Contact

➤ LOCATION

434 Jefferson St.
Monte Vista, CO

☎ CONTACT

legacyforestco@gmail.com
(719) 850-2095

https://www.facebook.com/legacy.forest.management.colo

https://www.linkedin.com/company/legacy-forest-management-llc-colorado

OUR Vision and Mission

At Legacy Forest Management, LLC, our work is rooted in the belief that healthy forests are built on a foundation of balance, resilience, and restoration. As a veteran-owned company with deep field experience, we are committed to addressing the legacy of altered fire regimes, unsustainable land use practices, and long-term forest mismanagement that have pushed many ecosystems far outside their Historical Range of Variation (HRV).

The HRV represents the natural conditions under which forests evolved—shaped by frequent and periodic fires that once maintained ecological structure, diversity, and function. Today, many forested landscapes across the Southwest bear little resemblance to those historic conditions. Overcrowding, invasive species, and an absence of beneficial fire have left these areas increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires, disease, and ecological collapse.

Our mission is to help landowners and managers reconnect their forests to these natural processes. Through science-based planning, on-the-ground action, and a strong ethic of service, we work to restore ecological integrity while also enhancing the social and economic value of forestland. Whether through thinning, prescribed burning, planting, or planning, Legacy Forest Management, LLC is dedicated to building forests that are healthier, more productive, and more resilient—for generations to come.

Forged From Fire: The History of Legacy Forest Management, LLC

Legacy Forest Management, LLC is more than a forestry company—it’s the product of lived experience, grit, and a profound respect for the land. Founder Tyrell “Ty” Mares grew up in the rugged landscapes of the Gila region, where towering ponderosa pines and the quiet presence of fire shaped both the forest and the people who called it home. From a young age, Ty witnessed the vital role fire played in maintaining healthy forests, and the way human stewardship—or lack thereof—could tip that balance.

After serving in the military, Ty returned home with a sharpened sense of duty and a desire to continue serving his community—this time, by protecting the very ecosystems that had shaped him. He joined the U.S. Forest Service, where he expanded his field experience and gained critical insight into large-scale land management, forest policy, and restoration planning across the diverse terrain of the American Southwest.

Grounded in science, built on service, and inspired by the ecology of the Southwest, Legacy Forest Management helps landowners restore balance to overgrown, fire-prone forests. With firsthand knowledge of the land, field-tested experience as a wildland firefighter and logger, and the enduring values forged in military service, Ty and his team are dedicated to creating forests that are healthier, more resilient, and more connected to their natural roots.
 

🔥 From Fuels to Forest Products: Turning Risk into Resilience

At Legacy Forest Management, LLC, we understand the complex challenge of managing excess forest biomass—what many see as wildfire fuel, we see as an opportunity. In the face of declining sawmill infrastructure and a shrinking logging workforce, we work to bridge the gap between ecological necessity and economic feasibility.

By collaborating with forest product companies throughout Colorado and the Southwest, we help ensure that the byproducts of fuels reduction—such as small-diameter trees and woody debris—don’t go to waste. Instead, they’re transformed into marketable forest products, contributing to local economies and reinforcing the sustainability of forest health initiatives. When landowners, foresters, sawmills, and contractors align, the results are powerful: healthier forests and stronger communities.

🌲 Applied Forest Ecology: Science-Based Solutions for Complex Landscapes

We don’t just “cut trees.” Every project we design is rooted in the science and practice of silviculture—the art of managing forests to achieve desired outcomes using ecological principles. In its simplest form, silviculture is applied forest ecology. It’s about understanding how everything in a forest interacts—from towering pines to understory grasses, soil composition to wildlife habitat—and using that knowledge to guide thoughtful, effective decision-making.

Our team brings practical expertise in:

• 🌿 Tree biology and forest stand dynamics

• 🌾 Grass, shrub, and understory management

• 🐾 Wildlife habitat preservation and enhancement

• 🧪 Soil health and nutrient cycling

• 🔄 Restoration of natural fire regimes

By applying silvicultural methods customized to each landscape’s unique conditions, we help landowners not only mitigate risks like catastrophic wildfire but build long-term ecological resilience into their land. Whether it’s a small private forest or a large-scale restoration project, Legacy Forest Management delivers both environmental and economic value with every acre we touch.