Our Mission:
Planting seeds of inspiration to promote
conscious stewardship of our natural resources.
High Desert conducts tree sales each year to help with your conservation needs!
The Spring Seedling Sale is OPEN!
Please reach out to get added to the events list so you can be first to know when the sales open.
Regular Hours:
Open 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday - Thursday
9am to 1:30pm on Friday
Or call to make an appointment: 970-529-8365 or 970-529-8354
Contact Us:
High Desert Conservation District
628 West 5th Street
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 529-8365
admin@highdesertconservation.org
Our Events:
The Spring Seedling Sale is Here!
Use the link below to find our trees for conservation sales.
https://high-desert-conservation-district.booqable.store/collections/spring-2025-sale
When ordering, you will be prompted to enter a “pickup” date.
Please enter the date you are making the purchase.
PLANT PICKUP WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR THE MIDDLE OF APRIL, DEPENDING ON SNOW.
No-Till Seed Drill
Over 2000 acres of land in Montezuma County have been seeded with the No-Till Seed Drill in the past 4 years. Land managers, public utilities engineers, public land stewards, farmers and ranchers use the drill to reseed ditches, rights-of-ways, and leach fields, and to establish new forage stands. It is most often used to rejuvenate tired pastures without having to disc or plough and to plant competition for weeds after a control method has been applied.
The drill has been used in many cases to plant cover crops, a diverse mix of seed that helps improve the water holding capacity, fertility and structure of the soil. The Yellow Jacket Research Center is using the drill to plant a cover crop trial in the hope of finding the best cover crop mixes for this area. Other producers around the area have already seen the results.
Rental rates are $175 (plus tax) for 24-hour period. Minimum 2-day charge 12 acres up to 25 acres. Acreage over 25 acres will be charged the 2-day minimum plus $10 an acre and additional days.
If you are ready to reserve the drill for your farm, please fill out this rental form and return to this e-mail so that we can get you on the calendar! Please see this brochure for minimum tractor requirements and additional information about the benefits of the seed drill. Call the District at 970-529-8365 or 970-508-0674
if you are interested in learning more https://youtu.be/XC-HijcFX84 https://youtu.be/L0A1-GHPA1Y
Manure Spreader-For Rent
High Desert Conservation District offers a manure spreader for local producers to rent. The spreader holds 2000lb and is a ground drive, no PTO needed. Rental cost is $75.00/day (24hrs). For scheduling a time to utilize this equipment or for any questions, please contact Erica Holm at admin@highdesertconservation.org or (970) 529-8365. The rental form for the manure spreader can be found here.
Conservation Supplies Sales
HDCD sells a number of items for conservation needs. We are not a typical business with high markups for profits – we just cover our costs to provide you with quality and cost-effective products for conservation on your land! We currently carry DeWitt weed barrier in 3, 4, and 6-foot widths by 300-feet long.
Price and available items can be seen at the brochure Items can be picked up at the USDA Ag Service Center, 628 West 5TH Street, Cortez CO 81321
High Desert Conservation District is located in the office of NRCS
Call (970) 529-8365 or (970) 508-0674 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Soil Testing & Recommendations for Soil Health
This program is administered by HDCD.
The High Desert Conservation District is available to help with one-on-one site visits, technical design, and consultations. We can assist with soil testing and will give recommendations based upon the results.
For More Information, please call the district at 970-529-8365.
THE HIGH DESERT CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Board of Supervisors Meeting
Public Notice:
The HDCD Board will meet with the Mancos Conservation District Board on December 16th, 2024 at 604 Bauer, Mancos, CO at 3:00pm. No HDCD board decisions will be made at this meeting.
The next regularly scheduled HDCD Board of Supervisor’s meeting will be held: December 10th, 2024 from 4:00-6:00PM at 628 5th Street, Cortez, CO 81321.
Board of Supervisors Openings
Are you a landowner in Montezuma County interested in agriculture, conservation, and natural resources? The High Desert Conservation District has openings on their Board and are looking for excited and motivated individuals! If you are interested or have any questions about the Board openings, please submit questions and/or a letter of interest to hdcd.manager@highdesertconservation.org. The full Board of Supervisor description can be found here.
If you would like to get on our emailing list, please email Erica at admin@highdesertconservation.org or call her at (970) 529-8365.