Equipping the Next Generation of Land Stewards

As the prairies turn vivid shades of green and early-blooming wildflowers dance in the spring breeze across the vast landscapes of southern Colorado, the stewardship team at Palmer Land Conservancy ramps up their monitoring efforts. Known for wearing the muddiest boots at Palmer, this team ensures conservation easements are upheld across more than 138,000 acres of protected land. Monitoring the conservation values of an area the size of Denver County requires a dedicated team of skilled environmental professionals. The crucial team works to ensure the Colorado we love today is protected for future generations.

Each year during the prime summer monitoring season, the diligent stewardship team travels hundreds of miles throughout the region to get out on the land and evaluate large-scale and minute factors to track the conservation qualities of conserved properties. This team consists of Palmer staff, consultants, and a Heather Campbell Chaney Environmental Fellow from Colorado College.

Palmer and the Heather Campbell Chaney Environmental Foundation (HCCEF) are thrilled to welcome Jordan McMurtry to the team for the 2024 summer season. Growing up in Summit County, Colorado, and now attending Colorado College, Jordan finds working with the Land Stewardship team the perfect place to give back to the land she grew up adoring. Jordan's unique academic path in geography studies, drawing from coursework in the Colorado College Environmental Program and Southwest Studies Department, brings a diverse skill set to the monitoring team.

In her first month with Palmer, Jordan has monitored 10 properties including some of the iconic publicly accessible properties permanently protected by Palmer, such as Red Rocks Canyon Openspace, Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Stratton Open Space, and University Park Open Space. 

"I've deeply enjoyed monitoring properties I normally visit as a recreational user," Jordan shared. "The opportunity to sit with these places and oversee good land stewardship practices on the trails that bring me so much joy has been incredibly rewarding! Monitoring has not only deepened my appreciation for the public open spaces around this region, but it has also introduced me to several new-to-me properties and a new interest in birding."

With an interest in environmental law, Jordan plans to stay in the field of protecting air, land, and water for everyone's health and enjoyment. Her commitment to stewardship developed from her experiences recreating as a backcountry skier, trail runner, and mountain biker. She is eager to spend her summer learning from the team and monitoring properties across the greater Colorado Springs area. 

Jordan’s fellowship marks the 10th year Palmer has benefited from the contributions of a Heather Campbell Chaney Environmental Fellow. Over the past decade, these fellows have assisted the land team in monitoring conserved properties and contributing to Palmer’s mission to protect land and water for the well-being of nature and people.