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An effort to conserve land in the Western Slope produced banner results last year as more than 5,300 acres was permanently protected in the region.
The Mesa Land Trust said Tuesday that it reached agreements with 16 landowners and their families to conserve land in the Grand Valley. That was the second largest amount of acres ever conserved by the nonprofit group, which was founded in 1980.
The highest amount was 13,000 acres in 2002.
Ilana Moir, a land protection specialist with the group, chalked up the conservation total to a combination of factors.
“We do some civic outreach,” she said, “and we have also been really lucky with some landowners who talk to other landowners.”
The largest piece of the conservation pie was Lobe Creek Ranch, which accounted for more than 3,300 acres.
Lobe Creek Ranch is owned and maintained by the Aubert family, who also agreed to conserve its Leslie Place Ranch. The combined land deals totaled about 3,700 acres in Glade Park, based on land trust data.
Mary Hughes, development officer of land trust, said the family placed conservation easements, which “ensures the property will never be developed or subdivided.”
She added, “They own the property. They maintain the property (and) they continue to ranch the property.”
The Land Trust was also able to lock up about 480 acres in Plateau Valley on the north edge of the Grand Mesa adjacent to Grand Mesa National Forest. Another big piece of conserved land came in the form of about 320 acres in Pinyon Mesa.
Moir said that deal was part of a “much bigger project.” She was referring to about 900 acres of ranch land conserved in the area, which is home to significant wildlife habitat, including deer and elk.
The group was also able to conserve about 165 acres of ranch land along Roc Creek in Montrose County.
The smallest deal last year, although no less significant, was a 10-acre vineyard that the Cox family agreed to conserve. The property sits below Interstate 70 near the Palisade exit, Moir said.
The land conservation deals are voluntary with owners typically receiving tax credits in exchange for dedicating property.
Through the end of last year Mesa Land Trust has conserved more than 58,000 acres in and around the county.
Hughes said the idea is to conserve “agricultural properties or the agricultural heritage” of the area.
Reach Wyatt Haupt Jr. at whaupt@gjfreepress.com.
The Mesa Land Trust said Tuesday that it reached agreements with 16 landowners and their families to conserve land in the Grand Valley. That was the second largest amount of acres ever conserved by the nonprofit group, which was founded in 1980.
The highest amount was 13,000 acres in 2002.
Ilana Moir, a land protection specialist with the group, chalked up the conservation total to a combination of factors.
“We do some civic outreach,” she said, “and we have also been really lucky with some landowners who talk to other landowners.”
The largest piece of the conservation pie was Lobe Creek Ranch, which accounted for more than 3,300 acres.
Lobe Creek Ranch is owned and maintained by the Aubert family, who also agreed to conserve its Leslie Place Ranch. The combined land deals totaled about 3,700 acres in Glade Park, based on land trust data.
Mary Hughes, development officer of land trust, said the family placed conservation easements, which “ensures the property will never be developed or subdivided.”
She added, “They own the property. They maintain the property (and) they continue to ranch the property.”
The Land Trust was also able to lock up about 480 acres in Plateau Valley on the north edge of the Grand Mesa adjacent to Grand Mesa National Forest. Another big piece of conserved land came in the form of about 320 acres in Pinyon Mesa.
Moir said that deal was part of a “much bigger project.” She was referring to about 900 acres of ranch land conserved in the area, which is home to significant wildlife habitat, including deer and elk.
The group was also able to conserve about 165 acres of ranch land along Roc Creek in Montrose County.
The smallest deal last year, although no less significant, was a 10-acre vineyard that the Cox family agreed to conserve. The property sits below Interstate 70 near the Palisade exit, Moir said.
The land conservation deals are voluntary with owners typically receiving tax credits in exchange for dedicating property.
Through the end of last year Mesa Land Trust has conserved more than 58,000 acres in and around the county.
Hughes said the idea is to conserve “agricultural properties or the agricultural heritage” of the area.
Reach Wyatt Haupt Jr. at whaupt@gjfreepress.com.
