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<br />_ ._-U>_' <br />", <br /> <br />_L <br /> <br />......... '-- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />~. <br /> <br />~-_. <br /> <br />__ .0. <br /> <br />UJ0325 <br /> <br />Purpose: Designated natural areas will provide, among other benefits, the <br />following: <br /> <br />1. Serve as exampl~s of the native condition in studies relating <br />to air, wat~r, and soil quality and habitat productivity; <br /> <br />. 2. Serve as resource material from which new knowledge may be <br />JerLved and as a reservoir of genetic material having present <br />and future value to scientific inquiry; <br /> <br />"/.' <br /> <br />3. Provide habitat for animal and plant species of threatened or <br />endangered status or of other special biological concern; <br /> <br />4. Serve as outdoor classrooms and laboratories for scientific <br />study of all ages; and <br /> <br />5. Serve as areas of natural beauty, diversity, and inspiration for <br />mankind to enrich the meaning and enjoyment of human life. <br /> <br />II 1. ACTIVITIES <br /> <br />Inventorv <br /> <br />^ comprehensive systematic statewide inventory of natural areas was <br />designed in consultation with some 225 scientists and ~ther interested <br />individuals, reviewed by participants of the August 1978 Natural Areas <br />Workshop, The design for an IS-month Project defines the. Nature <br />Conservancy as the primary consultant to the Department and includes <br />a Classification System for the elements of Colorado's natural diversity. <br />The categories in the system are: 1) Plant communities, 2) Aquatic <br />systems, 3} Geologic features and landforms, 4) Soils,S) Special Plants, <br />6} Special Animals, and 7) Special Habitats. <br /> <br />Criteria, Registrv and Designation <br /> <br />Guideline criteria for nacural areas identification, and procedures for <br />listing on the Registry and Designation have been devised and established <br />by Natural Areas staff and Council. Nine areas have been put on the <br />Registry; two have been officially designated (see Resources item V). <br /> <br />Public Information <br /> <br />A considerable effort has been made to inform the public about and to <br />involve them in the Program through lne following: a request of some 225 <br />scientists and other interested individuals for comment on our draft <br />Cl~lssificacion system; clle publlcatioTl and distribution cif',lO,OOO Program <br />brochures; public speaking presentilti()ns to some 20-25 organizations and <br />institutions; the August 197~ ~,lcural Areas 'workshop; notification mailings <br />of Natural Areas Council meetings; and public ceremon{es m~rking the <br />designation of specific areas. <br /> <br />30 <br />