Yampa Valley Land Trust conserves natural, scenic, agricultural, historic and other public and private open land resources in Northwest Colorado including but not limited to Routt, Moffat, Jackson and Rio Blanco Counties with a focus on the Upper Yampa River Basin in Routt County and the Upper White River Basin in Rio Blanco County for the benefit of this and future generations with a commitment to uphold and defend the conservation easements it accepts.  Yampa Valley Land Trust is the only community-based land conservation organization working in Northwest Colorado that addresses TOP community priorities of conserving open land resources for both public and private benefit and use that includes protecting important wildlife habitat, scenic vistas and working agricultural lands. Yampa Valley Land Trust works in partnership with willing landowners to negotiate permanent solutions, typically in the form of conservation easements, for perpetual protection of Northwest Colorado's rich agricultural heritage, bio-diversity and rural character. Yampa Valley Land Trust also partners with local, state and federal government partners to provide new public access opportunities to the area's rivers and mountains for fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife watching and just plain getting away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. As of 2013, YVLT has conserved over 52,400 acres of important land resources. Additionally, YVLT, as a leader in land conservation, has partnered with and assisted local community efforts to conserve over 5,000 acres of what are now public lands providing public access - including the 4,100+ acre Emerald Mountain BLM tract now open to the public for public recreation, public lands and trails related to the Yampa Valley Land & Cattle transaction including the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area and City of Steamboat Springs' Legacy Ranch, and the more recent transfer to the City of Steamboat Springs of 586 acres of YVLT-conserved land on Emerald Mountain contiguous to Howelsen Hill that provides public access for hiking, biking and wildlife watching .  Yampa Valley Land Trust was also bequeathed the 250-acre Rehder Ranch located along Harrison Creek (a tributary to the Yampa River), south of Steamboat Springs. YVLT is in the process of restoring the historic buildings that will support the Nature Center at the Rehder Ranch Nature Preserve.