The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) is exploring the development of an internally managed Agricultural Resiliency Fund to provide landowners with support for projects that contribute to the long term operational, ecological, and economic viability of conserved farm and ranchland, as well as wildlife habitat. CCALT’s portfolio represents over 450 conservation easements on working lands throughout the state of Colorado, ensuring these lands remain undeveloped in the face of the rapid suburbanization and sprawl facing much of the American West today. Our student team is researching sustainable finance models and fund structures to inform the development and implementation of this new resiliency fund. The team will collaborate with CCALT to design options for a fund that will enable sustainable and efficient use of conservation funds for stewardship projects on working lands related to watershed restoration, wildlife-friendly fencing, weed management, fire mitigation and more. This project will enable further engagement in private lands stewardship throughout the state of Colorado as an essential contributor in Western lands conservation.
COLLABORATOR
Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust
PROJECT DELIVERABLE
STUDENT RESEARCHERS
Christina Kohler, Research Assistant | Christina is a Master of Environmental Management Candidate at the Yale School of the Environment studying environmental policy and collaborative solutions to protect wildlife. Before coming to YSE, she worked for an environmental nonprofit, focusing on water and nutrient management on the Central Coast of California and stopping the sale of invasive horticultural plants. She also studied visitor use impacts while thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and enjoys combining her two passions of research and backpacking. Christina holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Molecular Environmental Biology and Environmental Economics & Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. See what Christina has been up to. | Blog
Wyatt Klipa, Research Assistant | Wyatt Klipa is a Master of Environmental Management candidate at the Yale School of the Environment. He is interested in exploring the ways in which approaches of equity and engagement for local stakeholder groups most impacted by conservation policy and implementation of local knowledge can enhance effective community management of large ecosystems, particularly in the American West. Prior to starting at YSE, Wyatt spent the previous four years in environmental education in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. He holds a BS in Environmental Studies with a focus in Conservation Ecology from the University of Michigan. See what Wyatt has been up to. | Blog
Annie Miller, Research Assistant | Annie Miller is a Masters of Environmental Management candidate at Yale School of the Environment. She focuses on biodiversity and land conservation in the West with a particular lens toward community-based conservation as a means to sustainably and justly address climate change. Prior to Yale, Annie worked in the citizen/community science field where she researched learning outcomes of youth and built partnerships with community-based organizations in the Bay Area. She received her B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science from Tufts University. See what Annie has been up to. | Blog