Virtual Conservation Showcase:
“What has conservation done for you lately?”

When people think about conservation, their minds might immediately go to public lands like forests and national parks. But conservation also takes place on private lands, and this type of conservation works toward the same goals - protecting all the things that make Colorado special.

On April 14, 2022, we heard from six land trusts who shared what their work looks like on the ground, and the many benefits people and wildlife receive from those efforts. People from all reaches of the state joined us for our Virtual Conservation Showcase and discovered that conservation means a lot of different things to different organizations and communities, even within the conservation sector.

They also discovered that land trusts all operate a little differently and have different programs. Some are exclusively focused on conserving the local ranch and farmlands that put food on our tables; some conserve lands that the public can use and enjoy; others are actively involving community members in conservation and stewardship; and some land trusts exclusively conserve land for the purpose of protecting wildlife and the habitat they need to survive. Some do all these things. The showcase was a chance to get just a flavor for some of these activities happening across the state.

After hearing these stories, we’d love to hear whether your view or definition of conservation changed! Send us a note.

Video recording

About the presentations

Featured

Saving Sweetwater Lake: Colorado's Newest State Park

Eagle Valley Land Trust

Bergen Tjossem, Deputy Director

Sweetwater Lake is one of the largest and most pristine natural bodies of water in Colorado. For decades it’s been a gem of Garfield County. Now, it’s part of White River National Forest, and was named Colorado’s 43rd state park, where Coloradans can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming and camping, and wildlife will continue to thrive in its 488 acres of natural habitat. The community’s long-time vision to protect the lake from commercial development will save it from golf courses, houses and resorts. Protecting it in perpetuity will keep it in pristine natural condition while also allowing the public to enjoy it.

It's for the Birds - and More: Protecting Our Wetlands

Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust

Joelle Marier, Associate Director, and Sally Wier, Conservation Manager

Did you know over 50 percent of Colorado’s wetlands have been lost since Colorado became a state? Our wildlife populations, especially migratory birds, depend on wetlands for habitat. You may have even “flocked” to the San Luis Valley to see the thousands of Sandhill Cranes that move through here every year! Local economies and communities also rely on wetlands for agriculture and tourism. As long-term drought, rural subdivision and competing water demands threaten wet meadows, conserving what remains of them is critical. Partnerships and funding from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act will enable landscape-scale wetland conservation in a rural region where water is always top of mind.

Beef, Books, and Better Soil: Benefits of Conservation Abound!

Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust

Maggie Hanna, Director of External Relations

In Colorado we’re fortunate to have fresh, locally raised meat and produce from family-run operations. At the Taylor-Oswald Ranch near Cotopaxi, owners Steve and Nancy Oswald chose to conserve their land so that the ranch can continue doing what it does best: serving Colorado’s communities. The Oswalds market natural grass-fed beef to consumers and promote sustainable, profitable agriculture. They also host grazing and soil health workshops to educate and develop young producers. And Nancy’s historical fiction-writing about connection to land and place inspires young readers. Committed to carrying on the heritage of the ranch in a world of change, the Oswalds hope to pass on a legacy of local agriculture and land preservation to future generations.

Creating Place and Connection through Stewardship and Restoration

Colorado West Land Trust

Libby Collins, Project Manager

Every Wednesday morning, members of the Grand Junction community gather along the new 1.5-mile Monument Trail to water newly planted natives, remove weeds forming nurturing pockets for existing vegetation, transplant bio crust, collect and spread seed, and align walkways to alter social trails. Volunteer stewardship and citizen science programs are the vehicle for this gathering that generates a connection among people. Spanning generations, life experiences, and expertise, these programs instill a deep caring for the place – the land. A decade-long initiative to protect land and build trails culminates, today, in growing the community’s desire to nurture the outdoors we enjoy.

Our Relationship to the Natural World

Montezuma Land Conservancy

Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk, Cross-Cultural Programs Manager

We are borrowing this land from our children, so let’s involve them in the process of undoing the damage to our natural world. In developing relationships with youth and the greater community, we can share stories of land, tradition, culture, celebration, trauma and connection. Conversations and collaborations can be endless when we allow ourselves to dream together! It’s an opportunity to learn from the past and from our fellow human beings. It reminds us that we are preparing this space for the next generations of Indigenous people, farmers, ranchers and community members. And by working together and taking in different sources of knowledge, we will develop creative solutions to the challenges we face.

Bringing Back the American Serengeti

Southern Plains Land Trust

Nicole Rosmarino, Executive Director

Prairie wildlife is stuck between a rock and a hard place, facing challenges in both urban and rural areas. One solution is to buy the land under their feet, which is what the Southern Plains Land Trust does. Since 1998, the land trust has protected over 38,000 acres in southeast Colorado. By protected, we mean: no development and no hunting, and any visitation is in the service of wildlife and their needs. These preserves are places where pronghorn can stretch their legs, prairie dogs can play their keystone role, and coyotes and all other native wildlife are treasured. In bringing back the American Serengeti, we’ve created a place for the wild ones!

Virtual Conservation Showcase: “What has conservation done for you lately?”

Video recording

About the presentations

Virtual Conservation Showcase:
“What has conservation done for you lately?”