Contact Information Contact Information
Dept Director
- John Stokes
- bmF0dXJhbGFyZWFzQGZjZ292LmNvbQ==
- 970.416.2815
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (M-F, except for holidays)
Natural Areas Newsletter Natural Areas Newsletter
Before You Go: Check Trail & Parking Conditions
- Natural Areas Trail Conditions webpage
- COTREX (Statewide trails and local conditions)
- Facebook (Facebook.com/FCNaturalAreas)
- Twitter (@FCNaturalAreas)
- Call an on-duty Ranger, 970-416-2147
The busiest times at natural areas are weekends, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., so try visiting earlier or later, or on weekday mornings for the best chance at parking. Have an alternate destination in-mind. When parking lots are full try another trailhead or come back another time. Avoid a parking ticket! Only park in designated spaces.
Connect People to Nature & Provide Habitat
Nature in the City helps to fund projects that will bring natural spaces into your neighborhood and community. In 2021 grant funds will be available:
-
Dream it Up: Planning Grant applications open September 15, 2020 for funds in 2021. Funding awards up to $5,000 will be available to help transform your inspired ideas into ready to go projects.
- Go to the “Apply” page to learn more!
- Join the virtual Q&A session on September 30, 5:30 pm (Details forthcoming)
- Residential Scale Projects will be offered through a partnership with the City’s Utilities Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP).
Funds to bring planning ideas to life will be offered 2022 with the Make it Happen: Implementation Grant application opening fall/winter 2021.
Need some inspiration? In 2020 Nature in the City awarded $145,000 worth of funding towards 16 implementation projects and 2 planning projects for increasing nature throughout Fort Collins! Check out some of past Nature in the City projects here!
This grant opportunity is possible thanks to the voter-approved Community Capital Improvement Program. Thank you for your support!
Natural Areas' Response
Natural Area sites are open, rangers are on-duty, and the community is encouraged to enjoy and steward these treasured places.
Natural Areas' headquarters, Nix (1745 Hoffman Mill Rd) is closed to the public but staff remains available via phone and email.
Natural Areas picnic shelters that accommodate less than 50 people are open on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will not be accepted at Gateway Natural Area’s picnic shelters until further notice.
Learning Library
Free activities and resources for educators, families, and individuals are available! Engage in the outdoors in a new way with a Discovery Hunt, clear your mind with outdoor mindfulness activities, or learn about some of the animals that live in natural areas right from your computer.
The Explorer is Here!
Check out an entire season of free activities in the Natural Areas Explorer booklet. Some activities are virtual and some are offered in-person (with limited registration numbers, strict mask requirements, and physical distancing), so read carefully. You can also find upcoming activities at fcgov.com/register (links to Engage, the City's online registration system).