Current Activities
- Weed Identification Workshops
- Dissemination of best weed
management practice information
- Helping interested individuals gain access to free or low-cost weed management tools
- Mountain
Pine Beetle education
Mission Statement
Promote the cooperation and collaboration of local residents, federal, state, and local agencies
and entities in efforts that enhance and preserve the ecological integrity of public and private lands in the Estes Valley and the
eastern perimeter of Rocky Mountain National Park. Such efforts shall encourage land stewardship practices that sustain plant communities
which provide wildlife habitat, aesthetic value, and help resist encroachment of invasive species.
History of ELSA
ELSA was formed
in 2007 to address environmental threats to the Estes Valley and other communities and locations important to the ecosystem on the
eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).
Description and Map of ELSA Boundary
The approximate boundaries for the Estes
Land Stewardship Area encompass 300 square miles and are as follows:
Eastern slope of RMNP on the west
Hwy 7 on the south
Larimer
County Rd 43 – Glenhaven to Drake on the north
Longitudinal line 105° 18' 45? (approximately Drake to Lyons) on the east
See below
for map area or click here to see a larger version of the map LARGER
ELSA BOUNDARY MAP.jpg
Current Involved Groups
ELSA is a multi-agency
group with representatives from:
HOA’s and private citizens
Conservation/Environmental Groups
Communities of Allenspark, Glenhaven,
Pinewood Springs
Town of Estes Park
Town of Lyons
Boulder County Parks and Open Space - Weed Management Division
Larimer County Weed
District
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Colorado State University Extension Service
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Colorado Department
of Transportation
Big Thompson Conservation District
Natural Resource Conservation Service
United States Forest Service – Canyon Lakes
District
Rocky Mountain National Park
ELSA Goals/Objectives
The establishment of a designated area encompassing gateway communities
to RMNP and public and private properties on the eastern fringe of the park would come with multiple objectives.
The initial and primary
objective will be to address the threat of noxious weeds invading the area and to stay compliant with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act.
As other needs become apparent the group can expand to include these issues.
ELSA will promote the awareness of invasive plant species
and their impacts through education and outreach efforts and by promoting the use of integrated weed management practices to prevent
the establishment of new populations, to contain, reduce, and/or eradicate current populations in order to preserve the ecological
integrity of this area.
This objective will be accomplished by:
Newsletter articles in local papers throughout the area.
Presentations
at meetings and events, and dissemination of educational literature pertaining to identification, impacts, and management of invasive
weed species threatening the area.
Sponsoring weed pull events, educational events, and plant identification hikes.
Site visits on
request from private property owners, to assist with plant identification and weed management recommendations.
Cost-share programs
to offset the cost of insect bio-control releases, herbicide application, mowing, seeding, and other integrated weed management practices.
