The Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy (GRCL) was established in 1996 to "create a legacy for future generations by preserving ranching and conserving ranchlands in the Gunnison Country." This scenic Colorado mountain valley, home of Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the Black Canyon National Park, is experiencing tremendous growth. The non-profit GRCL is working to ensure that productive agricultural lands can remain a part of our changing community.
Acting on behalf of landowners in conjunction with established land trusts, the GRCL facilitates the placement of conservation easements on agricultural lands. Ranch families benefit by knowing their land is available for agriculture forever. Additionally, their land is significantly reduced in value for estate tax purposes. The permanent protection of large expanses of hay meadows, riparian areas, and sage uplands also benefits the wildlife that depends on these undeveloped spaces. Local residents and visitors benefit from the assurance that these beautiful agricultural open spaces will never be developed. As of December 31, 2007, 15,794 acres have been protected through the GRCL’s efforts.
| Contact Information For more information about the GRCL, or to make a donation, please contact: Lucy Goehl, Executive Director
307 N. Main, Suite 2A Gunnison, CO 81230 970.641.4386, voice 970.641.4685, fax info@gunnisonlegacy.org |
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Continuing Progress! - An Update from the Executive Director Since our inception in 1996, Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy has protected 15,794 acres of productive, scenic ranchlands for 25 families. Thank you to everyone who has helped us with our mission to preserve ranching in the Gunnison Country. Donors, granting agencies, board members, and ranch owners are all vital to our continuing success. Thanks! In the fall of 2006, Legacy helped the Robbins family complete another easement on their Steuben Creek property. This easement protects 487 acres of grazing land and creek valley adjacent to 500 acres that were protected by the Robbins family in 2005. The Robbins’ 2006 easement was funded by private donations, the Jim Gebhart Memorial Fund, Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Conservation Trust, and the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Fund. Colorado Open Lands holds the easement. This spring we completed a conservation easement for the Fulton family, covering 279 acres of grazing land on the eastern slope of Soap Mesa, overlooking Blue Mesa Reservoir. Funding for the Fulton easement was provided by private donations, the Jim Gebhart Memorial Fund, the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Fund, and Great Outdoors Colorado. Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust holds the easement. Partial funding has been secured to protect the Fulton’s adjacent 120 acres, but we are still seeking $45,000 in donations to finance this project. We are making progress toward our goal of protecting 30,000 acres of ranchlands in the Gunnison-Crested Butte area. We still have waiting landowners all over the county who would like to protect their agricultural lands. Thank you for your help with our mission to preserve ranching and conserve ranchlands in the Gunnison Country. -Lucy Goehl, October 2007
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