2004 will mark the 20th year of Genesee's open space thinning for fire hazard reduction, improvement of forest health and enhancement of native plant and wildlife habitats. In 1984 the Genesee Forestry Committee asked the Board of Directors for approval and funding for the first forest management project, a demonstration thinning of a small area off Deer Run Trail below Montane Drive East.

At the time the Board had its hands full just addressing the needs of a burgeoning new community. Limited time could be found to face little understood challenges presented by the 1200 acres of open space, land of such magnificence that more than 90% of residents in every survey done here have cited our surroundings as the chief reason for their move to Genesee.

The Genesee Forestry Committee existed even then and could spend time thinking about that special, complex, most important of all Genesee's assets. For guidance they referred to the Colorado State Forest Service and to the 10-year forest management plans prepared in 1976 and 1982 by this agency whose mission is to aid and instruct private landowners in how to achieve a safer, healthier ecosystem on their properties.

The approval the Board gave to the Montane demo area signaled the beginning of a process that has moved forward modestly but steadily over the years that followed. Each year at least 10 acres of thinning and slash burning or disposal have been carried out. Nearby residents have always been informed and have understood the benefits.

Along with the mitigation, an equally important advancement in overall appreciation of forest stewardship has developed. Many residents, many committee members, various board members, managers and staff have become aware of the importance of accepting responsibility for doing the very best thing for the open space land whose special qualities are threatened not only by fire but by degradation of the ecosystem itself.

Now, 19 years later, the goals are the same but today we can boast of an impressive array of scientific data on our entire community, the best fire specialists to point the way, an expert preeminent in the native plant field on our staff, a wildlife consultant, a manager with community forest management experience second to none, and a reputation for good land stewardship.

Also, we have the best focused committees of well informed residents, organized by the Board and dedicated to doing their part in achieving high standards of ecosystem management as a whole, in addition to national Firewise status. The rewards of two decades of stewardship development translate not only into growing improvement in open space management, but also in heightened opportunities for gaining State and local grant support to bolster our efforts.