Conservation on the edge : landscape scale conservation at Colorado's urban-rural interface

Abstract

Landscape scale conservation is an emerging framework that refers to the ability to conceive, plan, finance and manage projects with significant natural conservation value while incorporating the cultural and economic activities of people situated in those landscapes. This framework is examined within the context of shifting conceptions of the mechanisms, scale, purpose and rationale behind land conservation, as well as in consideration of the concurrently evolving thought and practice of sustainable development. The goals of this exercise are twofold. First, drawing upon a literature review and three case studies this thesis seeks to introduce landscape scale conservation as an emerging field of expertise with relevance to issues of community growth and character, economic opportunity and environmental quality in Colorado. Second, this thesis seeks to glean insights, both positive and negative, from three case studies that may in turn lead to policy and/or programmatic recommendations for how landscape scale conservation efforts can achieve their ambitious goals. The central assertion of this thesis is that innovative projects consistent with landscape scale conservation are being undertaken in Colorado at the urban- rural interface. However, significant challenges remain and the cases examined in this thesis reveal limitations of landscape scale conservation and affirm ongoing efforts to address these limitations, and point to complimentary policies - such as growth management - that should be given consideration. The efficacy of these conservation efforts should be of interest to planners, conservationists, government agencies and private citizens who frequently have vested interests in the many environmental, economic and socio-political policies that landscape scale conservation implicates.