LPOSC is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for the Conservation Outreach and Events Coordinator position! This crucial role directly supports our mission to conserve open spaces in Southwest Colorado through event coordination, grant writing, marketing, community engagement and conservation programming. The Coordinator will drive public outreach and visibility by planning impactful events, managing digital platforms, and supporting internal operations. This role will be integral to building relationships within the community and effectively sharing our story and conservation goals.
Does this sound like a fit for you or someone you know? Apply below!
LPOSC said farewell to its Conservation Programs Coordinator, Clara Bertany on November 1st as she began a new role in private consulting. Clara started as a Stewardship Assistant intern in fall 2023 and quickly excelled to became our Conservation Programs Assistant in the winter of 2023, and advanced into her current role in May 2024. Clara’s enthusiasm for conservation, professionalism, and outstanding GIS expertise have been invaluable to LPOSC. Clara has been a joy to work with and she will be missed. Please join us in wishing her all the best as she takes this next step in her career!
LPOSC staff, left to right, Christy Curd (Stewardship Director), Jennifer Zahratka (Executive Director), and Clara Bertany (Conservation Programs Coordinator)
Clara says, “I am consistently impressed by the remarkable work done by this committed team. LPOSC is truly a wonderful place to work, and I encourage anyone passionate about conservation and community collaboration to apply for the Conservation Outreach and Events Coordinator position!
I look forward to advancing my career in consulting and applying the GIS and water knowledge I gained during my recent graduation from Fort Lewis College, I will sincerely miss my time at LPOSC. I’m excited to keep collaborating with LPOSC in the years to come through different avenues, I love this organization and it’s mission too much to leave completely!”
Seeking New Board Members!
LPOSC is looking for innovative community members to join our board. Your local knowledge, fundraising skills, and passion for preserving Southwest Colorado can have a lasting impact on our environment and future generations.
Are you interested, or do you know someone who is? Contact us at info@lposc.org.
Protect the outdoor places you love in southwest Colorado by supporting LPOSC this Colorado Gives Day!
Every donation you make to LPOSC from November 1 through December 10 will go even further, thanks to a $1M + Incentive Fund generously provided by the Colorado Gives Foundation and FirstBank. Each participating nonprofit will receive a share of this fund, based on the total donations they raise—meaning your support has a bigger impact! Plus, if you set up a new monthly donation, the Colorado Gives Foundation will match your first monthly donation up to $100, up to $250,000 across all organizations.
Your gift will directly support LPOSC’s mission to permanently protect open lands that are vital for agriculture, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and preserving our local history.
We hosted a sold-out realtor workshop that earned participants three continuing education credits in a state-approved course on conservation easement basics for realtors and those in related professions. Wells Group Realtor Justin Osborn, along with staff from La Plata Open Space Conservancy and Tax Credit Connection, provided valuable insights into what a conservation easement is, how and why they are established, and key considerations for real estate transactions involving conservation easements.
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsor, Colorado Title & Closing Services, this course was offered at no cost to participants.
Keep an Eye Out for Our Signs!
Resident office dog, Sasha, sits next to new sign in Overend Mountain Park (Test Tracks), with large portions of the property forever conserved by LPOSC.
LPOSC is excited to debut new signs identifying some of its conserved properties around La Plata County. We are grateful for the support of the LPEA Round Up Foundation to purchase these signs, and for the landowners who proudly display them!
Interns and Technology at Work
GIS interns Sofie Hill and Derrik Echevarria testing monitoring systems at the picturesque conserved Granite Peaks Ranch.
Our GIS interns, Sofie and Derrik, tested multiple monitoring systems both in the office and in the field. They concluded that Landscape — designed specifically for land trusts — would enhance LPOSC’s monitoring capabilities and provide tools to more effectively manage properties, summarize data, and automatically generate reports. Thanks, Derrik and Sofie!
Snowdown’s Cocktails for Conservation 2025
Join us in celebrating 33 years of La Plata Open Space Conservancy at our annual Snowdown fundraiser! Cocktails for Conservation is a lively, elegant event featuring exceptional cocktails, wines, fine foods, local brews, and a silent auction. All proceeds from this popular event support the work by LPOSC to conserve our cherished landscapes and natural resources. Join us for a game-filled night while making a positive impact in our community.
We cordially invite YOU to sponsor this year’s wonderful event.
Jon, pictured top left, at LPOSC’s Spirit of the Southwest event in May 2022.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jon Abshagen in the wake of his recent passing. Jon and his family have been supporters of LPOSC for many years, and we were privileged to have Jon serve on our board from 2011 to 2014. We were honored to receive a generous donation in his memory, a testament to the profound impact he had on our community.
A GoFundMe page has been established to celebrate and memorialize Jon’s remarkable life.
La Plata Open Space Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your gift may be tax deductible. Our EIN number is: 84-1204273.
To contribute, go to: lposc.org/donate-today/
or mail a check to the address below. Thank you!
