Cobirders,
Colorado State Land Board (SLB) biologists and decision-makers want to hear from YOU on what PROPERTIES you consider valuable and why.
The SLB manages three million acres of Colorado land as a fiduciary for eight trusts, the largest for Colorado public schools. The SLB's Strategic Plan states (See the SLB website, trustlands.state.co.us), "The long-term economic value of our assets is intrinsically tied to the health of the land…. Throughout this plan, we refer to the practice of sound stewardship, as well as the importance of sustainability in managing trust lands. This focus is not marking a shift away from our mandates to generate reasonable and consistent revenue, but is intended instead to place a heightened emphasis on our stewardship responsibilities along with revenue production." Further, it states, "We understand that our lands are components of important and sometimes rare ecosystems and that wise actions and decisions on our part can contribute to preservation of species, landscapes, and other natural values and conservation services."
A total of 300,000 acres were allowed to be put into a Stewardship Trust to ensure closer management of lands with high conservation value. Click on "Stewardship Trust Realignment Project" for much information. Changes in population and land values occurred over the years, so the SLB began reviewing in 2011 if changes might better enhance overall stewardship. A total of 111 new properties of 131,933 acres were nominated for inclusion. If acreage is added, something must be removed, and 14 properties totaling 111,434 acres were recommended for removal. Lists of both are on the website.
The SLB also may write contractual clauses with lessees to maintain or even enhance conservation—for all lands, not just Conservation Trust lands. Thus, if done wisely, some of the acreage within Chico Basin and the Bohart Ranch, for example, could be removed from the Trust and still maintain the large intact short-grass prairie that is such an important ecosystem.
It is alarming to think that valuable properties can be degraded by removal or by fragmentation, as can be seen on the SLB map. On the other hand, a good process could enhance overall conservation value. Consequently, the more help we give the workgroup—consisting of biologists from SLB, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and others—the better the result. Therefore, also recommend the PROCESS by which the best conservation results.
Get involved on the importance of what matters to birds and their habitats and suggest how to enhance conservation value. Mindy Gottsegen of the SLB wants recommendations now, as biologists will begin working with recommendations when the official deadline of January 31 is passed. I would suggest, however, that if your analysis takes a bit longer, send it in anyway. This investigation will be lengthy.
Larry Modesitt
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