changes and why. The Group is piloting an on-the-ground climate adaptation project to enhance the resilience of riparian habitats in sagebrush shrublands. This is a project of the Southwest Climate Change Initiative, which provides information and tools to conservation practitioners for climate adaptation in vulnerable landscapes.
