We are proud to announce the publication of a report highlighting our coalition’s activities and accomplishments since we relaunched in 2019, as well as the conservation impacts of our members. Thanks for reading!
By way of introduction to the report, below is a letter from our executive director, Melissa Daruna.
Dear friends and partners in conservation,
Since Keep It Colorado was relaunched in January 2019, we have been through more than just an organizational transition and all that that entails: Hiring staff, reforming our board, developing programs and executing on strategies. The last two years have been all of that and more. We are grateful to those who've supported us every step of the way—our members, without whom there would be no coalition; our board members, who every day demonstrate their time and dedication to the mission; and our partners, who show up in collaboration and support.
Adding to the color of a relaunch have been some extraordinary events that influenced not just how we did our work, but impacted lives and livelihoods across Colorado communities. The COVID-19 global pandemic and the wildfires that ravaged hundreds of thousands of acres in Colorado will forever mark the year 2020 as one of the most devastating years in recent history. As well, the calls for racial and social justice in all sectors of our society have left us reflecting on equity challenges in the conservation space. Our natural environment simultaneously nurtured and challenged our mental, physical and social health and wellbeing.
With those challenges have also come opportunities, and in that regard our coalition is thriving. Conservation has continued to move forward and a few things have become crystal clear. Taking care of our natural places and spaces continues to be critically important. As people we all thrive on spending time outside, where nature take care of us. And while we have work to do to ensure a resilient future for all, we have the drive and dedication to get there.
Looking back at 2020 and 2019, some key themes speak to what Keep It Colorado is all about. First, the collaborative nature of our coalition is essential to the success of conservation. Working together, nurturing partnerships and looking to the future with a unified vision are cornerstones of this work. Collaboration will continue as we move into the new year with initiatives such as the Colorado Private Lands Conservation Plan, which we briefly highlight in this report.
Secondly, I note how resilient the membership has proven to be in these times. That resiliency inspires us as a collective to find creative solutions to the challenges we face while increasing conservation and stewarding our lands. On these pages we celebrate the on-the-ground conservation that has taken place.
Finally, Keep It Colorado’s work over the last two years truly reflects what we see and hear from our membership. We’ve listened to members’ needs and wishes, working to provide support while keeping a focus on the bigger statewide conservation picture. The coalition was recreated to meet the evolving needs of conservation work and to keep this community connected to a broader movement, and I believe we’re doing just that.
We are filled with hope for the future of Colorado and conservation in this great state. While there is a lot of work to do and an urgent need to get it done, our community is strong, dedicated and connected. We thank you for reading, and for supporting the coalition and the work of our members. Thank you for what you do to keep it Colorado.
—Melissa Daruna, Executive Director, Keep It Colorado
