2024 Summer Newsletter

Content:
Message from the Executive Director
Community Sparks Conservation
Conservation in the Slate River Valley
It Takes a Village
Supporter Spotlight

Click here for the PDF version.

Message from the Executive Director

he Gunnison Valley is a place where a diversity of people, wildlife, and landscapes coexist in a constantly changing community and environment. We have a shared history with this place that we can see for ourselves: mine debris along the Slate River, cattle drives right through the heart of town, the resort’s first gondola showcased at the Mountain Heritage Museum. This place we call home has changed over generations, but one thing has remained constant – it is our place. It is your place.

When I look at photos and read first-hand accounts from the mining era, I’m in awe of the effort it took to explore these mountains and extract their minerals. Ranching came to the valley not long after and proved to be an industry that could withstand the boom and bust of mining, the removal of the railroad tracks in 1955, and the economic changes that followed. With the establishment of the ski resort in the early 1960s, Crested Butte went from a hardscrabble mining town to a premier tourism destination. This was a huge change for our valley, putting it on the map and bringing in more people than ever before. In 1977, when a large mine on Red Lady threatened our watershed, the community stepped up and has worked to protect that magnificent mountain ever since. The community rallied again in 1991 when the Crested Butte Land Trust was formed to further safeguard land, wildlife habitats, local ranching, and recreational opportunities. You have been supporting the mission ever since.

The Gunnison Valley was once defined by what Dr. Duane Vandenbush calls “the three C’s – cattle, coal, and the college.” Today, I’d call that cattle, community, and the college. Much of the valley’s land is still in agricultural production today; people, both locals and tourists alike, drive our economy, care for our land, and make this place home; and Western Colorado University remains an anchor institution. Times have changed and many of the people have changed, but our community values remain rooted in the land.

When we use the phrase, “This is Your Place,” we invite everyone into our mission to protect land in the Gunnison Valley for wildlife, ranching, recreation, and scenic views. By working with our community, we aspire to serve the people who tend the pastures, run the chairlifts, teach our children, visit in the winter, and stay for the summer. If you’ve ever been inspired by the view of Paradise Divide, had a breakthrough bike ride on the Lower Loop, marveled at elk bugling in the fall, or appreciated our valley’s ongoing agricultural operations, you are a part of the Crested Butte Land Trust.

The Gunnison Valley will continue to change. Some years the grass will grow tall for cattle to graze, and some years it may not grow at all. What we once thought would be a constant threat – a large mine on Red Lady – is poised for a major change as the land exchange process comes to an end. I don’t know what the future will hold, but I am certain that through active conservation and an engaged community, we’ll protect our most treasured asset: the landscape that supports the people, wildlife, and scenery of our special valley, our place.

Where Community Sparks Conservation

This summer, the Crested Butte Land Trust and local conservation partners will complete a decades-long advocacy effort to permanently protect Mt. Emmons, the upper Gunnison River watershed, and our community’s conservation legacy.

With our partners, the Land Trust is nearing the closing of a conservation easement and mineral extinguishment agreement with the Mt. Emmons Mining Company (MEMC) to forever prohibit mining on Mt. Emmons, locally known as Red Lady. The conservation easement is part of the proposed Mt. Emmons Land Exchange, as negotiated in partnership with the US Forest Service, Town of Crested Butte, and Gunnison County, with support from High Country Conservation Advocates and the Coal Creek Watershed Coalition. The land exchange, conservation easement, and mineral extinguishment agreement are expected to close this year.

Under the terms of the exchange, MEMC will transfer private property in Gunnison County’s Ohio Creek headwaters and Saguache County to the US Forest Service and, in exchange, acquire land surrounding the water treatment plant and related infrastructure at the historic Keystone Mine site on Mt. Emmons. In conjunction with the land exchange is a federal withdrawal of mineral rights for the area where the Mt. Emmons mine and its operations had been previously proposed.

As part of this transaction, MEMC has agreed to a conservation easement with the Land Trust that will result in greater protections for the watershed, wildlife habitats, scenic views, and recreation on Red Lady. The easement will forever prohibit mining as well as other future commercial, industrial, or residential development. It will also preserve existing winter recreational opportunities by establishing permanent and legal non-motorized access to Red Lady Bowl.

Through these agreements, the Land Trust will continue caring for Red Lady by monitoring the property annually to ensure the conservation easement terms are met in perpetuity. These terms memorialize how recreators responsibly interact with Red Lady. Non-motorized winter recreational access will be legal for the first time in history, and summer access via Forest Service Road 585 (Gunsight Pass Road) will still be available. We have developed a recreational management plan in partnership with MEMC, and, upon closing, one of our first tasks will be providing public education regarding recreation on Mt. Emmons.

The Land Trust is honored to play a role in this groundbreaking historic victory and grateful for the collaborative efforts of committed community advocates, stakeholders, partners, and supporters with the passion and dedication to forever protect Red Lady.

Where Kids Explore on Conserved Lands

The Crested Butte Land Trust’s public spaces are open to everyone, young and old. We are grateful to be able to provide wild places for kids and the community to get outside, enjoy nature, and be a part of our conserved lands. We partner with many local organizations to help provide opportunities for youth to access conserved lands. From biking and skiing programs to adaptive activities and science camps, these opportunities are introducing today’s youth to the importance of protecting our lands for the future.

StoryWalk® & Letterboxing: The Land Trust partners with Gunnison County Libraries to provide the StoryWalk®, an interactive reading display along the wide path of the Lower Loop Trail.

Each summer, a nature-focused book is chosen and separated into portions along the trail. The pages are laminated and displayed on weather-resistant stands, thanks to generous grant funding from Crested Butte Rotary and the Crested Butte Creative District. Hikers and bikers of all ages can interact with literature while observing their natural surroundings. This year’s StoryWalk® will include a book written and illustrated by a Crested Butte Community School firstgrade class.

We also offer the interactive Letterboxing Scavenger Hunt for families to connect with our conserved properties each summer. Kids get a personal passport and follow clues on an adventure to find hidden stamps in conserved areas near town. Free passports and clues can be picked up at our office (308 Third St.), the Crested Butte Museum, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Crested Butte Library, or downloaded online at cblandtrust.org/programs.

Crested Butte Development Team: Many of the trails on our conserved lands are some of the community’s most beloved for their proximity to town and youth-friendly terrain. One community organization that utilizes these trails is the Crested Butte Development Team (Devo), which offers mountain biking programs for kids.

Executive Director Amy Nolan says the Land Trust’s partnership is critical to Devo’s programming. “Trails like the Woods Walk, Lower Loop, and Coal Train Trail are ideal for our younger riders and often their first intro to singletrack. Having those beginner-friendly trails is crucial to our riders’ progression and confidence building, and it’s a huge benefit to have that access right from town.”

Devo also holds races and events on Land Trust trails. “Those trails are the only place we can host an enjoyable, safe course for the kids. We work with the Land Trust to be responsible and respectful of the trails, to clean up after the races, and be off the trails as fast as possible.”

Nolan also stresses Devo’s focus on teaching Leave No Trace principles to the kids. “Trail etiquette and being kind to other trail users is a huge piece of our curriculum. We expect that from them. Anything we as a community can do to support young people getting outside and doing healthy activities with their friends is a win for all of us, and we appreciate the Land Trust’s support.”

Adaptive Sports Center: The Adaptive Sports Center (Adaptive) is a valuable collaborator in trail development to ensure access for recreational users of all abilities. Adaptive also utilizes our conserved public spaces for its youth programming.

“We offer all sorts of activities that tie into conserved lands,” says Program Director Chris Read. “We use the Lower Loop and Lupine trail systems, and the new Lilli Loop Trail has allowed us easier access to Long Lake. The proximity to those trails is a great asset for us when working with folks with mobility concerns.”

“Our programs offer the opportunity to educate people about the valley and the mountains,” says Read. “We incorporate Leave No Trace principles and teach trail etiquette and how to be courteous guests on conserved lands.”

Read is grateful for the Land Trust’s partnership to create safe trails for people of all abilities, such as the Lilli Loop Trail. “It’s a wonderful example of collaboration between local nonprofits and how they can join forces to create opportunities that benefit their missions. More people benefit from having better access to Land Trust land.”

Crested Butte Nordic: The Land Trust’s unique partnership with Crested Butte Nordic (CB Nordic) allows trail users of all ages a special opportunity to experience conserved property in the winter.

CB Nordic offers ski programs for kids from pre-K to the competitive high school team. Executive Director Hedda Peterson says CB Nordic had over 350 kids participate in its Ski for PE Program this past winter, a partnership with the Gunnison Watershed School District. It also offers one of the only outdoor after-school programs in the winter. “The kids rotate to different areas of our trail system, from Town Ranch to Magic Meadows. We are grateful for our partnership with the Land Trust to operate our Nordic trails and offer youth programming.”

Peterson recognizes the significance of providing youth access to conserved lands. “The ability for the kids to recreate outdoors on that landscape is pretty special. It’s such a unique perspective for them to experience the valley bottom in the winter. Having the space to offer these recreational outlets is huge.”

Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory: The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) utilizes many Land Trust locations from the Slate River to Gothic for research and youth programs.

“We’re always looking for ways to collaborate with the Land Trust to help kids get out and experience our public lands,” says Youth Programs Coordinator Katie Lawn. “It’s RMBL’s mission to get local and visiting youth outside and in our watershed.” From conducting water quality studies along the Slate River to skiing out to Magic Meadows to learn about snow science, Lawn says introducing kids to conserved lands plays a significant role in RMBL’s youth programs. “It’s a fun opportunity to teach kids about the Land Trust’s significance in the valley.”

Lawn notes how well the RMBL and Land Trust missions align. “We’re learning about the land and working together to educate people about preserving our culture and our way of life. Our programs offer kids the opportunity to be on public lands adjacent to their town, this unique learning experience, and a better understanding of how the earth, water, and wildlife all interact. That is pretty special for them to get to know this place in a deeper sense through these experiences.”

We thank all the incredible partners that help the Land Trust share our publicly accessible lands with the community, connect youth to these protected places, and preserve them for future generations who will call this their place, too

Conservation in the Slate River Valley

Where it Takes a Village

The Crested Butte Land Trust believes wholeheartedly that this is your place. This place we protect and take care of is for you, our community of locals and visitors, partners and supporters, ranchers and recreators, flora and fauna, friends and neighbors. You are why we do this important work and what makes it possible to achieve our mission: to forever protect and steward open lands for vistas, recreation, wildlife, and ranching.

Over the years, the community and the Land Trust have come together to work on numerous conservation efforts with countless partners in the Gunnison Valley — from private land conservation easements and reclamation projects to wetland and wildlife protection and the development of public trails.

Conservation projects in the Slate River Valley perfectly demonstrate your work and support. The Slate River is enjoyed by many types of users, including ranchers, recreators, private landowners, and wildlife, and the Land Trust has protected the habitats, ranching heritage, and public access to this scenic waterway for over three decades. Our very first conservation project in the early 1990s was the preservation of the Confluence Parcel, a 55-acre piece of property at the confluence of Coal Creek and the Slate River. This project was the precursor of many more conservation efforts to come in the Slate River Valley.

Land Trust co-founder John Hess remembers how the Slate River corridor served as a North Star for the organization’s early conservation goals. The Slate River’s proximity to Town inspired those first Land Trust leaders, as it still inspires us today. “Together, we made a list of different open space properties that were most important to us,” he says. “I recall many on that list were along the Slate River.”

Hess also notes the community’s generous financial support for conservation projects from the very beginning. “One of our greatest accomplishments has been creating great working relationships so the Land Trust could request financial assistance from the Town of Crested Butte, Great Outdoors Colorado, the Gunnison County Land Preservation Board, 1% for Open Space, and individual donors,” says Hess. “We could not have done the Slate River Valley projects, and all the other projects, without these major partners.”

Since then, we’ve connected the puzzle pieces of the Slate River corridor through various land purchases, reclamation projects, and conservation easements on multiple properties. Thanks to willing landowners, local ranchers, government entities, fellow nonprofits, and committed community members, a large portion of this corridor is protected in perpetuity for recreation, wildlife habitats, and cattle grazing.

The Town of Crested Butte, among many, is an invaluable partner in the sustainable management of the Slate River. The Town has worked with the Land Trust to conserve over 1,100 acres throughout the Slate River Valley. With the Town often providing critical funding from the voter-approved Real Estate Transfer Tax, dedicated to land protection, we work together to acquire land, hold ownership titles, and manage conservation easements on those parcels. As partnering land managers, we must uphold and maintain these areas’ ecological, economic, and recreational benefits. “For any piece of the trail system that you can access directly from town, the Land Trust has been a partner in conserving those properties and helping us add them to our recreational infrastructure,” says Crested Butte Open Space & Trails Supervisor Joey Carpenter. “The Woods Walk, Lower Loop, Peanut Lake, Gunsight Bridge, Lupine… so much of that public space wouldn’t be possible without these partnerships to put all the pieces together.”

A recent example of the Land Trust’s collaboration with the Town is a conservation easement on the Schutt property, which protects 107 acres of the Slate River wetlands southeast of Crested Butte. “That partnership was huge because we had willing landowners, the Town could assist with funding, and the Land Trust now helps responsibly manage that conserved property,” says Carpenter.

Carpenter also applauds the community-wide efforts of the many groups working together in the Gunnison Valley on land restoration and stewardship projects, such as the Slate River Working Group. The Slate River Working Group collaborates to address river-specific impacts and management opportunities along the Upper Slate River. These stakeholders represent diverse perspectives and interests, including those of ranchers, wildlife advocates, biologists, water conservation entities, local government, land management agencies, private landowners, and river recreation advocates.

These models of conservation efforts and group involvement reflect just how special this place is to our community because this is your place. Together, we work to protect its unique qualities and ensure this place remains available for all to enjoy for generations to come.

Where Science Informs Collaborative Management

Professionally, I’m a wildlife biologist — I love birds and wetlands and nature, but that isn’t just my professional passion,” says Associate Professor of Wildlife and Conservation Biology Patrick Magee. “I love exploring the natural world — I love knowing that it’s intact and there are opportunities for people to explore it and ecosystems providing habitats for wildlife to live and survive. Our identity as humans is completely tied to the natural world. It’s our fundamental belonging, and it’s impossible to live without those things. I recognize that having conserved open lands supports my existence at the very foundation.”

As a wildlife biologist and Western Colorado University professor conducting critical research and advocacy for the Slate River, Pat is an exceptional example of a community member demonstrating care for the conserved lands we hold dear in the Gunnison Valley.

Born and raised in Colorado, Pat grew up in Littleton and earned his Wildlife Biology Degree at Colorado State University. After receiving his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, Pat worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and found his way to teaching and research at Western. Pat has been in the Gunnison Valley ever since. Whether playing in the water, climbing peaks, or birding, Pat loves to be outside in this beautiful place he calls home.

Pat first connected with the Land Trust in 2018 with the formation of the Slate River Working Group. This collaborative group identifies and addresses management needs for landowners, recreational users, habitats, and wildlife along the Upper Slate River, including the Great Blue Herons that migrate to Crested Butte every spring to nest and raise chicks. To help the group better understand the recreational impacts along this popular river corridor, Pat monitors and gathers data on the Great Blue Heron colony.

“Because we have all these diverse stakeholders and users with different views and desires along the Slate, we’re trying to make decisions based on data,” he says. “We wanted to know how recreation impacted the herons so it could better inform our management plan.”

Pat and his research students collect in-person observations from a distance and deploy a nature camera to monitor the herons’ behavior and the rookery’s health unobtrusively. They track data such as when the birds arrive, how many nests are occupied annually, nesting habits, and when the birds depart. “Our clear understanding is that having river recreation near herons is disruptive to their behavior and likely increases their risk of population decline,” he says.

Pat is encouraged that his monitoring has helped spread community awareness and education. Each year, the Working Group initiates a voluntary no-float period during the herons’ critical nesting period, from March 15 to July 15, on the Upper Slate River from the Gunsight Bridge to the Slate River Boat Launch. Crested Butte Nordic also closes a portion of the Magic Meadows trail system as a buffer for the nesting birds.

“Before we started this study there were hundreds of recreators on the Upper Slate River. Since we started the voluntary no-float period, there are fewer recreators on that stretch and hopefully fewer impacts on the herons. We have achieved a lot through that recommendation, and we are still trying to gather that data and move forward with our river management decisions,” he says.

Pat enjoys observing the birds. “It’s rewarding work. It’s fun for me to tell the story about the herons and their way of life. They’re these massive birds living up in the canopy of the trees, and they’re so incredibly beautiful, with their long and wavy feathers in the wind. They’re an amazing bird, an ancient member of our community. They’ve been flying over these wetlands for thousands and thousands of years.”

Pat stresses the importance of protecting the Slate River and balancing its ecological values with recreation and livestock grazing. “These sites have some of the highest levels of biodiversity across any kind of ecosystem. This collaborative work allows us to realize the larger picture, build trust, and find compromise together. I’m really grateful for the Land Trust’s partnership and the opportunity to study these birds and make this world a better place.”

Your Support Matters to the Gunnison Valley. See the Crested Butte Land Trust’s Impact for 2023 in Numbers

• Over 100,000 recreational users on conserved lands
• 5,647 acres of conserved land monitored
• 2,000 trail and river recreationists engaged by Recreation and Conservation Ranger
• 724 acres surveyed for noxious weeds, with 100 of those acres treated
• 180 pounds of noxious weeds pulled
• 158 acres of private land conserved
• 100 yards of irrigation ditch improvements
• Lilli Loop Trail completed at Long Lake

Land Trust Revenue
– Gifts from Our Supporters 60%
– Events & Other Income 34%
– Grants 6%

Land Trust Expenses
– Land Protection & Mgmt 85%
– General Administration 10%
– Fundraising 5%

Crested Butte Land Trust Board of Directors

Get Involved!

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Events
We hope to see you soon at one of our field trips, the Starry Evening Gala, the Caddis Cup Fly Fishing Tournament, and more! Visit cblandtrust.org or contact Development Director Ashley UpChurch at ashley@cblandrust.org or 970-349-1206 to learn more.