By Jessica Wierzbinski - Mail Staff Writer

Chaffee County Commissioner Tim Glenn was named Conservationist of the Year during the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas annual fund-raising event Thursday in the Salida SteamPlant Ballroom.

Executive Director Andrew Mackie said Glenn received the award because of his "outstanding leadership and commitment to protecting the natural and agricultural resources of the Upper Arkansas Valley.

"During his terms as county commissioner, Tim has consistently supported conservation easements in the county, especially on ranching land.

"He was the driving force behind the conservation easement on the Roberts Ranch and a strong supporter of other conservation easements, such as Chubb Park in 2009."

Mackie said in addition to his work as a commissioner, Glenn has been a conservationist in other capacities.

For example, he said, Glenn served on committees such as the Hutchinson Homestead Preservation Committee, Arkansas Basin Roundtable, and Arkansas Basin Irrigation Efficiency Advisory Committee.

"As chairman of the State Wildlife Commission," Mackie said, "he works to protect our wildlife resources and the opportunities we have for hunting and fishing in Colorado.

"Tim has also strived for a balanced approach to land use planning in Chaffee County, including supporting land trust efforts to create a county-wide program to protect critical land for natural, agricultural, scenic and historical values."

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