“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources,

cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children.

Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your countryof its beauty, its riches or its romance.”

Theodore Roosevelt

Annual Report

2015

Photo by Anthony Culpepper

Jerry and Karen Zink donated this

conservation easement on 106 acres, protecting

Zink Pond and the surrounding

farmland. Zink Pond is a critical

wetland resource for migratory birds,

and the farm produces foods served in local

restaurants and school cafeterias. 1

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Dear Friends of La Plata Open Space,

In previous reports I have summarized our accomplishments and challenges, praised our staff and thanked our supporters. Those things are still appropriate now, as you can read elsewhere in this report.

I take this opportunity to reflect on open space conservation in a broad philosophical way. I will use snippets of quotations (bold, italic type) from prominent writers woven into my message. See if you can match the authors (Edward Abbey, Ansel Adams, Mollie Beattie, Tom Bell, Wendell Berry, Willa Cather, Mahatma Gandhi, Lyndon Johnson, Aldo Leopold, Wallace Stegner) with their words.

NOTE: Some authors wrote broadly about wilderness. Nowdays, when we use the term “wilderness”, we are often talking about pristine public land that has publicly prescribed restrictions on its use. Our Open Space Conservancy protects land according to the wishes of the private landowner who creates a conservation easement.

The LPOSC board is diverse, and our deliberations about how to best serve our community bring that out. Wilderness is the raw material out of which man has hammered the artifact called civilization….The rich diversity of the world’s cultures reflects a corresponding diversity in the wilds that gave them birth.

The board recently discussed the relative importance of conservation as it benefits people who use the land; and conservation for the benefit of the land itself: We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more that drive to its edge and look in. Versus. We who are gathered here may represent a particularly elite, not of money and power, but of concern for the earth for the earth’s sake.

The gravity with which our community expresses land use positions is quite variable. From: To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival. To: You can only experience a coyote by hearing his howl.

Thoughts about land protection parallel what we think of ourselves. The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders. // Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed. // What a country chooses to save is what a country chooses to say about itself.

Land conservation is about the future. The land belongs to the future…that’s the way it seems to me. How many names on the county clerk’s plat will be there in fifty years? I might as well try to will the sunset over there to my brother’s children. We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it – for a little while. // If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.

Jerry ZinkBoard President

Sincerely,

Jerry ZinkBoard President

DIRECTOR’S LETTER

Dear Friends,

Thank you for another great year for LPOSC!

2015 stands out in my mind for many reasons. First and foremost, many families that contacted us to learn about conservation easements in 2014, made the decision to protect their cherished land and the process began in 2015. Because this decision is permanent, and incredibly important to families and to our community, the process is one not to be rushed. 2015 will forever mark the beginning of many great new relationships in land conservation for LPOSC.

LPOSC also achieved great organizational accomplishments in 2015. Our accreditation status was up for its five year renewal in 2015. Back in 2010, LPOSC was one of the first land trusts in our Nation to achieve this status, signifying our commitment to uphold the highest level of standards for land trusts. This means our landowners and our community can believe in us, and the longevity of our work.

I can’t say enough about what the experience of guiding LPOSC through accreditation renewal means for my knowledge of our organization, our conservation easement projects, and current land trust standards. There is no other course or training that would have educated me in the way this process has done. I have a greater sense of knowledge moving forward in my career here with LPOSC, and in my service to our landowners and our community.

While I mentioned completing our accreditation renewal application as a great learning experience, I can’t leave out another of my 2015 experiences. I am honored to have been chosen by Land Trust Alliance to attend the Executive Director Leadership Training in Chicago, IL. I joined 24 of my peers from land trusts across the Nation for a week-long “boot camp” in being the director of a land trust. Land Trust Alliance arranged for fantastic seminars and one-on-one consultations with each of us, providing a great wealth of knowledge for me to return to Durango with. The friendships I made at this training with other directors may be one of the greatest parts of this experience. Being the only land trust in Durango means having to look elsewhere for ideas, examples, and support specific to our unique work. I now have a great pool of land trust experience from which to draw. I can’t wait to share ideas and projects with my Durango community!

Back in 2014, I moved the LPOSC office to our current location for the primary reason of creating space to allow our community to be part of what we do. 2015 proved successful in this goal. Our larger office space allowed for additional work space to engage volunteers and student interns. It also creating a great space for our landowners to find us when they have questions, or just want to check in about what plans they have for their land.

Lastly, I made it a priority for myself in 2015 to get out of the office more and meet our landowners, as well as give educational presentations to our community. Although my busy schedule didn’t let me stick entirely to my plan, I did manage to join our Stewardship Technician, Jamie Johnson, on more annual site visits to our protected properties. With over 200 families and land across seven counties, it will take me a while to meet everyone. Undeniably, the highlight of my year was getting to know the people who cherish their land enough to protect it for generations yet to come.

To those landowners I have not yet met, I look forward to knowing you and hearing your stories of the land.

Very Sincerely,

Amy SchwarzbachExecutive DirectorLPOSC

protects lands in

Ridgway, which host

amazing views of the

San Juan Mountains.

Amy SchwarzbachExecutive Director

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STEWARDSHIP LETTERDon’t tell my boss, but my job is awesome! Monitoring season means LPOSC checks in on close to 200 conservation easements in seven counties and two states, including land in high mountain meadows ringed with quaking aspens to cactus and sage covered plateaus and everything in between. It’s a tall order to cover more than 20,000 acres in one season, but the reward of experiencing these special places are worth every single spiny plant and scraped elbow. On top of these beautiful places, my favorite part of the annual site visit is getting to meet the incredible people whom have donated or purchased an easement and hear the story of how they came to live on their land.

The heavy lifting for overhauling LPOSC’s Stewardship Program was done in 2014 leaving a couple moments in 2015 to stop, look around, and let the beauty of the conservation easements in our area take my breath away. 2015 brought both blessings for the land, including unusually high spring precipitation, and challenges, such as the

LPOSC’s work would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our volunteer Board of Directors. The Board brings a high level of professionalism, experience, and passion for its community to our organization. Monthly meetings and events throughout the year keep this team busy and engaged in land conservation across our service area.

LPOSC would like to sincerely thank Amy Huff (Attorney), for her dedication to LPOSC and our community. Her service on the LPOSC Board came to a close during 2015. Further thanks goes out to Chris Roach, who served during the year 2015 as a Board Member for LPOSC. In 2015, LPOSC welcomed new board member Mark Stiles (Retired Forest Service Supervisor).

Katherine Roser, LPOSC’s founding Executive Director, continues to support LPOSC as an ex-officio advisor.

Adam Reeves

Travis CraigVice President

/ Treasurer

Ted Compton Brian Magee

Jerry ZinkBoard

President

Jen JardineVice President

/ Secretary

Jamie JohnsonStewardship Technician

Mark Stiles

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gold King Mine Spill and a weed infestation. 2015 also brought both blessings and challenges for me as well. Blessings included meeting new landowners as well as seeing more wildlife such as bears, a mountain lion and her cub, bobcats, elk and foxes. Challenges included hiking through rain and hail storms, flat tires and engine troubles in places that still don’t get cell phone reception, and an exciting ambulance ride when I figured out that I have a wasp allergy.

In 2015 Partnership Projects with other non-profits allowed LPOSC to pursue projects that help with invasive species removal along the Animas River Corridor and seedling tree planting. As we move into 2016 and the years ahead we are looking to expand these partnerships to be better able to offer resources and help steward the land. I can’t tell you how excited I am for the 2016 monitoring season!

Yours Truly,

Jamie JohnsonStewardship Technician

LPOSC PROTECTED PROPERTIES2015 marked the 23rd year of land conservation work for LPOSC in southwest Colorado and northwest New Mexico as a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization.

LPOSC’s service to its community continues with significant accomplishments to share. To date, LPOSC has directly been involved in the protection of nearly 30,000 acres across our region. Not only do we continue to protect new lands and steward our existing conservation easement properties, but we also assist in stewarding conservation easements held by Animas Conservancy and La Plata County. LPOSC receives a lot of questions from our community, other agencies, neighbors of these properties, realtors, etc. regarding all conservation easements shown below. Total conservation easements in 2015 are as follows: 173 La Plata Open Space Conservancy, 22 Animas Conservancy, and 6 La Plata County.

While neither Animas Conservancy nor La Plata County are actively acquiring conservation easements, the existing easements are permanent and require monitoring and stewardship to ensure the protection of the conservation values of those properties. LPOSC partners with Animas Conservancy and the County to ensure these properties are stewarded.

LPOSC has exciting news behind the change in number of conservation easements we held in 2014 and the number held at the close of 2015. LPOSC worked diligently with landowners Bud and Jean Poe to assign their three conservation easement properties to the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. This means our federally protected, public lands increased in acreage as a result of this project. The Poe Family donated conservation easements to protect the valuable archaeological resources before the national monument had been created. When the opportunity to increase the protection of their land, and further benefit our community and the general public was presented to them, they asked LPOSC to help make this possible. LPOSC was the first land trust in Colorado to accomplish this challenging task. This is the reason our number of protected properties decreased from 175 in 2015. LPOSC also added protected acreage with a new conservation easement for a current total of 173 protected properties.

N

LPOSC holds conservation easements in seven counties.

This map best illustrates where Animas Conservancy and La Plata County properties are

located in proximity to LPOSC properties.

Please visit our website for a full map view of LPOSC’s entire

service area.

www.lposc.org

LPOSC Conservation Easements

Animas ConservancyConservation EasementsLa Plata County Conservation Easements

LEGEND

County

DURANGOBAYFIELD

HESPERUS

MANCOS

IGNACIO

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Protecting the North Animas River ValleyThe James Family generously made a fourth donation to LPOSC. This new conservation easement protects another 100 acres of the cherished family ranch, and our community’s beloved North Animas River Valley. This newly conserved land brings the total protected land in the north valley to 1,000 acres of permanently protected private land – protecting our Animas River corridor, the San Juan Scenic Skyway, and scenic views from the D&SNGRR and nearby public trails and view points.

The Property is a portion of a collection of parcels owned by James Ranch Agriprises LLLP which has been ranched and farmed by the James family since the early 1960s. In addition to raising livestock and growing hay, the family grows produce and makes value-added agricultural products, such as cheese. The enterprise sells these products through their farm store and also a small, retail food stand on a portion of their property adjacent to this easement.

This new James Ranch conservation easement is visible along scenic Hwy 550 and many popular public trails overlooking the North Animas River Valley.

GAINING GROUND – ACQUISITIONS PROGRAMAs we reported in 2014, LPOSC had an unprecedented number of landowners inquire about protecting their cherished land with conservation easements. Over the course of 2015 LPOSC worked diligently with these 37 landowners to determine if their land qualifies for a conservation easement, and if an easement is best for their families. LPOSC received ten applications from this group that are now in the works.

2015 brought some big changes to the conservation easement program in Colorado and across our Nation, as you’ll read in our News for Landowners section. With these changes came even more “i’s” to dot and “t’s” to cross, which can mean a longer project time in order to complete conservation easement projects. The Preliminary Advisory Opinion service provided by the Colorado Division of Real Estate began in 2014, and is proving a very valuable resource for landowners, land trusts, and community interests. However, it does add a few months to the process. So, several projects begun in 2015 will not be completed until 2016.

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Agricultural products from James Ranch and other LPOSC conservation easements are served and sold in over 35 local restaurants, markets, and school cafeterias.

LPOSC properties protect the scenic, pastoral views, as well as productive agricultural lands along Hwy 160 between Durango and Mancos.

NEWS FOR LANDOWNERSThe conservation easement program in the State of Colorado, and across our Nation saw incredible support through legislative changes during 2015, indicating just how valuable an asset land is.

On May 6, 2015, the Colorado State Legislature passed Senate Bill 206 which is a huge win for everyone who works with conservation easement tax credits. Senate Bill 206 allows a landowner with a larger parcel of land to earn up to $1.5M in Colorado tax credits in a single year – no more long, dragged out conservation easement processes and all of the related annual expenses. A landowner with a smaller parcel of land will get up to an additional $25,000 in tax credits to help offset the increased transaction costs. Buyers will be able to purchase the credits they need because more tax credits will be available each year. We are very thankful to the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Ellen Roberts (R-Durango) and Sen. Mary Hodge (D-Brighton), Rep. Alec Garnett (D-Denver) and Rep. Jon Keyser (R-Evergreen), as well as the leadership of the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts.

Then Congress, by a welcome bipartisan vote in December 2015, removed the “maybe” from the tax incentive for landowners who choose to place conservation easements on their land in order to protect valuable natural, scenic, and historic resources. This tax incentive has been temporary since its approval in 2006, meaning that from one year to the next, landowners were uncertain if this tax benefit would be part of their conservation plans.

This giant leap forward for conservation, coupled with Colorado’s increased State tax incentive, indicates just how important land conservation is to our quality of life, to the protection of valuable resources, and to our economy. For Coloradoans, this is a major win-win for land conservation made in 2015.This congressional boost eliminates uncertainty for landowners, allowing them to better plan for the future and to comfortably leave a legacy for their family and for their community.

Mary Pope Huston, Land Trust Alliance Executive Vice President, described the decision as “one of the most important steps for conservation in more than 10 years.” She further stated that this action provides incentives for farmers and ranchers that will help keep them in operation.

Support for the bill recognized its contribution to the preservation of the nation’s scenic landscape and traditional land uses in the face of rising property values. Since 2006, the tax incentive has been directly responsible for conserving more than 2 million acres of America’s outdoor heritage.

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STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMThe most important part of LPOSC’s Stewardship Program, is our relationship with our landowners. While LPOSC works to partner with our landowners to protect the conservation values found on their cherished lands, the true commitment to protect conserved lands comes from our dedicated landowners. LPOSC focuses on maintaining open lines of communication with our landowners, through annual mailings and our ongoing maintenance of contact information as phone numbers or email addresses change. It is no small task to track over 200 landowners, and details about properties located in seven counties and two states. In addition to mailings, we host annual events where landowners, staff, volunteers, board members, and our community can gather and build lasting relationships. LPOSC has been diligently working to improve information available to our landowners and community on our website, Facebook page, and through email.

LPOSC, NRCS and community volunteers restoring Animas River vegetation and habitat.

August 2015 Gold King Mine Spill greatly impacted local landowners and Animas River communities.

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Last, but far from least, we’d like to thank the City of Durangoand Trails 2000 for their dedication to stewardship of our City park conservation easement properties. Our City-owned open space contributes greatly to Durango’s quality of life and economy. Partnerships and great working relationships allowus to manage public access open spaces, and steward the naturaland recreational resources these places offer our community. 2015 was marked by significant efforts by LPOSC, the City, and Trails 2000 to review our natural surface trail system. LPOSC and the City further addressed community concerns and wishes for Oxbow Park & Preserve.

Great partnerships with local nonprofits have also benefited our Stewardship Program and landowners significantly. Continued work to remove Russian Olive, Siberian Elm, and tamarisk from the Animas River is the result of joint efforts with LPOSC landowners and staff, and Southwest Conservation Corps. Thanks to Great Outdoors Colorado funding for this important project. Further assistance with revegetating treated areas with native tree seedlings came from the Natural Resources Conservation Serviceand community volunteers. LPOSC will continue this partnership project into the coming years, ensuring our Animas River remains healthy for our community.

In the wake of the Gold King Mine spill, LPOSC and its landowners recognize the importance of the promise conservation easements make to keeping commercial or industrial development away from the banks of our rivers. LPOSC would like to recognize the amazing community of ranchers its landowners represent. During those awful days of orange waters in the Animas River, with closed headgates and worries of what the toxic spill would mean to our local agricultural economy, one of our landowners reached out tooffer her healthy pastures irrigated by Florida River water to those dependent on contaminated Animas water rights, so their livestock would be safe.

Created in 1994-1995 by a partnership of LPOSC, City of Durango, GOCO, Trails 2000 and Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Overend Mountain Park is one of Durango’s cherished City

parks. 2015 marked this park’s 20th anniversary.

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EVENTSStaying with tradition, LPOSC kicked off 2015 with our annual Snowdown event. This year marked our 21st Wine & Spirits Tasting and Silent Auction. Focused on local and regional food and beverage, we were honored to have Sunnyside Farms, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Sutcliffe Vineyards, Guy Drew Vineyards, Fox Fire Farms Winery, Durango Liquor & Wine Co., Durango Craft Spirits, Honeyville, Mancos Valley Distillery, Montanya Rum, and Wood’s High Mountain Distillery take part in our biggest fund raising event of the year. Local artists who we owe a debt of gratitude for their support in this year’s art auction include featured artist, Rebecca

This year’s annual appreciation picnic was held at Jerry and Karen Zink’s Zink Pond conservation easement. In addition to simply gathering to enjoy each other’s company and stories,

picnic attendees gave recognition to this years award winners.

Koeppen, as well as Sharon Abshagen, Milt Beens, Mar Evers, Susan Giddings, Rosemary Juskevich, Lisa Mackey, Jane Mercer, Judy Morgan, MaryAnne Nelson, and Lorraine Trenholm.

Music by local musician Jeff Solon rounded out this fun, steampunk Snowdown.

LPOSC hosted its first Plein Air Painting event at TeelawuketRanch by Lake Vallecito. Artwork painted at this beautiful conservation easement was then on display during our gallery open house at Taylor Raymond Gallery in Durango. What better way to showcase the landscapes we protect, than through the brush strokes of our amazing local artists?

Rhonda Polsfutpaints the distant landscape at Teelawuket Ranch, which protects critical wetlands along the Pine River, hosts spectacular views of the Granite Peaks, and is home to important wildlife species.

SKA Brewing selected LPOSC as the beneficiary of their 20th Annual

Anniversary Brewers Event. This event draws thousands of beer enthusiasts every year. Generous sponsorship of

Osprey Packs and StoneAge, Inc. made this event a huge success for LPOSC.

Cathy Metz of the City of Durango’s Parks and Rec

Department received our 2015 Stewardship Award for her great service stewarding our City park

conservation easements.

Lynndee Beller received our 2015 Volunteer Award for

her commitment to helping us at our events and with

office operations.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOULPOSC is grateful to Lois & Ed Bartig-Small who donated during the 2015

Colorado Gives Day campaign. With their generous help, our year end funds drive resulted in a total revenue of $40,000.

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Event SponsorsBank of ColoradoChinook Medical GearColdwell Banker (Amber Johnson)Colorado Land TitleCompton Cattle CompanyD&SNGRRDurango Electrical ServicesERO ResourcesGoff EngineeringColorado Water and Land Law Kennebec Construction IncLPEAMark WeilerOsprey Packs, IncOxford Asset ManagementSME Environmental ConsultantsStoneAge, IncSunnyside Meats, IncTafoya Barrett & AssociatesTax Credit Connection LLC

FRIENDS OF OPEN SPACESupportersAmazonSmile

Animas Wine & SpiritsBallantine Family Fund

Big Colorado LoveBread

BREW Pub & KitchenChimney Rock FarmsCity Market/Krogers

Combined Federal CampaignCommunity Foundation Serving

Southwest ColoradoDurango Arts CenterDurango Craft Spirits

Durango Liquor & Wine Co.Fields to Plate

HoneyvilleIn Balance a Bookkeeping Service

James Ranch AgriprisesLand Trust Alliance

Mancos Valley DistilleryMercury Payment Systems

Montanya RumMountain Roots Produce

Munchkin Kidz MartNature's Oasis

Norcross Wildlife FoundationOld Orchard FarmRed Cliffs Pottery

Rocky Mountain Chocolate FactorySKA Brewing

Taylor Raymond GalleryWildcat Canyon Liquors

Wood's High Mountain Distillery

$1,000 and OverMary Lyn and Richard

BallantineLois and Ed Bartig-Small

Robert DulinJake Family

Shelly PerlmutterRosalie PhillipsAdam ReevesKim Dalen and

Scott SamuelsonJeannie and Steve WheeldonAngela and John Wolgamott

Woodmere FoundationKaren and Jerry Zink

It’s because of you that open space has been and will be protected for generations to come. We can’t thank you enough.

FRIENDS OF OPEN SPACE

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Lindsay and Jon Abshagen Arlo Grammatica Nancy and Jim OttmanSharon and Beatle Abshagen Patricia Granger Leah and Perry Pahlmeyer

Donald and Margaret Ackerman Paul and Mary Grunland Laurie and Dan ParkinsonKathleen Adams Andrew Gulliford and Stephanie Moran John and Pam Patton

Carrie and Eric Allen Frank Viehmann and Barbara Gysel Steve PeaseEddie and Marti Anderson Sunny (Mary) Hallauer John and Judy Peel

James Anderson and Judith Wheeler Gary and Ginna Harbison Dan Peha and Maureen KeiltyJohn and Cissy Anderson Al Harper Sue, Erik, Luke and Nik Petranek

Tom and Kathy Armstrong Steve and Lourdes Harris Ron and Janet PettigrewMike Baker Joan Heil Bud and Jean Poe

Ted and Margaret Bartlett Norton and Debbie Hindley Anne PutnamJohn and Kim Baxter Dan Hoff and Deb Banton Susan Quale

Mike and Georg Ann Beauparlant G Michael Hogan Dave and Bobbi RakitaWayne Bedor Jan Holt Elizabeth Richardson

Ken and Jo Ann Beegles Alan and Teri Hoops Don and Jill RickelmanKaren and Greg Bell Lissa and Justin Howe Susan Rosenow and Bill O'Dowd

Sally and Vic Bellerue Amy Huff Craig RoserKitty and Brian Benzar Adam Huggins Kathy Roser

William Bertschy Ryan Huggins and Steve Pavlick Allen and Jeri RundquistCharlie Black Laurence Hutt Sara Salisbury

Gene and Sally Bradley Ed and Deanne Idar Jeri SampsonCheryle Brandsma Chris and Patti Isensee Bob and Maggie Sauer

Steve and Jane Brinley Linda and Ray Jackson Catherine SchadtDean Brookie Andy and Betsy Janeczek Raymond Schamel

Dean and Sandy Brown Jen and Parker Jardine Katherine SchifterGinny Brown Amber Johnson Mark and Lisa Schwantes

Bliss Bruen and Jim Judge Susan Karraker Jim and Mary Ann SchwarzbachDonald and Barbara Bruning Mike and Sarah Kelly Fourth and Jennifer Scoufos

Linda and Ron Bunk Brian Kimmel Paul and Ina ScovilleJohn Byrd Elyse Klingener Elizabeth Semion

Lynn and Robert Campbell Ted and Pat La May Janice SheftelCary and Paula Carron Tim LaFrance and Sandra Berman-LaFrance Marikay Shellman

Jim and Lori Carver Teresa and Doug Lashley Carol Shepard and Brian McAleerBob and Mimi Chaput Shelley and Malcom Leader Jay and Sally Short

Jeremy Coleman Robert Ledger Kate SiberSara Compton Gary Lenhart Ryan Siggins and Kerry Petranek

Ted Compton and Moira Montrose Joe Lewandowski Beverly SinclairTom and Penni Compton Frank Lockwood Gary Skiba and Kate Pickford

Donna Cook Sherrie Lutger Katie and Gregory SparksJerry Cook Jay and Barbara Lynch Albert and Georgiana SpencerTom Craver Eilene and Pat Lyon Rolfe Spiegel

Elena Cuevas Brian Magee and Katie Sands Ellen SteinApril and Kent Curtis Mary Mandelski Ilana Stern and Britt Bassett

Sandra Cushman David and Sharon Mantor Mark and Kathy SternMark Daigle Sweetie Marbury Bernie and Mark Stiles

Mike and Marie Davidson Gary Masner Rob and Michaele SwanSusan Davies Stan and Carolyn Mason Carson Jones and Brad Tafoya

Eileen Dawson Nicki Massieon Ken TallmanJeffery DeCelles Sharon and Mike Matheson Candyce TartGrace Deltscheff Joan McCaw Jennifer Thurston and James Millett

Margy and Henry Dudley Robert McDaniel and Jill Seyfarth Rick and Linda VanWagenenWayne and June Dunn Kimberly McKnight John and Eliane Viner

David and Kathryn Eppich Barbara and Michael McLachlan Bob and Laura VolgerBobby Estes Bob and Kathy Miller Tim and Linda Walsh

John and Patricia Ey Anne Moreau and Scott Dann Travis and LaDonna WardBetsy Fitzpatrick Cindy Morin Steven and Kimberly Washburn

Miss Jane and Ron Fogleman Marge Morris and Joe Gambone Bill and Julie WestendorfPam and Doug Fuller Thomas and Allison Morrissey Steve and Jeannie Wheeldon

Tom and Stanna Galbraith Val and Greg Munro Richard and Joyce WhiteUlys Gardella Bill Palmer and MaryAnne Nelson Wally White and Laura Godfrey

Paulette Giambattista Brenda and Jeff Nelson Kent and Becky WigtonSusan Giddings Parker Newby and Nancy Berry Robin Wiles

Bill and Janet Gilbert Jens Nielson Margaret WilkieJay and Chessa Gill John Norton and Marsha Porter-Norton Jim and Melissa Youssef

Chirs Gilman Mary O'Donnell and Tony Rocha Patti and Ed ZinkGarth and Pam Glasco Shawna Off and Kent Ford Sandy ZinkPeter and Jodye Glick Penny O'Keefe Shana and Brian Zink

www.lposc.org

Non ProfitUS Postage

PaidDurango, COPermit #508

SUPPORT LPOSCBecome a Friend of Open Space, or simply make a donation, online at www.lposc.org or mail to PO Box 1651, Durango CO 81302.

Visit our website for ongoing ways to help protect land in your community, such as AmazonSmile, City Market Cares, 1% for the Planet, Big Colorado Love, ColoragoGives.org, and more.

For bequests and planned giving, please contact us in person or visit our website.

If it’s volunteering that interests you, LPOSC has many opportunities to get involved. Simply drop us a line through our online contact form at: www.lposc.org.

102 East 8th St, Suite 202PO Box 1651

Durango, CO 81302

EDUCATION AND OUTREACHLPOSC’s community education and outreach program was very successful in 2015, with educational presentations given to Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, City Council, County Assessors, Coldwell Banker, Wells Group, and SkaBrewing. LPOSC hosted educational booths at Durango’s Farmers Market, and environmental programs at the Durango Arts Center. If your club or work place would like to learn more about land conservation and LPOSC, please contact us to schedule a presentation.

Join our mailing list and follow us on Facebook. We share photos from the land, event information, and educational links throughout the week. We welcome your pictures and stories as you enjoy your local open space!