ELSA

Spotted knapweed Common mullein Musk thistle

The Estes Land Stewardship Association (ELSA)

     The Estes Land Stewardship Association (ELSA) was formed in 2007 to address environmental threats to the Estes Valley and surrounding areas.  This is important for the ecosystems near the eastern slope of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).  ELSA participants include individuals and many agencies, including the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County including Hermit Park, RMNP, the US Forest Service, the Estes Valley Land Trust, and the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition.

     ELSA’s mission is to promote the cooperation and collaboration of local residents and federal, state, and local agencies and entities in efforts that encourage the preservation and the ecological integrity of public and private lands on the eastern perimeter of RMNP.  Such efforts shall encourage land stewardship practices that sustain plant communities which provide wildlife habitat, aesthetic value, and help resist encroachment by invasive weed species.

     Our initial primary objective is to address the noxious weeds invading the region by promoting awareness of invasive plants and their impacts, through education and outreach efforts.  These efforts include publishing “Estes Valley’s Weed Alert” articles in the local newspaper, making presentations at HOA meetings pertaining to identification, impacts, and management of invasive weed species threatening the region, conducting four Monitored Weed Drop-offs during the months of June thru September along with the Weed Roundup in July, and providing site visits requested from private property owners to assist with plant identification and general information about weed management.  ELSA also yearly publishes and distributes 1,500 the Twenty Ob-Noxious Weeds in the Estes Valley Identification and Management Guide booklets. These booklets are available at the Estes Valley Library, Ace Hardware, True Value Hardware, TOEP Public Works office, and upon request.   ELSA meetings are held the first Thursday during the months of January thru June, August, September, and November at 9:30 a.m. in the George Hix Room at US Bank.  Email address:  ELSA.weeds@gmail.com.  ELSA is a 501 (c) (3) unincorporated nonprofit association.

     The next monitored Weed Drop-off is Saturday September 26th from 9am-noon at 666 Elm Road in Estes Park.  For more details, including what is accepted and how to bag,  go to: https://estespark.colorado.gov/weeds.