Erik Glenn is the Executive Director of the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust, a land conservation organization that has protected over 465,000 acres of working ranches throughout the state of Colorado. In this episode, Ed and Erik discuss a wide array of topics including the importance of keeping ranches in agricultural production, the basics of land conservation in the West, Colorado's role as a leader in national land conservation, Erik's family history as ranchers, and much more. --- http://mountainandprairie.com/erik-glenn/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:06 - How Erik describes his work 6:11 - History of the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) 8:45 - What "land conservation" means to Erik 11:20 - Details on how CCALT conserves ranches, basics of conservation easements 14:40 - The effects of ranch subdivision 17:15 - Why a vegan living in LoDo should care about working ranches 22:30 - The importance of grazing for a healthy ecosystem 26:40 - Colorado's role as a leader in conservation 29:45 - Erik's family history in agriculture 33:00 - Why Erik chose conservation as a career 36:15 - Advice to young people who want to work in conservation 43:20 - Importance of financial sustainability for land trusts 49:30 - One thing that Erik would change about conservation 53:30 - Erik's favorite books 55:20 - Erik's favorite documentaries 57:30 - Erik's favorite place in the West 59:10 - Erik's recommendations for people visiting the West 1:00:30 - Erik's request of the listeners --- http://mountainandprairie.com/erik-glenn/ --- This episode is sponsored by Mountain Khakis. Rugged. Authentic. Reliable. Timeless. What started as a casual conversation at the Shady Lady Saloon in Jackson Hole, WY has become a top-performing mountain-inspired lifestyle apparel brand. Established in 2003, Mountain Khakis quickly became a staple in the wardrobe of everyone from ranch hands to golf pros, those who travel by jet, as well as those who travel by thumb. The Mountain Khakis brand story continues to resonate as it connects to the enthusiast who believes that freedom and rugged adventure is a way of life. Join the conversation at www.mountainkhakis.com