Photo by John Holder
Slate River Wetlands Acquired!
Thanks to the extraordinary support of this community, the Crested Butte Land Trust has acquired the Kapushion-Spehar Wetlands parcel immediately north of the Town of Crested Butte.
What began as an ambitious vision became a shared commitment to conserve 90 acres along the Slate River, protecting clean water, wildlife habitat, working lands, and the open landscapes that define Crested Butte. This milestone also safeguards the final large, undeveloped parcel in the Upper Slate River Valley and builds on more than 30 years of conservation along this vital corridor.
As a tributary of the Gunnison River, the Slate River supports ecosystems far beyond the Gunnison Valley. Acquiring these wetlands helps protect water at its source while sustaining ranching and critical habitat for wild trout, Great Blue Heron, elk, and moose.
We are deeply grateful to the Kapushion and Spehar families for their partnership, care for this land, and shared belief in the importance of conservation.
The acquisition of the Slate River Wetlands is part of a remarkable period for land protection in the Gunnison Valley. In less than a year, this community helped conserve 419 acres across several completed projects, including Long Lake, Cement Creek Ranch, and now the Slate River Wetlands. Each project reflects what is possible when people come together to protect the places that shape this valley and our way of life.
None of this happens without you. Your generosity, advocacy, and love for this landscape continue to ensure that the lands defining Crested Butte remain protected for generations to come.
As we look ahead, we do so with deep gratitude and shared pride. Together, we are conserving the places we love today, and caring for them forever, for tomorrow.
From Conserving Land to Growing Philanthropy: Ashley UpChurch’s New Role
After five impactful years with the Crested Butte Land Trust, Development Director Ashley UpChurch will be stepping into a new role in April as Director of Philanthropy for the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley.
Since joining CBLT in 2021, Ashley has played an integral role in advancing CBLT’s conservation mission. She has built meaningful relationships with supporters, helped steward transformative campaigns, and connected countless community members to the landscapes that define Gunnison Valley.
During her time at CBLT, Ashley participated in the Community Foundation’s STEP (Sustainable, Tough, Efficient, Purposeful) Program, a resource designed to support and mentor nonprofit leaders across the region. Through that experience, she deepened her understanding of the broader philanthropic landscape and strengthened connections that benefit the entire nonprofit community.
Ashley reflects on the importance of community and connection, a throughline that has guided her throughout her career. “I was lucky to find a strong sense of community a decade ago at the Chamber of Commerce, and I’m so grateful for how it deepened and grew during my time at CBLT. Community is at the heart of everything we do in this valley, and I look forward to sustaining these relationships while building new connections at CFGV.”
While we will greatly miss Ashley’s leadership and dedication, we are excited for her as she steps into this new opportunity to create impact across the Valley. Please join us in thanking Ashley for her remarkable contributions to CBLT and wishing her every success in this next chapter.
Jake Jones, Executive Director
Crested Butte Land Trust
Winter Events
We’re wrapping up our winter field trip season with an outing that brings together history, conservation, and community. Join us for Conservation, Cocoa, and Conversation with the Crested Butte Museum on Friday, March 20, at 10 AM. Ski or snowshoe to the Magic Meadows yurt and explore the history of the Lower Loop area.
Email jessica@cblandtrust.org with questions and to RSVP.
Snow Science in the Heart of Winter
Last month, we had fun hosting an informative winter field trip with members of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and researchers from the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), who shared about their snow science work throughout the Gunnison Valley.
While spring melt is still months away, winter is a critical time for understanding our snowpack. This season has shaped up to be a unique, much drier-than-average winter. Snowpack and snow water equivalent (SWE) act as our region’s natural reservoirs, storing water that sustains rivers, ecosystems, agriculture, and communities long after the snow falls.
One of the NRCS snow survey sites used to track these conditions is located on Crested Butte Land Trust conserved land along the Lower Loop. Data collected here contributes to regional and western-slope forecasting efforts, helping scientists and water managers better anticipate runoff timing, water availability, and drought risk. Conserved lands across the valley similarly serve as important sites for long-term research and monitoring, supporting science that benefits us all.
As winter continues, ongoing snowpack monitoring remains essential. Conditions can shift quickly, and the data gathered now will shape how we understand and respond to the months ahead.
To explore current snowpack, SWE, and water supply data, we encourage you to visit the NRCS snow monitoring resources and see how this winter is unfolding across the Gunnison Basin and beyond.
