The newly renamed Falls Creek Conservation Area is the focus of a restoration effort this summer. Formerly known as the Falls Creek Archaeological Area, this valley is located 3 miles north of Durango on the San Juan National Forest and is known for its rich heritage and scenery. These unique qualities are what led the Columbine Ranger District to finalize a long-awaited land acquisition of the 30-acre Zink property and a renaming of the area to focus on conservation of natural, historic, and archaeological resources.
The Falls Creek Conservation Area is being managed for three core values: water, archaeology, and wildlife, which drove the 1992 acquisition of the Hidden Valley property by the San Juan NF in partnership with La Plata Open Space Conservancy (LPOSC), Trust for Public Land, and the local community. The acquisition process, spearheaded by LPOSC prevented development of Hidden Valley and represents a community-driven conservation project of note.
The most recent addition to the San Juan National Forest’s Conservation Area is the 30-acre Ed and Patti Zink parcel.
The Zink acquisition project started in 2017 as a community-led effort, which local and national leaders alike have championed, to protect the Falls Creek Conservation Area’s values.
“In Colorado, public lands define our identity and drive our economy,” said U.S Senator Michael Bennet. “I am thankful for the leadership of the La Plata County, the Zink family, San Juan National Forest and the La Plata Open Space Conservancy for their work to ensure future generations of Coloradans will be able to enjoy wildlife and recreational opportunities on the Zink parcel. With this acquisition, we are expanding the San Juan National Forest, protecting more of Colorado’s natural habitat, and leaving our public lands in better shape for our kids and grandkids.”
Locally, county commissioners have long expressed their support for the land acquisition.
“The Falls Creek Area is very special to so many in La Plata County and we are pleased about this land acquisition,” said La Plata County Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton. “I commend the Zink family and the USFS, and others, including U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, for sticking with it, working out many complexities and keeping eyes on the prize — a contiguous USFS parcel that will be enjoyed by humans and wildlife for generations. This purchase is also very important to the residents in the Hidden Valley area who have done many conservation projects dating back to the 1960s. This is an example of what happens when the public and private sectors work together for the betterment of all.”
Following site visits and ongoing conversations and consultation with Tribes and Pueblos, as well as engagement with community partners, the Columbine District is stepping up to better protect Falls Creek after years of heavy recreational use without a designed and sustainable trail system.
“This is a special area, not only for water, wildlife habitat, and especially cultural resources, it also provides valuable recreation opportunities to the community.” said Columbine District Ranger Nick Glidden. “We need to strike a balance between conserving the values the community rallied to protect while providing sustainably designed recreation experiences and promoting an ethic of respect.” Long-term recreation plans will be developed under the newly proposed Durango Northwest Recreation Project.
Additional restoration work began in early May, with USFS staff and community naturalizing areas where visitors have developed off-trail routes, known as “social trails.” The numerous redundant routes negatively impacting sensitive resources. Throughout May and June, crews will be revegetating denuded areas and developing a barrier to guide users along the most sustainable travel corridors through the area. Partners in this critical project include National Forest Foundation, Southwest Conservation Corps, Trail Haus, and Durango Trails. The San Juan NF is partnering with Durango Trails for a volunteer event on June 14 from 9am-noon to involve the community in this important work. Sign up for Friday Trail Work at Falls Creek Trail System here.
One of the more sensitive natural areas in Falls Creek is the wetland complex., which is fed by runoff from the Falls Creek Watershed via the historic F Steineger Ditch. Each spring since 2016, San Juan National Forest hydrologists clean out the ditch and frequently monitor water levels to protect aging infrastructure while flood irrigating the wetland. The wetland complex allows the Forest Service to put a recently acquired senior water right to beneficial use in addition to providing critical wildlife habitat. Later this year, the San Juan NF will perform heavy ditch maintenance to repair failing portions, increase capacity in sediment-filled areas, and protect the existing infrastructure from vandalism.
For more information, please contact Columbine District Ranger Nick Glidden at Nicholas.glidden@usda.gov.
For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website.