Fall 2016 Newsletter
25 Years of Land and Water Conservation
MALT Celebrates 25th year in 2017
2017 marks the 25th anniversary of MALT saving the land and leaving a legacy! MALT was incorporated in 1992 with local Evergreen residents Sylvia Brockner, Linda Dahl, Dan Pike and Dave Scruby. In the 25 years since its founding, MALT has conserved nearly 21,000 acres through 70 voluntary land conservation agreements, collaborative public projects and ownership of 92 acres as part of the Pennsylvania Mountain Natural Area in Park County. Stay tuned for more celebration activiities. Learn more about MALT’s history.
North Floyd Hill Public Project
New Public Project off I-70
MALT has been the driving force behind the North Floyd Hill Public Project, which in October became much closer to being finalized as Great Outdoors Colorado has recommended this project for final funding! This 108 acre property will be owned in partnership by Clear Creek County and Jefferson County, with a Conservation Easement held by MALT. Located about 25 minutes from Denver on North Floyd Hill, this property is highly visible from I-70 and will provide convenient access to over 12,000 acres of public land to hikers and cyclists.
Over the last several months, MALT’s Executive Director, Jeanne Beaudry, has built successful partnerships with local governments and non-profits that have made the North Floyd Hill Public Project possible. MALT has teamed up with Clear Creek County Open Space, Jefferson County Open Space and the Trust for Public Land to provide partial funds for this acquisition and to apply to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) for the final funding required to purchase the property at fair market value. In October, GOCO staff recommended this project to be funded, which will occur in December of 2016 pending final approval.
This property is within Clear Creek County, yet Jefferson County is committed to this acquisition as it will allow outdoor recreationists to conveniently access over 12,000 acres of public land from I-70, much of which is within Jefferson County. This will mark the first time that Jefferson County has acquired Open Space outside of their County boundary. Additionally, a Conservation Easement on this property, held by MALT, will ensure public access and restricted development for perpetuity. Highly visible from the I-70 corridor, this property will soon be a destination to hikers and mountain bikers looking for mountainous terrain close to home. MALT is hoping to begin trail construction in 2017. Keep an eye out for upcoming volunteer trail building opportunities!
MALT Founders Inducted in JeffCO Hall of Fame
MALT founders honored
Two of MALT’s founders, Sylvia Brockner and Dan Pike, were honored on August 24 and inducted into the Jefferson County Hall of Fame Awards, an annual event that honors outstanding individuals from Jefferson County, Colorado. Congratulations to Sylvia and Dan!
MALT Alumni Council members Linda Dahl, Tandy Jones and Linda Rockwell with Hall of Fame inductee Dan Pike. Photo courtesy of Linda Kirkpatrick.
A Night in the Park Date Set for July 15, 2017
July 15 date announced for annual event
MALT has announced that the 15th annual A Night in the Park will be held on July 15, 2017 at Alderfer Three Sisters Open Space Park. Celebrating the 25 years of land and water conservation, this festive evening will feature a hosted bar, auctions, live music and catered dinner. Save the date and plan to join us to celebrate!
Land and Water Projects in Progress
MALT’s Land Team Working on New Projects
MALT’s Land Team is currently working on six land and water projects. Conservation Easements on these properties will protect significant wildlife habitats and corridors, scenic vistas, natural areas such as meadows, streams, riparian areas and other water resources, working ranches and land under threat of future development.
Projects underway include:
108 acres North Floyd Hill, Clear Creek County and Jefferson County
485 acres near Jefferson, Park County
152 acres near Fairplay, Park County
200 acres near Hartsel, Park County
330 acres with the Pikes Peak Boy Scouts Camp Alexander, Park County
1,412 acres near Boone, Pueblo County
20 acres near Colorado Springs, El Paso County.
Total of 2707 acres.
Meet New Board Member Bob Ostertag
Bob Ostertag is a native Coloradoan whose roots go back several generations. Bob’s family has owned a working ranch near Bailey, Colorado since 1927. In 2012, he and his sister worked with MALT to place a Conservation Easement on their ranch, allowing it to continue as a working enterprise in perpetuity while conserving the property’s natural resources. He has been with CoBiz Financial, Inc. since 1996, serving as Executive Vice President/Chief Credit Officer and Senior Vice President/Commercial Department Manager. Bob lives in Centennial with his wife and enjoys time with his two daughters.
Meet New Board Member Marion Wells
After graduating from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, Marion had her sights on working in New York City in International Business. However a life-changing event occurred in 1991 that steered her into a totally different career path. Marion completed the Physician’s Assistant program at Duke University in North Carolina and obtained a Masters of Health Sciences in 1996.
Marion first came to Colorado in 1992, working as a wrangler on a guest ranch near Shawnee where she met her husband Jeff, a former MALT board member. During his tenure, Marion learned of the great work MALT was doing preserving land, wildlife corridors and Colorado history. She and Jeff now enjoy introducing their 10 year old daughter to the beauty of Colorado through skiing, biking, hiking and the occasional garter snake.
Improving lives has become Marion’s goal personally and professionally. As the beauty of Colorado continues to draw more people to our state, Marion hopes to help continue the vital preservation required to protect our land, wildlife and way of life in Colorado.
Meet Land Steward Frank Falzone
A love for the outdoors is something that was always a part of Frank’s life as he grew up in Minnesota. Frank graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Ecosystem Management and Conservation. Upon graduation, Frank spent a field season on the Mt. Hood National Forest working in Silviculture and learning about the real-world applications of what he had learned in college. Frank loves spending his time outdoors. On any given weekend, you might find him up in the mountains skiing, hiking, rock climbing or panning for gold.
