Jerry White
K-Lynn Cameron & Jerry White at Red Mountain Open Space celebration, 2004
As Larimer County Natural Resources’ first land agent, Jerry White sat at countless kitchen tables with ranchers and farmers, helping preserve the lands they cherished, laying the foundation for a department that now protects over 64,000 acres.
Q&A with Jerry White, interviewed by Meegan Flenniken
When and how did you first become involved with the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources, and what role did you play in advancing our open space efforts?
My wife Carolyn and I returned to Fort Collins in 1978 from a two-year assignment in Honduras with Peace Corps, and I began an 18-year employment as a Planner in the Larimer County Planning Department. When the Help Preserve Open Spaces sales tax was approved in 1995, a position was created for a “land agent” to engage with Larimer County landowners to implement the Open Space Master Plan by acquiring properties, trail easements, and conservation easements. I was fortunate to be offered this position.
As one of the first employees in the Open Space Program, it was a wonderful adventure to be on the “ground floor” of the Program, but also a bit intimidating by the challenge of fulfilling the goals and objectives of HPOS. Fortunately, Program Director K-Lynn Cameron was there from the beginning to assure that we were successful, and to build the program to a point where it was likely the most admired and emulated in Colorado. I was honored to be a part of that success in my role, which included:
Identifying opportunities to acquire special properties, trail easements, and/or conservation easements which aligned with our Master Plan
Engaging with willing property owners in the acquisition process
Coordinating with other entities (cities, counties, non-profits, GOCO, County departments, etc.)
Hiring and overseeing private sector consultants such as appraisers
Presentations to Open Lands Board and County Commissioners
Working with County Attorney staff to carry projects through the acquisition process
On-going interactions with property owners, including annual monitoring of conservation easements, and resolution of problems related to acquisition
From your perspective, what is one of the most meaningful outcomes or accomplishments that the Help Preserve Open Spaces (HPOS) sales tax has made possible?
It would be difficult to single out just one successful project, but the acquisition of the properties that comprise Red Mountain Open Space and the Mountains to Plains Project comes to mind. It was so challenging yet fulfilling due to the size, complexity, unique personalities of landowners, scope, etc. When we started, we never dreamed it would encompass over 100,000 acres, and still growing today. The partnerships we formed with GOCO, City of Fort Collins, the Nature Conservancy, State agencies, and others still serve as a model for acquisition, protection, and development of large scale protected areas.
Red Mountain Open Space, 2018, Photo by Rod Cerkoney
Is there a memory or moment from your time with LCDNR that stands out as especially powerful, either personally or for the community?
K-Lynn Cameron and I often talked about how fortunate we were to get to know many “old timers” as we sat at their kitchen tables and worked with them to preserve the farms, ranches, and homesteads that they cherished so much. Many times these reminiscences occurred when we attended their memorial service, or received word that they had passed on. We felt we were so blessed to know them and hear their stories and their reverence for the land, before they passed on.
Jerry White and landowner west of Red Mountain Open Space, 2005
How have you seen Larimer County residents, families, or visitors benefit from the protection, restoration, and enjoyment of open spaces?
Last year I agreed to help organize a reunion here of former Peace Corps volunteers, who served with us in Honduras in the mid-70's. We are now all in our 70's and 80's. One of my chores was to create an information sheet on “what to do and see” in this area. It was very satisfying to describe those “places to see” and realize how many I was familiar with and had a role in establishing: Red Mountain Ranch, Eagle’s Nest Open Space, Soderberg Ranch, Bobcat Ridge, Devil’s Backbone, Lion’s Park, River Bluffs, Hermit Park, Chimney Hollow, Ramsay Shockey Open Space, Pleasant Valley Trail, River Bluff Open Space and Trail, and Long View Farm Open Space and Trail.
What message would you want to share with future generations about why conserving and stewarding lands in Larimer County is important?
Actually, I would say future generations must look at this from a “big picture” perspective, not just Larimer County. Future conservation and stewardship will require a commitment by everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Unfortunately, that will be a greater challenge than ever before, but we have to hope for a future without the existing combative atmosphere.
Jerry White on Sylvan Dale Green Ridge CE, 2005