DLC preserves nearly 600 acres with new easement
By Rich Bangs
Douglas Land Conservancy’s (DLC) extensive portfolio of preserved land across the region has grown by nearly 600 acres.
Jan. 14 DLC accepted a conservation easement on property in southern Douglas County. The landowner approached DLC because of the desire to preserve the open space and protect it from development.
The transaction is significant because the property has numerous conservation values including agricultural, scenic views, wildlife habitat and is a buffer to potential high-density development.
It is also significant because DLC used its Conservation Opportunity Fund to help cover the high cost of the transaction. Keep It Colorado, through funding by Great Outdoors Colorado, also provided a grant to help cover those expenses.
“This is a milestone for DLC because for the first time we were able to help assist with some of the transaction costs,” said Executive Director Laura Sanford.
With the help of generous donors, DLC has created a Conservation Opportunity Fund and some money from that fund was used to help get the deal done. The high costs of creating a conservation easement leaves some landowners unwilling or unable to use this preservation tool.
“DLC hopes its ability to participate with conservation transaction funding will mean more open spaces will be preserved,” said DLC Board President Todd Warnke.
The land, 590 acres, is near other conserved areas and helps provide open space and a wildlife corridor of nearly 40,000 acres that stretches almost uninterrupted from Castlewood Canyon State Park to the Greenland area near the El Paso County border.
The new easement pushes DLC’s portfolio of lands protected to over 28,000 acres in Douglas, Elbert and Jefferson counties.