Q&A with Laura Sanford, Executive Director, Douglas Land Conservancy
K: Tell us a bit about your land trust and how it’s working for Colorado’s future.
L: Douglas Land Conservancy (DLC) has compiled an aggressive 5-year strategic plan that started January 1, 2024. In that time DLC looks forward to increasing our land portfolio significantly, raising an additional 1.86 million in Stewardship funds, growing our staff, and making a positive difference in our local communities. We are examining our mission and creating a long-term vision for the organization.
K: What is one thing you wish every Coloradan understood about the work of land trusts?
L: Colorado is a state that understands the value of property. Working ranches and farms, public spaces to enjoy, economic tourism, and bucolic scenery are all of value and go hand-and-hand with conservation. Opting to conserve private property is every bit as much as a property right as selling your mineral rights, they are all part of the bundle. We need all these pieces for a holistically healthy region.
K: What inspired you to join the board of Keep It Colorado?
L: Large-landscape, regional conservation is one of the bright futures in our work. Statewide organizations like KIC are built to look at conservation through this lens. While there are many land trusts in the nation (and abroad), it is time to concentrate on the big-picture and that means collaboration across municipal, county, and state lines. I am also inspired by the programs and content KIC offers to the land trust community, especially the focus on reaching people and communities with which we have not historically connected. Being a part of the big picture is appealing.
K: What does conservation mean to you?
L: Everything. Globally we are reaching tipping points every day that will affect future generations. There is an urgency in the land trust world that I have not felt before and my inner conservationist is responding. My life is dedicated to helping connect people to nature and I will keep using my expertise to try and make our world a better place for ALL!
K: What is your favorite thing to do outdoors in Colorado?
L: Hiking in the trees on a mountain with my family. Also “Jeep’n” on any dirt road in Colorado. We go somewhere new almost every weekend. I am awesomely overwhelmed by all the available public trails and spaces!
K: What is your favorite…
River, lake or stream in Colorado? Piney Lake in Vail off Red Sandstone Road.
Mountain peak? Mount Bross – I almost made it to the top years ago and it will always hold a place in my heart even though I did not make it all the way!
Prairie or grassland? A private landowner in Elbert County. The diversity of plants is amazing, and the bird list is quite impressive.
Ranch or farmland? Ella Family Farms in Hotchkiss. Their applesauce is wonderful.
Colorado-grown food? Bison, no question. I had to give up steamed crabs and bison meat almost makes up for that.
Form of wildlife? Big-horned sheep. There is a long story behind that, but I have finally seen a few.
Thank you for your service to Colorado and your leadership on our board, Laura!
