Life & Work with Lisanne Libner

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Lisanne Libner.

Hi Lisanne, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Our vision, still… In the midst of this sprawling mountainside, nestled amongst rolling hills and the seasonal stream that runs through it, lies a sanctuary waiting to embrace both nature’s creatures and kindred human spirits seeking refuge, connection, and the renewed hope of a like-minded community.

Welcome to “The Lucky 701”, hosting Hoof & Thistle, a nonprofit farm animal rescue. This is a Truly Scrumptious place. As you journey along the winding roads, some paved, some dirt, that lead to this haven, the landscape transforms into a place of grace and beauty. It reminds Lisanne of her childhood days spent in the Swiss Alps, where her mother was born. It’s a place where the air is crisp, and the breeze is warm carrying with it melodies of chirping birds and the gentle rustling sounds of nature abound.

At the heart of the Lucky 701 stands an inviting homestead; its weathered timbers and rustic charm evoke a sense of family gatherings and sweet memories. Surrounding the homestead are a number of pastures and woodlands, offering a haven for wildlife and humans alike. But the Lucky 701 is more than just a picturesque retreat, it’s a sanctuary with a purpose. Inspired by a deep reverence for nature and a commitment to fostering harmony between humans and the natural world, Lisanne has envisioned this land as a refuge for animals in need and a nurturing community for like-minded souls.

Within the sanctuary’s boundaries, the land’s stewards envision a menagerie of rescue animals finding respite and care here; their stories of survival and resilience serve as a testament to the transformative power of Love & Compassion. From majestic horses to feisty goats, the regal elk, the misunderstood bullsnakes, playful rabbits, that hungry bear, and all the winged creatures – including the bees… each visitor and resident of the Lucky 701 has a tale to tell – a story of roaming free, healing, and the unwavering bond between sentient beings.

But the Lucky 701 isn’t just a sanctuary for animals; it’s a sanctuary for the human spirit. Here, amidst the tranquil beauty of nature, individuals from all walks of life come together to forage, connect, learn, create, and renew. Whether through foraging workshops on the land, workshops, art classes, or drum circles beneath the open sky, the Lucky 701 fosters a sense of belonging and kinship that continues to inspire the imagination of each soul that comes here.

We acknowledge that Longmont sits on the traditional territory of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute, and other indigenous peoples. We honor this history and the living and spiritual connection that the first people have had with this land. It is our commitment to acknowledge the injustices that happened when the land was taken and to educate our communities, ourselves, and our children to ensure that these injustices never happen again.

Along with our indigenous brothers and sisters, we also gather to honor the majestic Elk, whose beauty and strength have long graced the lands of West Longmont. We reflect on their significance in our ecosystem and cultural heritage. Today, let us extend an invitation to the mighty Elk to roam our lands freely, without fear and where the rolling hills of wilderness await your noble presence. Here, you shall find refuge, revered and protected. We welcome all creatures to embody the spirit of untamed beauty that defines our vision.

At Lucky 701, we believe that strong relationships are the cornerstone of a thriving community. We understand the importance of fostering meaningful connections with those who may look upon this sanctuary as a home away from home. A big part of the blessing is your visit, and can offer solace, inspiration, and whatever moves you here. Something moves everyone who visits.

A shift, a memory, a vision… you can have it all. Whether through shared community gardens, collaborative efforts tending to the land and its inhabitants, or heartfelt conversations beneath a blanket of ancient stars, we strive to cultivate an environment where every voice is heard and every story is valued with deep understanding.

We welcome neighbors, philanthropists, advocates, artists, enthusiasts, and builders of anything from shelter to dreams. In this spirit of unity and compassion, we come together, bound by a shared commitment to stewardship, empathy, and the belief that together, we can create a brighter and more harmonious world for generations to come. For our ancestors that were and that will be.

Welcome to The Lucky 701 and Hoof & Thistle. A truly scrumptious place.

“Teach the children. We don’t matter so much, but the children do. Show them daisies and the pale hepatica. Teach them the taste of sassafras and wintergreen. The lives of the blue sailors, mallow, sunbursts, the moccasin flowers. And the frisky ones – inkberry, lamb’s-quarters, blueberries. And the aromatic ones – rosemary, oregano.

Give them peppermint to put in their pockets as they go to school. Give them the fields and the woods and the possibility of the world salvaged from the lords of profit. Stand them in the stream, head them upstream, and rejoice as they learn to love this space they live in, its sticks and leaves, and then the silent, beautiful blossoms.

Attention is the beginning of devotion.” ― Mary Oliver, Upstream: Selected Essays.

South
Great Serpent
Wrap your coils of light around us
Teach us to shed the past the way you shed your skin
To walk softly on the earth
Teach us the beauty way.

West
Mother Jaguar
Support me as I see my own fears
Teach me how to transform my fears into love
Remind of how to live with impeccability
May I have no enemies in this lifetime or the next

North
Royal Hummingbird
Ancient Ones
Teach me about your endurance and your great joy
Come to me in the dreamtime
With honor I greet you

East
Eagle, Haek
Great visionary, remind me to lead from my pure heart
Teach me to soar to new places, to fly wing to wing with Spirit.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nope. When we first moved here in 2021, we knew that we weren’t going to use all the land, and we didn’t want to just keep it to ourselves. I wanted to do something BIG, benevolent, and beneficial. We envisioned animals here bigger than we have ever had, but we didn’t know anything about caring for large animals. We wanted to find a start-up nonprofit that had the knowledge and the connections that we could host, help, learn from, and support.

We found what seemed like a perfect match from a thumbtacked flyer on a bulletin board at Beleza Coffee shop in Boulder, CO. We spoke for hours on our first meeting, and then for the next two weeks, and like magic, we were hosting a nonprofit farm animal rescue and deep diving into very fast and beautiful farm animal rescues. Beautiful animals with inexplicable pasts and we were able to change their future in an instant. Long story short, the abandoned animal rescue abandoned the animal rescue.

They announced after 1 1/2 years that they could not do this anymore and were leaving in two weeks. Four board members were left to pick up the pieces, and we renamed the organization, met weekly over the Winter, and tried to recover from the trauma of abandonment. Before the next Summer, the last two unrelated people on the board were gone. One with an official resignation letter, the other one just “quiet quit,” leaving me and Frank to steward on behalf of the innocent and much-loved animals. We have 3 goats and two horses at the time of this writing.

Our vision for three years into this project was that we would have many, many more. But Frank and I made it clear that we aren’t interested, or qualified to run a non-profit. We both have full-time jobs in the tech world – but we want to support, help, and participate in the daily runnings, fundraising, and events, of it. Now, we are really just keeping our heads afloat. It would be fabulous and welcome to find a nonprofit that would take over the running of the organization here, with our total support and love for the animals.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Another part of the vision for The Lucky 701 and the nonprofit endeavor is to host short-term stays. We would donate 20% of all stays to the nonprofit. Guests could interact with the animals, with us if they choose, or have the privacy to “not” have to interact with anyone.

What’s astoundingly lucky about this place is that we are 30 minutes from Boulder, 30 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park, and 30 minutes from Fort Collins. Or, we have timeless things to do here. Chat with the gossipy goats, fall deeply in love with the horses, watch the deer pronk up the hills, and watch an eagle fly overhead in total awe. Hiking the property, foraging, having a picnic by the seasonal creek replete with a waterfall and limpid pool finale.

We’ve got it all here. When we lived in Boulder, we hosted Airbnb stays. With Lisanne’s Swiss genes and knack for making a deliciously cozy bed and keeping the place joyful and tidy, we were superhosts year after year and our reviews were raving. I would love to do that here again. It would be tremendous passive support income for the nonprofit, and the animals just love it when the company calls.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in Westport, CT. We were across the street from Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward! LOL… they were the nicest, most humble people and when I was a kid, I didn’t even get who they were. I was best friends with their youngest daughter, Clea.

I was a tomboy. I loved nature, animals, and exceedingly long hikes both in the U.S. and Switzerland. I was the only girl, with a brother 1 1/2 years my senior and a “surprise” younger brother, 9 years my junior.

I loved summer camp, and I went until I was too old to be a camper, so I became a counselor and did that for many years until I realized there were other places to go, travel, and explore. I love to travel and have been to many places.

It’s funny – since I moved here to The Lucky 701, I haven’t gone anywhere, but I still feel the same feeling travel gave me every time I come home.

Contact Info:

• Website: hoofandthistle.org
• Instagram: @hoofandthistle
• Facebook: facebook.com/hoofandthistle

Image Credits
Lisanne Libner