The Camping Trip that Planted a Seed: Meet Trustee Luis Creel

Some people discover conservation through a single transformative moment. For Luis Creel, it arrived quietly on a camping trip when he was eight years old—his first time truly taking in the beauty of the outdoors.

"After the trip, I was truly humbled and grateful," Luis recalls. That childhood experience planted seeds that would grow into a lifelong commitment to protecting the land he loves.

The Place That Shaped Him: Stratton Open Space

If you ask Luis to name the place most personal to him, he'll tell you about Stratton Open Space—which happens to be a Palmer-protected property. During his high school years in Colorado Springs, Luis spent countless hours on his mountain bike exploring the trails that wind along the eastern-most flanks of Pikes Peak.

"This area offers all kinds of trails for whatever your activity is," he explains. "It can take you many visits and miles to discover all it has to offer."

That sense of endless discovery mirrors Luis's approach to conservation itself—there's always more to learn, more to protect, more to appreciate. Whether he's mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing, or trail running, Luis maintains a deep connection to Colorado's landscapes through regular outdoor activity.

Lessons from the Orchard

Luis's conservation ethic didn't emerge from textbooks or environmental studies—it came from his father and the family pecan orchard in Mexico.

"My father taught me that our responsibilities go beyond enjoying our land," Luis shares. Growing up with the family orchard embedded in him the importance of conserving and maintaining environmental resources. He witnessed firsthand how smart water use and conservation can benefit communities in tangible ways—a lesson that drives his passion for Palmer's water conservation work today.

That early education in agricultural stewardship prepared Luis well for his current role as Sales Director and Board Member at American Beef, the family company where he's worked since 2016. Overseeing operations that employ more than 770 people and generate over $150 million in annual sales, Luis brings a binational perspective on agriculture and food systems to Palmer's board. His experience gives him unique insights into the interconnected challenges facing agricultural communities across borders.

A Vision for Shared Responsibility

Luis joined Palmer's Board of Trustees because he believes conservation benefits everyone—not just outdoor enthusiasts or agricultural producers, but entire communities.

"I firmly believe in the purpose of this organization," he says. "The conservation of land and water benefits all."

He's particularly inspired by Palmer's water conservation initiatives, recognizing that smart water use can benefit communities in multiple ways. His perspective is shaped by an experience from his youth when his family helped other farmers and growers in his local community adopt new irrigation and fertilization technologies. Years later, the results were undeniable—better crop yields with less water use and fewer expended resources.

"Everyone in our community should enjoy everything our land has to offer," Luis emphasizes, "and for this, it must be conserved and maintained."

For Luis, conservation is about responsible stewardship that allows both people and nature to thrive—a philosophy rooted in family orchards, refined on mountain bike trails, and now guiding his service to Palmer Land Conservancy.

A Perfect Colorado Saturday with Luis

Luis's perfect Colorado Saturday starts with a morning trail run or mountain bike ride at Stratton Open Space, his dog by his side. The familiar trails that shaped his high school years offer endless discovery.

After working up an appetite, he heads downtown for coffee and lunch, enjoying the views of Pikes Peak while walking the streets. The afternoon and evening belong to what matters most— time with friends and family, sharing stories, laughter, and the simple joy of being together.

It's a day that honors both the land and the people—a perfect reflection of Luis's belief that conservation ensures everyone can enjoy the Colorado good life, today and for generations to come.