After 10 years at Teller Park Conservation District, Marisa Neuzil is moving on to retirement and turning management over to Atticus Bixby. In a farewell/hello chat, the two discuss what goes on in the conservation district.

“We do outreach and education” Neuzil said. “We are a hub of information.”

As the new guy, Bixby is up for education, to students and homeowners’ associations for instance.

“I love talking about grass, soil, growing trees,” Bixby said, adding that he would be talking about those subjects at the Friday Farmers Market in Woodland Park.

From Minnesota to Colorado, Bixby is transitioning from working in an area with plenty of water to one plagued by drought.

“In Minnesota I was doing mostly prairie shortgrass conservation,” Bixby said.

No doubt about it, things are different in Colorado.

“I’ve always known weeds were a problem, but out here they’re a horrible problem,” he said. “They’re so much more aggressive here because the competition is a lot lower.”

With a degree from Minnesota State University in recreation, parks and leisure services, with an emphasis on resource management, Bixby also earned a license in noxious weeds management. The license will be a bonus.

“He understands weeds as well,” Neuzil said.

In Minnesota, the natives eventually outcompete weeds such as Canada thistle, which has roots up to 20-feet deep, according to “Noxious Weeds of Colorado,” published by the Colorado Weed Management Association.

In 2019, Neuzil was honored by the association for her role in weed management.

“Our district has been recognized around the state due to Marisa’s efforts and involvement with the state weed board,” said Laurie Glauth, president of the TPCD.

In Teller and Park counties, the district offers a 50/50 cost share program up to $400 for landowners, in addition to a 50/50 cost share program for pasture stabilization. Both are funded by a state grant to the district.

“The program helps landowners replace noxious weeds with seeds that rejuvenate the land,” Neuzil said, adding that the program is on a first-come-first served basis.

While dealing with noxious weeds and resource management is the scientific part of the job, Bixby, like Neuzil, intends to be a vital part of the agricultural community.

“There are three focuses on the degree, the land, the people and the community,” Bixby said. 

A special district under the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the district funds its projects with state and federal grants in addition to sales of grass seeds.

“Marisa has built a sustainable business model that allows us to fund scholarships, provide education and fund materials as well as trips for winners of the Envirothon program at the Woodland Park Junior/Senior High School,” said Greg Liverman, a supervisor on the board. (Rose Banzhaf leads the program at the high school.)

Among Neuzil’s contributions is her study of native plants that are ideal for the climate and environment of both counties.

“Native plants hold the soil better than noxious weeds.” Liverman said. “Our native animals get more nutrition from native grasses because they evolved with those native grasses.”

For the next several months, Neuzil has agreed to stay on as a consultant for the district.

“Marisa’s 10 years with the district provide opportunity to expand on what she has established, and we will continue to provide education and resources for the urban-rural interface in both counties,” Glauth said. “Marisa has left the TPCD in much better shape than when she found it… the district supervisors are forever grateful!”