Click here to read the release. Here’s an excerpt:
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
I am humbled and amazed by what the Colorado chapter has accomplished since its inception. For example, we have conserved 27 land preserves and properties across the state, which host a variety of plant and wildlife habitat as well as educational opportunities with the community. We were instrumental in the establishment of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Great Outdoors Colorado. We brought our science to bear in the state’s first water plan. We manage our own fire crew—The Southern Rockies Wildland Fire Module—to advance forest restoration projects not only in Colorado, but across the country, and we have helped launch global conservation programs in 16 locations. These successes and our continued work conserving important lands, protecting water, and restoring forests in Colorado, have helped us protect one million acres and one thousand river miles across the state.Great partnerships are key to any success and I am grateful for the partnerships we have made that have allowed this conservation work to flourish. Through our commitment to science, tangible results, collaboration and our non-partisan approach, we have been able to grow support for conservation and educate diverse audiences throughout Colorado about the need for nature in our lives.
LOOKING AHEAD
Our natural resources are at the heart of our quality of life in Colorado—from the fresh water we drink and the clean air we breathe to our economic prosperity and world-renowned recreational opportunities. But Colorado’s environment continues to face many challenges. Our population is expected to nearly double by 2050. Increased needs for food, water and energy will further strain Colorado’s natural systems.These challenges require far-sighted solutions. Solutions that build on our track record of results and push us to incorporate new thinking, such as focusing on urban conservation, expanding our sustainable grazing work and leveraging natural solutions to reduce the impacts of climate change.
