The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Tim Sullivan, Colorado State Director © Jim Steinberg Photography

"The decisions we make now will impact our lands and waters forever."

Tim Sullivan
Director, The Nature Conservancy in Colorado

Now in our 45th year, the Conservancy in Colorado is determined as ever to protect the lands and waters that form the foundation of our economy, our recreational pursuits and our livelihoods. Through a variety of projects, partnerships and plans we are making progress toward our vision. Below you'll find just a few of our successes from 2010. We thank you for all you to do help us protect life in this incredible state, and indeed, on this extraordinary planet.

Grasslands

The Conservancy, using generous private funding from Great Outdoors Colorado and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, placed two conservation on the Jumping Cow Ranch in Elbert County totaling more than 19,000 acres on the property. The ranch, owned and operated by Grant Thayer, will protect critical wildlife habitat and continue to contribute to the local economy.

Rivers

Using science and collaboration, the Conservancy are working to develop a common vision for the future of the North Fork of the Cache la Poudre River. This river flows through the Conservancy's Phantom Canyon Preserve, 30 miles northwest of Ft. Collins, and is faces with increasing demands. Interactive computer simulations modeled by the Conservancy's John Sanderson are helping communities and others to see what impacts these demands will have in the future. As the vision emerges, so too does an open, community-based approach that meets the needs of nature while serving people who depend on its water.

Forests

Our Front Range forests received a boost this year when the Secretary of Agriculture selected the area as one of 10 projects nationwide to receive funding through a new Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP). Conservancy staff worked with the U.S. Forest Service and others on the proposal, which will restore more than 22,000 acres of high-priority ponderosa pine forests over the next 10 years. Interestingly, CFLRP was created through the efforts of Conservancy staff across the nation who worked with members of Congress to conceive and advocate for passage of the 2009 Forest Landscape Restoration Act.

Additionally, since its creation in 2008, our Southern Rockies Wildland Fire Module remains very busy. The team continues to work on the ground, restoring Colorado's forests with safe, scientifically designed prescribed burns and management of naturally ignited fires on tens of thousands of acres across the West. Read an interview with the module's leader, Erick Stahlin, and learn more about their important work.