MISSION:

You can help preserve Colorado's wild Northern Elk Mountains by:

1. Suggesting research topics
   
2. Recommending qualified researchers
   
3. Telling us about references not listed in our bibliography
   
4. Contributing funds for AFBL's research grants
   
5. Housing an AFBL researcher
   
6. Nominating an AFBL Board Member
   
7. Nominating an AFBL Advisor
   
8. Helping with AFBL Fundraising
   

SUGGESTED RESEARCH TOPICS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Factors affecting distribution patterns of plants and animals, including genetic and environmental factors that contribute to disease resistance and resilience of native species, as well as human impacts such as the introduction of non-native species, disease vectors, habitat loss, alteration of migration corridors etc.
  
• Factors affecting habitat conditions such as altered hydrologic regimes, fire suppression, habitat fragmentation, pollution and global climate effects.
  
• Preservation and restoration of plant communities in four life-zones; upper-sonoran, montane, sub-alpine, and alpine that occur in the Roaring Fork Watershed.
  
• Evaluation of environmental factors and management options to reduce pathogenic fungi in aspen groves, and reduce bark beetle infestations in coniferous forests.
  
• Animal species of particular interest to AFBL include but are not limited to; native and non-native birds, fish, boreal toad and other amphibians, deer, elk, big horn sheep, black bear, lynx, snowshoe hare, bats and other mammals.

To provide facilities for research and education in the biological sciences, emphasizing the natural surroundings dominated by the Elk Mountains and drainage of the Valley of the Roaring Fork River, and to encourage research and conservation biology, earth resources, geology, geography, ecosystem sciences, applied ecology and related disciplines.

Adopted Feb 4, 2004.