Sen. Baucus Introduces Conservation Incentive Bill

Press Release
September 25, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jim Wyerman, Director of
Communications and Development
202-638-4725 X 310

Denver to Host Largest US
Gathering of Land Conservation Leaders

Washington, DC – The Land Trust Alliance today announced that the nation’s largest annual gathering of conservationists will meet this fall in Denver, October 3 – 6, to plan the future of private land conservation in America. The National Land Conservation Conference: Rally 2007 is expected to draw more than 2,100 conservation leaders, government officials and academics. The theme of the conference is “New Frontiers in Conservation.”

“People in the West have a great love of the land. This has spurred a long tradition of conserving ranches, farms, mountains, rivers and most importantly, the culture of the open range,” said Land Trust Alliance President Rand Wentworth. “What we do is to help local community groups be more effective in conserving special places before they are lost forever to development. These are the unsung heroes who work—mostly as volunteers—to protect clean air, clean water, wildlife, and local recreation close to home.”

Colorado has a vibrant land trust network, with 39 land trusts currently operating in the state. Land trusts are local, state or nationwide nonprofits whose mission is to conserve land in its natural or traditional state, including farming and ranching, through voluntary agreements with landowners. According to a national census released by the Alliance, Colorado land trusts have protected a total of 959, 324 acres.

The census also showcased the American West as the fastest-growing region for conservation, both in terms of the number of land trusts and the growth in acres conserved. “We selected Denver this year to honor the strong conservation ethic in this state, and also to give our supporters a chance to enjoy the state’s spectacular beauty,” said Wentworth

Rally keynote speakers, seminars and workshops will address national conservation trends, cutting-edge practices of land conservation, and best professional standards for land trusts. More than 100 workshops and seminars are scheduled. Keynote speakers include:

Senator Ken Salazar, whose family has been farmers and ranchers in the San Luis Valley before Colorado became a state. Senator Salazar served as the executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources from 1990-1994.

Craig Childs, naturalist, adventurer and desert ecologist. Childs is a regular commentator on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and a regular contributor to High Country News, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times.

Charles Jordan, former Chair of The Conservation Fund, and member of the President’s Commission on Americans Outdoors (1985-1987). Jordan was Portland, Oregon’s first African American commissioner and served as fire commissioner, police commissioner and parks commissioner during his 10 years as an elected official.

Bill McDonald, fifth generation cattle rancher from southeastern Arizona, co-founder with his wife Mary of the Malpai Borderlands Group, a grassroots group dedicated to sustaining the ranching livelihoods and open space landscape of SW New Mexico, and Southeastern Arizona, along the Mexican border.

Note about Registration: Keynote speeches are open to representatives of the media. To attend other workshops, trainings, field trips or seminars, registration is required. Inquire at the registration desk, or email Peshie Chaifetz at pchaifetz@lta.org.

About the Land Trust Alliance: The Land Trust Alliance is a national conservation organization that works in three ways to save the places people love. First, we accelerate the pace of conservation, so more land and natural resources get protected. Second, we increase the quality of conservation, so the most important lands get protected using the best practices in the business. And third, we ensure the permanence of conservation by creating the laws and resources needed to defend protected land over time. The Land Trust Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and has several regional offices.

For more information: Visit the Rally website at www.lta.org/training/rally.htm

posted 9/25/07