VFPP PRESS RELEASE
Contacts:
Jane Hickcox 970.728.4269
Marla Croke 970.728.1811
October 6, 2009, Telluride, CO – Valley Floor Preservation Partners (VFPP) Board of Directors announced today that the 501c3 corporation, formed to facilitate private donations to purchase and preserve the Valley Floor, will broaden its mission. According to Marla Croke, President of the Board, “Now that the acquisition, environmental studies, conservation easement, and management plan have been successfully completed, we see the upcoming community challenges as stewardship, on-going assessment, continued planning, and restoration. VFPP is in a perfect position to act as a supportive private partner and conduit for this kind of community effort. Yesterday we notified the town of our gift of a $30,000 matching grant to facilitate their moving forward with the Valley Floor Trails and River Restoration Plan. Hopefully, others can partner in providing support for this task along with the town. Additionally, we plan to help organize an energetic and consistent volunteer program.”
Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a VFPP board member, made this observation: “When these long term preservation projects become part of the social dynamic, it’s both desirable and natural to see a citizen group coalesce to aid the endeavor – I’m delighted that VFPP can continue to make a significant contribution in helping care for the Valley Floor.”
“Some of the funds that came to VFPP were specifically earmarked for preservation efforts once the purchase was completed,” explained Terry Tice, also a board member and Treasurer of the organization. “Some funds were undirected; and we will continue to accept both restricted and unrestricted tax-deductible contributions to further help with costs for Valley Floor programs. By continuing to partner with others, we can help fund expenses for special project needs that will occur as we implement the Management Plan. Another concept that draws a lot of support is, in some way, acknowledging all the folks who made this bold action possible, and telling the story of how this amazing event unfolded.”
In these next exciting phases of Valley Floor stewardship, VFPP will be working very closely with the Open Space Commission, Town Council, and the San Miguel Conservation Foundation.
Valley Floor Preservation Partners, a 501c3 charitable organization, was formed as a partnership of the Town of Telluride, Sheep Mountain Alliance, National Trust for Historic Preservation and The Telluride Institute in March 2006 to support the Valley Floor acquisition and preservation efforts of the Town of Telluride and to launch the final fundraising and education campaign. On May 9, 2007 VFPP announced the successful conclusion of its fundraising campaign after raising $24.5 million, $17 million of it in three months.
