Fall 2018 Newsletter
Understanding Colorado’s Critical Conservation Resources
MALT Serves as Pilot Organization for GIS Project
In collaboration with Colorado Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust and Aaron Sidder of Red Beard Science LLC, MALT is serving as a pilot organization for a project designed to increase Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Colorado Land Trusts. MALT’s role as a pilot is part of a broader effort that aims to establish a shared database that Colorado land trusts can use to identify a variety of conservation characteristics including wildlife habitat, wetlands, water resources and rare plant communities.
By participating in this project, MALT will use the data to update its Land and Water Conservation Plan, identify currently unprotected areas in its priority areas and explore additional analyses, including critical water resources, that support MALT’s mission for land and water conservation.
Saving the Land with Voluntary Land Agreements
MALT is continually looking for opportunities to partner with private landowners seeking to protect their land and leave a legacy for the future. We recognize that Colorado’s population is rapidly increasing and as it grows there is mounting pressure on the environment and open spaces we enjoy. Private lands are under pressure of being broken up for a variety of reasons -development, generational shifts from family farming or ranching, and financial hardship, to name a few. One tool available to landowners interested in preserving their heritage is a voluntary land agreement (Conservation Easement).
A voluntary land agreement may be the answer that eases the pressures and protects the land into the future. If you are looking for ways to conserve a property, we would welcome the opportunity to visit with you and/or your family to discuss the Conservation Easement process and potential tax benefits. To set a time to talk or for more information please call the MALT office at 303-679-0950 or email us at MALT@savetheland.org.
More Trails Completed at Floyd Hill Open Space
Summer Volunteers Complete Trail Sections
Volunteer trail building organized by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and others this summer resulted in 4.5 miles of trails completed. Over 244 VOC volunteers donated 2,120 hours of volunteer labor valued at over $55,000 at Floyd Hill Open Space! MALT secured a grant from the Gates Family Foundation to fund much of this work. The VOC groups accomplished 3,300 feet of finished new trail, 1,400 feet of improvements to rough existing trail, built 10 climbing turns and removed 2 acres of invasive weeds. Trails are open for hiking and mountain biking. Read more about the July 9th trail building day.
Pika Trail Kiosk Signage
Interpretive Panels Installed
Interpretive panels for the Pika Trail were installed on October 5th on MALT’s property on Pennsylvania Mountain Natural Area. The display panels include the Pika Trail map, information on the bristlecone pines, pika and plants found in the area and also historical background of the South Park region. Funding secured by MALT to complete this project was provided by The Summit Foundation and South Park National Heritage Area.
Boo! Bash Thank You
We Feel the Love!
A very grateful thank you to Sarah and Les Sweeney and their Share the Love Foundation for including MALT in the 5th annual Boo Bash on October 20th at Wild Game. MALT was one of the five local non-profits selected by the foundation to receive proceeds from this annual event. Thank you to all of our supporters who came out for the fun and to support land and water conservation!
Dylan Sondermann Transitions to New Position
Dylan Sondermann joined MALT as the Land Steward in March 2018 after receiving a Master of Science degree in Conservation Leadership Through Learning (CLTL) from Colorado State University and he has recently accepted a position with MALT as a Land and Water Conservation Specialist.
Dylan will be assisting the Land and Water Director with Conservation Easement projects and continue to work on partnerships that promote MALT’s mission. Currently, Dylan is working on several projects including a water sampling partnership with the University of Denver and a GIS pilot project that aims to increase the capacity of Land Trusts throughout Colorado.
Dylan said, “I thoroughly enjoyed spending my summer as MALT’s Land Steward meeting landowners who are committed to preserving the beautiful mountain areas of Colorado and in my new role, I am dedicated to MALT’s continued pursuit of land and water conservation.”
Thank you to our Business Sponsors who support Land and Water Conservation.
