Montrose Daily Press, February 4, 2024-
The Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT) unveils the public phase of its transformative Forty Forever: Seeding the Future campaign, a $1.8 million initiative aimed at bolstering the Land Trust’s capabilities to address urgent needs, following a successful kick-off event at Carlson Vineyards Downtown Tasting Room on Jan. 25th. 81% of their goal has been reached and now CWLT is calling on the public to help raise the final amount.
“The future of our region is inextricably tied to the health of our lands and waters, and today, we are confronted by unparalleled challenges threatening our landscapes. In this pivotal moment for Western Colorado, the Land Trust rises to the occasion through the Forty Forever campaign, marking a crucial and distinctive chapter in our commitment to safeguarding the natural treasures that define our region,” said Executive Director, Rob Bleiberg.
To address this, CWLT has developed multifaceted conservation goals beyond acreage, aiming to fill in existing protected areas while seeking to prioritize under-conserved landscapes, such as the northern foothills of the San Juan range, the west end of Montrose and San Miguel counties, the Uncompahgre valley, and the lower grand valley. Protecting agricultural lands along with water rights to maintain the agricultural heritage, economic vitality, and overall resilience of western Colorado and the upper Colorado River basin will be a focus.
New conservation projects will permanently protect the Colorado, Dolores, Gunnison, North Fork of the Gunnison, and Uncompahgre Rivers, in addition to protecting big game and endangered species habitat.
To become a part of this transformative effort, learn more about the Forty Forever campaign, and make a forever impact, visit cowestlandtrust.org/forty-forever-campaign-seeding-the-future or contact Colorado West Land Trust.
FEB
2024