Board hears Button Rock stewardship update; staff seeks capacity to scale wildfire work

Staff introduced Liz, the water‑resources forestry technician, who briefed the board on stewardship and wildfire‑risk reduction work at Button Rock Preserve and adjacent watershed areas.

Liz summarized maps showing areas of very high burn probability and expected fire intensity around the reservoir and explained that the preserve’s work focuses on watershed protection, ecological health and reducing wildfire risk. She said about a thousand acres have been treated since 2004, with roughly 320 acres treated since 2021. Grants have supported much of the work: Liz said between 2004 and 2022 the program received about $600,000 in grants and that in the last two years grant awards rose to about $1.3 million.

The presentation described techniques used, including pile burning for slash removal in zones where heavy machinery cannot operate, partner work with Larimer County Conservation Corps and Boulder County Youth Corps, and small‑scale restoration and monitoring. Liz said the team is seeking additional grant funding and requested support for a full‑time forestry staff position to increase capacity for post‑treatment restoration, monitoring and partner coordination.

Quote: Liz explained the program goals: "Main thing is water watershed protection, reducing that wildfire risk, and then also focusing on the ecological health in the area." (Paraphrase and selective quote from the meeting.)

Next steps: staff will continue applying for grants and, if awarded, seek to fill a dedicated forestry position to expand treatment and post‑treatment work; the board asked for periodic updates and for staff to include funding sources in future briefings.