Land Conservation
Summit County’s landscapes are greatly endangered because its open spaces are rapidly declining. It is our mission to preserve as much valuable open space as possible. We are able to preserve these open spaces through the acquisition of conservation easements, either by donation or purchase. Learn more about the process of land acquisition and conservation by clicking here.
A conservation easement held by a land trust, like the Summit Land Conservancy, is the strongest tool we have for guaranteeing that lands remain protected forever, or at least for a very long time. It is Summit Land Conservancy’s responsibility to hold these conservation easements of protected properties in Summit County. Click here to learn more about conservation easements.
Stewardship
Each time the Summit Land Conservancy accepts a conservation easement, we take on a responsibility to make sure that the terms of the easement are enforced forever. In addition to collecting Stewardship Endowments for this purpose, we also visit the property every year, making sure that the values the easement was meant to protect are still in place.
You can help us monitor these easements by participating in our “Adopt An Easement” program. Volunteers agree to visit a property twice a month during the summer and are provided with trail and property maps and a list of activities that are and are not permitted on the property. The volunteer then corresponds with the Summit Land Conservancy to pass on the findings he or she encountered while out and about.
Education/Outreach
The Summit Land Conservancy hosts Patagonia’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival in March. We also host outreach events in Eastern Summit County to provide information to landowners who might want to protect their rural heritage.
The Summit Land Conservancy has a program geared to help children grow into an appreciation of undeveloped land called the Junior Steward Program. This program provides activities and information. Children who complete a workbook and visit three properties can receive a Junior Steward t-shirt.
