Welcome to the Forest Health Coalition
The Mission of the Forest Health Coalition is to actively promote mitigation of fire hazards and advance ecologically sound forest  management practices by heightening awareness, fostering education, and mobilizing property owners to support goals and objectives which will promote a safer and healthier forest environment.
The Coalition began as the Forest Health and Wildfire Mitigation Committee of Santa Fe Trail Ranch in Trinidad Colorado. In May of 2007, the organization received Non-Profit, 501 (c) 3 status, and thus expanded its mission beyond the borders of SFTR to other forest communities in Southern Colorado.
A very active group from the start, the Coalition has been able to educate, inspire and motivate property owners to embrace forest health restoration, resulting in tremendous participation in fuels reduction and habitat improvement projects on private lands.
View a list of Projects and Educational Events
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Coalition Goals:
We will plan and sponsor educational events including seminars, field trips, and “fire wise” site demonstrations.
We will encourage and facilitate communities in preparation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs).
We will explore sources of private and public funding to advance our goals.
We will promote “FireWise” fuel reduction practices.
We will encourage restoration of a healthy fire-adapted forest in Southern Colorado.
We will explore methods of economical and environmentally responsible utilization and/or disposal of excess fuel materials.
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News & Announcements:
Track Your In-kind Hours for Cost Sharing Programs
Whether you are participating in a grant, or want to donate your hours to a community wide cost sharing endeavor, you need to keep track of your hours and expenses. The FHC has a downloadable PDF form to keep you organized. Also, the in-kind rate for labor has been increased to $19.51 an hour. Your blood, sweat and chips can really add up!
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Announces "Healthy Forests/Vibrant Communities Act of 2009
Nov. 14, 2008 - Gov. Bill Ritter and a group of bipartisan lawmakers today announced the "Healthy Forests/Vibrant Communities Act of 2009," a comprehensive legislative proposal that would protect Colorado's prized forestlands, assist local communities and stimulate economic activity. Read Article
Guidelines for SFTR Property Owner 2008 WUI Grant Cost Share Reimbursement
FHC is assisting the Colorado District Forester, CK Morey in organizing applications for sub award grant money for wild fire mitigation projects. This WUI grant is for creating and expanding defensible space. To qualify for grant assistance, you will need to develop a plan, have the District Forester review and approve your plan. After the work is completed, you will need to have a follow-up evaluation. Please note that you will have to have paid the contractors you hire or complete the work your self then submit the receipts and or time logs for reimbursement after the final evaluation.
 There are limited funds available from the WUI Grant, and great interest in the program. Therefore this will be a competitive process. Some things that will be considered will be what work has the home owner already done, how will the project impact the greater good of the community, and what are your plans for maintenance of the defensible space and further expansion.
-Program Closed and work is underway-
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| Education a Key Focus of The Forest Health Coalition
With displays, printed material, DVDs, tours, talks and demonstrations, FHC educates property owners on the methods and best practices of forest health restoration
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Lake Dorothey - See First Hand What hydro-Axing Can Do
mechanical thinning, or hydro-axing, is just one step in fire mitigation and habitat improvement. Visit Lake Dorothey (In Colorado but accessed from Raton, NM) and see the results of an active and ongoing thinning plan.
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The CDOW has had extensive hydro-axe mitigation wildlife habitat work done on the Lake Dorothey property over the past years. This is an excellent opportunity to see the landscape at various stages, from areas just recently treated with a feacon head hydro-axe as well as hydro-axed land after Mother Nature has had time to produce grass and forbes.
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| Area that was "Axed" in two years earlier |
Close up of Hydro Axe "litter " |
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A Great Day for Me and Santa Fe Trail Ranch
by Ed Hocket
“WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!”, I exclaimed as I pulled my car on to Alpine Meadows. I was headed for a rendezvous with the other property owners who would be doing the first-ever Firewise tour of Ranch properties. The rising sun was peeking over Raton Mesa enough to illuminate the trees on the crests of the surrounding hills.
Read the rest of Ed's Story
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Wildland Fire Preparedness
As a property owner, the responsibility for wildland fire preparation is yours and yours alone. It is not the federal government’s responsibility (FEMA or the United States Forest Service). It is not the state or local governments’ responsibility. Learn how you can be prepared. Read More
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| A Tour of Bosque del Oso --
Joyce and Walt Wolf recount the tour led by Colorado Division of Wildlife District Manager Bob Holder Read More
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| Vermejo Tour
SFTR property owners recently toured Vermejo's Shaded Fuel Break Project. The tour was led by Vermejo's head forester, Scott Chase, and CK Morey, who was instramental in obtaining grant money to help with the project. Ranch residents got to see first hand how the forest density is being thinned to promote a healthy forest and to help contain the spread of potential fires.
Read Article
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