Landowner Services
Placing a conservation easement on your property with Palmer is just the first step to ensure a long and mutually-beneficial relationship. Palmer’s stewardship services program is designed to assist landowners with stewardship and management activities on their land.
Below you will find useful information on:
Conservation Easement/Reserved Rights Questions | Estate and Succession Planning | Forest Health and Fire Mitigation | Grant Opportunities | Invasive Species Assistance | Native Plant Species Identification Materials | NRCS/Conservation District Office Locator | Palmer Research | Soil Health | Stream/Wetland Restoration | Water Rights Resources | Wildlife Resources
Conservation Easement/Reserved Rights Questions
If you have questions regarding the conservation easement on your property or your reserved rights, feel free to contact Palmer’s Land Stewardship Manager, Theron Verna by email at [email protected] or at (719) 941-9498.
Estate and Succession Planning
Estate and succession planning is key in ensuring that conserved lands are transferred and stewarded in a manner which landowners intend for them to be. Palmer staff are available to help with many of your estate and succession planning questions. Depending on the complexity, we may refer you to an estate attorney who specializes in these topics. We can provide contact information for estate attorneys with whom we have worked over the years.
American Farmland Trust's Land Transfer Training
Colorado Department of Agriculture's Family Farm Transition Program
Colorado State University Extension - Estate Succession Planning
Western Extension Marketing Committee-Western Farm and Ranch Transition Strategies
Forest Health and Fire Mitigation
Forest health and fire mitigation are two of the most pressing issues of our time here in the American West. Please see below for various resources in regards to these topics.
Colorado State Forest Service Offices
Common Forest Insects and Diseases
Programs for Homeowners and Landowners
Grant Opportunites
Public Property/Community Grants
Invasive Species Assistance
Native Plant Species Identification Materials
While there are numerous resources for local plants, here are a few we use at Palmer:
Easy to use websites:
- SW Colorado Wildflowers, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
- Wildflowers of Colorado, Dr. Mary Dubler
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin
Books/Publications:
- Flora of Colorado, Jennifer Ackerfield
- Field Guide to Forest Plants of South-Central Colorado, US Forest Service publication
Apps for your phone:
- CO Woody Plants, Colorado State University
- Seek by iNaturalist
plant Databases:
- Colorado Plant Database, Jefferson County, CO
- NRCS PLANTS Database, USDA
We can help identify appropriate seed mixes for your specific location if you are interested in planting native species. Here are a few local companies that sell native seed mixes:
- Western Native Seed, Coaldale,CO; https://www.westernnativeseed.com
- Pawnee Buttes Seed, Greeley, CO; http://www.pawneebuttesseed.com/
- Arkansas Valley Seed, Denver and Rocky Ford, CO; https://avseeds.com/
- Fort Collins Nursery, Fort Collins, CO; http://www.fortcollinsnursery.com/
- ALPLAINS, Kiowa, CO; http://alplains.com/
NRCS/CONSERVATION DISTRICT OFFICE LOCATOR
A grazing management plan is an important aspect of the conservation easement on your property, and Palmer is happy to assist you in your efforts. Though there are other options, we recommend reaching out to your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office or the District Conservationist, who can provide more information on grazing and resource management and create a plan for your property.
Find your local NRCS Office | Find your local Conservation District
Palmer Research
Palmer, through a strong relationship with Colorado College, has developed several reports on varying conservation-related topics. Please see below for these reports and do not hesitate to reach out with any questions that you may have.
2023 Industrial Solar and Conserved Lands Considerations Report
2024 Carbon Sequestration Report
Soil Health
Healthy soil is vital to sustainable, productive, and healthy land, water, and ecosystems. See below for various resources in regards to soil health.
National Grazing Lands Coalition
Rangeland Gateway-Virtual Fence User Guide
Soil Health Webinar Series hosted by American Farmland
Stream/Wetland Restoration
As you are aware, the discussion between stream/wetland restoration and water rights is a complicated subject in our state! There is specific legal language outlining the definitions and processes of restoration as defined by the state of Colorado (see CO SB23-270 below) to which all citizens and property owners must abide.
Palmer staff are available to help with many of your stream/wetland restoration questions. Depending on the complexity, we may refer you to an attorney who specializes in water rights. We can provide contact information for water attorneys with whom we have worked over the years.
Fountain Creek Watershed Flood Control & Greenway District
Water Rights Resources
As you are aware, water rights are a complicated subject in our state! Palmer staff are available to help with many of your water rights questions. Depending on the complexity, we may refer you to an attorney who specializes in water rights. We can provide contact information for water attorneys with whom we have worked over the years.
If you are interested in learning more about water rights, Colorado has documented all of the state’s water rights in an online database.
Colorado’s Decision Support Systems: https://dwr.state.co.us/tools/
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) also has many useful mapping tools for researching and learning more about the water resources on your property: https://dwr.colorado.gov/services/data-information/gis
Wildlife Resources
Healthy and balanced wildlife populations are key to functional and productive landscapes. See below for various resources in regards to wildlife.
Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program
CPW Wildlife Fencing Guidelines
NCRS Working Lands For Wildlife
Partners for Fish and Wildlife
More information
For more information on Palmer's landowner services program, please contact us. We'd be honored to discuss how we can support you and your vision for your property.
CONTACT
Theron Verna
Land Stewardship Manager
(719) 941-9498
Email
Sand Creek Restoration
LANDOWNERS PIVOTAL TO BUILDING RESILIENT LANDSCAPES
Water is the lifeblood and basis of our high quality of life in Colorado. Water connects us all. With Colorado’s population set to increase significantly by 2050, water is also Colorado’s most pressing natural resource issue. As the demand for water increases, a focus on stewarding our most precious natural resources becomes even more urgent. Palmer Land Conservancy is dedicated to maintaining that focus.
In partnership with the Sprague family and the Coalition for the Upper South Platte, and with funding provided by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and FedEx, Palmer led the completion of an important habitat and wetland restoration project in the Upper South Platte River Basin.
This vital watershed offers world-class recreational opportunities, which bring tremendous economic benefits to the local communities. It is also a critical piece of Denver’s municipal water resources, providing 70% of the city’s water supply.
“Through Palmer Land Conservancy we have become participants in a broad Colorado community that works to protect the land, water, flora, and fauna – a collaboration that provides inspiration and hope for the future.”
JANE SPRAGUE, LANDOWNER