Public Lands in Public Hands for the Public Good: Engaging law, policy, and advocacy to protect our shared natural heritage – The annual Boulder County Nature Association Ecosymposium

When: April 4, 9am-3pm

Where: Avalon Ballroom, Boulder

ENTRADAS AQUÍ!

We all cherish these public lands—our forests, creek, grasslands, and our many parks and trails. Most of us in Boulder County think of public lands as a shared good and a reservoir of natural and cultural bounty held by the government for the benefit of current and future ecosystems, residents, and visitors.

Currently, about 242,000 acres of Boulder County’s roughly 474,000 total acres are held as public open space or federal lands. Thus, this is a particularly apt topic for us at a time when public lands face a range of complex and evolving challenges. Decisions made at the federal, state, and local levels impact funding, staffing, land management priorities, historical interpretations, conservation protections, and land use.

Once land is developed or ecosystems are significantly altered, it can be difficult – or impossible – to fully restore what was lost. Understanding how decisions are made, who is involved, and what tools exist for public engagement is an important part of caring for these shared places.

This year’s ecosymposium will bring together speakers who work at the intersection of ecology, law, policy, and community engagement. Together, we will explore questions such as:
What does “public interest” mean when it comes to public lands?
How are decisions about public lands made, and whose voices are included?
What roles do science, history, and community values play in land stewardship?
How can individuals and organizations engage constructively to support the long-term health of public lands and to ensure public lands stay in public hands?
This conference is an opportunity to step back from day-to-day demands and to think strategically, together, about how to safeguard the natural and cultural assets that define Boulder County and our region.