MDF Projects
Colorado’s Cherokee State Wildlife Area Adopted by MDF’s Northern Front Range Chapter
By Scott Hampel, October 2007
Dedication of the Cherokee SWA occurred on
July 28, 2007.
Habitat is the most critical component of maintaining and sustaining all wildlife resources, including mule deer. Habitat is needed to provide food, water, shelter and security. Whether it is springtime when mothers are giving birth to fawns or wintertime when deer herds struggle to survive, the four elements of habitat listed above have a direct impact on the health and well being of mule deer and all other wildlife.
With Colorado’s diverse array of mountain ranges, prairies, rivers, streams and lakes combined with large tracts of public land, wildlife has been a key component to the heritage and hunting traditions that many of us enjoy today. As such, let us be thankful that the Colorado Division of Wildlife used hunting and fishing dollars generated decades ago to add additional public land to this state by purchasing or leasing large tracts of land that have been designated as state wildlife areas.
The Cherokee State Wildlife Area is located in Livermore, Colo., just northwest of Fort Collins, Colo. Much like the diversity that describes the overall state, this property contains meadows, creek bottoms, riparian areas, rugged and rocky outcrops, and forested areas. It is comprised of five units known as the Lower, Middle, Upper, Lone Pine and Rabbit Creek Units. In total, the Cherokee SWA encompasses more than 28,000 acres that provide a home to mule deer, elk, black bear, moose, coyotes, rodents and birds.
In the spring of 2004, then Regional Director Bob Meulengracht was in contact with Dave Clarkson who is the CDOW’s Area Wildlife Manager. Bob and Dave scheduled a meeting to meet with members of MDF’s Northern Front Range Chapter and Jacob Frank, CDOW’s Wildlife Technician responsible for managing and maintaining the Cherokee SWA. In short, MDF had obtained funds from an unnamed donor who was requesting to complete some habitat restoration in this part of Colorado. The meeting was scheduled in a local bar/grill located near Eaton, Colo., and Jake Frank was invited to explain some of the water/spring development work he wanted to complete on the Cherokee SWA.
Jake was in the process of developing a water system where a large tube could be positioned upright to allow water to seep into the tube and be piped downhill via gravity to a collection tank composed of large rubber tires (from extremely large pieces of heavy equipment) and concrete. The system would also contain control valves to regulate the flow of water and allow overflow into natural drainages. In addition, the holding tanks were developed so they could be easily drained to allow for annual cleanings to remove algae, mud or any other debris. The holding tanks were fenced to prevent big game and livestock from getting inside. Finally, a wire mesh was installed to allow birds and small mammals an escape route in the event they fell into the tank. But Jake needed funds to develop these springs on the Cherokee SWA.
Why was this necessary? The property simply needed continuous water sources to support wildlife throughout the year. Although the property does contain streams, they would often dry up by early summer and a drought condition would exist. Hence, wildlife would simply disperse and move from the property to places where water was available. In addition, the CDOW wanted to contract with local ranchers to provide a very controlled and limited amount of grazing on the property. In doing so, the cattle would be moved around the property on a regular basis to help remove the decadent grass and shrubs as well as act as a “natural” aeration system to break up the ground and allow moisture to penetrate the soil. The goal was to generate new growth of grasses and shrubs to provide forage for mule deer and elk. The water provided by the springs would also allow cattle to be strategically moved and have water sources while grazing was allowed throughout the spring and summer.
With funds available, Jake Frank and his temporary/seasonal crew of Kevin Patton, Mike Nelson and Shawn Tischendorf were ready to begin. As a result of MDF funds in 2005 via the Northern Front Range Chapter’s unnamed donor, three spring tanks were successfully implemented in 2005/2006. In 2007, members of the Northern Front Range Chapter, along with a little help from the Mile High Chapter, got busy and secured additional funding via MDF Conservation Partnerships for three additional springs. Two springs were implemented in 2007 and one spring is scheduled for 2008. The Northern Front Range contributors that made the second series of MDF tanks possible include 2006 MDF Regional Workshop Attendees (hosted by NFR Chapter), A & W Water Service, Anadarko Petroleum, Bravo Services, J & F Services, Ram Swab Services, Craig Benner, Noble Energy, the North Central Chapter of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association and a portion of the 2007 NFR Chapter Rewards. The Mile High Chapter contributors include WalMart, Scott Hampel, Mile High Chapter (via Bass Pro Shops activities), and the Mile High Chapter, itself, in memory of Terrel Green. To date, 21 springs/holding tanks have been installed on the site. Colorado Wildlife Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Habitat Partnership Program and CDOW’s Cherokee SWA budget have supplied additional funding for these tanks.
The energetic and active members of the Northern Front Range Chapter have also played a key role in providing manpower for additional habitat projects on the property. Not only have these members volunteered time to the water development project, they have provided labor to build fencing around two 35-acre plots seeded with alpha and sanfoin in 2006. This was done to keep livestock out while allowing wildlife into the area to browse. In addition, approximately 15 acres of the property has been fenced and planted as orchards that include a combination of 3,500 choke cherry, plum, hawthorn, apple, bur oak brush and golden current trees. The Northern Front Range Chapter has provided volunteer labor in 2007 to remove weeds, cultivate and water these trees/shrubs so forage is available in future years for wildlife. In Aug. 2007, a crew of Northern Front Range volunteers arrived near the home of Jake Frank, camped overnight, and then provided volunteer labor for an aspen/fur tree thinning project on approximately 12 acres of the SWA. MDF should be proud of these accomplishments.
As a result of this effort, Jake Frank contacted his supervisors at the CDOW and received approval to have the Cherokee SWA adopted by the Mule Deer Foundation. The Mule Deer Foundation, especially the volunteers and members of the Northern Front Range Chapter, have made a commitment to assist in the maintenance of the Cherokee SWA. Jake has indicated that MDF deserved this honor “because of their willingness to accomplish projects with their time and money. Plus, it’s a great bunch of guys and gals that have really stepped forward to take some ownership in their property.” After 12 years of managing the Cherokee SWA and working 29+ years with the CDOW, Jake will soon be retiring in 2008. However, he is thoroughly impressed with the show of support that he has received from the MDF organization.
The formal dedication of the Cherokee SWA occurred on July 28, 2007 with a morning of work to install a spring collection tube followed by a picnic. Jake recognized his temporary crew of seasonal workers by presenting an award to each. In addition, Jake unveiled signs which had been made recognizing MDF for its efforts. These signs were placed at each of the entrances to the Cherokee SWA. Additional signs were placed on the spring tanks in which MDF funds were specifically used. Those in attendance included Jake Frank, Pam Frank, Kevin Patton, Suzi Klaviter, Alanie Patton, Kristina Patton, Wayne Noel, Mike Nelson, Jim Nelson, Triceea Wellcome, Dave Clarkson, Larry Rogstad, Jim Jackson, Dierk Eichhoff, Kain Eichhoff, Dawn Brownne, Jennifer Churchill, Joe Straley, Mark Rioux, Elena Rioux, Ksenia Busygina, Anastasia Busygina, Wayne Anders, Nola Anders, Ron Dozier, Larry Larson, Kevyn Meyer, Kurt Weaver, Neleda Weaver, Kameron Weaver, Myles Dockter, Bruce Carlson, Craig Benner, Clint Straley, Justin Frank, Shawn Tischendorf, Melissa Miller, Steve Miller, Stan Lueck, Carolyn Lueck, Bob Meulengracht and Scott Hampel.