In 2017, Colorado Open Lands took attendees of Land Trust Alliance's Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference on a field trip north of Denver to tour a local foods co-operative. Four years later, we've finalized our first conservation easement with Poudre Valley Community Farms.

It's been mentioned before, but it still rings true: Land trusts are well positioned to lead in mitigating the impacts of climate change and helping their communities adapt.

Saving the places people need and love requires more than hard work. It also requires funding. Just as it took the Chicago Bulls the winning combination of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to bring home six NBA championships, land trusts need both funding and hard work to get conservation done. And you can play a helpful role.

Volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to meet new people, visit beautiful places and give back to your community.

Whether you're new to the world of voluntary private land conservation or looking for a refresh, read on for answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions about land trusts.

How is government funding like a used couch? Knowing where your funding has been before it arrives at your land trust is key to avoiding unpleasant problems.

In the buildup to Earth Day on April 22, people around the country will contemplate their role in fighting seemingly daunting environmental challenges, including climate change, the extinction crisis, habitat fragmentation and environmental injustice.

We all have a role to play in addressing the climate crisis and the inequities that can hamper the ability of our communities and our lands to recover from such trauma.

Land trusts are increasingly thinking about climate change — and how they can be part of the solution.