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Pitkin County conservation successes in 2024 total 1,142 acres
An open space donation – 240 acres near Marble.
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails is closing out 2024 with a 120-acre conservation effort in the pipeline, capping a remarkable year of land protection. In all, 1,142 acres will be protected through either an open space purchase or via a conservation easement initiated this year.
Open Space housing effort for the birds
A female, or perhaps juvenile, Mountain bluebird making use of a birdhouse at Glassier Open Space.
Ten new birdhouses. Six nests.
A year ago, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails built and placed 10 bluebird houses on a couple of open spaces. We targeted Mountain bluebirds, a species that has historically nested in tree cavities excavated by woodpeckers, but that will readily use a nest box that is appropriately sized and properly placed in their natural habitat.
The muskrat – nature’s unsung wetland contributor
A muskrat perches above the water on an early winter day at North Star.
One can only wonder how many visitors to North Star Nature Preserve have proclaimed “beaver!” at the sight of a brown, furry face cruising effortlessly through the water. Chances are they were actually watching a muskrat going about its business.
