Lazy D Ranch Forest Restoration

The Larimer Conservation District and the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed are partnering on this 50 acre forest restoration project at Lazy D Ranch, a 388 acre private property along Fish Creek and the S. Fork of the Cache la Poudre River near Pingree Park, CO. The forest type in the project area is ponderosa pine and dry mixed-conifer.

A whole tree removal treatment will reduce live tree densities to levels nearer historic norms, as well as removing a majority of dead and down fuels.

Forest restoration on the Lazy D Ranch will protect water quality in the South Fork, an important water supply for the City of Greeley, and will complement ongoing Cameron Peak Fire restoration work in the immediate area.

Project Status: In Progress

Timeline: 2022-2023

Project Benefits/Goals:

• Reduces forest density
• Reduces wildfire hazards
• Improves wildlife habitat
• Increases understory diversity
• Restores tree size and age class distribution closer to historic norms

Project Funders:

• Colorado State Forest Service
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
• City of Fort Collins
• City of Greeley
• Lazy D Ranch

Contacts:

• Dylan Alsbach, dylan@larimercd.org
• Gretchen Reuning, gretchen@larimercd.org
• Daniel Bowker, daniel@poudrewatershed.org