Saguache County transfers open space to the Land Trust

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Saguache County's Generous Gift

In 2005, the Saguache County Commissioners transferred 51 lots to the Crestone Baca Land Trust to protect important wetlands and riparian corridors in the Grants. This was an historic event, which enables the Land Trust to expand greatly its efforts to maintain the quality of the natural landscape in the Baca. The areas transferred to the Land Trust by Saguache County include:

White Wing Wetland
32 acres of the White Wing Wetland, located to the west of Heatherbrae Road between Camino Real and Birch Road. The unusually high water table in the area has made it an important grazing area for elk. The grasslands and moist soil also support unusual plant and animal communities, identified in the Sovell Report. The Land Trust is working to prevent development in the area and especially to avoid any fencing that would hinder the free movement of wide-ranging animals such as elk.

Spanish Creek Wetland
The largest wetland in the Baca lies at the crossing of Spanish Creek and Camino del Rey at the western edge of the Grants. The marsh/wetland that often forms during the summer is a rare and beautiful feature of Baca, which deserves serious efforts by the community to protect. This wetland area was identified in the CNHP biological assessment as a “Site of Special Significance” because of its high biodiversity. CNHP Zoologist John Sovell, who conducted the biological survey for the Land Trust, reports an abundance of animal and plant life in these wetlands, such as Brazilian free-tailed bats, tiger salamanders, chorus frogs, Mountain Plover, Wilson Phalaropes, the San Luis Valley subspecies of the northern pocket gopher (Thymomys talpoides agrestis), and the globally imperiled slender spider flower.

The Land Trust has particular concern about the threat of development and septic systems on the margins of this wetland. Specifically, we wish to prevent any construction on Stallion Trail, which could have disastrous consequences to the health of the wetland. We are working with owners of lots along Stallion Trail to assist them in making trades for less fragile land elsewhere in the Baca.

We are very grateful to the County Commissioners for their interest in working with us to preserve wetlands, especially during this time of tight budgets. Wendi Maez, Connie Trujillo, and Jackie Stephens in the County administration played important roles in facilitating this transfer. Locally, both Tamar Ellentuck and Maggie Messinger of the POA worked hard on this project with us. We also are very appreciative of the support and encouragement we received from POA Board of Directors Tony Ross, Richard Enzer, Lee Mitchell, and Greg Griffin who consistently backed the efforts of the Land Trust to preserve and expand open space in the Baca. The Land Trust and community have benefited enormously from the enlightened support from Saguache County and our local leaders.