Swanson Ranch Forest Restoration

 

Project Background

The Swanson Ranch is a 510 acre private property in Red Feather Lakes, CO.

The primary project objectives of this mechanical forest restoration treatment include: forest health restoration, wildfire mitigation, habitat and diversity improvement, protecting water quality, and protecting WUI infrastructure.

The 200 acre mechanical forest restoration treatment unit is near South Lone Pine Creek, an important water supply for the City of Greeley, which serves approx. 140,000 people. Mitigating wildfire risk on these properties will directly protect this vital water supply.

 

What is mechanical forest restoration?

Mechanical forest restoration involves using heavy forestry equipment to greatly reduce tree densities across all size classes, and increase the size and frequency of forest openings.

 

Partners

Project Funders

  • Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS)

  • Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS)

Project Goals

  • Forest health restoration

  • Wildfire mitigation

  • Habitat and diversity improvement

  • Protecting water quality

  • Protecting WUI infrastructure

Total project area: 200 acres

Timeline: Spring 2022- Fall 2023