The Chico Basin ProjectMeasures of Conservation Success

he Chico Basin area is a large,relatively unfragmented landscape

of shortgrass and sandsage prairie. Anarea pressured by a range of threats,including primary home developmentand associated roads and utilities, theChico Basin has been identified byThe Nature Conservancy as a primaryproject area for its conservation efforts.This document describes the work theConservancy in partnership with privatelandowners and public agencies is doingto conserve this important area.

What We Want to Conserve

Chico Basin supports outstandingexamples of native sandsage and short-grass prairie, wetlands, riparian systems,imperiled species and a host of animalspecies that are declining, such asMountain Plover and swift fox.

Conservation Vision

The long-term vision is that the ChicoBasin, and the people who depend onand enjoy the landscape, will flourish ina diverse and healthy prairie system ableto support the streams, wetlands, plantsand animals that call it home.

T

The wide open sandsage prairie of the Chico Basin.

Science guides our work in the ChicoBasin. This document highlightskey features of the biodiversity in theChico Basin area, the challenges totheir successful conservation, andways of measuring the progresstoward effective conservation. Theproject planning process used togenerate this report was developedby The Nature Conservancy based on50 years experience in conservation.To fulfill our long-term vision andachieve our goals, the Conservancyemploys an integrated conservationprocess called Conservation byDesign. This living process identifiesthe key places where conservationneeds to occur (or will be most suc-cessful), develops strategies, involvestaking action, and measures successof the effort and outcomes. Thisprocess is adaptable over time anduses the measures of progress andsuccess to stimulate continued think-ing and actions for conservation.

Conservation by DesignThrough Conservation by Design, acommon vision is created to ensurethe long-term survival of nativespecies and natural communities.This process focuses attention onkey issues including the biodiversitystatus, degree of threats and progresstoward conservation. Such informa-tion, when available, empowers peo-ple from all walks of life to discuss,interact, and consider alternativeways of acting on behalf of nature.Nothing could be more fundamental

to fostering a high standard ofsustainable living and successfulconservation than having objectivestatus information to inform individ-ual and group decisions. The NatureConservancy hopes that you will findthis report informative and that itwill inspire you to take a stronginterest in the ecological health ofthe landscape in which we work andlive. Good decisions about the futurewill depend on it.

Conservation PlanningThe Conservancy uses conservationplans to develop site-specificconservation strategies and preparefor taking action and measuringsuccess. These plans follow whatwe call the 5-S Framework:

� SYSTEMS. The conservationplanning team identifies thespecies and natural communi-ties that will be the focus ofconservation for the area. Todo so, biodiversity lists devel-oped during the ecoregionalassessment are modified toinclude site-specific priorities.

� STRESSES. The team determineshow ecological systems arecompromised; by habitatreduction or fragmentation,or by changes in the numberor type of species, or by alter-ation of ecological processessuch as fire and hydrology.

Chico BasinProject Area

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The Chico Basin Project Area is withinthe Central Shortgrass Prairie ecoregion.

The highest ranking sources of stress,or “critical threats,” are

1. Residential home development

2. Development of roadsand utility corridors

3. Regional highways

� SOURCES. The team will thenidentify and rank the causes, orsources, of stress for each ecologi-cal system or key species. Theanalysis of stresses and sourcestogether make up the threatassessment.

� STRATEGIES. An important stepin the process is finding practicalcooperative ways to mitigate oreliminate the identified threatsand enhance biodiversity.

� SUCCESS. Each plan outlinesmethods for assessing our effec-tiveness in reducing threats andimproving biodiversity—usuallyby monitoring progress towardestablished biological and pro-grammatic goals.

� SITUATION. An understanding ofthe cultural, political and econom-ic situation behind the threats tobiodiversity is essential for devel-oping sound strategies. Thishuman context is often referred toas the sixth “S”.

Site DescriptionThe Chico Basin is a vast region ofintact sandsage and shortgrass prairieharboring native wildlife and severalrare species, most notably the mountainplover. While the Chico Basin is closeto the sprawling communities ofColorado Springs and Pueblo, a trip tothe Chico Basin is reminiscent of thepast. Cattle are now the grazers of thislandscape rather than enormous herdsof bison. However, many of the otherspecies from that time, antelope, prairiedogs, and numerous prairie birds, stillcall the Chico Basin home.

Critical ThreatsThe conservation targets are threatenedby multiple stresses, which can acttogether to effect the viability orintegrity of each ecological system.Based on surveys, interviews with landmanagers, ecoregional assessmentinformation and personal observations,we ranked the main sources of stressfor each conservation target (see chartof “Threats to Conservation Systems”on page 9).

Key Conservation Targets

RARE OR DECLINING ANIMALS

� Cassin’s Sparrow� Brewer’s Sparrow� Mountain Plover� Black-tailed prairie dog� Swift fox� Arkansas darter� Plains leopard frog

RARE PLANTS

� Plains ragweed

ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

� Sandsage prairie� Shortgrass prairie� Mid-grass prairie� Arid shrublands� Greasewood shrublands� Wetlands and seeps� Playas� Chico Creek riparian areas

Photo © Gifford Ewing

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ConservationAction

Planning

DevelopingStrategies and

Measures

Definingthe Project

ImplementingStrategies and

Measures

Using Results to Adapt

and Improve

The highest ranking sources of stress,or “critical threats” were:

1. Residential home development

2. Development of roads and utilitycorridors

3. Regional highways

These threats have direct and indirectimpacts on terrestrial and freshwaterbiodiversity in the Chico Basin.For example, residential home devel-opment, including associated roads,removes and creates smaller patchesof habitat for prairie species such asmountain plover. The Chico Basin isclose to several large metropolitanareas including Colorado Springs andPueblo. Expanding human populationsand residential development along theFront Range lead to the increasingprobability of major highway proposals,such as the proposed toll road, beingconsidered within and adjacent to theChico Basin.

In addition, some threats are localizedin scope or only affect one conserva-tion target. For example, plague onlyaffects black-tailed prairie dogs. Alsodigging and/or berming is a threat tothe integrity of playas.

Conservation ObjectivesThe conservation goals for the ChicoBasin Conservation Area are to main-tain the viability or integrity of theconservation targets and abate thethreats to those targets.

Objective 1: Through 2015, elimi-nate the impacts of the proposed tollroad in the Chico Basin. If the tollroad or any other major highway isallowed within the Chico Basin,minimize fragmentation and maximizepermanent protection to biodiversity.

Objective 2: By 2015, permanentlyprotect/conserve at least 300,000acres in a functional prairie land-scape—at least 80,000 shortgrass,70,000 sandsage, 30,000 midgrass,12,000 arid shrublands, approximately100 miles of stream and 5,000acres greasewood with associatedwetlands—and at least 240 playas.

Objective 3: By 2015, reduceinvasive animal threats such that theydo not impact the viability of aquaticbiodiversity.

Objective 4: By 2015, ensure 10,000acres of prairie dog complexes existin the Chico Basin and are connectedthroughout the Chico Basin area.

Photo © Mark Godfrey/TNC

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Long Term Ecological Goals

� Conserve at least 300,000 acres as afunctional prairie landscape.� Conserve at least 80,000 acres inone patch of shortgrass prairie.

� Conserve at least 70,000 acres inone patch of sandsage prairie.

� Conserve at least 10,000 acres ofprairie dog complex.

� Conserve at least 30,000 acres ofmidgrass prairie.

� Conserve at least 12,000 acres ofarid shrubland.

� Conserve at least 5,000 acres ofgreasewood shrubland.

� Conserve at least 80 percent of the300 playas surrounded by nativeprairie found in the northeastportion of the site.

� Conserve all portions of Chico Creekdownstream from Hanover Road(intact riparian areas, seeps and springs).

� Maintain viable Arkansas darterpopulation(s).

Black-tailed prairie dog

Conservation StrategiesTo achieve the aforementionedobjectives, The Nature Conservancywill work with its partners to under-take the following strategic actions.

Strategic Action 1

PROTECT KEY AREAS OF PUBLICAND PRIVATE LAND� Protect approximately 100,000

acres of private land in conserva-tion easements that add up to atotal of 300,000 contiguous acresprotected/conserved.

� Obtain county designation of ChicoBasin core area as open space/ruraland require land use planning thatreduces impacts to core area.

� Educate key community leadersabout the values and global signif-icance of Chico Basin so that theysupport the project goals.

� Facilitate the consolidation ofState Land Board properties tostrategically meet ecological goals.

� Influence disposition of State LandBoard property within Chico Basinarea to protect key biodiversity.

� Apply Farm Bill and other stateand federal resources within ChicoBasin core area, especially to pro-tect playas, mid-grass prairie andgreasewood.

� Maintain intact areas of PuebloChemical Depot as open space toprotect Chico Creek and prairie dogs.

Strategic Action 2

MINIMIZE IMPACTS FROM ANYMAJOR NEW ROADS, SUCH ASTOLL ROADS

� Work with the state legislature andothers to prevent new highways,such as the proposed toll road, in theChico Basin, and/or any impacts.

� If a new highway is planned, workwith Colorado Department ofTransportation to assess andminimize the impacts fromon-ramp/off-ramp placement.

� Ensure mitigation of any new high-ways, resulting in maximal protec-tion of biodiversity at one site.

Strategic Action 3

MAINTAIN AND RESTOREAQUATIC AND RIPARIAN HABITAT

� The Conservancy, in partnershipwith the Colorado Division ofWildlife, State Land board and theDepartment of Defense, will mini-mize impact on aquatic biodiversity.

Strategic Action 4

MAINTAIN AND RESTOREPRAIRIE DOG COMPLEXES

� Design prairie dog habitat com-plex, especially connections.

� Permanently protect/conserve10,000 acres of prairie dogcomplexes.

The mission of The Nature

Conservancy is to preserve the

plants, animals and natural

communities that represent the

diversity of life on Earth by

protecting the lands and waters

they need to survive.

Photo © Harold E. Malde

Chico Basin prairie

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Photo © TNC

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Turkey roost.

Measuring our Success

Two fundamental questions facing any conservation project team are: “How is the biodiversity doing” and “Are theconservation actions we are taking having the intended impact?” To answer these questions, we evaluate a number ofindicators that gauge the status of biodiversity and critical threats. Tracking progress toward our goals and evaluatingthe effectiveness of our actions provide feedback we need to adjust our priorities and strategies. Measuring resultscloses the loop of our conservation approach.

Overview of Priority Measures — Framework for the Chico Basin Conservation Area.

INDICATORSTHREAT MONITORING

1. Residential Development � Permanently protected private land acres.� Proportion of area in incompatible land use.

2. Roads and Utilities � Fragmentation index.3. Major New Roads, such as Toll Road � Are biodiversity values being considered in planning for current

road projects (including toll road)?� Fragmentation index.

4. Groundwater Withdrawal � Height and fluctuation of groundwater table.� Chico Creek hydrologic integrity index

PROGRESS MONITORING

5. Minimizing Impacts of � Legislation that eliminates or minimizes impactsany Major New Roads of toll road or other major bypass road.

VIABILITY MONITORING

6. Playas � Number and size of playas.7. Rare Animals (Arkansas � Presence of Arkansas darter.

darter, Mountain Plover) � Presence of non-native fish in Chico Creek.� Number of breeding pairs of Mountain Plovers.

8. Prairie Landscape � Size of pronghorn population.� Size of mid-grass prairie.� Size of intact prairie.

9. Prairie Dog Complexes � Acres of occupied prairie dog towns.

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Biodiversity Viability orIntegrity Ranking SystemThe viability or integrity of the selectedconservation elements were assigned arank using a four-level scale. The viabilityor integrity ranking system uses simplecategorical ranks, as follows:

VERY GOOD. The factor is functioningat its ecologically desirable status andrequires little human intervention.

GOOD. The factor is functioning withinits range of acceptable variation.However, it may require some humanintervention to maintain this status.

FAIR. The factor lies outside of its rangeof acceptable variation and requireshuman intervention. If un-checked, thetarget will be vulnerable to seriousdegradation.

POOR. Allowing the factor to remain inthis condition for an extended periodwill make restoration or preventingextirpation practically impossible.

Integrity/Viability CriteriaThe assessment of viability or integrity isbased on three criteria:

SIZE. This is a measure of the area orabundance of the conservation target orelement’s occurrence. For ecological sys-tems and communities, size is simply ameasure of the occurrence’s geographiccoverage. For species, size takes intoaccount the area of occupancy andnumber of individuals. Minimumarea needed to ensure survival or re-establishment after natural disturbanceis another aspect of size.

CONDITION. This is an integratedmeasure of the composition, structureand biotic interactions that characterizethe occurrence. This includes factorssuch as reproduction, age structure, bio-logical composition (e.g., presence ofnative versus non-native species;presence of characteristic patch typesfor ecological systems), structure(e.g., canopy, understory, and ground-cover in a forested community) andbiotic interactions (e.g., levels ofcompetition, predation, and disease).

LANDSCAPE CONTEXT. This is anintegrated measure of two factors:connectivity and the dominant environ-mental regimes and processes thatestablish and maintain the elementoccurrence. Dominant environmentalregimes and processes include herbivory,hydrologic and water chemistry regimes(surface and groundwater), geomorphicprocesses, climatic regimes (temperatureand precipitation), fire regimes andother kinds of natural disturbance.Connectivity includes such factors asspecies having access to habitats andresources needed for life cycle comple-tion, fragmentation of ecological systemsand the ability to respond to environ-mental change through dispersal,migration, or re-colonization.

Threat Ranking GuidelinesThreats are composed of stresses andsources of stress (or “sources”). A stressis defined as a process or event withdirect negative consequences on the bio-diversity (e.g., alteration of water flowinto a marsh). The source of stress is theaction or entity that produces a stress

(e.g., channel building). The planningteam must identify and rank the stressesand sources for each of the species andecological systems. Guidelines forselection and ranking of stresses andsources are below.

The stress ranks and source ranks:1) help elucidate the factors influencingthat species and ecological systems andsubsequently, the necessary conservationstrategies, and 2) contribute to the analy-sis of threats for the conservation area.The stress and source rankings are ana-lyzed together via computer to providethreat ranks for the element.

Stresses are ranked based on the severityand scope of damage expected within 10years under the current circumstances.Sources of stress are ranked based on theexpected contribution of the sources andthe irreversibility of the impact.

The threat rank is a summary ranking ofall ways that a target is stressed by aparticular threat. For example, waterdiversions may affect several aspects of aconservation target, a given stream reachin this case, including both riparian andaquatic condition. All these aspects arecombined into an overall threat rank fora particular source (i.e., operation ofdams) to all ecological systems.

The overall threat status of each conser-vation target, the last row in the threatstable Page 9, is an assessment of thecombination of all threats. A ranking isdetermined using a “2 prime rule” suchthat 2 ranks of very high yield an overallthreat rank of very high and that 1 highand 2 mediums yield an overall threatrank of medium.

Bush morning glory and sand sage

Photo © Steve Kettler

Viability or Integrity Summary

LANDSCAPE VIABILITY/INTEGRITYCONTEXT CONDITION SIZE RANK

Sandsage Prairie

Shortgrass Prairie Animal Community

Riparian and Aquatic

Arid Shrublands

Mid Grass Prairie

Playa Lakes

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Complex

Landscape Mosaic

Site Biodiversity Health Rank

GOOD

VERY GOOD

VERY GOOD

VERY GOOD

GOOD

VERY GOOD

Integrity Background

Assessing the current conditionof the biodiversity is critical inthe development of conservationstrategies. Where viability andintegrity are high, the strategy isto prevent degradation. On theother hand, if the integrity ispoor, then restoration, reintro-duction, or reclamation might beimportant actions to elevate thecondition.

Integrity ratings are made usingthe best science available andoften with vigorous discussion.The planning team developscategories that define the relativecondition in terms of size, ecolog-ical condition, and the landscapecontext. The team determineswhich category best reflects thecurrent state at the project area.Clearly, in deciding how to allo-cate scarce conservation dollars,we should, where it is possible,focus conservation actions on thepopulations with the highestintegrity or otherwise stated asthe most likely to persist.

Functioning at its ecologically desirable status.Requires little human intervention.

Functioning within its range of acceptable variation.May require human intervention to maintain this status.

Outside its range of acceptable variation.Requires human intervention. Vulnerable to serious degradation if left unchecked

If condition remains for extended period, restoration or prevention of extirpationwill be practically impossible.

POOR

FAIR

GOOD

VERY GOOD

8

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

VERY GOOD

VERY GOOD

FAIR

VERY GOOD

GOOD

GOOD GOODGOODGOOD

VERY GOODVERY GOODVERY GOOD

VERY GOOD

VERY GOOD

Photo © TNC

Wildflowers fill the sandsage prairie at Bohart ranch.

GOOD GOOD

VERY GOOD VERY GOOD VERY GOOD

VERY GOOD VERY GOOD

VERY GOOD

VERY GOOD

VERY HIGH

Threats to Conservation TargetsSHORTGRASS

PRAIRIE RIPARIAN BLACK-TAILED OVERALLSANDSAGE ANIMAL AND ARID MID GRASS PLAYA PRAIRIE DOG LANDSCAPE THREATPRAIRIE COMMUNITY AQUATIC SHRUBLANDS PRAIRIE LAKES COMPLEX MOSAIC RANK

Primary Home Development

Development of Roads or Utilities

Regional highway

Grazing Practices

Management of/for Certain Species

Invasive Fish

Excessive Groundwater Withdrawal

Invasive Plant Species

Plague

Operation of Dams or Reservoirs

Operation of Diversions

Alteration of Natural Basin – Dig or Berm

Mining Practices

Mesopredators – Raccoons

Overall Threat Status for Targets

Threat is likely to slightly impair the ecological system over a portion of the area.

Threat is likely to moderately degrade the ecological system over some portion of the area.

Threat is likely to seriously degrade the ecological system over much of the area.

Threat is likely to destroy the ecological system over much of the area.

HIGH

MEDIUM

VERY HIGH

LOW

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

LOW

HIGH

HIGHHIGH

HIGH

HIGH

HIGH

LOW

LOW

LOW

MEDIUMMEDIUM

MEDIUM

9

LOW

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

LOW

HIGH

HIGH

MEDIUM

LOW

LOW

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH

LOW

LOWLOW

LOW LOWLOW

LOW

LOW

Photo © Fritz Knopf

Mountain Plover

HIGHHIGH HIGHHIGH HIGHHIGH

HIGH HIGH

HIGHMEDIUM

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

HIGH

HIGH

MEDIUM

MEDIUM MEDIUM

MEDIUM

HIGHHIGHHIGHHIGH

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

Situation Analysis Process

A good situation analysis diagram provides a team with a clear and common understanding of the context inwhich the project occurs. The model will show assumptions and potential obstacles as well as data gaps. Thesituation diagram process has proven useful and has lead to innovative and different strategies. The diagramseeks to demonstrate the complexity and interrelatedness of factors affecting biodiversity within the project area.Ecological systems, along with high priority dependent species—nested targets—are linked to ecological processes,and factors that directly impact the biodiversity and processes, resulting challenges and key strategies.

How the System Works: Chico Basin

The diagram at right illustrates the interactions among these focal species, systems and threats, and the under-lying causes and factors that influence the biodiversity of the Chico Basin. The Chico Basin systems are com-posed of vast shortgrass and sandsage prairie mosaic. Species such as mountain plover are also part of thislandscape. Several factors have an impact on the local biodiversity, including: residential development, invasiveplant and fish species, and roads. Additional factors impact the ability to restore this important landscape.

The following is an example of how to read this diagram. The sandsage prairie has a key feature, the inherentintactness of this system. Fragmentation and habitat loss directly impact the intactness of the sandsage prairie.Home development, roads, and regional highways are the challenges causing the fragmentation and loss ofsandsage prairie. A key strategy to abate the threat of home development is protection of key areas.

Bohart Ranch, a key property in the Chico Basin.

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Photo © Harold E. Malde

LaramieFoothillsBiodiversity

Conclusion

The Nature Conservancy is proud to be working with public and private partners to achieve a common vision:to preserve the biodiversity of the Chico Basin by protecting key parcels, creating incentives for compatible landmanagement, and restoring ecological systems. This vision is achievable by leveraging our strengths to achievetangible and lasting results. We believe that good science will be the cornerstone of our future success.

Intactness

Protect Key Areas

Barriers to PrairieDog Expansion

RoadsConservationTarget

EcologicalProcess

DirectImpact

ResultingChallenges

KeyStrategy

Prairie DogRelated

WaterRelated

WeedRelated

MiningRelated

DevelopmentRelated

Restore Aquatic and Riparian

Areas

Invasive Fish and Bullfrogs

Decreasing Water Table

Fragmentation and Habitat Loss

IncreasingNumber and

Flow of WellsHydrologic

Regime

KillingPoisoning

Plague

Invasive Plants

Mining for Sand Regional Highway

Home Development

Public AttitudeAgainst

Prairie Dogs

Minimize Road Impacts

Chi

coB

asin

Bio

dive

rsity

NATIVE FISHARKANSAS DARTER

PLAYAS

LANDSCAPEMOSAIC

RIPARIAN ANDAQUATIC

MIDGRASS PRAIRIE

SANDSAGE PRAIRIE

ARID SHRUBLANDS

BLACK-TAILEDPRAIRIE DOG

ANIMAL COMMUNITY

SHORTGRASS PRAIRIEANIMAL COMMUNITY

MOUNTAIN PLOVERAND OTHER

DEPENDENT SPECIES

9/2008 � MRCRM1089 � PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

Cover photograph © Harold E. Malde

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