A Golden Opportunity: $10,000 Match Challenge
AS FALL SETTLES IN, WE HOPE THIS GOLDEN TIME OF YEAR FINDS YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES HEALTHY AND HAPPY.
We have been gifted an amazing opportunity! An anonymous donor has pledged a $10,000 match to inspire our community. Every dollar you give will be doubled to protect open spaces, wildlife habitat, healthy watersheds, and working lands right here at home.
Why Your Support Matters
The U.S. loses about 150 acres of natural land and 40 acres of farmland every hour. In Southwest Colorado, increased development pressures threaten cherished places like the north Animas Valley (photo below).
Research has shown that conservation easements are one of the most effective solutions. LPOSC is not only protecting more land than ever, we are also using our platform to serve the community through education, youth programs, and partnerships. But our small staff cannot keep pace with demand. Your gift will fund more staff hours for Derrik and Ashley, create internships for Fort Lewis College students, and invest in field tools and software.
Valley North of Durango
What Keeps Us Busy!
LPOSC is tackling more conservation projects than ever.
Created a new 50-acre conservation easement on Durango’s west side, protecting scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, and potential future recreation access (top photo below).
Added 193 acres to an existing easement and expanded protection to an impressive 373 acres of continuous habitat for wildlife and agricultural lands (bottom photo below).
Advancing four new easements and a new application that will collectively protect open space, public recreation, wetlands, and critical habitat for wildlife ranging from elk and mule deer to wild turkeys, native fish, and even a rare jumping mouse.
Beyond Land Conservation
This summer, we brought people and nature together in new and meaningful ways.
For the first time, we partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado https://bbig.org/ to share the magic of fireflies with local youth in an evening that sparked wonder and connection to the outdoors. Read the Durango Herald article here: https://lposc.org/category/news/
On land conserved by Helen Ruth Aspaas (bottom left), our Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Zahratka (bottom center), helped lead a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service training for a rare butterfly (right photo). More than 50 biologists from state, federal, and tribal agencies, including our partner Aran Johnson, Division Head, Wildlife Resource Management Division for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe (bottom right), gathered to learn and collaborate.
We were awarded a grant from Keep It Colorado https://www.keepitco.org/tcap to finance a 67-acre conservation easement along the Animas River that will protect 10 acres of wetlands and a half-mile stretch of riverfront. Read the Durango Herald article here: https://lposc.org/category/news/
Together, these moments remind us why conservation matters. It inspires the next generation, supports scientific collaboration, and protects Colorado’s wildlife and their habitat.
Thank you for celebrating SKA, beer, and conservation with us! Pictured L to R below: GIS technician, Derrik Echevarria; Executive Director, Jennifer Zahratka; Board Member, Jim Whitley; and Board President, Rick Borkowski.
