HELP SAVE DINOSAUR RIDGE!

Dinosaur track marks (i.e. footprints)

I have written previously about the awesome dinosaur park in Denver's backyard, called Dinosaur Ridge.
The world's FIRST stegosaurus fossils were found in this area.
Along with dinosaur bone quarries (now covered), exposed fossilized bones, dinosaur track sites, and well-preserved slabs of where the ocean once made Denver prime beachfront property (thanks to the Western Interior Seaway)---all of these sites you can see at Dinosaur Ridge.


Dinosaur Ridge is situated on a hogback between I-70 and Hwy-285. The west side of the foothill faces Red Rocks Park and Ampitheatre, while the eastside faces Denver. Most of this ridge is open space, a precious commodity with the continued growth and expansion of the Denver Metro area.

Jefferson County, who owns the surrounding land around Dinosaur Ridge, has made it clear that their only concern is money. Therefore, they are soon to partner with several developers to put in car dealerships and commercial space on what is vastly becoming limited green space in this area (notice the new residential neighborhoods popping up at Alameda and C470?). My concern is two fold: 1) This ridge is a valuable paleontological area. Why not protect the surrounding area for continued research? Not to mention, the degredation that will inevitably take place if zoned for commercial use. 2) The urban sprawl is real. And we are in the midst of it. If we do not put a halt on some of our scenic vistas and landscapes, we will regret it come twenty years from now when literally everything east of Morrison will be a concrete jungle (well, at least until you get to the eastern plains).



Fossilized Dinosaur Bone


Supporters, volunteers, scientists, and local neighbors are rallying together to try to stop this development. How can you help? 1) sign the petition 2) call Jefferson County and tell them your concerns 3) call anyone you know with connections
 4) call anyone you know who might be interested in purchasing the land and giving it to dinosaur ridge or putting it into a land easement.

Here is the link to sign the petition: SAVE DINO RIDGE

Save Dino Ridge: WHAT'S AT STAKE

Here is their GOFUNDME page

Here is the Save Dinosaur Ridge facebook page


PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING TO SAVE DINOSAUR RIDGE
 



National Parks Are for the People and for the Protection of Our Natural Resources.

 

As I stopped in to grab a cold beverage while on my way to Rocky Mountain National Park recently, the clerk behind the counter started talking with me about the park.  At one point he stated, "I don't think you should have to pay to see God's creation." He then shared that he has lived his entire life in a town just outside of the park but has never once entered the park.


At the time, I was a bit caught off guard. Wanting to get this guy to visit the park despite his hang-up, I suggested a couple of locations where I knew he could still be technically "in" the park but without having to pay. He seemed pleased with this news and so I headed on my way.


But his statement has rattled around in my brain for several weeks now.


There are so many things I wish I would have shared with him.


For instance, I do not necessarily enjoy having to pay for entrance either. I have a tight monthly budget and it took a big chunk to pay for my annual park pass.
However, what I wish I would have reminded him of is that each time you and I pay to enter our National Parks (and also State Parks) we are paying to keep them OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Otherwise, they would go the way of the land....and become privatized....no guarantee that people like you and I would be able to enjoy the views, the trails, and the wildlife.


Heck, in the 1800s before RMNP or Estes Park existed as such, people were already trying to buy up all of the land and hunt out all of the wildlife. Well, specifically one man....called the Earl of Dunraven. Were it not for Enos Mills, F.O. Stanley, John Muir, and others....I guarantee you that the area now known as Rocky Mountain National Park would have been sold to the highest bidder and  turned into vacation home property for the wealthy.


But now, everyday of the year, people from all walks of life can enjoy the views and the various flora and fauna.


So, while we would probably all wish that such places of beauty and unspoiled resources were always free......in America it just doesn't seem to work that way.
However,  you can have peace of mind that every time you pay to enter one of our incredible National Parks, you are helping to protect our parks for future generations.


And when you hear on the news or see me posting petitions against the privatization of public lands....this is why....public lands such as National and State Parks are for the benefit of the people. Perhaps someone doesn't want to pay $20 bucks for a day pass.....I can understand.....but the amazing thing is.....for $20 bucks ANYONE can have the chance to hike to Emerald Lake, to drive to the Alpine Visitor Center, to sit beneath a lodgepole pine and watch for grazing elk, etc. Were it not for our public lands (and some ARE actually free) these regions might be bought up and sold for private property.


So, yeah, perhaps we shouldn't have to pay to see God's creation....but at least we get to see it, is the point.

Keep Rescuing the Prairie Dogs

More info promoting prairie dog conservation...

Save Our Wildlife (continued)

Another prairie dog colony is at risk of decimation due to a residential developer (Shea Home's). There is a way to save the colony but apparently the developers would rather feed them to another endangered species; a group of black-footed ferrets.

Here's the article.

Save The Prairie Dogs

I just ran into someone the other day that is an advocate for saving prairie dogs in Colorado and surrounding states. Honestly, I've never really thought about the plight of the prairie dogs but after learning that they are an endangered species...well, why not get the word out there about the current extermination plans several cities have for these little creatures. So, here is a link where you can vote to save the prairie dogs...and by doing so you can help benefit the Prairie Dog Coalition.