K: Tell us a bit about your land trust and how it’s working for Colorado’s future.
T: I have been with Colorado Open Lands for six years. We are a statewide land trust that has conserved approximately 580,000 acres through 500 projects in 46 counties. We focus on priority landscapes where open lands are particularly threatened and provide critical benefits for all of Colorado. Colorado Open Lands looks forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary in 2021. 

K: What is one thing you wish every Coloradan understood about the work of land trusts?
T: Conserved open and working lands provide benefits to every Coloradan, including things like scenic vistas, local foods, important wildlife habitats and vibrant rural communities, by ensuring that a critical mass of land remains in working agriculture.

K: What inspired you to join the board of Keep It Colorado?
T: My past professional work includes a rich history of working within coalitions, so I have seen the incredible impact these partnerships can have for our collective work. A coalition embodies the wise adage that “You can go faster alone, but further together.”

K: What does conservation mean to you?
T: Conservation is an important part of protecting a critical mass of our intricate and interdependent ecosystem – of which both humans and nature are important parts. In order for people to be heathy and productive, we need to balance our development with protecting our natural systems. Perpetual conservation is the most tangible and concrete way to ensure that balance.