Spring Raffles, Workshops, and Upcoming Events

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this e-mail best viewed in your browser We are raffling off two incredible prizes: a “Scout” Raft from Alpacka Raft and a day of Private Water Fly Fishing from Expedition Outside. Buy Tickets A big thank-you to Expedition Outside and Alpacka Raft for their generous donations! All proceeds support La Plata Open Space Conservancy’s work to conserve land and water in Southwest Colorado.  Southwest Stewardship Series Soil Health Workshop  We are pleased to sponsor Montezuma County Conservation Districts’ Soil Health Workshop featuring Ray Archuleta (of the film Kiss the Ground) this Friday, May 20. Learn how to improve your soil health, reduce fertilizer costs, and increase your farm’s profitability. Online registration is now closed, but same-day registration will be available at a reduced price. In addition, we have a few scholarships left for La Plata County landowners to attend. If the registration fee is an obstacle, please contact christy@lposc.org for a scholarship. Registration info here. Pollinator Workshop  We have just a few spots left for our popular Pollinator Workshop on a beautiful conserved property (and pollinator paradise!) south of Bayfield this Saturday, May 21. Check out the Herald’s coverage of the workshop, or the registration link below for more info. This workshop is free and open to all, but registration is required. Register here. Noxious Weed Workshop  This weed mitigation workshop will be held on a conserved property near Durango. La Plata County’s Weed Control Manager, Ben Bain, will discuss identification and management best practices for common species in our area. Chemical, mechanical, and biological control methods will all be addressed. This workshop is free and open to all, but registration is required. Register here. Big thanks to Great Outdoors Colorado for their support of our Southwest Stewardship Series! Summer Solstice Benefit We hope you’ll join us for a special evening at Destination Ranch featuring drinks, heavy appetizers, and Jeff Solon’s Swingin’ Big Band! Destination Ranch is almost entirely permanently conserved, and lies under the magnificent La Plata Mountains. Support our work to conserve land in Southwest Colorado while enjoying the incredible scenery and ambiance of this conserved property. Tickets & More Info Save the Date: 30th Anniversary Celebration Although we were disappointed to cancel our Snowdown Cocktails for Conservation for the second year in a row, we’re very excited to bring you a similar event on a conserved property near Durango on July 23rd. Even better, this event will be a celebration of our 30th year of work conserving your Southwest Colorado way of life. Mark your calendars now and keep an eye out for more information to come! Art Show Benefitting LPOSC Join us for a reception for Sandra Emmanuel Heller‘s One Person Show at Create Art & Tea. 10% of sales will go to La Plata Open Space Conservancy during the show, which runs from June 3 – 29. Reception: June 3, 2022,  5-7pm, Create Art & Tea, 1015 Main Ave, Durango   Call for Volunteers We are seeking volunteers to help us staff our booth at Animas River Days on Saturday, June 4. We have the following slots available: 9am-12pm 12-3pm 3-6pm 6-9pm (includes breakdown of booth) Email adrienne@lposc.org if you would be interested in helping out! Thanks for Joining Us! Photo Credit: Eppich Photography, LLC Thanks to those who attended our Spirit of the Southwest Gathering, and a special shout-out to Kellam Throgmorton of Crow Canyon Archaeological Center for leading a fantastic tour of the site. Thanks also to Carver‘s for donating beer and to landowner Helen Ruth Aspaas for creating fabulous table centerpieces.  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! Copyright © 2022 La Plata Open Space Conservancy. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: La Plata Open Space Conservancy P.O. Box 1651 Durango, CO 81302 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Meet Our New Executive Director

Our new Executive Director, Adrienne Dorsey, originally from Silverthorne, comes to us from Denver. Adrienne has nearly two decades of combined experience working in land conservation, sustainability, and renewable energy.

Previously, she was Executive Director of GRID Alternatives Colorado, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. Prior to joining GRID Alternatives Colorado, she worked for various nonprofits and governmental agencies leading innovative programs and projects at both the state and local levels. Her experience includes managing a statewide conservation fellowship program, leading a statewide initiative to expand access to community solar for low-income households in Colorado and building the first sustainability office for Adams County, Colorado.

She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver and a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management from Colorado State University. She formerly sat on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Solar and Storage Association and the Sustainable Neighborhoods Network.  She was also recognized by the Denver Business Journal as one of the 40 Top Women in Energy in 2019.  When not in the office, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with her husband, son, and three dogs.