PROJECT: The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) is a small community land trust, located in Del Norte, Colorado. Accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, RiGHT has been conserving the land, water and way of life in Colorado’s San Luis Valley since 1999. In 2022, we closed on our 55th conservation easement, ensuring protection into perpetuity of over 30,000 acres of working farms and ranchlands, riparian corridors, wetlands and other ecologically valuable landscapes. The San Luis Valley is an inspiring and welcoming place with its stunning landscape between the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountains, abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, and deep history of collaborative community partnerships and spirit among its people. Joining RiGHT is a perfect opportunity for someone who wants to be part of a team making a positive impact in one of the most critically important and imperiled high-elevation desert river systems in the U.S.
PLACEMENT: The Conservation Connector will provide essential assistance to the
Land Protection Program Director,
Stewardship & Restoration Program Director, and
Executive Director in the planning, design, execution and management of a variety of conservation projects. The Conservation Connector will also assist, and often take a lead role, in RiGHT’s communications with clients, friends, allies, supporters, and the larger community, to connect these key people to our mission and work. Overall this role helps to provide the glue that holds various pieces of our organization, and the people responsible for them, together. There will be ample training and continuing education opportunities available, especially for a 2-year term of service.
The Conservation Connector will assist in:
- Landowner and community outreach, relationship building and communications
- Conservation easement acquisition projects
- Monitoring and stewardship of conservation easements
- Ecological restoration projects; and
- Fundraising events
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Interest or formal education in, or direct hands-on experience with, natural resources management, agriculture, ranching, or a relevant biological science
- Excellent listening, speaking and writing skills
- Emotionally intelligent team player
- Able to manage a fair bit of autonomy, under the supervision of the leadership team
- Physically able and eager to engage in related outdoor activities and field work