Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2023 10 11

Home Browse Search

Open Space Advisory Board Information Item 7: Staff Updates Continued July 12, 2023 Page 2 of 3 Natural Resources: 1. Cattle are off of North Open Space and have completed grazing on the central pasture at the interior of the property. 2. Cattle are being moved from the southwest corner of Davidson Mesa to the eastern pastures near the DOLA and the WUI neighborhoods off of McCaslin Blvd. Cattle grazing will be finished across all properties on 10/5/23. 3. Goats are on their way to North Open Space; arrival is TBD but project will begin and commence in October. 4. Staff is presenting at a Grassland outreach event on 10/7/2023, focused on grassland ecology, wildfire science, management and mitigation in collaboration with the Boulder Watershed Collective and Louisville Fire Protection District. 5. Herbicide applications will occur on select Open Space properties in early October. The applications will focus on high -priority areas for perennial weeds. 6. Prairie Dog Management will continue throughout October including flushing and relocation work on Davidson Mesa and Hecla Lake Open Spaces. 7. Staff will be meeting with the Conservation Easement Stewardship Specialist at Boulder County to review and discuss their program. Resource Protection: 1. Rangers played a key role in the safe, successful capture and relocation of a mama black bear and her cub on 9/13/2023. Rangers were first on scene and coordinated with the Police Department and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to maintain scene safety and tranquilize the bears. 2. Rangers have noted an increase in contacts with contractors who are accessing work sites by driving through Open Space. Rangers educate contractors about proper permitting procedures, collaborate with other staff to set timelines and methods for restoring damage, and issue warnings and citations as necessary. 3. Senior Ranger Naturalist White-Patarino completed van driving training. He will take Louisville plein air artists on a unique excursion to paint pictures of the old windmill on the jointly -owned Warembourg property at Dillon Road and 96t" Street. Education/Volunteer: 1. Staff is working with a school group from Mackintosh Academy for a trash pick-up on Harper Lake on 10/6/2023. Education Events Upcoming: 1. Saturday, 10/7/2023, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, Louisville Grasslands Field Tour. Davidson Mesa Open Space. 9