March Mountain Memo – CB Land Trust

Photo by Trevor Bona

March Mountain Memo E-Newsletter

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Backcountry Conservation: Keeping the Gunnison Valley Wild

The Gunnison Valley is a place where people can explore vast backcountry landscapes, where wildlife moves freely, and where mountain streams run clean and clear. But this doesn’t happen by chance—it happens through conservation. The Crested Butte Land Trust recently protected 44 acres of high-alpine backcountry, adding to a growing network of lands that keep this valley wild, connected, and accessible.

While these newly conserved parcels may seem small on their own, they help complete a much larger picture of backcountry protection. Scattered mining claims like these connect existing conserved lands, keeping wildlife migration corridors open, preserving fragile alpine ecosystems, and ensuring public access to remote areas. Snowmelt from these high-elevation landscapes also plays a critical role in watershed health, feeding the streams and rivers that sustain wildlife, agriculture, and communities downstream.

These latest additions join a legacy of backcountry conservation successes that go beyond protecting land—they support research, education, and hands-on experiences that connect people to the landscapes we all love. At Basecamp West, students explore conservation in action, gaining a deeper understanding of stewardship and the role they can play. In the North Pole Basin, where mining claims were protected in the 2010s, researchers from the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory rely on this conserved landscape to support a wide range of scientific research, deepening our understanding of these fragile high-alpine environments.

With each acre conserved, we’re protecting the lands, waterways, and wildlife that make the Gunnison Valley so special—ensuring these wild places remain part of our community’s story for generations to come. Learn more at cblandtrust.org/backcountry-conservation.

Herons on the Horizon

Spring is on its way, and with it comes the return of our valley’s high-altitude Great Blue Herons. These iconic birds migrate back to the Slate River wetlands each year around mid-March, staying through the summer before migrating to warmer climates in August.

As they settle into their rookery along the river, our partners at Crested Butte Nordic will close part of the Magic Meadows trail as needed to help protect this sensitive nesting area. And if you’re heading out on the water, remember that the upper stretch of the Slate River—from Gunsight Bridge to the Rec Path bridge—is under a voluntary no-float period until July 15 to give the herons space to thrive.

Keep your eyes peeled for these graceful birds in the coming weeks—they’re a true sign of spring in the Gunnison Valley!

Winter Events

We’d love to see you at one (or all!) of our upcoming gatherings. Email jessica@cblandtrust.org to RSVP or with questions.

📍 Open House: Wednesday, March 19 | 4–7 PM
411 Third Street (above Marchitelli’s)
Stop by our new office for drinks and light appetizers.

🥾 Spanish- Language Snowshoe Field Trip: Saturday, March 22 | 10 AM
Meet at the 4-way to carpool to the Alien Shack.
We’ll snowshoe to the Magic Meadows Yurt for snacks & hot cocoa.
In partnership with CB Nordic!🤝 Business After Hours: Tuesday, March 25 | 5:30 PM
411 Third Street (above Marchitelli’s)
Catch up with friends & make new connections with the CB/Mt. CB Chamber of Commerce.