About Us
The Cherry Hills Land Preserve is a local nonprofit organization that focuses on preserving natural landscapes, connecting people to nature, and helping nature thrive in our community.
CHLP was founded in 2005 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit by a group of Village locals who recognized the extraordinary gifts of our community’s natural open lands and who shared a desire to protect and preserve them for current and future generations. These founders recognized the importance of preserving the scenic vistas and wildlife habitat that enrich our daily lives, as well as our part in the larger network of connected open space providing critical wildlife habitat and access to natural green spaces in Metro Denver.
Today, CHLP believes we all thrive when conservation and community meet. We work to preserve the scenic landscapes we love in our community, spark lifetime conservation values and volunteerism, and help children – regardless of where they live – explore a thriving natural environment. More than ever, we value our natural open spaces and appreciate our opportunities to “take a nature break” and get outside. We all play a part in making sure our corner of Colorado remains such a great place to live, and we CHLP works to inspire conservation awareness and action in our backyard and beyond.
Our Team
Executive Director
Ellen Hereford Thompson
"Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat."
-Laura Ingalls Wilder
Board of Directors
Laura Christman
President
"There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter"
–Rachel Carson
Linda Behr
Vice President
"...We regard [land] as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."
–Aldo Leopold
Judith Judd
Vice President
"We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."
-Native American Proverb
Janney Carpenter
Secretary~Treasurer
"Time in nature and the outdoors provides me with a reset of mind and spirit, and I return feeling rejuvenated, healthier, and profoundly grateful for where we live. Whether a mountain hike, dog walk, or brief visit to the garden, I return feeling more grounded and happier."
Nancy Wolfe
Marketing Director
"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks."
-John Muir
Phillip Seawalt
“We are one with nature, the more one looks, the more obvious this becomes.”
Richard Swomley
“Looking at the beauty of the world is the first step to purifying the mind.”
-Amit Ray
Advisory Board
These individuals share a strong commitment to CHLP’s mission and have offered to share their experience.They include former board members and experts who can supplement the knowledge and experience of the current Board.