While the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is focusing on ungulate habitat (specifically mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep) in their Study, the WBI Science Team is also concerned with other ecological important species in the Watershed. To that end, WBI is facilitating complementary studies on black bear, beaver, bird, and pollinator (bee and butterfly) habitat as well as wetland habitat as a whole.
Experts recognize that diminishing large mammal populations are likely paralleled among smaller mammals, birds, and even insect pollinators. Native plant communities are the starting point for investigating biodiversity and issues of concern and then strategizing to protect, restore and reconnect landscape scale swaths of habitat.
WBI is collaborating on the following additional projects:
In partnership with CNHP and the Environmental Protection Agency, WBI is collaborating on a comprehensive wetland and riparian mapping study that will complement the CNHP ungulate habitat Study.
WBI is working with The Sierra Club to apply a Beaver Restoration Analysis Tool to the Roaring Fork Watershed and has established a beaver receiving site in the Capitol Creek corridor.
WBI is working with the Roaring Fork Audubon Society on an indicator bird survey of the Watershed.
WBI is collaborating with the Independence Pass Foundation on a pollinator study.
WBI is also incorporating black bear data from Colorado Parks & Wildlife into the overall watershed habitat study.
While mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep are the primary focus of WBI’s Study, increased scientific understanding of the habitat challenges of these other important indicator species will further enhance wildlife conservation and management efforts throughout the Watershed.