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.

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.

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.

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.

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!