Fort Collins seeking Nature in the City project ideas and partnerships

The Fort Collins Nature in the City program is looking for ideas that would make a positive difference for nature in your neighborhood. Project partnerships are sought that protect and restore important wildlife habitat, give all residents of Fort Collins access to nature within a ten minute walk, or shift neighborhood landscapes to more diverse forms.

Funding and planning support is available for local projects; examples might include pollinator gardens, wildlife habitat restoration efforts, construction of trails to better connect a neighborhood to nearby nature, or other ideas. Projects don’t have to be big to be impactful — small, creative, and unique projects are encouraged to apply. Unlike a typical grant-funding program, Nature in the City wants to partner with you in your neighborhood to make the greatest impact.

There is more than $50,000 available for on-the-ground projects across the community for 2017. For more information and to submit your project, go to fcgov.com/natureinthecity. Applications are due Nov. 18.

Interested people are invited to an informational meeting, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Natural Areas Department’s offices, Nix Farm, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road, Fort Collins. Nature in the City representatives will give a short presentation and be available to discuss project ideas and answer questions.

Projects that have financial and/or in-kind match, are supported by the neighborhood, and make the greatest local impact in accomplishing Nature in the City goals will be most competitive. Volunteer involvement is also desirable. Partnership funds will support implementation of projects along with planning and design costs. Projects can be located on private or city-owned properties. Applicants must provide proof of project approval from landowner(s). Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered. Funds will be awarded in January.

Nature in the City is a new City of Fort Collins initiative that seeks to increase people and wildlife’s connectivity to natural spaces through partnerships, policies, and projects. The vision of Nature in the City is a connected open space network accessible to the entire community that provides a variety of experiences and functional habitat for people, plants and wildlife.