Stewardship
Caring and managing for our protected lands is a very big job – not to mention a job we have taken on forever. The Crested Butte Land Trust has promised to keep the lands that we have protected in their natural state for us today, and generations to come, to enjoy. The care and management of these lands comprises our stewardship program.
There are plenty of opportunities for adults, families and kids to volunteer throughout our field season, which runs from May through October. In addition to reclamation or habitat restoration projects, we hike each property every year to ensure that the natural attributes of the property have not been threatened.
Recent Stewardship Projects
The Land Trust successfully removed over 11,000 cubic yards of coal waste from the Slate River wetlands north of Gunsight Bridge. That equals about 700 truck loads full of coal waste left behind by the miners in the early 1900’s. They lived and mined atop Smith Hill, locally called Cloud City. The coal was lowered to the valley bottom where the old railroad turnaround connected Crested Butte with Denver and beyond.
After we removed the coal waste, volunteers helped us plant over 10,000 shrubs, grasses and trees. The snow has now covered the site, and we can’t wait until the spring thaw to watch these new plants grow.
We also had over 30 volunteers work on new techniques to control erosion along Coal Creek as it meanders through the Land Trust’s Confluence parcel. We were able to stabilize the river bank by anchoring natural tools – such as fir trees and branches, into the bank, which slowed the flow of the water. We then reinforced the trees with small boulders and planted willow cuttings.
Thanks to the especially high water associated with this year’s spring run-off, the willows thrived and this project has been a great success.
Annual Monitoring
Monitoring is a unique opportunity to visit privately protected Land Trust properties, and to get off the beaten path on our publicly accessible properties. Each year, teams of two hike over 50 different properties and become the “eyes” and the “ears” of the Land Trust.
Monitors come together each June to attend a brief training to discuss wildlife that might be present, the conservation values particular to the property, and to hone up on their noxious plant identification skills.
For all volunteer work days, please wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves and drinking water. For some of the work days, we welcome the use of extra tools when possible. For more information about these and other land management projects, contact Danielle at 970.349.1206 or email her at conserve@cblandtrust.org.
