None The Nature Conservancy in Colorado Press Releases Search All Press Releases Christine Broda-Bahm Phone: (720) 974-7002 Cell: (303) 910-5427 Email: cbrodabahm@tnc.org

The Nature Conservancy Names Charles Bedford Colorado State Director

Native Coloradoan to take lead role in conserving Colorado's natural heritage

Boulder, Colorado—November 15, 2004—Charles Bedford has been named as the new state director for The Nature Conservancy of Colorado, the non-profit land and water conservation group announced on last week.

A native of Fort Collins, Bedford is well-known in conservation communities for his leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to build positive coalitions.

Joining the Conservancy’s Colorado Program in 2001 as the associate state director, Bedford played a pivotal role in advancing and securing the $31.3 million funding package for the Baca Ranch Project leading to the creation of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve; shaping the ten-year strategic vision of the Colorado program; and reaching across borders to support the Conservancy’s work in other countries.

"Charles Bedford has been an essential part of the Conservancy's recent victories for Colorado and the environment, so it is a particular victory for us that after a rigorous national search we found the best candidate within our organization,” said Mark Falcone, chair of the Colorado Board of Trustees. “We feel confident that Charles will lead Colorado to the next level of conservation excellence."

Bedford will focus his efforts on what he views as the state’s most pressing conservation issues: water management, protecting wildlife habitat, and restoring our natural areas. “I’m inspired by the people of Colorado and feel confident about finding innovative approaches for helping people live in harmony with nature,” said Bedford adding, “I hope to continue building on the momentum and success of the program in making lasting results on the Colorado landscape and in preserving our extraordinary natural areas.”

“In his four years as associate director in Colorado, Charles demonstrated all of the best qualities we can hope for in a state director,” said Mark Burget, the former Colorado state director of 11 years and current director of the Conservancy’s Global Priorities Group.  “He cares deeply about our mission, is a keen strategist, and knows how important our people are to mission success.   I am thrilled for Charles and for the future of the Colorado program.”

To date, the Conservancy has protected more than 600,000 acres of forests, prairies, canyons, and wetlands in Colorado.  Implementing a science-based approach, the Colorado program has identified and will continue to focus on protecting 12 project areas that represent natural systems in all four corners of the state. 

Prior to his work at the Conservancy, Bedford served as the director of the Colorado Board of Land Commissioners where he was responsible for the long-term management of over three million acres of state land and other real estate.  He was also deputy legal advisor for Governor Roy Romer.  Bedford holds a bachelor of science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a juris doctor from the University of Colorado School of Law.  He lives in Denver with his wife, Tamera, and their daughter, Carter.