Pagosa Springs Friends of the Wild (PSFOTW) is pleased to announce its official formation as a community-driven nonprofit created by local residents committed to a shared goal: keep Pagosa wild.
With the help of our mascot, Tillard the Pagosa Tree Farmer, we are stepping forward to protect the wildlife, open spaces and dark-sky landscapes that define the spirit of Pagosa Springs.
As Pagosa continues to grow, neighbors throughout the community have expressed a desire for balanced development — growth that respects the land, preserves habitat and reduces wildlife-resident conflict. PSFOTW is launching to help build that balance.
At the center of our announcement is a collaborative conservation partnership invitation to the owners and developers of the Pagosa West parcels. We are inviting them to work with us to create a community nature park, protect elk migration routes, and establish a long-term open-space buffer within urban development for residents and visitors to enjoy.
This work is supported by information we received regarding matching-fund grant opportunities for urban migration corridors designed to reduce wildlife conflict.
We believe this partnership can preserve safe migration pathways, reduce wildlife-resident conflict, enhance long-term property values and create a signature nature park that remains accessible to the public year-round.
Our organization is focused on cooperation, not confrontation — because when conservation and development partner early, the whole community benefits.
To support this effort, PSFOTW has established a restricted land acquisition fund dedicated solely to securing key open-space parcels for wildlife habitat, buffering and community nature access. Through this fund, the organization will pursue conservation partnerships, land purchases, stewardship agreements, open-space preservation and the development of the Pagosa Springs Walking Trails and Nature Park.
Tillard the Pagosa Tree Farmer serves as our official ambassador and embodies our mission: “Planting Seeds. Protecting Trees. Keeping Pagosa Wild.”
Residents will see Tillard throughout town as we launch donor campaigns, community events and the Pagosa Tree Farmer merchandise line — all supporting the land acquisition fund.
Community members can support our efforts by donating, volunteering, becoming a Pagosa Tree Farmer (www.bonfire.com/store/keep-pagosa-wild), sharing our mission or partnering with us on conservation-first planning.
To become a Friend of the Wild, donate, sponsor or discuss partnership opportunities, please email conserve@keeppagosawild.org or contact us at keeppagosawild.org.
PSFOTW is a registered Colorado nonprofit and charitable organization in good standing, dedicated to preserving wildlife habitat, migration corridors, dark-sky open space and the ecological identity of Pagosa Springs. Our federal 501(c)(3) status has been applied for and is pending approval.
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