The Ecology Committee was established by the Road & Recreation Board (Board) in 1997 with the mandate "to provide information to the Road and Recreation Board and to the Glacier View property owners regarding any ecological issue, positive or negative, that affects the well being of the Glacier View Community." Susan Lamb was the first Chair and guiding inspiration for it’s early years (1997 – 2001). Harry Corwin chaired from 2002 -2006 (June). Judy Corwin was Secretary from 1999 - 2006. Judd Adams and Ellen Heath took over as chair and secretary respectively in July 2006.

Information is provided about the special ecological issues of living in the mountains:

• growing gardens with native and xeric plants compatible with water restrictions;

• actions to take to contain tree parasites (Mountain Pine Beetle, Dwarf Mistletoe, Ips Beetle), and the importance of tree thinning as a protection against wildfires;

• living among wildlife (including minimizing threats from bears and mountain lions);

• controlling noxious weeds;

• general guidance on good land stewardship.

Information is provided in the following ways:

• oral and written presentations to monthly Board meetings and to the general membership at the Annual Meeting,

• articles in the Association newsletter, typically several per year;

• a bulletin board in the Association Office, and a website with pictures of noxious weeds, and lists of observed birds (139) and mammals (37).

• information handouts including a Noxious Weed Management Manual.

Demonstration Garden. The Committee’s first project was to construct a garden near the Association Office to showcase plants and trees which are xeric (require little water) and grow naturally in our environment. The garden was constructed in three stages 1998 – 2001 with grants from Larimer County Parks and Open Lands Small Grants Program:

• $1, 000 to establish the basic garden – plants and trees, mulch, water tank and drip watering system, redwood benches and plant markers.

• $400 to construct a split-rail fence around the garden.

• $400 to create a rock garden.

A box outside the garden provides information on the plants and trees, and how to install a drip watering system.

In 2004 the Committee constructed a companion small garden on the right side of the driveway at the Office consisting of a piñon pine, two Russian sages and Cinquefoils, encircled by rocks to protect the garden from vehicles.

Tree Parasites: Mountain Pine Beetle, Ips Beetle, Dwarf Mistletoe. Association concern with tree parasites began in 1998 with a contract with Colorado State Forest Service, Forester Dave Farmer, to conduct a three year roadside survey to detect infestation of Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB). The contract was extended to a fourth year in 2001. Farmer sent letters to GVM residents announcing that MPB had invaded GVM, what to look for, and that fact sheets were in the Office.

The 1999 Survey Report identified 38 infected trees (Manhead Mountain was the locus of the problem) and the owners were notified with instructions to cut down or treat the trees. Reminder letters were sent to owners not taking action. At the annual meeting members learned about the threat of dwarf mistletoe, the need to create defensible wildlife spaces (wildfire prevention), and the authority of a pest control inspector to remove infected trees and bill the non-complying owner (which he did in some cases over the next several years). In 2000, 44 infested trees were reported; in 2001, 24 trees; and in 2002 only 4 trees. By 2004 Forester James White, now a GVM resident reported no more outbreaks of MPB.

However, because of the drought in 2003 the pines were susceptible to Engraver beetle, aka Ips, which has multiple life cycles per year, especially if the trees already have mistletoe. To improve their health and resistance, the Forest Service recommends thinning trees so they are spaced 10-15 feet between the outer limits of the branches, which gives each tree more water, reduces possibility of crown fires, and reduces mistletoe spread.

Noxious Weeds Management. In 2000 the Association began contracting with the County to spray greenbelts for Canada thistle and musk thistle, for $1,500. In 2001 the County included GPS mapping and mowing in the contract. Leafy Spurge was reported in GVM [on Mt. Moriah Road Open Space?].

In 2003, because of a Board change to the Bylaws, the County began including the roads in the spraying program, at a total cost of $2,000. The County Weed Office sent letters to owners notifying them of noxious weeds on their property; however it appears the County was lax about follow up. Diffuse knapweed was reported flourishing in the Crellin Lake area.

In 2005 the cost was $2, 500. The Committee identified locations of noxious weeds along the roads, provided this data to James White who produced a computer map for the County, but the data wasn’t used. A subcommittee began developing a quantitative way to map weeds. Judd began writing a Weed Manual. Adopt A Greenbelt program was begun where individuals volunteer to monitor and/or manage weeds on specific greenbelts. An application was submitted to Larimer County Open Lands Small Grants Program for funds to support weed mapping and weed management on greenbelts.

In 2006 Committee received a $500 grant from County which enabled purchase of two 2-gallon spray tanks, 8 hand weed whackers and printing supplies for the manual. The Association purchased the herbicide which approximately 12 people used. In July a Noxious weed workshop was provided to the community (12 attended) to develop their ability to recognize weeds and understand how to manage weeds mechanically and with herbicide. Crellin Lake Greenbelt was the primary focus of Committee weed management, 72 hours over 7 weekends spent controlling Canada thistle and diffuse knapweed, primarily, with mullein a secondary concern. An additional 140 hours was spent by individual Land Stewards removing noxious weeds from adopted greenbelts, gates and roads. County contract was $2,500.

Crellin Canyon Nature Trail. Crellin Canyon Trail was constructed in early 1980s by Howard and Mary Alice Evans on their own initiative. It was the first official trail in GVM. In 2000, Frank McCormick, a Board member and retired professional ecologist, suggested making the Crellin a self-guided nature trail. In 2001 several new trails were constructed – Maroon Bells, West Crellin, and Sloan – making a network of trails connecting to the Crellin Canyon as the center piece. By 2002 the Nature Trail was completed with 27 numbered posts and a brochure identifying trees and plants such as narrow-leafed cottonwood, alder, willow, birch, kinnikinnick, juniper, ponderosa, Douglas-Fir, squaw current, aspen, snowberry, lichen. Boxes at the trailhead and trail intersections have boxes with the interpretive brochure.