What better way to learn about the bountiful birds in our area than an early-morning walk with local bird enthusiast Leon Bright at beautiful Music Meadows Ranch.

Please join the Coaldale Alliance and San Isabel Land Protection Trust from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Tuesday, June 27, at the Coaldale community building for a summer update on the CB Ranch water court case.

A special thanks to all who have made a 2017 contribution toward our efforts. We so appreciate you; every dollar counts. You can donate here or mail to SILPT, P.O. Box 124, Westcliffe, CO 81252. Be sure to note that your donation is for the Coaldale Alliance.

Randy and Claricy Rusk, Wet Mountain Valley ranchers and conservation pioneers, are this year’s winners of the Stuart P. Dodge Award for lifetime achievement.

The award, part of the Southern Colorado Conservation Awards presented by Palmer Land Trust, recognizes the Rusks’ vision, leadership and influence in the ranching community in support of land conservation. 

Our fifth Hardscrabble Mountain Trail Run was a day to remember thanks to our runners and walkers, the friends and family who came out to Bear Basin Ranch to cheer them on, our wonderful volunteers and our generous sponsors.

San Isabel extends a big thank you to Vic Barnes for nearly two decades of service on our board of directors, most recently as vice president. Vic had served on San Isabel's board since 1998. We’re happy to report Vic will continue to serve on San Isabel’s Land Preservation Committee, keeping his expertise and experience at the table. Thanks, Vic, for 19 years of board service!

Joining the San Isabel board are Kristie Nackord, San Isabel’s former development director, and attorney Chris Skagen.

The 5th annual Hardscrabble Mountain Trail Run was a fabulous success thanks to our participants, volunteers, sponsors, and the friends and family who cheered on our racers at Bear Basin Ranch. We couldn't ahve asked for better weather or better folks to spend the day with. You help San Isabel Land Protection Trust protet working ranches and farms, scenic open spaces, clean water and wildlife habitat. A BIG thank you tall, and we hope to see you next year.

Top finishers:

10K Run

• Women, Bridget Rankin, Amarillo, Texas, 55:20.1
• Men, Taylor Stack, Salida, 41:19.9

5K Run

• Women, Joanna McIntyre, Saida, CO, 25:23.5
• Men, Cody Rankin, Amarillo, Texas, 21:26.6

Complete results can be found here.

Learn how to protect your home and property at a community wildfire workshop hosted by local, state and federal officials.

The free workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the Wet Mountain Fire Protection District office, 215 Fourth St. in Westcliffe. 

San Isabel Land Protection Trust’s efforts to enhance The Bluff Park have received a $3,000 boost from the Colorado Garden Foundation.

The 20^th annual Art for the Sangres proved one for the record books, tallying nearly $170,000 in fine art sales Sept. 23 and 24.

The Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Board awarded a $50,000 grant to San Isabel Land Protection Trust on Monday to conserve Huckleberry Hills Ranch in western Pueblo County.