The Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT) recognizes the immense and immediate need to preserve the declining shortgrass prairie ecosystems of the Great Plains. We utilize the strategy of land acquisition and restoration coupled with a strong outreach program and support for public lands reform.

SPLT celebrated the purchase of our first block of this reserve network in November 1998: a 1,280-acre parcel in Baca County, Colorado three miles north of the Comanche National Grassland. We named this property "Fresh Tracks" to acknowledge the welcomed sight of native animal tracks on the land and to signify a new path toward land management on the Plains, one where wildlife is respected for it own intrinsic value.

We have since added three reserves to our network: the Marianne Rees Nature Preserve and Two Marys Nature Preserve, which are located just a few miles south of Fresh Tracks; and the Quail Ridge Nature Preserve in Prowers County. Currently, there are approximately 3,300 acres of protected land within SPLT's Prairie Reserve Network. Our goal is to triple that number by 2015, bringing the total area protected to 10,000 acres.

SPLT is certified by the State of Colorado to hold conservation easements and is a member of the Land Trust Alliance and the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts.

What's New --

SPLT Garage Sale - May 18 & 19 (Fri and Sat) in Centennial, CO. Stop by to support us - 6439 E. Maplewood Ave. Hours are: 9am-7pm Fri, 9am-4pm Sat.

Take part in a fascinating project by the Denver Zoo looking at the effects of bison and prairie dogs on the shortgrass prairie. Join up with the team of your choice and get out into the field. Wildlife close-ups guaranteed. Contact SPLT for more details.

Get gardening and save the shortgrass prairie! Order seeds from Botanical Interests through this link, and the Southern Plains Land Trust will get 20% of the proceeds, which we'll put toward prairie preservation.