Since 1999, the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) has been working to "Conserve our land, water, and way of life in Colorado's Rio Grande Basin." RiGHT is the only local land trust serving the entire San Luis Valley. To date, we have completed 22 conservation projects preserving 16,107 acres of working agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, wetlands, and natural beauty. RiGHT has also sponsored and co-sponsored 20 workshops and tours and helped establish the coordinator for the San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area Committee.

News & Updates

Coni Grant paints outdoors to help conserve the landscape
by Gene Akers of the Valley Courier

"To go to a place means to paint in that place." says Coni Grant, local artist, teacher, and in 2010, a new participant in the
annual "Keep the Rio Grande Grand Fine Art Benefit Sale" hosted by the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust
(RiGHT) on Saturday, August 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the South Fork Community Center.

Supporting RiGHT's conservation efforts for the working ranches and scenic beauty along the Rio Grande comes naturally to Grant, as she developed an eye and a heart for the West at an early age. "Plein air painting is not only my 'niche,' but also my favorite way to work. You can't do this and not love to be outside in the landscape, urban or natural."

Read the full article here.

3rd Annual "Keep the Rio Grande Grand" Fine Art Benefit Sale JOIN US ON: Saturday, August 14th, 2010 6-9pm At the South Fork Community Center Cost: $30 per person We look forward to seeing you there! Contact us now to reserve your invitation at: 719.657.0800 or info(at)riograndelandtrust.org Join us for a memorable evening of fine art from select local and regional artists. Along with fabulous local food, wine & beer, this promises to be the most magical night of the season - our third annual fine art benefit sale to support the conservation work of the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust's "Rio Grande Initiative", dedicated to protecting the river's ranches, wildlife and scenic beauty!

Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust Awarded Accreditation!

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, announced last week that the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust has been awarded accredited status.

"For the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT), accreditation provides our landowners with assurances they need in a changing and sometimes uncertain economic climate.  They can be confident that RiGHT has earned the respect and stamp of approval from our national association for our practices, our standards and the quality of conservation projects,” says Nancy Butler, RiGHT’s Executive Director. (Click here to read the full press release.)

Conservation Success for Local Land Trust: Rio Oxbow Ranch Protected

Anyone who has driven the winding “Silver Thread Scenic Byway” along State Highway 149 above Creede has probably had their breath taken away. Not just by the high altitude, but also by the scenic beauty that opens when they round the bend to see the majestic Rio Grande meandering across the valley floor of Antelope Park. Six miles of the river flows through the wide curving oxbows that inspire the name of the spectacular Rio Oxbow Ranch. Across the broad valley, the Weminuche Wilderness rises on the far side and the views are indeed breath taking. The local Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust’s conservation efforts has now insured that this view is protected in perpetuity, with completion of the second phase of the conservation easement on the Rio Oxbow Ranch at the end of 2009. Click here to read the full press release. Photo by Rio de la Vista

See the News page for more updates on RiGHT's work.