Black Canyon Land Trust News:
BCLT Enters National Accreditation Program
Land Trust Accreditation Program. Black Canyon Land Trust (BCLT) announces its participation in a national accreditation program that is administered by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (Commission), which is an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. This national land trust accreditation program is a voluntary program for non-profit organizations that are dedicated to land conservation. A public comment period is now open for BCLT’s pending application.
The Commission conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. Accreditation will recognize successful land trusts that meet national standards for excellence in conserving important natural landscapes and working lands. BCLT submits its final application for accreditation to the Commission on July 16, 2009.
As part of the accreditation process, the Commission accepts signed, written comments from the public on pending applications. Comments must relate to BCLT’s compliance with national standards that address the legal, ethical, and technical operations of the organization. For a full list of the national standards, please go to www.landtrustaccreditation.org/getting-accredited/2008-indicator-practices.
To learn more about this accreditation program and to submit a comment, please visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on BCLT’s pending application must be received no later than August 28, 2009.
The Board and Staff of BCLT recognize accreditation as a constructive means to strengthen organizational performance, position the land trust for even greater conservation success in the future, and continue to maintain the trust and respect of the communities the organization serves
BCLT Newsletters:
Recent Legislation affecting Conservation Easements:
State Legislation
The Governor signed on June 5th significant new legislation reaffirming and strengthening the state tax credit program for conservation easements. The new law increases requirements for conservation easements to assure better public accountability. Very generally, the law increases requirements for conservation easement appraisers and appraisals, and requires land trusts to be certified by the state. More details are available by contacting the BCLT office, or at the web site of the Colorado Coalition of Land Trust, www.cclt.org.
Federal Legislation
The recently passed Farm Bill included various provisions important to the success of land conservation. Improved tax benefits were approved through 2009, including larger potential deductions for donation of conservation easements. Qualified farmers and ranchers may be able to deduct a conservation easement contribution up to 100% of their adjusted gross income, with a carry-forward period of up to 15 more years. For more information, contact the BCLT office.
The Farm Bill also included funding for the Farmland Protection Program and Grasslands Reserve Program. This funding provides important grant support for partial purchase of conservation easements, among other benefits
Black Canyon Land Trust in the News...
Updated (Summer 2008):
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New state conservation easement legislation, along with BCLT’s perspective, was covered by the Montrose Daily Press. See the article below.
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Board member Ed Page has been regularly featured in area media, including quotes in Montrose Style and the Montrose Daily Press. Ed shares his expertise in agricultural topics across central western Colorado.
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The North Fork Valley area was featured in the July 2008 issue of Sunset magazine. See the great coverage of wineries and lodging starting on page 82 of that magazine. Several of our landowner and organizational partners are featured, including the Hanson's Peak Spirits Distillery and the Leroux Creek Inn and Vineyards.
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The Spring/Summer edition of Montrose Style featured Uncompahgre Valley ranching and farming, from historic to current times. Find excellent photos and articles beginning on pages 20 and 75 of that edition. BCLT's work in conserving farmland is mentioned on page 25.
TELLURIDE/OURAY COUNTY WATCH - July 8, 2008
Nonprofits and Community Benefit From Summer Events Love Your Valley and River Festivals Generate Goodwill, Education
by Susie Loeffler
TELLURIDE/OURAY COUNTY WATCH - June 24, 2008
Ridgway River Festival: A Watershed Celebration
by Watch Newspapers
TELLURIDE/OURAY COUNTY WATCH - June 18, 2008
Town to Gain 15 Acres of Permanent Open Space
by Christopher Pike
TELLURIDE/OURAY COUNTY WATCH - June 14, 2008
Love Your Valley Festival Slated for June 14
by Watch Newspapers
MONTROSE DAILY PRESS - June 6, 2008
Conservation easement program gets tighter oversight with new law
by Lisa Huynh
TELLURIDE/OURAY COUNTY WATCH - April 28, 2008
Land Conservation Workshop to Be Held May 6
by Watch Newspapers
MONTROSE DAILY PRESS - March 12, 2008
Legislators call for more oversight and accountability for conservation easement tax credit
by Lisa Huynh
TELLURIDE/OURAY COUNTY WATCH - January 10, 2008
Town to Gain 15 Acres of Permanent Open Space
by Christopher Pike
MONTROSE DAILY PRESS - January 9, 2008
Land trusts ring in New Year with conservation gains
by Lisa Huynh
MONTROSE DAILY PRESS - December 15, 2007
Conservation by private landowners made possible through Legacy Grant
by Lisa Huynh
MONTROSE DAILY PRESS - June 13, 2007
Video clip of the 2007 Love Your Valley Festival
by Joel F. Blocker
MONTROSE DAILY PRESS - June 4, 2007
Hawke brings love of the job to Black Canyon Land Trust
by Montrose Daily Press
TELLURIDE WATCH - June 4, 2007
Love Your Valley Festival Kicks Off Saturday
by Telluride Watch
RIDGWAY SUN - April 4, 2007
Land group hires new director
special to the Ridgway Sun
PLAINDEALER - March 30, 2007
City's Yankee Boy land sells
by David Mullings
TELLURIDE WATCH - June 23, 2006
New Land Coalition to Protect Working Ranchlands
by Christopher Pike
MONTROSE DAILY PRESS - March 20, 2006
Initiative to boost open-space preservation
by Matt Hildner
TELLURIDE WATCH - December 2, 2005
Glimpsing the Future
by Amy Levek
MONTROSE DAILY PRESS - September 14, 2005
Montrose open space threatened
by Matt Hildner
HIGH COUNTRY NEWS SIDEBAR - May 30, 2005
Colorado tax credits make easements work for working people
by Ray Ring
MONTROSE DAILY PRESS - January 11, 2005
Endangered plant helps Montrose Model Aircraft Association get airfield off the ground
by Caitlin Switzer
Working ranchlands provide prime habitat for wildlife including these mule deer sighted near the foot of Dallas Divide.
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Summer 2009 BCLT Newsletter 
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