Mountain Area Land Trust
The Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT), founded in 1992, is a conservation-focused nonprofit dedicated to protecting Colorado’s land, water, wildlife, and way of life.
Operating across six counties, MALT has conserved 27,000 acres through collaboration with private landowners, public agencies, and community partners. Its work is rooted in three core pillars: land and water conservation, long-term stewardship, and robust community outreach and education.
A major catalyst in MALT’s expanding educational and equity-based initiatives is Sacramento Creek Ranch (SCR), a fully sustainable property located in Fairplay, Colorado. SCR has become a cornerstone of MALT’s mission to foster the next generation of conservation leaders through environmental education that emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. In 2024 alone, SCR welcomed over 1,500 visitors, including more than 1,160 K-12 students—80% of whom came from rural, low-income, or historically underserved communities.
Through initiatives like the Conservation Legacy Fellowship, youth birding workshops, a partnership with the High Rockies Community School, Boys and Girls Clubs of the High Rockies, and teacher reaccreditation programs, SCR is not only advancing MALT’s conservation goals but also creating accessible, high-impact learning experiences. By partnering with organizations like the National Renewable Energy Lab and a variety of community groups, MALT is transforming SCR into Colorado’s premier high-alpine hub for research, sustainability, and inclusive conservation education.
