It’s hard to ignore the natural wonders that greet us every day. As Coloradans we love to get outside, explore, and enjoy all this state has to offer. But our snow-capped peaks, clean rushing rivers and fertile grasslands are not only a good escape; they are also critical to Colorado’s economy. This Earth Day, I encourage you to not only celebrate the state’s many natural wonders, but what our strong conservation efforts have meant for our lifestyle and economy.
In these uncertain economic times, it is encouraging to see that conservation work across the state is providing a wide range of benefits for nature and people. These are wise investments for our future.
Over the past 10 years, conservation organizations, municipal governments, state agencies and land owners have worked together to protect our natural heritage, our incredible biodiversity and our economy using voluntary land protection agreements called conservation easements.
In fact, a recent report by The Trust for Public Land demonstrates investments in conservation easements yield $6 for every dollar ventured. These returns come in the form of nature’s extraordinary benefits such as water supply protection, waste treatment and flood control; natural goods like fish and farm products; and outdoor recreation activities including hunting, fishing, hiking and bird watching.
From 1995 through 2008, Colorado invested $511 million in conservation easements. That investment has a value in today’s dollars of $595 million and TPL’s analysis shows it has returned $3.51 billion in benefits to the state.
But those striking numbers don’t tell the whole story. Many Colorado industries benefit greatly for our extraordinary environment.
In 2008, tourism generated $15 billion in revenue with $1.2 billion attributed directly to hunting and fishing. And, conservation efforts have done more than just protect these lands from development; they are also working to ensure long-lasting health from threats such as fire and invasive species, such as tamarisk.
This tree-sized weed that has infested over 100,000 acres in Colorado, clogging access to rivers for both animals and recreationists. To address this worsening problem, a hardy coalition has already controlled the tamarisk invasion on the San Miguel River and they are now working on the neighboring Dolores. This kind of conservation provides jobs, saves water and increases access to for recreation.
In recent years agriculture has continued to be an important part of the Colorado economy bringing in $20 billion in revenue and 100,000 jobs. Working farms and ranches and wildlife habitat both need large, intact natural landscapes to remain viable.
For example, the Colorado Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust is working to protect ranchlands across the state and they have recently made a big impact in the Little Snake River Valley, north of Craig. Colorado’s wildlife and economy both benefit in the long-term from keeping these lands as working ranches; making CCALT’s and other land trusts work important for the future of the state.
Just this past week President Obama and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar brought hundreds of conservation organizations and land owners together to discuss the nation’s conservation future. It is no surprise that Colorado’s example of investing in the protection of working lands, open spaces and wildlife habitat—such as the creation of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and efforts to create the Great Sand Dunes National Park—were held up as models for the rest of the county.
In Colorado, the quality of life we want for ourselves and future generations depends upon a healthy, productive and resilient world. We have made a lot of progress, but many challenges lie ahead. Our ability to identify and solve the most complex problems facing our lands and water will ensure healthy landscapes, healthy lifestyles and a healthy economy.
So this Earth Day I suggest getting out to your favorite trout stream, sneaking in one more backcountry ski trip or taking a walk out on the open prairie. Whatever you do, it will remind you why you love Colorado. And it may help the economy, too.
Tim Sullivan is acting state director for The Nature Conservancy in Colorado. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
