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Coleman Ranches receives 2008 Leopold Conservation AwardColorado The Wisconsin-based conservation organization Sand County Foundation, in partnership with the Colorado Cattlemen's Association and the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust, is proud to name Coleman Ranches, Inc., as the winner of the 2008 Leopold Conservation Award in Colorado. "The Coleman Family has been producing, not only terrific products, but also environmental sustainability for decades through improved wildlife habitat and water quality on their land," said Dr. Brent Haglund, Sand County Foundation president. "The Colemans run their business on a solid foundation of sustainability, integrity and quality, and we are proud to honor their work." The fifth-generation Coleman Ranch consists of over 1,500 acres of irrigated meadows and mixed short- and tallgrass prairie in Saguache, located approximately 200 miles southwest of Denver. The ranch is owned and operated by Jim and Frances Coleman, along with their son Tim and his wife Chessa, where they have raised certified natural beef under the Coleman Natural brand for almost 30 years. The Colemans have made numerous efforts to preserve the natural integrity of their ranch. They were the first family ranch in the Saguache Creek area to protect their land with a conservation easement. Their property supports a diversity of wildlife, including several bird species, elk, mule deer and cottontails. Saguache Creek, which flows through their ranch, provides habitat for Rio Grande chub and cutthroat trout. The Colemans permit limited hunting and fishing on their land to manage these populations. They utilize rotational grazing, cross-fencing and water facilities to prevent over-grazing and improve ranch forage. "To me, this is what conservation is all about, to take care of what nature gave us," Frances Coleman said. The Colemans make it a point to be involved in the larger agricultural community. Among other civic involvement, Jim has served for several years on the Canon City and San Luis Valley District Grazing Advisory Boards. He also is a member of the San Luis Valley Cattlemen's Association, the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, and Resource Advisory Council for the Front Range Bureau of Land Management. Jim has been honored with the Conservationist of the Year - Ranching Division in 2001 and was named San Luis Valley Cattleman of the Year in 2005. Above all, the Coleman family appreciates the relationship Aldo Leopold envisioned between individuals and their land. "To understand land, you've got to become part of it," Jim Coleman said. "When you do that, you'll learn that it's always changing." For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org, or contact Beka Gill at 303-431-6422 or by e-mail at beka@coloradocattle.org. 5/26/08 Date: 5/21/08
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