The Douglas County Land Conservancy is searching for an
executive director who wants to have a hand in protecting county
land from excessive development.
The position has been vacant for more than two years, said
senior conservancy board member Ernie Fazekas.
The person chosen does not need experience in land conservancy,
but must be passionate about preserving land in a rapidly growing
county, Fazekas said.
“We’re looking for someone who is interested in this kind of
work,” he said.
The conservancy is considering candidates interested in a half-
or three-quarters work week, Fazekas said.
The position is paid and the salary will be determined by the
chosen candidate’s experience along with the schedule chosen, he
said.
The executive director of the conservancy would get involved in
all aspects of the group’s work including administration,
fund-raising and landowner outreach programs, Fazekas
said.
He or she would learn how the conservancy uses conservation
easements to protect land, he said.
Conservation easements are perhaps the conservancy’s most
important tool, Fazekas.
They limit development by leaving land in a natural state, by
limiting residential density, or by encouraging developers to
cluster homes into one area while leaving the majority of their
property as natural open space, he said.
Landowner outreach includes explaining to people who own land
the benefits of preserving parts of their property through
conservation easements, Fazekas said.
The conservancy was founded in 1987 and now has about 850
members, he said.
In those 16 years, the organization has protected 7,000 acres in
Douglas County.
Those interested in applying can send resumes to P.O. Box 771,
Castle Rock, CO 80104.