Protect What Unites Us

When I was four, someone asked me where I lived—my response, “where the mountains touch the sky.”

Little did I know then, my whimsical response would foreshadow a lifelong passion and deep fascination with people, nature, communities, and the connections that unite us. This curiosity propelled me into a career of research and communications, confronting the critical challenges of water scarcity and a changing landscape. Driven by a commitment to bridging human and nature’s narratives, I joined Palmer Land Conservancy’s Board of Trustees in 2023, with a goal of translating our collective insights into conservation action.

Palmer Land Conservancy shares my vision, working with communities to address challenges by creating solutions where both people and the environment can thrive. Finding win-win solutions takes innovation and collaboration, which is why Palmer partners with communities, organizations, and individuals to create meaningful and lasting impacts through targeted conservation to protect all the reasons Colorado is so special—outdoor recreation, local food, scenic views, and the water that sustains us.

The Bessemer Farmland Conservation Project exemplifies Palmer’s willingness to problem-solve through innovation and long-term commitment to community partnership.

This groundbreaking approach to water conservation prioritizes community resilience. In Pueblo, facing the threat of ‘buy-and-dry’ practices that strip farmland of water rights, Palmer Land Conservancy has developed a novel legal mechanism to transfer water rights, aiming to protect

2,000 acres of critical farmland.

This project supports both local agricultural and growing communities’ needs.

Palmer Land Conservancy is pioneering a strategy to protect Pueblo's agricultural heritage, local food sources, and economic vitality, by working directly with multi-generational farmers and the community.

The Bessemer Farmland Conservation Project represents not just strategic water and land protection, but the power of a community to shape its future.

In a time when many Colorado communities face seemingly insurmountable challenges around water and growth, Pueblo's story shines as a beacon of hope. With vision, collaboration, and determination, we—those of us who care about people, nature, communities, and the connections that unite us—can create a future where cities and farms thrive together.

Just as the Bessemer Project demonstrates, innovation and community are powerful tools. By uniting our efforts and resources, we can protect what unites us—the land, water, and the connections between them.

Together as Coloradans, we can continue to enjoy fresh, local produce at farmers' markets, where the flavors of our region come alive, or explore beautiful hiking trails, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, or take a scenic drives through Colorado’s stunning landscapes, where fields stretch out under the open sky, reminding us of the beauty we need to protect.

Warmly,

Amy McCoy
Director, Palmer Land Conservancy Board of Trustees

P.S. Protect what unites us. Donate today to help protect the land, water, and way of life in southern Colorado.  Every dollar makes a difference. Donate online, by mail, or through stocks, IRAs, or appreciated assets to make a lasting impact with potential tax benefits. Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

P.P.S. Make your impact go further! Now through June, Intentional Wealth Strategies will make a generous contribution to Palmer Land Conservancy in honor of every donation made.