The Salazar Center powers conservation solutions for people and nature.
By accelerating the pace and scale of initiatives that are nature-positive, carbon-negative, and justice-forward, we are creating a world in which nature, and therefore all people, can thrive. We’ve spent years intentionally building connections and community; across industries, borders, cultures, and experiences. We share knowledge, resources, and connections to support conservation that significantly slows and then reverses biodiversity loss while simultaneously building climate resilience. We do this work primarily through convenings and capacity building programs, with a focus on supporting innovative new ideas and elevating diverse voices.
The field of environmental conservation is vast, as is the Center’s geographical scope of North America. To marshal its resources and talents to greatest effect, the Center offers programs and cultivates partnerships around a set of central themes:
Mission
The mission of the CSU Salazar Center for North American Conservation is to accelerate the pace and scale of equitable, innovative, and durable solutions for nature and all people by connecting diverse leaders, communities, and resources across the North American continent. We know that healthy natural systems support climate adaptation and resilience, protect biodiversity, and support long-term human health. Our intersectional approach builds bridges that connect academic research, community practice, and policy development.
Vision
The Center envisions a future in which all people work together to steward a critical mass of healthy and connected landscapes in North America that sustains a rich diversity of life, strengthens climate resilience, and provides for healthy, equitable communities.
Founder
The Salazar Center was founded by former US Secretary of Interior, US Senator, and Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar, based on his desire for people across North America to find common ground on the most pressing conservation challenges we face. As the nation’s 50th Secretary of Interior, Salazar led the nation’s efforts on conservation, including the designation of ten national parks and ten national conservation and wildlife refuges and the organization of more than 100 other conservation and preservation projects in the United States.
The Center is housed by Colorado State University, a land-grant institution and a globally respected leader in environmental and conservation research. CSU is recognized for its preeminent conservation programs and their interdisciplinary strength.
Colorado State University Land Acknowledgment
CSU’s Land Acknowledgment is a statement crafted by a variety of Indigenous faculty and staff, as well as other officials at CSU. The statement recognizes the long history of Native peoples and nations that lived and stewarded the land where the university now resides. The land acknowledgment statement also maintains the connection Native people and nations still have to this land.
We are enthusiastic about having the CSU Land Acknowledgment video available for the CSU campus and community. If your department is interested in sharing this video on your website or social media, please link to the official Land Acknowledgment website for complete context about the Land Acknowledgment. The website will contain ways for everyone to engage with the Land Acknowledgment and to keep updated to any possible changes.