Welcome to COSA!
The Colorado Open Space Alliance is a statewide organization of publicly funded local and regional open space programs, working cooperatively to share information, create public awareness and foster partnerships needed to protect and preserve the special places of Colorado.
Hold the Date for the 2008 COSA Conference
The 2008 Conference will be held September 15 - 17 in Estes Park at the Holiday Inn.
Do you want your presentation to be considered for the COSA conference? Fill out our Request For Proposals [pdf] before 5/15.
Conference keynote speakers are: Sam Ham, Author and Professor at the University of Idaho, and Shelli Bischoff-Turner, co-founder and President of Conservation Impact!
COSA Blue Grama Award nominations [pdf] are now being accepted and are due 8/1/08.
Sponsorships: Thanks to Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting LLC as our first 2008 COSA Conference sponsor. See the Sponsor Flyer [pdf]
Legislative Updates
Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts - Updates at www.cclt.org on legislation regarding the use of conservation easements in Colorado.
Lottery Securitization - John Swartout, Director of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, reported that proposals to privatize the lottery were pulled from the bills being reviewed by the Colorado Legislature. The issue is not dead with interest in convening a group of stakeholders to discuss the pros and cons of the proposal yet this year. GOCO will join with the Colorado Municipal League to provide a forum for interested groups.
Six new GOCO Board Members were also announced.
Accreditation/Standards and Practices
CCLT and members of the COSA Steering Committee are reviewing proposals to provide for a "best practices" document for open space organizations in Colorado. The goal of this project is to develop a peer reviewed document that provides guidance to local governments on the acceptance and stewardship of conservation easements. For additional information contact Janis Whisman, Land Stewardship Officer for Boulder County's Parks and Open Space Department.
The Land Trust Alliance is moving forward with an accreditation program supported by recent Colorado Legislation. There have been cases of fraud in the use of conservation easements in Colorado and efforts to provide best practices are believed to be important in retaining the tax benefits available in Colorado.
RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
Blue Gramas - The new Blue Grama Awards will recognize outstanding management and programs offered by Colorado open space organizations.
Colorado Lottery Starburst Conservation Awards - The Lottery sponsored Starburst Awards recognize conservation projects.
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Growing the Next Generation of Open Space Leaders
The program goal is to offer a leadership experience within the conservation community that will give participants a broader understanding of issues facing local government open space programs and the candidate's ability to be a future leader within those organizations. To learn more about the program - review the following documents. Please contact us if you are interested in being a candidate or mentor for the 2008 program. Contact Linda Strand at LJeanStrand@comcast.net.
- Leadership Program Description [pdf]
- Mentor Job Description [pdf]
- Leadership Candidate Application [Word]
Join Our Mailing List
To subscribe simply send a blank e-mail to: listserv@listserv.co.boulder.co.us with "subscribe cosa" in the body of the message.
To send a message to the COSA list, simply send an e-mail to: COSA@LISTSERV.CO.BOULDER.CO.US
Archives of the list will be available at: http://listserv.co.boulder.co.us/archives/cosa.html