Pinery Nature Park Project

   The Pinery Nature Park project has been underway for some time now, and many residents have asked what the final outcome of the project will be. It is our intent that this will be an ongoing project, serving many purposes:

It’s about community building.
   We hope the project will serve as a vehicle for people to meet their neighbors. Those of us already involved have enjoyed meeting many wonderful friends, and we are constantly thankful for their help. Most recently, volunteers adopted and maintained plants within each watering zone in our new bubbler system. Many thanks, all of you!

It’s about appreciating Colorado’s environment.
   The sanctuary can serve as a vehicle to encourage people to garden for wildlife, educating them about noxious weeds and water-wise plants. Our plant selections at the site have been thoroughly researched, and labels will aid you in buying plants that you see that you might want in your own gardens.

It’s about educating our kids.
   So far, the sanctuary has provided community service opportunities for Ponderosa High School students and Scouts. We've especially appreciated all the hard work donated to Eagle Scout projects completed by Will Keough, Travis Pixler, Rob Bowling, Andrew Bowling, Rob Steinhauser and Sam Dieter.

It’s about cooperation.
   Organizations involved in our project so far include the PHA, the Pinery Country Club, the CSU Cooperative extension office, the Neighborhood Resource Center of Metropolitan Denver, Ponderosa High School’s National Honor Society, Douglas County Weed Control, naturalists at Castlewood Canyon State Park, and of course, students and scouts. Also, if not for a waived tap fee for water at the site, courtesy of Pinery Water and Wastewater District, the project would never have been possible. In addition, many businesses have provided us with donations, discounts and consultation.

So where is this ongoing project leading us?
   We hope this area will eventually look like an exceptional meadow, bursting with wildflowers and bushes and filled with happy birds. No major structures are planned. Permanent fixtures, such as nesting boxes, will be limited. It will be a place where we can meet new friends, challenge our traditional concepts of gardening, strengthen our community, and learn everything from citizenship to ecology. Want to join in? Call the PHA office at (303) 841-8572 for a referral to the project coordinator.

Additional Information.
   Pinery Bird Checklist - The purpose of this list is to assist residents and visitors in their identification and enjoyment of birds of the Pinery. List provided by Denise Smith, Pinery Resident