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Natural Resources at Staunton State Park

Following several natural resource surveys and assessments conducted by teams of botanists, foresters, wildlife biologists and other specialists, it is clear that Staunton State Park has many important and significant natural resources.

The park resources are generally in very good condition, with some areas in exceptional condition. However some areas of the park show impacts from past land use activities such as logging and fire suppression, and from current issues such as noxious weed invasion and forests pests.

The wildlife resources at the park that are of particular interest include:

Raptor nests several birds of prey nest within the park including hawks, falcons and owls. Several surveys have been conducted within the park to document presence or absence of rare species. Park planning has already begin to establish what future management guidelines will be for protection of these key areas.
Old growth ponderosa pine habitat- some of the most dramatic old growth ponderosa pine forests along the Front Range lie within Staunton State Park. Threats from mountain pine beetle and wildfire exist for this stand. Great care is being exercised in the thinning of this resource to ensure that it is managed to be as resistant to insects, disease and fire as possible.

Aspen forests- aspen stands of any size are few and far between along the Front Range, and Staunton has two larger stands that provide very important habitat conditions for big game as well as neotropical migratory birds. Forest management activities are directed toward protecting and encouraging re-growth and expansion of existing aspen stands.
Native Plant Communities- Staunton has several intact native vegetation communities that represent a wide range of elevation gradients. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program has ranked two wetland communities as rare at Staunton. Additionally, two rare plants have been located within the park, both of which of major conservation value and concern and park planning will be based on protection of these resources.
Wildlife – Staunton provides habitat and is a movement corridor for many wildlife species. Mountain lions, bear, fox, turkey, elk, deer, migratory birds and other species have been documented. Surveys have been conducted for to document habitat for many of these species and potential habitat for lynx has been mapped within the park though no lynx have been documented within the park at this time.

The water resources at the park that are of particular interest include:

Elk creek falls- waterfalls are rare in Colorado, and elk creek falls is a special place that will undoubtedly be viewed by many visitors once the park opens.
Wet meadows- Staunton has a number of healthy meadow systems that provide important flood mitigation and habitat for many wildlife species and vegetation communities.

The geological resources at the park that are of particular interest include:

Large rock outcrops and cliffs- Lions Head and the other cliffs and outcrops provide dramatic views of the area, and will be a special place for hikers to rest and view the landscape.

There are also conditions at the park that threaten some of these resources. These conditions include:

Weed infestations and introductions of exotic species.

Development locations and recreational activities - recreation will be planned to ensure sustainable protection of resources such as the rare plants, raptor nests, intact vegetative communities, and wildlife corridors.

Mountain Pine Beetle- can quickly kill many of the old growth ponderosa pine trees in the southeast corner of the park.

Last Modified Date: 2/23/2010 5:01 PM