Mission: The organization's primary exempt purpose is to identify, preserve and protect open lands, parks and trails in southwest colorado for the benefit of wildlife, agriculture,and public open space.
Programs: Community outreach/education and membership: la plata open space conservancys community education program is key to connecting people to the lands we protect. During 2014, the conservancy gave educational presentations at durangos lyons club, kiwanis club, and rotary club meetings. The conservancy took part in career days at fort lewis college, and began hosting student interns. In addition to the annual outreach fundraising event and annual appreciation picnic, the conservancy expanded its community outreach program to include an educational film event to illustrate land conservation activities, a free concert to inspire younger community members to be involved, and began contacting real estate offices to schedule educational presentations. The conservancy also hosted an educational booth at the local farmers market, and during public environmental events at the durango arts center. La plata open space conservancy hosts a membership base of nearly 500 community members. The generous support of the members enables the conservancy to achieve its mission to protect valuable lands for generations to come. Our membership has increased as we have increased our community outreach/education program.
land protection/acquisitions: la plata open space conservancy experienced a record high level of landowner contacts regarding conservation easements in 2014. Thirty-seven landowners requested information on how land conservation may meet their wishes to protect their land. One conservation easement was finalized in 2014, adding 57 acres to a block of protected lands which now totals 319 acres adjacent to thousands of national forest system lands. An additional three easements began in 2014, and will be finalized in 2015 adding 270 acres of protected lands in la plata county (all significant wildlife habitat). Only lands hosting conservation values that benefit the greater good qualify for conservation easements. The conservancy has been involved in the permanent protection of nearly 30,000 acres across seven counties since it began in 1992. This number includes partnerships with other land trusts and land management organizations. Currently, the conservancy holds 176 conservation easements, protecting 20,000 acres of land.
land stewardship: as a certified conservation easement holder, la plata open space conservancy is legally obligated to monitor every protected property annually. This ensures that the natural resources are being stewarded as promised to the greater good in the terms of the easement. Annual monitoring also serves to connect conservation easement donors and subsequent landowners to the conservancy, to keep a friendly working relationship over time. In 2014, la plata open space conservancy began involving fort lewis college interns and community volunteers in the monitoring program as well as stewardship programs involving habitat restoration, further connecting our community to the landscapes the conservancy protects. Stewardship programs focused on habitat restoration are newly formed partnerships with other local, environmental nonprofit organizations.
La Plata Open Space Conservancy became an accredited land trust February 2024, a status that can be renewed every five years. Accreditation means La Plata Open Space Conservancy meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. La Plata Open Space Conservancy demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate the commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. To learn more about land trust accreditation and the current accreditation status of La Plata Open Space Conservancy, visit http//www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.
