By Alan Clarke Most every parent dreads that uncomfortable conversation with their children known euphemistically as the “birds and the bees.” Recently, conversations between nature lovers about the birds and bees have likewise been difficult. Songbird populations are in long-term decline, and over the past couple of years in particular, hundreds of thousands of dead songbirds have been unexpectedly discovered

Join DLC staff and board members at our monthly community meet up THIS Friday, July 29th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Grab a coffee and join us at the covered picnic structure at Festival Park in downtown Castle Rock. This is a casual opportunity to talk about anything from who we are and what we do, to great places

After over 22 years of exemplary service guiding Douglas Land Conservancy, Patti Hostetler, our Executive Director, will be leaving DLC this year. Thank you, Patti, for all you have done and for putting DLC solidly on the path to further success in the future. The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Laura Sanford as the new

By Elizabeth Taylor   All of us are familiar with the saying, “April showers bring May flowers.” However, along Douglas County Open Space (DCOS) trails, we start seeing native wildflowers blooming in March or April, long before the predicted flower season in May. This year the U.S. Senate designated April as National Native Plant Month, providing wildflower enthusiasts with a

2/25/2022  After more than 21 years with DLC, I have made the difficult decision to retire by the end of 2022. I began my career with DLC in 2000 after working as a resident of Castle Rock helping protect what is now known as the Woodlands Bowl Open Space, in Castle Rock, which is still one of my favorite conserved

DLC’s Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers. For Thankful Thursday, we’d like to share our heartfelt appreciation for outgoing Board President, Jane Boand. Jane is a founding DLC Board member and this was her second time serving as Board President. Please join us in welcoming our incoming Board President, Alan Clarke. Here are some of their thoughts

It was a call from a close friend, Mike, he and his wife will be moving.  Mike asked me if I wanted his observatory.  The kind with a dome, large telescope, computer controls and all matter of neat ‘stuff.’  He wanted it to be used for education, outreach and a place with clear skies.  He knew I did education, astronomy outreach,

Dear Friends of DLC, Earth Day began in 1970 and gave a voice to a growing consciousness about the state of our planet. Since then the movement has grown and today is marked by more than a billion people annually as a day of action to change both human behavior and policy. If you feel inclined to act in honor

Douglas Land Conservancy (DLC) increased its portfolio of conserved lands by more than 2,500 acres this week (Feb. 17) as the conservation easements for the Sandstone Ranch and the Schmidt property in Douglas County’s West Plum Creek valley were finalized. DLC, a non-profit land trust based in Castle Rock, worked in partnership with Douglas County on the conservation easements which