QUARTERLY Winter 2017

R with some of his friends, formed a non- by Charles Money profi t organiza on in 1938 to con nue As I consider the pending close to the prac ce in the other southwestern my career of service to na onal parks monuments he oversaw. and other public lands, it is hard not to For more than 50 years, these be drawn into refl ec on of what chang- small organiza ons func oned without es have occurred in those four decades, signifi cant change, selling books, guides especially during the years dedicated to and maps in park visitor centers. Some nonprofi t organiza ons. In some ways, generated enough money to invest the forces that changed the landscape in publishing their own books, fi lling of support for our na onal heritage informa onal gaps that commercial were mirrored in the chapters of my publishers couldn’t. The more successful own journey. organiza ons generated enough money Thirty-plus years ago, I took a to donate to the park, primarily to sup- chance. I le a management posi on port the park’s educa onal mission. with the Na onal Park Service (NPS) to However, in 1981, an incident involving join the small staff of a “coopera ng the then Secretary of the Interior, James associa on.” At that me, Southwest Wa , changed the course of coopera ng Parks and Monuments Associa on associa ons. (SPMA) was one of the few nonprofi t For several years, coopera ng as- organiza ons formed by the Na onal socia ons were asked to contribute to Park Service to have paid staff beyond a the Na onal Park Service “Director’s few part- me bookstore clerks. In fact, Fund” to support na onal ini a ves and most of the associa ons were actually programs. Cas ng about to fi nd funds managed by the NPS to do those things to host a private recep on in Arlington that the agency was not allowed to do, House, Secretary Wa procured the principally, to sell books. necessary money from this Director’s SPMA’s own origins in the 1930s Fund. When Wa ’s private use of the emerge from the eff orts of legendary funds and the Arlington House came to superintendent Frank (Boss) Pinkley, to the a en on of the Inspector General’s stem the increasing vandalism to Ari- Offi ce, the close rela onship between zona’s Casa Grande Na onal Monument the coopera ng associa ons and by improving visitor knowledge of the Na onal Park Service employees also site. With no staff and li le fi nancial re- came under scru ny. Soon therea er, a sources, Pinkley personally printed small policy order was issued prohibi ng NPS informa onal booklets, placed them in a employees from si ng on cooperat- coff ee can at the entrance to the monu- ing associa on boards of directors and ment and posted a request for a few from directly engaging in the business cents to be le behind by visitors. Since of the associa ons. These ac ons forced charging the public for informa on was frowned upon by the NPS, Pinkley, along (Refl ecƟ on, con nued on page 2)

I: MEET ROCKY’S NEW SUPERINTENDENT! (SEE PAGE 8) 2 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

(Refl ecƟ on con nued) launched campaign a er campaign to created about li le-known parks, like rebuild decaying infrastructure; building the six-million-acre Gates of the Arc c, the nonprofi ts to expand their boards new trails, construc ng visitor centers, and the largely misunderstood Arc c to include a broader representa on of and crea ng educa onal programs that Na onal Wildlife Refuge, were now their communi es, and to hire manage- sought and welcomed children and priori es, as well as publishing books ment staff . With greater independence families from previously underserved on climate change and the preserva- and increased exposure to innova ve popula ons. on of wildlife habitat. We then turned approaches in the nonprofi t sector, the While championed by the park and our a en on to the youth of Alaska, a stage was set for associa ons to create local communi es, the GGNP Conser- genera on that would eventually face a new vision of support to vancy was not without decisions that would determine the fate na onal parks. With greater indepen- iits cri cs, especially of the Arc c. Working hand-in-hand In 1988, I was lured dence and increased wwithin the more tradi- with our partner agencies, we formed back to San Francisco to be onal leadership circles youth advisory groups and service learn- a part of a newly organized exposure to innova ve oof the Na onal Park ing programs to help ins ll conserva on nonprofi t focused on the approaches in the SService. Cries to break values and the importance of intact eco- Golden Gate Na onal nonprofi t sector, the uup the organiza on by systems. The organiza on started to see Recrea on Area (GGNRA), stage was set for ssepara ng its cooper- its mission beyond working within the a park for which I worked associa ons to create a a ng associa on role boundaries of those public lands, and several years earlier. The new vision of support ffrom its development working more on behalf of their survival. Golden Gate Na onal Parks aand fundraising role Our family relished its 14 years in Conservancy, with new- to na onal parks. rresounded. However, Alaska, and each of us carried its wild- found freedoms and the tthe success of the Con- ness within us as we migrated south support of a progressive servancy had become to a new adventure, this me back to park management team, set about to widely known and other organiza ons, the fi rst park in which I ever set foot. I create a new model of private-sector sup- including the Rocky Mountain Nature have found within the Rocky Mountain port for a na onal park. Up to that point, Associa on (RMNA), were beginning to Conservancy elements of each of the GGNRA was only known by its individual see the value of such “hybrid” en es. organiza ons for which I have had the parts, a random collec on of abandoned Though some like RMNA were eventually honor of serving. From off ering high- military posts and a few neglected city forced to split, the GGNP Conservancy, quality visitor services and programs, to and state parks. Knowing that it could with the help of a vocal community, resist- improving and growing the park through take decades and tens, if not hundreds, ed such a empts and con nued to be an the philanthropic support of the com- of millions of dollars to transform these example of a highly eff ec ve park partner. munity, to engaging the next genera on disparate parts into something deserving A er more than a decade of work- of park stewards, the Rocky Mountain of the name “na onal park,” the organi- ing to help build a na onal park in the Conservancy is playing vital roles that za on established a full-scale fundraising San Francisco Bay Area, in 1998, the will ensure the park’s relevance and program. “call of the wild” became irresis ble and survival into the next 100 years. By building on the revenues from our family moved northward to Alaska. And just as my personal journey sales of innova ve products and fee- There I was asked to lead what would has followed changing opportuni es to based interpre ve programs in highly later be known as Alaska Geographic. A make a diff erence for these lands, so popular venues in the park such as signifi cant departure from Golden Gate, will the con nued evolu on of nonprofi t Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods, we this organiza on was chartered to sup- organiza ons like the Rocky Mountain pport all of the na onal parks, Conservancy support and nourish our fforests and wildlife refuges in na onal parks and other treasured lands AAlaska, well over 100 million in ways we have yet to imagine. aacres. Yet, despite the size of tthese public lands, annually, tthe number of visitors to just Charley Money AAlcatraz Island alone exceeded has been the aall those that would visit Alaska. execu ve Given the low number of visi- director of the Rocky Mountain ttors, Alaska Geographic became Conservancy ffocused less on visitor ameni es since 2012. aand more about reaching those wwho could have an impact on tthe protec on of Alaska, but wwhom may never see its broad eexpanse of wilderness. Films photo: Jim Ward Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 3 Ask Nancy Quarterly Editor Nancy Wilson a empts to unearth answers to any ques ons asked by Conservancy members and park visitors. If you are curious about something in or about the park, email [email protected] or write: Nancy Wilson, Rocky Mountain Conservancy, PO Box 3100, Estes Park, CO 80517.

What is the word origin of “ptarmigan”? The word ptarmigan comes from the Sco sh Gaelic tàrmachan, which literally means TheThe CConservancyonservancy PPublishes:ublishes: “croaker.” The silent p was added in 1684 by Robert Sibbald through the infl uence of Greek, especially pteron, meaning “wing,” “feath- A Unique Paper Collage er,” or “pinion.” — The Oxford Dic onary of Bri sh Bird Names Why do aspen trees form buds for the next season in the Alphabet Book for Rocky late fall when they will soon be exposed to many months of freezing temperatures and desicca ng winds? Why not wait The Rocky Mountain Conservancy is pleased to un l spring to develop these seemingly tender and vulner- able growths? Aspen, as do many trees, form the next year’s buds present its newest publica on for kids: ABC Rocky! during the current year’s growing season — o en these buds are A Rocky Mountain Na onal Park Alphabet Book. fully developed by August. Buds may be condensed fl owers, leaves This unique book is a fabulous collec on of Rocky- or branches, and they contain all the parts necessary for growing those structures in a complex, reduced form. The complex form specifi c scenes rendered in paper collage, pastels includes bud scales that protect the buds against pathogens and and prin ng inks by San Francisco ar st Bob Barner. low temperatures during the winter, as well as “winterized” cells. See for yourself (below) how vibrant and playful Similar to many animals, aspen increase solutes and decrease water in the cells of these buds to lower their freezing point. Between the these works of art are depicted, with fun alphabet many condensed layers of leaves and winteriza on of cells, buds are block le ers and fun facts of the natural history of very hardy. In fact, they must be released from this winter condi on the park. Funded through the Conservancy’s Next (called “bud break”) prior to growing in the spring. The reason the buds are produced during the prior growing season is that it takes Genera on Fund, this book will delight kids and so much energy, something that is not in high supply at the begin- parents alike! Hardcover, 32 pages. ning of the spring season because leaves are not fully developed to produce the needed energy. Indeed, an aspen fl owers before it leafs out. For that to be possible, the fl ower structure must be premade Order online at RMConservancy.org, (in the bud) and energy reserves must be present. The tree’s only or call 970-586-0121 to order your copy today! energy source in the early spring is what was stored the previ- ous growing season, in the form of starch in the roots of the tree. Those reserves are needed for fl owering, leafi ng out, and any other growth, so no one func on receives all of these resources. — UNC-Greeley Professor Dr. Sco Franklin Why are there no green or blue mammals? Or true red, for that ma er! Some mammals DO have bright colors on some body parts — think primates like the mandrill — and sloths can get pre y green from the algae that live on their fur. In general for mammals, however, it’s key to consider the natural selec on driver of preda- tor — prey rela onships. As such, muted earth-tone colors and the ability to blend into the habitat, off er a dis nct advantage that bright Cover photo credits colors would not. A brightly colored prey morsel would be at a disad- (Upper): “Winter Long-tailed Weasel” by Conservancy mem- vantage in avoiding capture. Conversely, a brightly colored predator ber Putney Nature Images, Longmont, CO; (Lower) “Taylor would have diffi culty sneaking up on its meal. In this world, bright colora on is generally related to reproduc on — adver sement and and Sharkstooth” by Conservancy member Walt Kaesler, mate selec on, most familiarly in male birds. Mammals more typi- Estes Park, CO. cally use behavioral and olfactory cues in their reproduc ve ac vi es. Please send high-resolu on images to nancy.wilson@ — Re red RMNP Wildlife Biologist Gary Miller RMConservancy.org by March 1 for publica on in the 2017 Why do coyotes howl? Howling is a basic communica on behav- Spring Quarterly. ior in coyotes that serves a couple of diff erent purposes. One is to Photos are always appreciated! Scenery, wildlife and wild- call the pack, which consists of a fi rst-genera on family group, back fl owers greatly enhance this publica on, so get out there and together a er a period of solo hun ng. A second purpose is to an- take a hike! Thank You! nounce their presence to other packs in the area, basically warning other family groups against trespassing across territorial boundaries. 4 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

Science-Informed Decision-Making Case Study: Grand Ditch Breach Restoration Project Sco Esser and Carissa Turner

View of the erosion gully directly below the Grand Ditch created by the breach event in 2003. Noted as Zone 1 in Figure 1. Photo: NPS Dr. David Cooper and Dr. Sara Rath- On May 30, 2003, the Grand Ditch, the restora on of the Grand Ditch breach. burn from Colorado State University (CSU) a trans-basin, water-diversion canal in Science-Informed Decision Making studied sediment deposi on and wetland the northwest corner of Rocky Mountain Prior to the breach, in 1999, the Na onal and river impacts and func ons. In 2004, Na onal Park (RMNP) breached its bank. Park Service (NPS) developed its Natural LiDAR (Light Detec on and Ranging — an The breach saturated an adjacent hillslope Resource Challenge (NRC) which aimed infrared imaging technique) and ground which gave way, sending an es mated to ensure that natural resources are surveys were used to determine the ex- 47,000 cubic yards of sediment and debris preserved for future genera ons. The into Lulu Creek and the headwaters of NRC holds that science and the Colorado River. Damage to 22 acres research are “our best hope of upland, stream, riparian and wetland to maintain and restore the habitat occurred over a distance of 1.5 rich natural heritage found miles (Figure 1). More than 20,000 trees in the na onal parks,” both were lost and approximately 50 diff erent of which are cri cal in the plant species were impacted. planning and implementa- The streambed of Lulu Creek was on of projects on na onal gouged nearly seven feet deep, widen- park lands. The Grand Ditch ing the channel by as much as ten mes. Breach Restora on project When the torrent arrived at the low- is a noteworthy example gradient confl uence with the Colorado of how RMNP has used River, it deposited sediment and debris scien fi c research to assess in an alluvial fan up to six feet thick. The environmental impact, sediment-fi lled waters con nued down- understand changes to eco- stream along the Colorado River, clogging systems, and develop overall the channel and covering the Lulu City restora on design. wetland and the Colorado River fl oodplain Star ng directly a er with gravel, sand and other debris. the breach, RMNP part- In 2006, the U.S. Department of Jus- nered with local researchers ce fi led a civil lawsuit against the owners and agencies to study the of the Grand Ditch under the authority of ecosystem components the Park System Resource Protec on Act aff ected by the breach. (PSRPA). In May 2008, par es reached Colorado State University, an out-of-court se lement in which the the NPS Rocky Mountain owners agreed to pay the United States Network Inventory and $9 million in damages to restore the area. Monitoring Program, and Since then, Rocky Mountain Na onal Park the NPS Water Resources FigureFiigure 1:1: OverviewOOverviiew MMapap ooff thethhe GGrGrandand DitchDiittch BreachBBreachh Resto-Restto- has u lized science-based decision making Division were key partners ra on Project Area. Outlined area depicts the 22 acres of and adap ve-management principals in in this eff ort. impacted area including the Colorado River and Lulu City Wetland. Photo: NPS Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 5 tent and depth of the sediment deposited and ecological and wilder- from the breach. A repeat LiDAR survey ness values. was conducted in 2012 to quan fy ad- The Rocky Mountain di onal changes that had occurred since Inventory and Monitoring the ini al survey. Extensive changes to program and the Water Re- the river channels, such as widening and sources Division established shallowing and increased amounts of logs, two monitoring sites to col- were documented along Lulu Creek and lect baseline and reference the Colorado River. Furthermore, changes data on vegeta on, biodi- to the groundwater hydrology of the wet- versity, and water quality lands and fl oodplains were noted (Figure (Figure 3). These sites, one 2). This research revealed that river func- located inside the impacted ons and depths to and fl uctua ons in area and the other located groundwater were not adequate to sup- outside the impacted area port the wetland and riparian vegeta on to serve as a reference site, that once inhabited the area. Ul mately, are surveyed on a cyclic this informa on was used develop a very basis to monitor changes. Ground Survey soil pits measured the extent and depth of specifi c sediment and wood removal plan These ini al surveys will sediment deposits from the Grand Ditch breach as well as to restore the river channel, fl oodplain be compared to surveys other sediment deposits da ng back to the early 1900s. and groundwater hydrology to support conducted a er the resto- Photo: NPS na ve and riparian wetland vegeta on ra on to ensure that the rrestora on is eff ec ve and Lulu City wetland. Monitoring of the river mmeets the objec ves of restoring na ve restora on and the associated ground- vvegeta on and preserving water quality. water hydrology is currently underway to Restora on through Adap ve Man- understand the changes. Phase II of the aagement The Grand Ditch Breach Resto- ecological restora on includes the re- rra on team has compiled the valuable moval and redistribu on of sediment and kknowledge and informa on learned from wood from Lulu Creek, the Colorado River tthese scien fi c studies to develop an and Lulu City wetland, and is scheduled to aadap ve management-based implemen- begin during the summer of 2017. tta on strategy. Sco Esser is an ecologist, and Carissa Phase I of this strategy began in 2015, Turner a biologist, for the Con nental Dr. Sara Rathburn (right) and park staff aand included the restora on of a small Divide Research Learning Center. measure cross sec ons of Lulu Creek. segment of the Colorado River in the Photo: NPS Whatever Happened to Wilbur Dean (aka M56)? by Re red RMNP Wildlife Biologist Bierstadt. He became the poster child Gary Miller for Rocky’s BioBlitz in 2012 when Jim Note: Whether or not wolverines Conservancy members may recall Salestrom wrote and performed, “Wilbur deserve to come under the protec on of the excitement accompanying the sight- Dean the Wolverine” rela ng the saga of the Endangered Species Act has been an ing and photo of a wolverine in Rocky his travels. ongoing issue for many years. A er many Mountain Na onal Park in June, 2009. The The last radio contact was in October, years of study, in 2013, the U.S. Fish and species is na ve to Colorado, but has long 2012, but there were occasional reports Wildlife Service issued a preliminary been ex rpated as a viable popula on, that seemed somewhat credible for a proposal to list wolverines in the “lower and this was the fi rst confi rmed occur- couple of years a erwards. In any case, 48” as threatened. Then, in its 2014 fi nal rence in many decades. This young male at some point he le these mountains, ruling, the agency reversed itself and de- was captured and fi ed with an internal eventually travelling across the lowlands cided to not list. Lawsuits objec ng to the radio transmi er at Togwotee Pass near of Montana into North Dakota. Sadly, in decision followed and in the same month Grand Teton N.P. in 2008. April, 2016, he was shot and killed by a Wilbur Dean lost his life, a federal District Known as M56, researchers tracked ranch hand in western North Dakota near Court judge overturned the agency’s de- his travels across the Red Desert and over the Montana border, who said the animal cision, fi nding its ra onale for not lis ng Wyoming’s Shirley Mountains to northern was harassing ca le. To his credit, the fel- fl awed. The Fish and Wildlife Service has Colorado and Rocky Mountain Na onal low did report it to North Dakota wildlife begun a new review of the best avail- Park. He spent a good part of subsequent authori es, and their necropsy found able science regarding wolverines, their years in the park and the Indian Peaks, the radio implant confi rming that it was habitat, and whether wolverines meet but also wandered well south of Lead- Wilbur Dean. Rest in peace, Wilbur Dean. the criteria for ESA lis ng. ville, and was again photographed at Mt. 6 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er photo: Marlene Borneman photo: ph

Rocky Mountain Conservancy – Field Institute 2017 Program Highlights The Rocky Mountain Conservancy – Field Ins tute Program is excited to announce new course off erings for 2017! Catalogs are available now anddi registra on isi open online and by phone – read on to learn more about some tantalizing new off erings in store for the comingg season! New Bus Tours! Have a free morning? Try these half-day tours to explore the lower eleva ons in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. From Meadow to Tree Line examines the montane and subalpine ecosystems while staying alert for sigh ngs of meadow animals such as coyote, squirrel and elk. Delve into park history and Longs Peak as you travel along Trail Ridge Road as high as Rainbow Curve to view the park’s eastern side from a higher vantage point. From Elk to Aspen takes par cipants to view elk in the meadows in the early morning during the rut ,and exploring, driving corridors known for spectacular fall aspen color displays. A great tour for photographers and wildlife watchers alike!

New Classes for Kids Cloudy with a Chance of … Graupel? inves gates mountain weather in a fun and interac ve way at Trail Riv r Ranch on the park’s west side. Rocky Mountain History Hike explores the history of RMNP during a hike to Eugenia mine, discussing ques ons like: Why did people se le here? How did they survive? Our top favorites! Kids’ Flyfi shing and Stream Ecology, Who Pooped in the Woods? and Upper Beaver Meadows Nature Hunt: A Virtual Geocache Adventure will be off ered on a regular basis throughout the summer.

New Classes for Adults A variety of new adult classes in 2017 include: Night Sky Landscape Photography with award-winning teacher/photographer Stan Honda The Ghost of Fall River Road with historian and author Mary Taylor Young Learn to Use a Dichotomous Key with author and plant expert Marlene Borneman Along with these new class off erings, the Field Ins tute is delighted to bring back some of last summer’s favorites, including The Orchids of RMNP, Hummingbirds: Field Research, and many more! RMConservancy.org Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 7 Tribute to Madeline Framson: A Volunteer Extraordinaire 1922–2016 With heavy hearts and deepest eff orts of the CMC’s Shining Mountains gra tude, we share the news of Madeline Group required skill, dedica on and physical Framson’s death on October 13, 2016. endurance for many tasks that were o en For the last 35 years, Madeline was grimy and unglamorous but needed to be ac vely volunteering, for Rocky, the Colorado done. Not as glamorous were the count- Mountain Club (CMC) and the Conservancy. less hours she recruited other volunteers Her ac vi es included trail maintenance, fi re for Conservancy mailings — something we preven on through fuel reduc on, fi gh ng relied on for more than two decades. invasive weeds, bighorn sheep herd health, Her early life is an amazing story of barbed wire removal, revegeta on along Trail WWII involvement, civil rights ac vism Ridge Road, automobile wreckage removal, and so much more. Learn more about natural landscape restora on of the Hidden this amazing woman at www.legacy.com/ Valley ski area, trimming bushes and trees obituaries/eptrail/ and search the list for along Fern Lake Road and assis ng with the Madeline Bass Framson. Sayonara Madeline! With love, Ride the Rockies bicycle tour. The volunteer from your Conservancy buddies. 

11 A narrow park valley that was carved by rivers of ice moving from south to Park Puzzler north, which now contains Mills Lake and Black Lake, is appropriately named Glacier ___. by RM Conservancy Member Joel Kaplow 12 F.O. Stanley, a very rich man from his inven ons, suff ered from consump on AAcrosscross (tuberculosis) and was advised to move to Colorado in 1903. His health im- proved, and in 1909 the eponymous Stanley Hotel in Estes Park was completed. 6 Rhodiola integrifolia, aka ___ crown, is a fl ower with thick, succulent leaves that It’s white now, but what color paint was used on the original structure? can be found in either wet or dry areas of the tundra. The blossoms are in a fl at- 14 On the north end of 11-Down is found ___ Mountain, so named because it topped cluster, and are a deep wine-red in color. appears that glaciers have carved away 50% of the original peak. 7 Living organisms and their environment, taken collec vely on a planetary scale, 15 Fall Creek arises on the north fl ank of Fall Mountain on the northern border comprise the ___. of Rocky, then fl ows northeast and meets the South Fork of the Cache la ___ 9 The ___, a striking pinnacle found on the east side of Loch Vale towering above Sky River. Pond, is 500 feet tall with sheer walls. Successful technical climbers will tell you it has 16 Not to be confused with Frozen Lake, ___ Lake is clustered with the rock a surprisingly fl at summit that’s 15 x 30 yards wide. outcrop at 2-Down and the glacier at 18-Across at the west end of Wild Basin. 10 About ___ percent of your entrance fee for RMNP stays within the park, and is 19 When the Stanley Hotel was built, it had all the modern conveniences of used for the benefi t of all things Rocky. the me, including electricity that came from a hydroelectric plant built by F.O. 13 The top three answers from visitors surveyed for their main reason for a park visit: Stanley on Fall River, and, unusual for a remote loca on, running tap ___. recrea onal opportuni es, wildlife viewing and the ___. 20 Located east of Ypsilon Mountain in RMNP’s Mummy Range are three lakes 17 Rocky straddles three coun es: Boulder, Grand and ___, which contains the larg- named for C.E. ___, the fi rst president of the American Alpine Club. est chunk. 18 There is a glacier at the west end of Wild Basin named for Jack ___, a Rocky ranger who, in 1925, helped install the cables that aided climbers near the summit of Longs Peak. 21 Located on the west side of Estes Cone is ___ Pass. 22 ___ zones are the areas of land that are adjacent to streams or lakes, usually with more diverse fl ora and fauna than the surrounding drier areas. DDownown 1 F.O. Stanley was a remarkable inventor and innovator, with many patents that went beyond the Stanley Steamer, and he helped fund Enos Mills’ traveling expenses dur- ing his RMNP campaigns. Surprisingly, F.O. also handcra ed his own ___, which are sought by musicians, and are worth thousands of dollars today. 2 Just to the east of the glacier at 18-Across is a rock forma on known as Eagles ___. 3 The devasta ng rains of September 2013 caused several landslides within RMNP. The ___ Trail, which starts behind the Lily Lake Visitor Center, sustained heavy damage when a slide wiped out several switchback sec ons. A study for repairs is slated for 2017. (2 wds.) 4 A close cousin of 6-Across, Clementsia rhodantha, aka ___ crown, aka rose crown, is par al to boggy, squishy areas of the tundra. It has a pink blossom, and succulent leaves which are useful for storing water. 5 A large, 42-acre inholding known at the ___ Co ages parcel, is being absorbed into RMNP’s 415 square miles. The Davis family, owners of the property as of 1941, ar- ranged to give RMNP fi rst crack when it came me for it to leave the family. 8 A biological community of interac ng organisms and their physical environment, taken on a local level, is known as an ___. 8 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

New Superintendent Darla Sidles Accepts the Challenge by Suzanne Silverthorn

It was the 1970s, and a choice as Superintendent of Saguaro Na onal hiking early or hiking visit to Rocky Mountain Na onal Park Park in Arizona. A 26-year veteran of late, checking the weather forecast in would be her fi rst and only chance the Na onal Park Service, her diversity advance to be er plan the day, car- to experience the outdoors with her of experiences and opportuni es have pooling or using the shu le system, family. As an impressionable 8-year- prepared her for this role. She’s held and being addi onally proac ve by old, it was the snowball fi ght with both administra ve and boots-on- reserving a campsite six months out. her sister and father that lingers as the-ground posts across the country, Even then, during busy days in the a favorite memory. And for Darla including Washington, D.C., Philadel- summer and fall, Sidles describes an Sidles, the new Superintendent of phia, Texas, Alaska, Washington and endless stream of idling vehicles snak- Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, that Utah. Before Saguaro, she spent nine ing through the communi es of Estes childhood visit of hers looms large in years at Zion, which included work on Park and Lyons as long lines formed how she’s approaching her role in the similar crowding issues. For Sidles, 53, at the park entrances. Like clockwork, park’s 101st year and beyond. this new combina on of place, people this daily arrival en masse took its toll Sidles stopped by the Rocky and issues has become the perfect on the park’s infrastructure. Parking Mountain Conservancy offi ces in intersec on and one can’t help but lots overfl owed, toilets and trash cans December to share insights from her feel inspired by her sense of purpose. were overrun, wildlife-human encoun- fi rst few months on the job and to To that end, the most press- ters increased, tundra was trampled, provide a glimpse of what’s ahead. ing priority iden fi ed by Sidles is to and perhaps most disconcer ng for As she clasps her hands around a hot defi ne the park’s visitor capacity and Sidles was the escala on in frustra on cup of tea, she describes the chal- to begin a conversa on about long- by visitors — some even lashing out lenges facing the park with candor term solu ons. Visita on in the park is at Rocky’s staff and volunteers, which and determina on, pondering what on track to reach 4.5 million in 2016, compromised their safety. News the experience will be like for future another record and a near double- announcements during the summer eight-year-olds and the role she hopes digit increase from its record-breaking blended urban-like topics of car break- to play in helping to shape it. Will they centennial year in 2015. Only Great ins and visitor reminders about how have a lifelong connec on to Rocky’s Smoky Mountains and Grand Canyon to behave in the park with the more natural wonder? Will there be access had higher visita ons in 2015. And typical informa on on groundbreaking to snowfi elds 100 years from now? neither of those parks will see an research and park stewardship. Sidles is op mis c that there’s a won- explosion of popula on growth as is For Sidles, ensuring resource derful future ahead for the park. But projected for Colorado’s Front Range preserva on while simultaneously that comes later. communi es. providing a quality visitor experi- The conversa on quickly turns to As a prelude to the past summer ence at Rocky is at the core of what Sidles’ immediate focus on the topic season, Rocky’s Public Aff airs Offi ce mo vates her. She envisions a future of overcrowding, which has consumed launched an awareness campaign sug- where intense traffi c conges on and much of her me here since arriving ges ng ways to plan ahead for a more harried visitors are a thing of the past in August following a seven-year run enjoyable visit. Sugges ons included and where opportuni es to explore Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 9

Rocky’s front country and backcountry is now encouraging visitors to pay are safer and more enjoyable. their entrance fee online before To help guide the visitor-use they get to the park, which allows transforma on, an assessment is taking them to use the smartphone receipt place to document best management as their entrance pass. prac ces that have been undertaken Yet, with all the focus on visita- at other high-visita on parks. “If we on, Sidles wants to ensure that can learn what others have done and there are increased visi ng opportu- poten ally apply them here through ni es for underrepresented popula- an inclusive public process — which ons as well as a more diverse staff . means ge ng input from the com- “We have so many people coming muni es, park staff , and visitors, on a to the park right now, but when you na onal scope, I think we’ll be ahead look at the diversity of those visitors, of the game,” Sidles said. Examples of they don’t refl ect the face of the na- management strategies being intro- on. And that’s a concern.” As a fi rst duced at other high-use parks include step, Sidles has set out to work moree med-entry systems, reserva on robustly with the Rocky Mountain systems, and other mechanisms. Sidles Conservancy and its Next Genera- likens these measures to permit sys- on Fund, as well as other partners, tems used by river ra ers on popular to develop strategies that will make Superintendent Darla Sidles describes herself as energe c, forward-thinking, and inclusive. waterways. Modifi ca on of the shu le the park relevant to underserved She values strong partnerships and looks system will also be explored. “We’re youth from the Front Range. In this, forward to bolstering the park’s rela onship just hoping that we can learn from she draws upon her experiences at with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. these other parks to understand what Saguaro where she led an eff ort to climate change as an opportunity to works best, and what provides a quality increase visita on from Tucson’s inner conduct research and share with the visitor experience that simultaneously city and to expand the staff ’s diver- public the impact that is relevant to does not impair park re- sity. “Whether it’s them, such as clean air and water that sources.” These compari- “We have so many diddiversityv in ethnicity are necessary for wildlife and humans. sons, she says, along with people coming to the oorr race or age or in- “If we can tell that story from the other data to be collected, tterests,e we need to park right now, but when perspec ve of an ‘indicator park,’ this will help determine mmake sure we’re on may help people understand the cri - what the recommended you look at the diversity ttheh cu ng edge of cal nature of what we’re dealing with strategy will be moving of those visitors, they tthath because if we as a society.” forward. Sidles expects kkekeepe doing things Along the way, Sidles believes don’t refl ect the face of there may be a phased ttheh way we’ve that it will be impera ve to priori ze approach, to address the na on. And that’s a aalwayslw done, then what’s most important for the park des na on-specifi c strate- wwewe’re probably not concern.” and to work as effi ciently as possible gies fi rst, followed by a ggogoingo to be impor- given current budget limita ons and broader comprehensive ttatant 50 years from the transi on to a new administra on visitor-use management strategy. The now when there’s a diff erent need, a in Washington, D.C. park is intent in involving the gateway diff erent desire out there.” She ponders for a moment before communi es of Estes Park and Grand With help from expanded partner- off ering a fi nal thought, “Our job is Lake at the outset of the conversa on. ships, Sidles sees opportuni es to be- to protect the park forever and to In the short term, the park’s come even more strategic and vision- provide an outstanding visitor experi- staff and volunteers will con nue ary in char ng the park’s future. She’s ence. It’s that simple. And it’s that to mi gate impact where they can, looking to forge greater involvement diffi cult.” With that, Sidles fi nishes her encouraging use of the shu le system by the Conservancy, universi es and last sip of tea, off ers well-wishes to and restric ng vehicle access when other organiza ons, plus increased the Conservancy staff , and heads out parking lots are full and traffi c conges- collabora on with the gateway com- the door to prepare for her next meet- on is at its peak, especially in the muni es, as well as making the most ing. There is more work to be done. Bear Lake and Wild Basin areas. Also, of the park’s rela onship with its encouraging visitors to plan ahead 2,700 volunteers to ensure that the Suzanne Silverthorn is a frequent con- tributor to the Quarterly. When she’s not before their arrival will be emphasized services they’re providing are mee ng wri ng or visi ng the park, she serves as at every opportunity to help manage the park’s highest priori es. Director of Communica ons for the town expecta ons. To that end, the park She sees the global discussion of of Vail, Colorado. 10 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er photo: Jim Ward photo: Fear Not Rocky's Fierce Winter Facade by Barbara Sco I stop to examine some tracks that cross the wind comes, you might even see the The snow crunches under my feet as the trail in front of me – tracks that I never wing marks made when the great-horned I shuffl e up the trail. A few new inches of would have seen had it not been for the owl catches the weasel that didn’t move fast snow has fallen overnight adding to the spar- snow. Loping in a small, angled gait, it was a enough to escape. kling blanket of white over the brown and two-print track pa ern the size of fi nger ps That’s why I like winter. There’s no hid- crunchy vegeta on. The park is transformed! touching the snow. They alternate between ing. Everything is refreshed and manifest for Early winter, before the snow falls, short and long leaps from about 6 to 30 the world to see. always makes me a bit sad. The brown and inches apart. I follow them off the trail un l As I con nue my hike I feel the s ng of dormant landscape holds li le joy, instead they disappear into a small snowbank. Not the cold air on my face. My breath streams epitomizing winter’s symbolism of old age far away I see them reappear, this me with around me as my heart begins to pound. and death. Even the animals seem to be an extra set of drag marks alongside. This I move faster to try to coax the circula on ambivalent about it, methodically foraging short-tailed weasel had caught a meal! back into my fi ngers and toes. I’m just begin- the last remaining bits of nutri on from the I scan the forest around me with the ning to warm up my body when I turn a dead and dying plants and duff . hope of catching sight of the li le white corner and get hit full on by the wind. Once the snow falls, though, Rocky mustelid, but no luck. It is probably snooz- Rocky Mountain Na onal Park would Mountain Na onal Park becomes a world ing the day away in the borrowed burrow not be what it is without the wind. Prevail- of sparkle and light. A new coa ng of snow of its prey, wai ng for the cover of dark- ing winds from the west are funneled down turns the familiar into the nness to emerge and mountain valleys, crea ng locally divergent novel, the well-known into The snow tells stories hhunt again. I imagine and perpetual wind pa erns. Summits and the undiscovered, the dy- ’ tthis ferocious li le crests can have gusts in excess of 200 miles ing into the reawakened. that we don t hear in ppredator wiping its per hour. Farther down the slopes, winter I prac cally bounce down other seasons – stories ny brow in relief that winds may load dangerous cornices or bring the trail deligh ng in fi nding about life and death, tthe snow has fi nally extreme temperature swings. Savvy park shapes and pictures in the ccome. In winter, the recrea onists know to dress not for the cloud-like mounds of white survival and hardship. wweasel changes its temperature, but for the wind which can around me. ccolor to match the sur- fi nd its way into even the niest aperture. The wind spins ny snowfl aakeskek s acacrossross roroundingunding snowpacksnowpack — to become invisible I almost didn’t begin my hike this day my face and onto my jacket where I examine to both prey and predators. The weasels’ because of the wind. I could have stayed their ny crystalline forms. Each snowfl ake color change comes with the changing of the warm at home and waited for the wind to is born as a speck of dust or debris that photoperiod. The shorter days trigger the die down. That would have been the easy fl ies through the air, eventually ge ng cold hormonal change and mol ng of one color thing to do. But then I would have missed enough to collect water vapor. These frozen fur for the next. But white fur in a brown the renewal of new snow. I would have water droplets a ract more and more water landscape where the snow keeps coming missed the snowfl akes and the weasel vapor that grows and, because of the chemi- later and later in the season makes it hard tracks. I would have missed seeing my cal makeup of water, freezes into hexagonal to blend in. Natural selec on may eventually breath and feeling the p of my nose go red. ice crystals. Depending on the temperature change when the molt begins, but un l then There’s always wind. You can’t let it get and the water content of the clouds around my weasel friend may have some challenges. you down. Instead, let it blow your doubt, them as the fl y, the ice crystals take on The snow tells stories that we don’t your insecuri es and your fears away. unique shapes — some stars, some plates, hear in other seasons — stories about life Embrace the sparkling world around you. some columns. The environment around and death, survival and hardship. These Seasons pass quickly. Get out and enjoy this them causes them to change and grow as struggles go on around us every day, but in beau ful winter. You’ll be glad you did. they descend through the cloud layer. They the snow, you can see them. You can see are rarely perfect, but beau ful all the same. the tunnels of the voles that live just where Barbara Sco is a park ranger interpreter at And as these ice crystals form and fall, they the snowpack meets the earth so they can Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. s ck together, forming the snowfl akes that stay warm. You can see the drag marks of transform the Rocky Mountain scenery into the weasel that catches that vole and hauls a winter snow globe. it off for dinner. If you get up early before Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 11 Colorado Gives Day Beats Records! What an exci ng day we had oon December 6 for Colorado GGiGives Day! Statewide, dona- oons totaled $33.8 million! MMore than 233 Rocky Moun- ttataina Na onal Park fans donated mmore than $30,000 to the Con- sseservancy,e blowing past our goal oof $25,000 and exceeding 2015 LocalLococcall nonprononprop fi ttssgs ggatheredaththheredda aattvt vvariousarious busi-bbusisi- ttototals by more than $9,000. nesses to promote this year’s Colorado Gives Day event (from le to right): It is a fun day for us, not Conservancy and Partners Gift Alison Rivers, Estes Park Nonprofi t Re- just to see the dona ons source Center,Alice Burkholder, Harmony coming in, but also to see how Wild Basin Property to Rocky Founda on, Julie Kle , Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Jill Lancaster, Estes Park much you love Rocky Mountain Nonprofi t Resource Center and Cynthia Na onal Park and the work we Mountain National Park Combs Krumme, Estes Park Nonprofi t Re- accomplish together. Thank you source Center at Kind Coff ee in Estes Park. It could have been a worst-case scenario for Rocky Mountain Na onal for your par cipa on and for Park: a “Land for Sale” sign going up in one of the most popular areas your support. Your dona ons will be put to excellent use in 2017! of the park and within lands designated as Wilderness. If not for a quick We also thank generous local businesses Kind Coff ee, Poppy’s response from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, a 12.5-acre property was Pizza and Grill, and Snowy Peaks Winery for hos ng special events about to be listed for sale for only the second me in the last 70 years. and being super-enthusias c fundraising professionals that day. With a 2,000-square-foot house perched on a rocky overlook and easy We’re already looking forward to Colorado Gives Day 2017! motorized access, the demand for this private property within Wild Basin would have been great. Instead, the Conservancy, with assistance from the Wilderness Land Trust and the Na onal Park Trust, secured its purchase for Conservancy Annual Appeal the park. The property was purchased on December 14. Saving this land for permanent protec on had been a high priority for a Rousing Success the Conservancy since 2009, when the property was originally listed for As of press me in mid-December, the annual appeal was sale. At that me, a generous conserva on buyer agreed to purchase and hold the property un l the Conservancy or the park was in a posi on to going strong with more than 900 dona ons made for a total of purchase it for fi nal protec on. When that buyer decided that they wished more than $227,700 (including the Colorado Gives Day gi s). to sell and transfer the property this year, “we knew right away that we Approximately half of those funds are directed to Best Use, had to step in quickly with what land protec on reserves we had,” Charles and the other half is divided almost equally in thirds to Trail Money, Execu ve Director of the Conservancy said. Improvement, our Conserva on Corps, and the Next Genera- Thanks to the successful comple on of the Cascade Co ages Cen- on Fund. We should have fi nal tallies by the end of January. tennial Capital Campaign earlier this year, the Conservancy was able to Whatever amount you gave, or which fund you donated to, we provide $300,000 in Land Protec on Fund reserves for the purchase of are fantas cally grateful for your generous support of our 2017 the Wild Basin parcel. However, more assistance was needed to meet the season. We also appreciate your kind and though ul notes—we $750,000 purchase price. The Conservancy subsequently engaged the as- sistance of the Wilderness Land Trust and the Na onal Park Trust. The Wil- read every single one! Thank you for being the most important derness Land Trust nego ated the purchase contract with the landowner part of our team. Together, we take good care of RMNP and and agreed to provide addi onal funds for the purchase. The Na onal Park other public lands, and inspire our youth. We’ll keep you posted Trust engaged the support of a generous local donor who wished to make about how your contribu ons are being put to work in 2017. a signifi cant gi to the park during the centennial year of the Na onal Park Service. The fi nancial contribu ons of these partners and the Conservancy Rocky License Plates enabled the purchase of the parcel. Located approximately one mile from the Wild Basin entrance, this parcel along the access drive is within the Wilderness Area boundary in Reach 3,000! the park. As a result of this purchase the land will fi nally be able to be Good news! managed as wilderness (the highest level of conserva on protec on for By mid-December, the Conservancy federal lands). The addi on of the property to the park and removal of the had processed dona ons for more than 3,000 plate sets (the access drive will eliminate a developed 33-acre incursion into the wilder- ness area, including the road. However, the house and access drive must minimum required to ensure that they are available in 2017). be removed. The Wilderness Land Trust will undertake the deconstruc on This program has raised over $90,000 so far, with 100% sup- process, which will be funded by the Conservancy. The planned decon- por ng YOUR Rocky Mountain Na onal Park! It is fun and struc on process, scheduled for spring of 2017, will recycle as much of the rewarding to see so many of these plates on the road already. building material as possible. A signifi cant number of donors to the License Plate Program Darla Sidles, superintendent of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park said, “We also made addi onal Best Use gi s amoun ng to more than are extremely grateful to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, The Wilderness $10,900. Thank you! If you s ll need your plates, just head to Land Trust, and Na onal Park Trust in acquiring this private piece of land inside www.RMConservancy.org and make a $30 minimum dona on the park. This is a gi that will live on forever as protected wilderness.” (per vehicle) to our License Plate Program. Full details and Thank you to you, the Conservancy’s donors and members, FAQs are available at RMConservancy.org. for making this project possible! 12 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

Conservancy Funds New Park Greenhouse Fence to Support Restoration Projects in the Park

by Trish Stockton The greenhouse and nursery at Rocky ously used. To avoid an overly “industrial” Some of the projects will require Mountain Na onal Park has a long rela on- look for the nursery, it was decided the more than the usual grasses and forbs ship with the Rocky Mountain Conservan- slats would cover just four feet of the that the park has grown in the past. This cy. Ini al funds for the greenhouse were 7-foot-high fence. This allows for the fall, we concentrated on collec ng seeds raised by the Conservancy in 1995 through much-needed wind protec on without from more than 20 diff erent tree and generous dona ons from donors and closing the area off to those passing by. shrub species, most of which we have members of the park’s nonprofi t partner. The greenhouse and nursery support never grown in the park greenhouse. Be- Thanks in large part to the Conser- mul ple restora on projects in the park cause of these new demands, the original vancy’s support, the greenhouse now every year. Some of the projects include plant bed layout wasn’t suffi cient for the grows between 20,000 and 35,000 na ve restora on around the new comfort need. The new fence encloses a larger grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees each year. sta ons at Aspenglen and Glacier Basin area than the original fence, allowing for Park staff and volunteers collect seed in campgrounds, the new Grand Lake en- easier access as well as a diff erent layout various loca ons within park boundaries trance booths, the shu le stops, and tree of beds. The new layout has larger sunken during the fall to process and propagate plan ngs at Timber Creek Campground. beds with wider isles to accommodate the seed in the winter. We are constantly The most challenging project was restor- carts, two new shade structures that researching and experimen ng to ensure ing the Alpine Ridge Trail (aka “Huff er allow for less watering, and all-new wind- that we are maximizing produc on and Hill”) a er the new stairs were installed. resistant sprinklers. propaga ng the best na ve compe tors Using na ve plants for a successful resto- A formal “cemetery” was also added; possible. In addi on to plants grown inside ra on off ers a dis nct advantage over in- this area enables us to bury hard-to- the greenhouse, many mature plants over- propagate seeds for the winter so nature winter in the nursery beds outside. can do the work for us. New gates were Most recently, through Conservancy also installed with an eye for easy access dona ons, we were able to replace our fail- that can be opened from inside or out — ing fence. The old fence was constructed what a concept! All these improvements in 1999, and years of sun and wind had were on hold while we waited for the new taken their toll on the fencing and the wind fence to be installed. Now it looks shiny protec on fabric. The fi rst sec on of fence and new, and very modern — in a moun- fell during the winter of 2012, with a larger tain kind of way. sec on following in the winter of 2015. Thanks to the con nuing support The installa on of chain link was from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy chosen over the original wood alterna ve vasive weeds by allowing the na ve plants our nursery now is a shining example of material for its longevity and cleaner ap- to establish a disturbed site fi rst, before effi ciency and longevity. Come for a visit pearance. During the research process we the onslaught of quick-growing invasive on Earth Day, April 22, 2017. found out that chin link can be recycled, plants move in, or to stabilize hillsides which was an important bonus feature. and slopes with deep-rooted growth to Trish Stockton has been a seasonal Biological Much considera on was given to the inclu- prevent erosion and sediment deposi on Science Technician, Greenhouse Opera ons, at sion of the brown slats that are needed into streams and lakes. Of course, using the park greenhouse for the last nine seasons. to block out winter winds (not pictured), na ve species also supports local fauna replacing the wind fabric that was previ- and pollinators. Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 13 The Rocky Mountain Conservancy expresses special thanks to the following people for their donations toward projects in Rocky Mountain National Park: September 20, 2016 – December 13, 2016 803 gifts ~ total donations $316,923

Barbara Francis, Aurora, CO: Walter & Marlene Borneman, Walt and Sandra Cox, Blue Grass, IA David Magar, Woodstock, IL C In memory of Harry Smith Estes Park, CO Barbara Crangle, Moline, IL Debra Major, Loveland, CO Linda Goff , Estes Park, CO: Curt & Heidi Buchholtz, Estes Park, CO Lloyd and Cathy Dahlberg, Minong, WI Gene Mammenga and Char Brooker, C F In honor of Kerry Morimoto Jim and June Copeland, Coff eyville, KS Christopher and Patricia Daly, Maplewood, MN DianaDiana Dahart,Dahart, YpsilanYpsilan , MIMI Elizabeth Grant, Denver, CO Brian and Louise Desmond, Bryn Mawr, PA Norman & Shirley Mar n, Leawood, KS Howard and Dana Fry, Castle Rock, CO Richard & Elaine Greenwood, Estes Park, CO James Davis, Somers Point, NJ Nancy Matson, Estes Park, CO Melanie Grant, Denver, CO Oviedo, FL Gregg and Dana Dupree, McKinney, TX David Dent, Warrenton, MO Margaret Ma , Estes Park, CO Patrick and Carla Grant, Denver, CO Donald Groves, Glen Haven, CO Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/ Carol Devlin, Houston, TX: James & Tricia Medlock, Ft. Collins, CO April and Tim Gruber, Oviedo, FL Susan K. Harris, Estes Park, CO: Paul and Rosemary Eide In honor of Jim Avant K C and Regine Mericle, Denver, CO In memory of Jim De erline John and Dolores Dolan, Mahwah, NJ David and Joy Mohr, Estes Park, CO Hallidie and Donald Haid, Sea le, WA Fred & Catherine Gaupp, Covington, LA Rebecca Hart, Indianapolis, IN: Colleen Dupuis, Loveland, CO Carleton and Diane Moore, Mesa, AZ Janet I. Kilgore, Estes Park, CO John and Lynne Geweke, Estes Park, CO In honor of Patrick Mar Larry and Linda Emsing, Estes Park, CO Dr. & Mrs. Robert Moore, Terry and Catherine Nance, Margaret & Brian Greene, Robert & Ellen Hostetler, Rasmus & Marian Erdal, Ft. Collins, CO Li le Rock, AR Overland Park, KS Longmont, CO Monument, CO Tony and Beth Fabrizio, Broomfi eld, CO Nancy and Robert Morton, Marlys and Lyle Polson, Estes Park, CO Marianne Holmes, Arvada, CO Steven King, St. Louis, MO Robert and Mary Farmer, Athens, TX San Marcos, CA Thomas Stanar, Highlands Ranch, CO Ron Hughes, Lees Summit, MO MikeM and Mary Ko ke, Cave Creek, AZ Neil and Barbara Fiala, Ballwin, MO Leslie and Mary Ann Nesbi , James Immelt, Worthington, OH Joseph Krol, Joliet, IL Veronika Gaia, Lyons, CO Lafaye e, CO Robert & Mary Ann Jackson, L P Gary Kubik, Omaha, NE Marianne Gaynor, Taylor, MI: Patsy Nevill, Estes Park, CO Houston, TX Ginger Lewis, Lawrenceville, GA In honor of Martha and Gene Stehman Michael and Jane Olson, Loveland, CO Carolyn Kilgore, Estes Park, CO: F Karl Long, Houston, TX Janice Gibb, Berthoud, CO Mark and Angel Pavlik, Lone Tree, CO In memory of Mark Pallissard Be y J. Lu kus, Aurora, CO: Deryl Gingery and Marla Schiebout, Paul & Alison Pierpoint, Bethlehem, PA John Capp, Fort Collins, CO Kristy Killian, Henderson, NV In memory of George Lu kus Loveland, CO Mark and Ellen Prechtl, Fred and Catherine Gaupp, Mark and Cathy Koch, Elmhurst, IL Sherburne MacFarlan, Boulder, CO Judith Graziano, Poland, OH Colorado Springs, CO: Covington, LA Mike and Mary Ko ke, Cave Creek, AZ William Mahoney, Louisville, CO Donna Hahn, Estes Park, CO In honor of Adelaide Q. Prechtl Derk & Marjorie Osenberg, Chicago, IL David Magar, Woodstock, IL Seth McCarus, Denver, CO Carl and Nancy Hane, Fort Collins, CO Janet Prehn, Arvada, CO Barbara McClellan, Dallas, TX: Meredith Williams Founda on, Janene & Steven Hawkins, Sco e Priesmeyer, Chesterfi eld, MO In honor Mr. and Mrs. Don Wilcox L Opelika, AL Burnsville, MN Cheryl and Ben Reyes, Sycamore, IL Mary Ann McHale and Jeff rey Corson, Charles and Shirley Morgan, Marvin and Marilyn Heller, Robert Rich, Denver, CO E F Loganton, PA Pla eville, CO Loveland, CO: William and Norma Riley, Omaha, NE Canton and Ann O’Donnell, Denver, CO Nancy Moser, Raleigh, NC In memory of Gen and Glenn Channer Nancy Roberts, Longmont, CO Kenneth Gamauf, Gamauf BoulderBoulder, CO Parks Project, LLC, Marina Del Rey, CA Joseph and Penelope Orth, Dennis & Bonnie Henley, Estes Park, CO John Rossie, O umwa, IA Wayne and Jane Larsen, Loveland, CO Joanne Peterson-Falcone, Williamsburg, VA Josephine Hereford, Saint Louis, MO Patricia Schaumberg, Greeley, CO Colorado Springs, CO: James and Terry Pfi ster, Wichita, KS Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: Marla Schiebout, Loveland, CO In memory of Ellen Perry N G Mike Phillips, Omaha, NE In honor of Richard and Shirley Tucker Marla Schiebout, Loveland, CO Rodger K. Poage, Montrose, CO DiDianne and Richard Pra , Durango, CO Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: Raymond & Nancy Sellers, Dianne and Richard Pra , Durango, CO F Alyce Richardson, Aus n, TX In honor of Helen and Rocky Lee Sevierville, TN William and Norma Riley, Omaha, NE WWilliam and Norma Riley, Omaha, NE Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: John & Patricia Shearer, Johnstown, CO Anschutz Family Founda on,on John Rossie, O umwa, IA Joan and Terry Roberson, In honor of Robin Howard’s birthday Kenneth & Barbara Stallings, Leland, IL Denver, CO Thomas Stanar, Highlands Ranch, CO West Des Moines, IA Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: Thomas Stanar, Highlands Ranch, CO Na onal Park Founda on, David Warfel, Bloomington, IL: Susan Sanchez, Greeley, CO In honor of Inez Kelley Sharon Stauff acher, Granby, CO Washington, DC In honor of Abigail Warfel Richard & Karen Sandberg, Omaha, NE Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: Chris ne & Donald Steger, Placitas, NM Brenda L. Adamson, Aurora, CO Ben and Judy Wentworth III, Bob and Karen Sanders, Houston, TX In memory of Sco Corliss Erik Stensland, Estes Park, CO Thomas & Sandra Ames, Longmont, CO Colorado Springs, CO Vicky and Dan Schommer, Greeley, CO: Barry and Patricia Hia , Li leton, CO Kevin Stout, Dillon, CO, Trails: Anonymous Joy Wolf, Mount Pleasant, WI In memory Stella B. Aubuchon Susanne Hicks, Nashville, TN In honor of Janice Stout Patrice Arndt, Denver, CO: Marvin and Hannah Woolf, Boulder, CO In memory of Paul and Marian Nelson Robert and Mary Seifert, Estes Park, CO Thomas & Regina Hisey, Estes Park, CO: Mark and Joan Strobel, Saint Paul, MN Karla Bachman, Lincoln, NE Mark and Gwen Sparn, Boulder, CO InI memory of Ed and Ann Dvorscak Grant and Joyce Strombeck, Berwyn, IL Paul Baringer, Elverson, PA: Thomas Stanar, Highlands Ranch, CO T I Carol Holden, Tiburon, CA Barbara & Ralph Swanson, Phillips, WI In memory of Dr. James Lee De erline Keith & Jackie Stephenson, F Marianne Holmes, Arvada, CO Mike & Cynthia Sweeney, Lone Tree, CO Shirley J. Bas lla, Highland, IL: Estes Park, CO Charles and Joan Hoyt, Clare, IL The Family Mayer Founda on, William and Shirley Sterling, Jr., DDon and Rie a Huddle, Houston, TX Closter, NJ: In memory of Bob Bas lla Lorraine Alleman, Alleman Highlands RanchRanch, CO: Georgetown, TX Jim and Peggy Hudson, Waco, TX In honor of Kathryn Jenulis Jeane e and Carl Benson, Dallas, TX In memory of Rodger Alleman Lynn and Michael Stover, Aurora, CO Jorah Huibregtse, State Center, IA David and Marcia Tavel, Estes Park, CO: Kathy Bolinsky, Loveland, CO Richard & Sarah Amos, Houston and Ma lda Swenson, David and Nancy Hurt, Loveland, CO In memory of Madeline Framson, Jon and Catherine Pe to Boyce, Minneapolis, MN Indianapolis, IN: Jean and Walter Jazun, Parker, CO Jim De erline and Gus Wolf Sea le, WA Kathi Barnes, Rock Island, IL In memory of Gary Langer Beth Jenkins, Mentor, OH Rachel & Kenneth Towbin, Joe and Martha Burt, Houston, TX William and Esther Bas an, Wilber and Sondra Voss, Tucson, AZ Janet Keller, Estes Park, CO Potomac, MD Madelynn Coldiron, Frankfort, KY: Mount Prospect, IL Stacy Westerholm, Phoenix, AZ Andree C. Kienitz, Greeley, CO Ron and Marilyn Tu le, Loveland, CO In memory of Joyce Brabec Debra Bidwell, Fort Collins, CO Cynthia Zarkowsky, Buff alo Grove, IL Peter and Janet Kim, Olympia, WA Barbara Van Doren, Estes Park, CO Janice K. Dame, Bolingbrook, IL David and Mary Ann Bliley, Erie, PA Jenny & Gary Zi ergruen, Maureen Kiphart, Arvada, CO Marilyn & John Vergoth, Estes Park, CO Mark Dickherber and Stephanie Hoff , Richard and Judith Bliley, Erie, PA Van Horne, IA Gretchen & Thomas Kirk, Robert and Brenda Ward, Windsor, CO Chesterfi eld, MO: Deanna Boihem, Metairie, LA Germantown, TN Jennifer Warner, Greenwood, IN In honor of Santa GeraldGe and Darcy Boock, River Falls, WI Robert Koncier, Denver, CO Arthur and Edith Wartburg, Boulder, CO Ernie and Nancy Diedrich, Denver, CO O F Arnold Braasch, Rensselaer, IN M.L. & Chris ne Korphage, Wichita, KS Thomas & Rachelle Washburn, Cecily Drucker, Mill Valley, CA: Ann Bullock, Cincinna , OH F F Mike and Mary Ko ke, Cave Creek, AZ Estes Park, CO In memory of Doris Drucker Judy Byrd, Atlanta, GA Paul Krusa & Marie Curry, Judy Wild, Emporia, KS David & Jane Dunatchik, Marjorie A. Carr, Gladstone, MO AlAlan andd CarolC l AnnA Olson,Ol Boulder,B ld COCO Longmont, CO Janet Winterrose, Aurora, CO Bloomington, IN Beth Christensen, Rockford, IL: Gary Kubik, Omaha, NE Pamela & Bill Zarrella, Boca Raton, FL Phyllis A. Easley, Loveland, CO In memory of Jean Christensen James Leupold, Erie, CO: Bruce & Lois Ellingwood, Estes Park, CO C Paul and Linda Cla erbuck, In memory of Marilyn Leupold Prairie Village, KS Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/Allen and C F Shirley Lindley, Ft. Collins, CO Robert Cleary, Westlake, OH Mary Anne Sanborn, Boston, MA: James and Donelle Lowham, Paul Clemens, Metuchen, NJ In memory of their daughter, Jenny LaVerne Anderson, Anderson BoulderBoulder, CO Ft. Collins, CO Joyce Condon, Englewood, CO 14 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er Lois Calvert, Denver, CO William & Sharon Dodt, Broomfi eld, CO Gertrude Grant, Denver, CO Karen Inman, Denver, CO T R R Douglas & Patricia Campbell, Alex Drummond, Salida, CO Robert and Beatrice Graves, James and Gerry Irvine, Estes Park, CO Greeley, CO Margaret Drury, Huron, OH: Hun ngton Beach, CA Anne Isbister, West Har ord, CT F Tyler & Debby Campbell, In memory of Gordon (Gordie) Shaw C. William and June Gray, Powell, OH Carolyn Jarmin, Lyons, CO Chestertown, MD James DuHadway, Berthoud, CO Stanley Gray, Urbana, IL Peter Jaumann, Erie, CO Judy Burke,Burke, Grand LaLake,ke, CO Laurent & Betsy Cannon, Dorothy H. Dunn, Augusta, NJ Jane Sto s, Blue Ash, OH Greater Kansas City Community Foun- Jewish Community Founda on of Englewood, CO Marcia and Jeff Dysart, Bal more, MD da on/John P. Fletcher Family Fund, Greater Kansas City/Bergman Family John Capelle, West Bend, WI Rosemary Eagan, Longmont, CO Kansas City, MO Charitable Fund, Overland Park, KS B U Sco Caranna, Centennial, CO H. Paul Eberhardt II, Thornton, CO Greater Kansas City Community Cynthia Johnson, Durham, NC Kenneth & Barbara Card, Andy Edmondson, Boulder, CO Founda on/Timothy and Beth Parker Sco sdale, AZ: William & Gretchen Edwards, John & Cynthia White Johnson, Anne Abele, Abele MesMesa,a AZ Charitable Fund, Kansas City, MO In memory of Lucy Sharp Dikeou Centennial, CO Alexandria, VA Richard Acheson, Windsor, CO Susan Greenquist, Louisville, CO John H. Carpenter, Longmont, CO Jed Eide, South Bend, IN Kay I. Johnson, Evergreen, CO Larry Adams, Longmont, CO Lindy Grote, Bailey, CO Peggy L. Carr, Denton, TX: Bart and Judy Eisfelder, Fairway, KS Richard K. Johnson, Kenosha, WI Elvira G. Ale a, Williamsville, NY Rosemary & Daniel Gruber, Belleville, IL In memory of Keith & Mariane Jolly, Angels Camp, CA Leslie and Neil Alexander, Nashville, TN Elizabeth Elser Dooli le Charitable Roger Gunlikson, Fort Collins, CO Peggy Askew and Virginia Rose Miller Jean Ann Jones, Holmes Beach, FL James Alfred, La Grange Park, IL Trusts/Philip & Elizabeth Nicholson, Margaret Guthrie, Estes Park, CO Peggy L. Carr, Denton, TX: Rod Jones, Fountain, CO Kermit and Judy Allard, Fort Collins, CO Milwaukee, WI: Harold Gutjahr, Denver, CO In memory of Paul Osborne Jon Judd, Greer, SC Kenneth & Donna Allen, Estes Park, CO In memory of Elizabeth Elser Dooli le Reginald and Judy Guy, Estes Park, CO Robert and Mary Ann Carter, William & Dorothy Julian, Loveland, CO Annikki Elkind, Fort Collins, CO Sonja Hahn, Arvada, CO Allsate: The Giving Campaign/Kurt Longmont, CO David Kalainoff , Boulder, CO Dan and Lucy Ellerhorst, Li leton, CO Knutson, Vernon Hills, IL George C. Casey, Denver, CO Hamilton-Boyle Charitable Trust, John B. Kalla, Elizabeth, CO Barbara Emerson, Li leton, CO AllianceBernstein/ Tammy & Joseph Casias, John B. Simonson, Leawood, KS Terry & Paul Kane, Constan nos Emmanuel, Boulder, CO Berkeley Springs, WV Douglas W. Carpenter, Princeton, NJ Broomfi eld, CO Dr. and Mrs. O.W. Hampton, Chris Engleman & Joan Alexander, Seth Karol, Germantown, TN Allstate: The Giving Campaign/Kurt Adrian and Melanie Chamberlain, Estes Park, CO Boulder, CO Charles Kau old, Cincinna , OH Knutson, Norfolk, VA Fort Collins, CO Larry and Shirley Hannert, Phoenix, AZ Carolyn Ennis, Dallas, TX Peggy Keefer and Mike Sargeant, Bridget Chavous e, Parker, CO: Camille Hansen, Fort Collins, CO The Guests of Alpine Trail Ridge Inn, Kurt & Heidi Erchinger, Vernon Hills, IL Geneva, IL: In memory of Rich Sebern Nicholas and Patricia Hanson, Estes Park, CO Sarah Estes, Longmont, CO In honor of our children Robert Checkley and Susan Kummer, Cincinna , OH AmazonSmile Founda on, Sea le, WA Gary and Kathleen Falk, Boise, ID & grandchildren High Ridge, MO Marian Hardin, Aus n, TX Bob and Audrey Ambler, Boulder, CO Karen Farley, Davis, CA Lydia Kelley, Tucson, AZ Dan and Patricia Childers: Franklin and Ruth Harold, Sea le, WA Swami Anantananda, Hurleyville, NY Bob Feathers, Huber Heights, OH Lauren Kellogg, Denver, CO In memory of Theodore Mouche Susan and Ron Harris, Estes Park, CO Steve & Janet Andersen, Estes Park, CO Elinor and Stephen Feiss, Towson, MD Anthony Kelly, Longmont, CO Roger Chilson, Windsor, CO Monte and Terri Harrison, Tulsa, OK Roger Alan Walton and Helen T. Ethelwyn Fellinger, Phoenix, AZ Clement & Elizabeth Klaphake, Tanner Cho, Boulder, CO Nileen & James Hart, Westminster, CO: Anderson, Lakewood, CO Mary Ferguson, Memphis, TN: Bellevue, NE Ed Clark, Grand Junc on, CO In memory of John Sunins Jon and Alissa Anderson, Estes Park, CO In honor of Gilbert and Mary Knapp, Spencer, NY Erin S. Clark, Normal, IL Darby Hartman, Estes Park, CO: Kendall Angevine, Lafaye e, CO Mr. & Mrs. Wyndell Thomas Alice E. Knox, Denver, CO Michael and Rochelle Clayton, In memory of Ralph Bogart Lanwood Aperto, Fountain, CO Mary Ferguson, Memphis, TN: Cur s & Tonya Knudsen, Riverwoods, IL Jo Ann Hasselmann, Monroe, IA Paul and Elaine Arguien, Granby, CO In honor of Highlands Ranch, CO Ronald O. Coburn, Jr., Golden, CO Eric Haugdahl, Tallahassee, FL Christopher Armenta, Mr. & Mrs. David Markham John and Louise Koss, Fort Collins, CO Kenneth and Jo Anne Cocking, Mary Jo Havlicek, Omaha, NE: Colorado Springs, CO Mike and Mary Ko ke, Cave Creek, AZ Prophetstown, IL Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/ In memory of Barbara and William Armstrong, Julie Krueger, Thornton, CO Charles and Olga Cofas, Estes Park, CO Mark and Katherine Young, Boston, MA Carroll Dermody and Don Overholt North Ridgeville, OH Mary Ann Kundtz, Estes Park, CO Robyn Collins, Fountain, CO Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/Amy Jan & Mike Hecht, Fountain Valley, CA William Askey, Magnolia, TX Christopher and Lynn Kyle, Galloway, NJ Derbyshire and George R. Carr Jr., Kathleen and Louis Hegeman, Michael Atkins, Katy, TX Colorado Gives: Community First Foun- Bob and Susie Ladenburger, Denver, CO Boston, MA La Grange, IL Jim and Cathy AuBuchon, Leawood, KS da on/Thomas J. Daly, Denver, CO Phil and Sharon LaFoe, Wichita, KS Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/ David & Marjean Heidt, Englewood, CO Adam Auerbach, Boulder, CO The Colorado Trust/Gwyn Barley, Donald Lambert, Arvada, CO John and Karen Mize, Boston, MA Roberta Heisterkamp, Denver, CO Laurie Augspurger, Broomfi eld, CO Denver, CO: Karla Lankford, Boulder, CO Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/ Mark Helseth, Highlands Ranch, CO Edwin A. Aus n, Rochester, NY: In memory of Maggie O’Malley Luck Ronald and Dee Larue, Longmont, CO Bob and Susie Ladenburger, Beverly Henderson, Estes Park, CO: In honor of Harold G. Aus n Jr. Community Founda on of Northern Mary Leal, Firestone, CO Boston, MA In memory of Bob Mitchell Carol Bachhuber, Kansas City, MO Colorado/David and Carol Anderson Joseph Lebel, Cornwallville, NY Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/ Karla Henderson, Estes Park, CO Bach & Nancy Bakehouse, Has ngs, IA Family Fund, Fort Collins, CO Paul & Georgina Lee, Westminster, CO Ruth E. Medak, Boston, MA Katherine Hermann, Stanford, CA Jim and Sue Baldwin, Loveland, CO Corrin Condon, Steamboat Springs, CO Ulla and Mani Lee, Loveland, CO Tom and Fran Fike, Brighton, CO David Hewi , Castle Rock, CO John & Marlene Barnes, Ft. Madison, IA Roy Conley and Rita Hart, Aurora, CO Gary Lehr & Suzanne Trueblood, Anne e Finley, Broomfi eld, CO James and Marjorie Hewi , Lincoln, NE Carolyn and James Barne , Salida, CO Robert Connelly, Lees Summit, MO Longmont, CO Guido and Annemarie Finocchiaro, Lance & Heidi Hoff man, Omaha, NE Page Basse , Denver, CO Keith Cook, Thorton, CO Wesley and Heather LeMasurier, Estes Park, CO Peter and Linda Hogue, Katy, TX Donald Bauman, Wilmington, DE Allen & Molly Cooke, Williamsburg, VA Boulder, CO Steven M. Fishburn, Aus n, TX Ron and Delores Hoisington, Jeff and Cindy Beavers, Parker, CO Bill and Cindy Cooper, Fort Myers, FL Malcom and Edith Lerch, Conover, NC Daniel and Tara Flynn, Sparta, NJ Commerce City, CO Leslie Beckstrom, Loveland, CO Robert & Nora Copeland, Ft. Collins, CO Alice and Judah Levine, Boulder, CO Richard J. Flynn, Boulder, CO Susan Hollinger, Prairie Village, KS Claire & Richard Beesley, Estes Park, CO Carole Cotham, Corvallis, OR Melissa Levy, Philadelphia, PA Ann J. Folz, Dallas, TX Richard W. Holmes, Boulder, CO J.D. & Rose Marie Benisek, Hope Covey, Morgantown, WV Michael H. Levy, Broomfi eld, CO Ryan Foo, Denver, CO William Hoppe, Broomfi eld, CO San Angelo, TX Trudy & Charles Cowman, Jason & Linda Lillegraven, Laramie, WY Lloyd Fosdick, Estes Park, CO Susan Horvath, Lansing, MI Terry Benjamin, Longmont, CO Woodbury, MN David and Barbara Lindsey, Arvada, CO Patricia Fox, Johnstown, CO Andrew Hosier, Cedar Falls, IA David Benner, Roscoe, IL Josh Cramer, Estes Park, CO John and Marilyn Lines, Clarkston, MI Samuel and Kathleen Franco, Nutley, NJ Charles Houck, Grand Lake, CO Jeanne Bensema, Boulder, CO Carolyn Crane, Lakewood, CO James & Margaret Li le, Jeff Frese, Ely, IA Zach House, Arvada, CO Barb Biedenstein, Centennial, CO Deyan Crow, Fort Wayne, IN: Los Alamos, NM Jerome and Norma Fricke, Golden, CO Steve and Ann Marie Houser, Brian Bienemann, Thornton, CO In honor of Paul Burris John W. Li le, Loveland, CO Carsten Fritz-Gruber, Denver, CO Estes Park, CO Sigrid Bower, Ann Arbor, MI Benjamin & Michele Culp, Charles V. Lorentz, Saint Louis, MO Helga Gaff ron, Niwot, CO Richard and Jaylene Howard, Lewis E. Boyle, Fredericksburg, VA: Estes Park, CO Jim and Barbara Louk, Lutz, FL Chloe Garcia, Boulder, CO Estes Park, CO In memory of Brian Boyle Duane and Deborah Culver, Mike & Marilynn Loustalet, Greeley, CO Sarah and Sergio Garcia, Aus n, TX: Larry & Jane Howe, William & Louise Bradley, Boulder, CO Fort Collins, CO Robert Lundy, Louisville, CO In memory of Sally Shipman Highlands Ranch, CO Dennis and Marcia Braff , Boca Raton, FL Richard & Donna Cur s, Brewster, MA: William E. Malina, New Baden, IL Linda Gardner, Grand Lake, CO Kelly Hughes, Fort Collins, CO Toni and Daniel Brennand, Boulder, CO In memory of her parents, Rala Mandelson, Estes Park, CO Mary C. and John F. Gardner, Lake- Dianna Hulbert, Estes Park, CO Nancy & Edward Brigden, Loveland, CO Glenn & Eleanor Greenfi eld, Sue Ellen Markey and James Boyd, wood, CO Clara Lou Humphrey & Frank Williamson, Julie Bri , Lone Tree, CO and her brother, Jim Greenfi eld Fort Collins, CO David E. Garland, Waco, TX Lakewood, CO Rufus Lee Brown, Newport News, VA Mary Dale, Westminster, CO Kathleen and David Markwood, Kevin and Aida Garrity, Dublin, OH Carol Hundley, Homer Glen, IL Scot Brown, Aurora, CO Joe Davis, Greeley, CO St. Petersburg, FL: Chris George, Golden, CO Kers n Hunzicker, Highlands Ranch, CO Katherine Bruce, Bedford, TX Adele de Ryk, Loveland, CO In honor of Megan and David Purdy Thaddeus Gibney, Nederland, CO Kathleen & Lindell R. Hurst Jr., Katy, TX Kenneth & Susan Brunk, Centennial, CO Linda Delano, Boulder, CO Lea Martel, Aurora, CO James & Margery Giguere, Ned & Patricia Husman, Centennial, CO Rachel Brunner, Northglenn, CO Darryl & Carolyn DeMara, Lafaye e, CO Leslie Mayer, Phelan, CA Estes Park, CO Diane Lenicheck Hutchinson, Barry Bryan, Glenside, PA Robert and Ellen Dern, Fort Collins, CO Jane and David McAfee, Estes Park, CO Marykay L. Gillam, West Des Moines, IA Aurora, CO Steve Buck, Castle Rock, CO Richard & Becky Dickinson, Michael and Janice McAnulty, James and Chris ne Glenski, George Hutchinson, Estes Park, CO Carol Buckingham & James Morris, Wakarusa, KS Longmont, CO Shawnee Mission, KS: Michael Hu , Wheat Ridge, CO Gober, TX Ernie and Nancy Diedrich, Denver, CO Garland and Sue McAulay, Paris, TX In memory of John A. Morgan Dan and Mary Hymans, Loveland, CO Diane Buell, Denver, CO Dennis Dintelmann, Godfrey, IL Vicki McConnell, Lafaye e, CO Lee Katherine Goldstein, Golden, CO Rosalie Ierardi, Urbana, IL Doris Burd, Denver, CO Steve & Marian Dodge, Los Angeles, CA Barbara McCornack, Fort Collins, CO Gene Graham, Houston, TX Laird and Carol Ingham, Charlene Byers, Denver, CO Margaret L. McCranie, Irvine, CA Hollywood Park, TX Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 15

Mr. & Mrs. Dale McCutcheon, Plano, TX Janet Prehn, Arvada, CO Charlene A. Smythe, Longmont, CO In memory of Frank and Marion Yancik Karen M. Waller, Saint Joseph, MO Mary Ann and Alexander McLanahan, Joel and Linda Prehn, Lakewood, CO Peter & Linda Sommer, Fort Collins, CO Chris ne H. Young, Broomfi eld, CO: Mr. and Mrs. William E. Webb, III, Houston, TX Art Price, Erie, CO: Ryan Sommers, Lyons, CO In honor of Becky Young Statesville, NC Colleen A. McLaren, Hygiene, CO In memory of Deb Price Mark Sorensen, Westminster, CO Nelly Young, Aus n, TX: All in Memory of David Chambers: Raymond and Margaret McMahon, Lillys and Hugh Price, Fort Collins, CO Tracy and Rudy Spano, San Diego, CA In memory of Wayne C. Young Earl H. and Carol Clark, Estes Park, CO Omaha, NE Frank Priest, Jr., Englewood, CO Mr. & Mrs. Peter Sprenkle, Boulder, CO YourCause/Pacifi c Gas and Electric Dorothy & George Gibbs, Charla and Ronnie McManus, Hurst, TX: Jesus Ramos, Denver, CO Peter Springberg, Fort Collins, CO Company/Bryan Barr, Plano, TX Estes Park, CO In memory of Madeline Framson Glenn Randall, Boulder, CO Thomas Stanar, Highlands Ranch, CO YourCause/Pacifi c Gas and Electric Michael Meili, Castle Rock, CO Karen Randini s, Estes Park, CO Stanley Black & Decker/ Company/Caroline Francis, Plano, TX Lisa Meltzer, Denver, CO Susan Records, Thorton, CO: Lynda Bohager, New Britain, CT S P Virginia Merrill, Mission Hills, KS In memory of John W. Records, MD Phyllis Zumwinkel, Denver, CO Kari Star, Li le Compton, RI Chris Metzger, Estes Park, CO Frank and Nancy Reilly, Phillipsburg, NJ All in Memory of Gus Wolf: F Ken and Diane Staroscik, Firestone, CO Daniel & Suzanne Michaud, Tina Reilly, Erie, CO: Ralph and Carolyne Bowles, Tucson, AZ Shirley Starr, Minneapolis, MN Berthoud, CO In honor of Patricia J. Boynton, Estes Park, CO AnonymousAnonymous John Stauff er, Topeka, KS Colleen Miller, Livermore, CO Glenn and Melva Harrington Kathy and Mike Bri , Westerville, OH Paul and Carolyn Blaze, Tigard, OR: Bridget Stauring and Michael Garmon, Guy Miller, High Rolls Mtn. Park, NM Phillip and Margaret Reinaas, Gretchen Collingwood, Richardson, TX In honor of Francis and Dorothy Jones Divide, CO Mary & Charles Miller, Landenberg, PA San Antonio, TX Jane V. Colrud, Sun City West, AZ Community Founda on of Northern Doug Stearn, Golden, CO Julie and Garry Mitchell, Katy, TX Robert M. Renwick, Phoenix, AZ Elizabeth Cu er, Colorado Springs, CO Colorado/Tom and Jennifer Shoemaker Gene & Martha Stehman, Ft. Collins, CO Fred Moore, Boulder, CO Sandra Richelmy, Denver, CO Mary W. and Dick Daley, Phoenix, AZ Family Fund, Fort Collins, CO John & Marian Stencel, Estes Park, CO Nancy and Connor Morris, Leawood, KS Rick’s Electric Service, Loveland, CO James & Karen Daugherty, Estes Park, CO Erik Stensland, Estes Park, CO Concordia on the Lake, Li leton, CO Teresa & O s Morrow, Arkansas City, KS Mike Riegel, Highlands Ranch, CO: Raymond and Laura Fink, Frisco, TX Richard Stewart, Longmont, CO Daytripping, Santa Rosa, CA Sue and Lester Morss, Columbia, MD In memory of Jane Y. Riegel Brownie Gass, Omaha, NE Daniel O. Stock, Tabernash, CO Pendleton Woolen Mills, Portland, OR Tara Morton, Fort Collins, CO Bob and Sandy Righter, Denver, CO: Laura C. Grantham, Estes Park, CO Jane Sto s, Blue Ash, OH Rocky Mountain Na onal Park rangers Richard Moseley, Boulder, CO: In memory of James Shaner Marilyn & Donald Grisham, Mission, KS Robert & Maryann Strain, Evanston, IL Damon Strharsky, San Francisco, CA: In honor of Laura Skinkle James and Linda Riles, Saint Louis, MO Mary J. Havlicek, Omaha, NE Wilbur & Geraldine Stutheit, In honor of Lore a and Harry Richard Moseley, Boulder, CO: William and Norma Riley, Omaha, NE Emerson & Elizabeth Hazle , Fort Collins, CO Strharsky’s 70th birthdays In honor of the holidays Dee Ritz, Highlands Ranch, CO Lawrence, KS Cynthia Sundberg, Santa Rosa, CA Bre & Candice Muratori, J. P. and Marjorie J. Roberts, Headley Financial Group, LaVista, NE Toledo Jewish Community Founda on/ Ann Su on and Moe Sherman, Broomfi eld, CO Jersey Village, TX D.J. Hulsing, Estes Park, CO Larry and Diane Friedman, Sylvania, OH Westminster, CO Karl Muriby, Johnstown, CO Janet and David Robertson, Boulder, CO Nelson Murphy Insurance & Investment, Nancy and Ned Sworts, Arvada, CO Joyce Meyer, Redmond, WA: Chris and Elizabeth Rollinson, Erie, CO Omaha, NE Karen Szews, Greenfi eld, WI: In memory of Kim West Larry and Twila Rosenow, Grinnell, IA Truman & Beverly Nicholas, Topeka, KS S R In memory of Ed and Jean Szews Bruce and Joy Myrick, Sterling City, TX Judy Ross & James Carr, Estes Park, CO Stanton Peterson, Niceville, FL John and Pat Taylor, Silverthorne, CO F Naktenis Family Founda on, Nian c, CT Donna Rosser, Estes Park, CO F. J. Phillips, Cheyenne, WY Karen TenHuisen, Mountain Lakes, NJ Dr. Ray R. Nassimbene, Denver, CO Ann Roy, Plymouth, WI John and Kenney Pickens, Dallas, TX The Boeing Company Gi Margaret J. Na on, Waterford, ME Josef Ruhl, Arvada, CO David and Janet Robertson, Boulder, CO Renate Edmundson, Edmundson Estes ParkPark, CO Match Program, Princeton, NJ Candace Nelson, Fort Collins, CO Joseph & Barbara Rumburg, Rio Rico, AZ Douglas M. Rood, Fort Wayne, IN Roger Roff man, Sea le, WA: Herbert and Sharon Thompson, Enos Nelson, Indianapolis, IN Henry & Laurine Russell, Roberta Saalfeld, Columbus, NE In honor of Kevin Sturmer Decatur, IL Ruth Nelson, Simsbury, CT: Lees Summit, MO: Pam & Douglas Schnetzler, Nathan Thomson, Parker, CO In memory of William H. Nelson In memory of Vero Beach, FL Gregory and Heather Thorwald, F R V Laurence and Catherine Werges Anna Schonlau, Estes Park, CO Network For Good/Lendell Cummins, Westminster, CO Joan Russell and Charles R. McElwain, Ellen Schroeder, Estes Park, CO C E F Washington, DC John and Tate Todd, Greeley, CO Boulder, CO Don Seedle, Estes Park, CO Network For Good/Chadwick Griffi n, Leonard R. and Be y Todd, Lenexa, KS Dragos & Veronica Sabau & Molly Stephens, Fort Lauderdale, FL Dr.Dr. and Mrs. JohnJohn G. ChrisChris ano, Washington, DC: John & Carole Tomaras, Bloomingdale, IL Corina Nailescu, Indianapolis, IN David and Marcia Tavel, Estes Park, CO Jupiter, FL: In memory of Gary Griffi n Jerry & Tom Tomlinson, Hughesville, MD Rebecca Saccardi, Broomfi eld, CO Robert and Karen Umscheid, Olathe, KS In honor of Marilyn Hubbard Network For Good/Timothy Metcalf, Travelers Community Connec ons Glenn and Donna Sacke , M. D. Vaughn, Lawrence, KS Dr. and Mrs. John G. Chris ano, Washington, DC Matching Gi s Program, Andover, MA Highlands Ranch, CO William White, Estes Park, CO Jupiter, FL: Network For Good/Deborah Nagy, Barbara Tro olz, Estes Park, CO Kay J. Saltus, Denver, CO Rachel & Tom Williams, Estes Park, CO In memory of John P. Chris ano Washington, DC: Daniel W. Trujillo, Hugo, CO In memory of Mr. Larry Casson Gary Sammonds, Loveland, CO Mary Wilson, Grand Rapids, MI Lars Sande, Windsor, CO Chris an & Be y Trummel, Be y Neale, Estes Park, CO All in Memory of Harry Smith: Don Sanders, Dallas, TX Crystal Lake, IL Patsy Nevill, Estes Park, CO Carl Jordan, Falls Church, VA Michael Saunders, Niwot, CO Nancy Tuck, Morris, OK: Mr. & Mrs. Paul Newendorp, Kathleen Mcginnity, Lambertville, NJ Dan and Tami Scace, Estes Park, CO In memory of Be y Wheeler Estes Park, CO Carl and Pam Schaal, Longmont, CO Arthur Turpin & Shirley Neely-Turpin, All in Memory of Jim De erline: Elizabeth & Donald Niemi, Deborah Scharp, Valparaiso, IN Estes Park, CO Kathleen Drees, Greensboro, NC Andover, MN Neil and Judie Schmachtenberger, Gerry and Beth Vander Meer, The Paula Edwards Family, Mary & Rolf Ni mann, Fort Collins, CO Gowen, MI Nicholasville, KY Estes Park, CO Duayne Nyckel, Glendale Heights, IL Richard Schmid and Nancy Guzik, Robert Venohr, Aurora, CO Terry and Sandra Olschlager, Mead, CO Sally O’Brien, Monument, CO Walpole, NH Ricardo Vilchis, Aurora, CO Chris ne Thompson, Bechtelsville, PA Deborah Ogden, Fort Collins, CO Sandra Schmoker, Ann Arbor, MI Mark and Jodi Voyles, Luther, OK: James and Mary O’Hara, Denver, CO Ron & Linda Schneider, Estes Park, CO In honor of Karen Oliveto, Centennial, CO Elizabeth Schoeberlein, Boulder, CO their fi rst wedding anniversary Sylvia and Dan Ostos, Kerrville, TX PARK PUZZLER SOLUTION Robert & Susan Schubert, San Jose, CA Richard O. Walker, Butler, PA Brian Padfi eld, Boulder, CO Jeannine Seagren, Wheat Ridge, CO Brian Wallace, Westminster, CO Jus n Papierz, Boulder, CO John and Vicki Seeck, Be endorf, IA Weldon and Eva Wamble, Houston, TX Steven Parewski, Franklin, WI Garland and Marlys Seibert, Ankeny, IA Ross and Nancy Ward, Huntsville, AL Peggy Parro , Straff ord, MO Mark & Kathryn Semerad, Estes Park, CO Renee and Mike Warren, Jus n Parsons, Denver, CO Roger Shaw, West Lafaye e, IN Bloomington, IL Jacqueline Pa erson, Fredericksburg, TX Janice Shirey, Louisville, CO Prudence Waters, Newfane, NY Jennifer Pearce, Lakewood, CO Susan Shivas, Glen Ellyn, IL Barbara Weber, Denver, CO Judith Pearson, Fort Collins, CO Dana Shonbeck and James Orshaw, Tom Wedell, An och, IL David & Teresa Pendell, East Kingston, NH Somerville, MA: Cara and Eric Welch, Brighton, CO Jim and Betsy Petersen, Metairie, LA In honor of Sco & Michelle Shonbeck Suzanne Westgaard, Boulder, CO: Franz and Carol Peterson, Oviedo, FL Michelle & Sco Shonbeck, Bellaire, TX In memory of Sophia and Misty Karen Peterson, Saint Paul, MN Ralph and Theresa Shroba, Boulder, CO G. G. and Dorothy Wheeler, Tucson, AZ Chris Petrizzo, Broomfi eld, CO Herman Sievering, Boulder, CO Dorinda Whitse , Cincinna , OH Dennis & Candice Phillips, Merriam, KS Robert & Jo Anne Slizeski, Estes Park, CO Pamela & Roger Whi ed, Springport, IN Diane Phillips, Grayslake, IL Carol Ann & Randolph Smith, Spring, TX Larry Williams, Loveland, CO Gregory Phillips, Arvada, CO Jean and Gad Smith, Kansas City, MO Nancy Williams, Sea le, WA Shirley J. Pine, Li le Rock, AR Lara Smith, Denver, CO: Becky Williamson, Longmont, CO Rebecca Plumer, Colorado Springs, CO In memory of Archie & Carolyn Spencer Ruth M. Woodward, Loveland, CO Rodger K. Poage, Montrose, CO Ma hew Smith, Colorado Springs, CO Joyce & Richard Woolley, Ft. Collins, CO Victor and Ann Pollak, Boulder, CO Robert & Deana Smith, Stephanie A. Wuenstel, Pi sburgh, PA Ethel M. Pope, Boulder, CO Oklahoma City, OK Sue Yancik, Boulder, CO: Nonprofi t Organiza on US Postage PAID Permit #184 Estes Park, CO Charles Money, execu ve director Nancy Wilson, Quarterly editor P.O. Box 3100 Estes Park, CO 80517 (970) 586-0108

Keeping a low profi le Photo: Conservancy Member Jim Ward

Nature Notes Winter is fi nally shi ing into high gear here in Rocky with estremely high winds — we’re talking up toward 90 mph winds! Eek! Weak sunlight seeping through the clouds turns the air into ny fl ying crystals and pine needles shine silvery bright in the sparse a ernoon light.....On Black Friday at Black Lake (10,620 feet), Conser- vancy member Marlene Borneman reported lots of great deals — in fact — FREE! Including but not limited to: deep blue skies, glorious warm sunshine, splendid views, refreshingly crisp breezes, bri le sounds of ice cracking, echos of a wood- pecker hard at work... and the best deal of all — the sound of silence.....While hiking up Glacier Gorge on the slopes down from Shelf and Solitude lakes, Marlene was delighted to catch her fi rst sigh ng of the uncommonly seen American three-toed woodpecker, formerly called the Northern three-toed woodpecker. This one was a male with its dis nc ve bright yellow cap. It was vigorously pecking on a large dead tree, but paused just long enough for her to get a quick snapshot.....Marlene’s next surprise in late autumn was while hiking in the Indian Peaks with Conservancy member Cindy Sission. Right below Blue Lake was a large accumula on of snow with nine ptarmigans going crazy, diving and rolling around in the snow. Were they During the rut in late September, in Horseshoe Park across from Sheep Lakes, this belea- making snow angles, Cindy asked? Unlikely! The suspicion is that this group of guered buck came walking down with his harem, trailing the tail of this heavy extension ptarmigans were preparing to molt. Perhaps the recent snowstorm triggered them cord about 30-feet behind him. The bull separated from the herd and started rubbing into ac on.....Conservancy member and nature photographer Gene Putney was his antlers on the willows — either to try to get the cord off , or just exhibi ng normal elk thrilled to witness a white-coated long-tailed weasel along the Bear Lake corridor behavior for this me of year. He somehow succeeded in ge ng the cord off just when a in mid-November. The creature was pure white (see cover picture) and Gene was nearby ranger was ge ng ready to call for assistance. Photo: Putney Nature Images beside himself with delight, having sought to photograph this elusive creature in its ter weasel story to tell: RMNP Woodcra er Cory Johnson was up at McGregor Falls in late winter colora on for more than 21 years. He could follow its progress as it tunneled November replacing a ro en signpost. He had just set his pack down when he caught some under the surface by watching the upward push of snow beneath the surface as it movement out of the corner of his eye. Sure enough, it was a weasel in its white winter progressed. “Pop Goes the Weasel” came to mind the way the sleek creature tun- coat and the li le black p on the tail. In the blink of any eye, it ran across the trail and then neled and ... popped! Tunneled and... POPPED! When it did appear, it was visible across the stream and disappeared among the dead trees on the far side.....Fire managers for less than a second. Then it would pop up somewhere else. It was hard to track from Rocky plan to take advantage of any upcoming wet or winter weather condi ons to it was moving so fast. The shu er speed on the cover picture of this publica on burn piles of slash generated from several fuels reduc on projects and hazard tree remov- was 1/8000 of a second, so, very fast.....Park Naturalist Kathy Brazelton and re red als. The fuels reduc on projects are designed to reduce signifi cant accumula ons of forest RMNP Wildlife Biologist Gary Miller also were lucky enough to observe a long-tailed fuels that can generate extreme or problema c fi re behavior adjacent to urban interface. weasel (Mustela frenata) in its white winter pelage in late November, but at a lower Slash from these projects has been cut by park fi re crews and contractors during the last eleva on. Without the snowy context, the sinewy creature was startlingly white two years and are now dry enough to burn. Pile burning opera ons will only begin when against the brown background vegeta on as it searched for voles.....Yet another win- condi ons allow and may begin as early as January and con nue through April as condi ons permit. The piles are located in a variety of loca ons on the east side of the park, including Entrance Passes Now Available for Purchase Online west of Deer Mountain, around Eagle Cliff Mountain, along upper Fall River Road, near the Visitors can now purchase 1- or 7-day entrance passes online for Rocky using pay. Mill Creek Ranger Sta on off of Bear Lake Road, and west of Beaver Meadows Entrance..... gov. It’s easy! Go to www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm and begin the In late December, Conservancy staff was alerted to a kerfuffl e in the woods near the offi ce payment proecess. Your email confi rma on is your pass and you can either print by a horde of crows and ravens gathering with a racket of calls in a tree nearby. More than this confi rma on to show at the entrance sta on or you can simply show the 50 of them fl ew into the tree and the sound was deafening for a good 6 minutes. It’s likely email confi rma on on your mobile device (you may need to take a screen shot of that the birds were mobbing an owl that one of them had found, which is not uncommon. the email since there is spo y cell coverage throughout the park). Signs will be Apparently, crows and ravens will harass owls because owls eat them, so a good way to lo- coming in the near future for visitor centers. Check it out! cate owls is to listen for the racket crows make when they fi nd an owl, or a bobcat, or some www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm other predator.....When mid-winter looks bleak, set your sights on your next trip to Rocky — it’s a bright light at the end of the tunnel! RMConservancy.org