While you may be familiar with South Park from the offbeat TV cartoon series, there are plenty of serious reasons to love and protect this place. This vast grassland basin hemmed in by the Mosquito and Tarryall Mountains sits at over 9,000 feet above sea level. Extremely rare peat wetlands known as fens create conditions that equally rare species like Porter feathergrass require. These fens have developed over thousands of years, and are irreplaceable treasures that can be destroyed by peat mining and water diversions. Front Range cities to the east have repeatedly eyed South Park's water, and at times, have even tried to seize this precious resource against the wishes of South Park residents. Park County has recognized the benefits of conservation easements and wetlands protection, but residential development is creeping along Highway 285 and will be placing greater demands on the local water supply as well.