Trust Our Land: Why “local” matters in land conservation

By Jessica Foulis

Permanent land protection via conservation easement  is one of the most impactful commitments a landowner can make for their family, their land, and for the future of our community. And because that commitment is permanent, the process must be approached with care, transparency, and integrity. That’s the Eagle Valley Land Trust’s (EVLT) niche in the immense world of conservation. We understand the unique needs and complex considerations of local landowners and our community.

While all accredited land trusts –  whether local, state, or national – are held to the same legal and ethical standards, the most effective conservation outcomes result from local partnerships  built on commitment and understanding. Land is personal. It carries family history, cultural legacy, and future opportunity. That’s why working with a local land trust isn’t just about proximity – it’s about partnership, accountability, and context.

High Standards For Conservation

Each conservation easement is carefully and thoughtfully negotiated to protect conservation values while respecting a landowner’s long-term goals and vision for their property’s future.  Unlike other entities like insurance providers, conservation organizations don’t compete on flexibility or leniency. Conservation easements aren’t commodities that you can shop around for to find the best deal.   

Once a conservation easement is established, it’s permanent. They’re meant to protect land today and for generations to come. The board and staff at EVLT treat every conservation easement as a long term promise and commitment, not a trophy. We’re not in the business of collecting land; we’re in the business of protecting it for people and wildlife.

That responsibility comes with legal, ethical, and economic accountability. All accredited land trusts, local or otherwise, must comply with IRS requirements, annual financial audits, state laws, and accreditation standards set by the Land Trust Alliance. These standards ensure integrity across the conservation field. Integrity isn’t just about compliance – it’s about striving to create value for our community. 

We take seriously our responsibility to both the landowners who trust us and the broader community we serve. To landowners, we pledge consistency, fairness, and transparency. Our goal is to support stewardship without unnecessary burden. We believe that landowners are the best caretakers of their land, and our role is to ensure the conservation tools we provide work with them, not against them.

To our community, we serve as a guardian of the land. Our obligation is to uphold the conservation values secured in each easement, even when that’s not easy. A cut corner here, a new road there – over time, small deviations from the baseline can erode the conservation values that the two parties of a conservation easement promised to protect. It’s our job to support landowners in protecting those values promised to our community in the agreement.

Finding Local Balance

Conservation is about balance. Not every parcel is right for permanent protection and not every conservation easement looks the same. Some of our most meaningful work comes from listening – to landowners, to our partners in local government, to ranchers thinking about the next generation, and to community members who want to see progress on local issues. Our local conservation work is about finding durable land-based solutions that meet multiple needs.

Being a local land trust means we’re embedded in that dialogue. If we get something wrong, we hear about it. Our accountability is not abstract – it’s across the street, on the town board, at the grocery store. We welcome conversations, critiques, and collaboration at our new Conservation Center in Edwards (33601 Highway 6, Edwards, CO 81632). Our proximity keeps us grounded in our community. We’re able to see how each decision and each new conservation project fits into the bigger picture of our valley’s future.

Perhaps most importantly, local land trusts bring historical and cultural context to the table. We understand the stories that land holds and the people connected to it. We work hard to ensure that permanent conservation doesn’t lock landowners into a single future, but rather opens up pathways for long-term stewardship and livelihood. That might mean helping a ranching family preserve the option to diversify future land use in ways that still protect conservation values. That kind of nuance takes listening, empathy, and local knowledge.

4 Pillars of Conservation

EVLT’s mission is anchored by four guiding pillars: permanence, integrity and accountability, pragmatism and tradeoffs, and a focus on people. We believe in creating lasting community benefits. Conservation often comes with opportunity costs and we strive to make sure the benefits are shared equitably. We listen, we learn, and we lead with integrity.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of transparency and professionalism. Our accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance, fiscal responsibility, and ethical decision-making are the foundation of our public trust. But what truly sets us apart from larger

 statewide or nationwide land trusts is our dedication to this place and its people.

Land conservation is a long game. It requires care, clarity, and commitment. When you work with a local land trust like EVLT, you’re not just protecting land – you’re securing a legacy that will benefit our community, forever.

Jessica Foulis is the Executive Director of the Eagle Valley Land Trust. Learn more about EVLT’s conservation work at evlt.org or visit the new Conservation Center in Edwards.