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

Congress Passes Final Appropriation for Great Sand Dunes National Park

The Nature Conservancy Applauds Senators Campbell and Allard, Representative McInnis, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, and Governor Owens for their Lasting Legacy on the Colorado Landscape

Boulder, Colorado—November 22, 2004—The Nature Conservancy today applauded the final federal appropriation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the purchase of the Baca Ranch, a key component of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Pending final approval of the approximate $3.4 million appropriation, full ownership of the ranch will be transferred to the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA Forest Service.

“Today’s appropriation is the final step in a journey that in some ways began more than 70 years ago when the Dunes became a National Monument,” said Governor Owens.  “This year we reached the end of that journey when the Dunes achieved National Park status.”

In September, the Conservancy and the federal government jointly acquired the 151-square mile Baca Ranch after 10 years of legal negotiations and a series of complex real estate transactions, clearing the way for the protection of the ranch making the Great Sand Dunes Monument of significant size for its designation as a national park.  Shortly thereafter, The Great Sand Dunes National Park was declared by Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton as the nation’s 58th national park.   Since the announcement, the land has been jointly owned and managed by the Conservancy and the U.S. Department of the Interior pending this final payment from the federal government.

Charles Bedford, director of The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, attributes this monumental conservation success to, “ the dedication and commitment of individuals and organizations that came together, determined to protect the San Luis Valley’s water and conserve one of the nation’s most spectacular and ecologically-important places.”  Leading these efforts, Bedford said, were Senator Wayne Allard and Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Congressman Scott McInnis, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, Governor Bill Owens; all of whom championed the creation of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

The Conservancy also extends its thanks to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and their respective administrations for recognizing the environmental significance of this project and making the creation of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve a priority.  Bedford said that these officials’ unwavering support leveraged this ecologically significant conservation victory.

The law creating the new national park, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000, was authored by Senator Allard and Representative McInnis and became law in November of 2000.

Senator Wayne Allard observed that, “Our nation’s newest national park is a fine example of what can be accomplished with local consensus. This project was a success because of the initiative of the citizens of the San Luis Valley, The Nature Conservancy and key public officials.  It was a pleasure working with them.” 

“Both Senator Campbell and Congressman McInnis, who are leaving office this year, should be proud of this momentous conservation victory,” said Bedford. “Through their combined efforts and united vision, these Colorado officials have created a legacy that will preserve a way of life in the San Luis Valley as well as Colorado’s natural heritage.”

Congressman McInnis also commented on the collaborative spirit of the effort:  “The Great Sand Dunes has already been dubbed one of the ‘crown jewels’ of our national park system. I couldn’t have asked for a better way for my good friend Ben Campbell and I to celebrate our many years of working together.  We’ve been a great team.”

The Conservancy has long been interested in protecting this property as it is one of the state’s most biologically-significant sites. Containing valuable wetland habitat, this area is vital to migrating waterfowl, including sandhill cranes and eight species of insects, including the Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle that are found nowhere else in the world.  The landscape provides vital habitat for a wealth of species, including a large elk herd, fox, mountain lion, and bighorn sheep. 

Great Outdoors Colorado gave a $3 million loan to The Nature Conservancy to close the deal until federal dollars were made available.  GOCO director John Swartout stated, “All those that made the federal-state partnership on this project possible should be proud of such a great land preservation achievement for Colorado and the nation.”  GOCO also extended congratulations to all those involved and added that they were grateful they could play a role in this success.

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