Crested Butte Land Trust PROTECTING & PRESERVING natural lands, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, trails and working ranches INSIDE: • 10th Anniversary of the Lower Loop • 2nd Annual Wine & Food Festival • Conservationists of the Year CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST SUMMER 2009 NEWSLETTER CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST Preserving the present for the future president’s letter STAFF Photo by www.XavierFane.com Ann Johnston, Executive Director Heather Duryea, Stewardship Coordinator Liz Vehlow, Events Coordinator Kim Carroll Bosler, Development Director For the benefit BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeff Hermanson, President and the enjoyment Keith Bauer, Vice-President Tim Mueller, Treasurer Jim Starr, Secretary of us all. David Baxter Joe Currier Beverly Griffith John Hess pen space has the unique Fred Holbrook ability to benefit everyone Dan McElroy in the community, and Linda Powers Othat makes the successful preserva- tion of our valley’s rugged beauty EXECUTIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE very satisfying. For ranchers, it is Bill Abraham the preservation of a hard-earned Norm Bardeen Peter Bogardus lifestyle; for environmentalists, it is Tim Clark the feelings of serenity and appreciation that spending time in nature brings; for Glo Cunningham business people, open space is a priceless amenity for a self-sustaining economy. Marcia Hegeman The Crested Butte Land Trust celebrates a successful organization that Jackie Ingham values diversity in its Board of Directors. By reaching out to all segments of our Dan Jones community of residents and visitors alike, by remaining politically neutral, and Robert Kerr Paula Lehr by utilizing a variety of land preservation tools, our work can be more effective, Sandra Allen Leinsdorf broad based, and beneficial to a wide range of people. Jennifer Rose While biking along the Woods Walk, traversing through the aspens to Lowry Smith Peanut Lake, the Slate River and the Lower Loop, please think of the Crested John Spencer Butte Land Trust. We have preserved these trails for all to enjoy. Scott Truex When you admire the fledgling grasses, willows and spruce trees now growing almost a foot high at the reclaimed Peanut Mine, please think of the CONTACT Crested Butte Land Trust. We have reclaimed the contaminated and dangerous CBLT PO Box 2224 tailings ponds for the benefit of everyone. Crested Butte, CO 81224 When you drive through the East River Valley, and see the hard- P: 970.349.1206 working ranchers irrigating their lush hay meadows, and the magnificent views F: 970.349.1210 of Paradise Divide, please think of the Crested Butte Land Trust. We have www.cblandtrust.org assisted these families who steward our agricultural heritage. [email protected] Passing by the pristine Slate River Wetland Preserve on the drive up to Mt. Crested Butte, please think of the Crested Butte Land Trust. We have Cover Photographer, Kevin Krill protected these extraordinary waters as they are critical to wildlife habitat. Editor & Designer, Kim Carroll Bosler We have had tremendous supporters and collaborators along the way, and thank you all for your contributions to our successes. Working together, the Founded in 1991, CBLT is an IRS designated Land Trust can encourage a sustainable community enjoyed by all. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to the protection and preservation of the Gunnison Valley’s natural lands, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, trails and working ranches. All gifts, grants and contributions Jeff Hermanson, President are tax deductible. Photo by Chad Martens Kids for Conservation onservation of our local lands would not be possible lands and helping the environment by reducing waste. without the support and participation of the people Also last spring, CBCS third grade students worked to Cin this community. We recognize that everyone has preserve a rain forest as well as our own beautiful back yard. something valuable to con- These students raised money tribute, and individuals can through a very successful bake and do make a difference. sale, held at four locations The Crested Butte Land around town. The kids Trust owes part of its success exceeded their fundraising in 2009 to some inspirational goal, and proceeds were students who are enrolled at used to preserve three acres the Crested Butte Commu- of rain forest land through nity School. the organization Cool Earth All three classes of and to support local land kindergartners from CBCS preservation through CBLT. participated in a project last In addition, CBCS spring to benefit the Land fourth grade students recently Trust. As part of their Earth helped the Land Trust while Day celebration, the children honing their literary skills. hand painted reusable canvas Photo by Kelly Winner Students contributed to the shopping bags, sold them, Kindergartners at the Crested Butte Community School. 2010 Land Trust calendars by and donated the money they raised to CBLT. A letter received composing original haikus to accompany the twelve months of by CBLT and signed by all the children said in part, “We would photographs of local landscapes. like to donate the money to the Land Trust so that we can CBLT thanks all of these students and their dedicated help preserve the beautiful land around our valley. Thank you teachers for their creative support! These kids are making a for making such a difference in the world we live in.” Thanks direct, positive impact in our community and the world we live to these kids for protecting our local open spaces and natural in. Our future is in good hands. Anniversary of the Lower Loop Mark Reaman loads up his young 10thhelpers, while his summer is David Baxter, the 10th anniversary of TCrested Butte’s Lower Jim Gebhart and Loop trail and recreation John Hess build area. From the inception a bridge during of the Crested Butte Land Photo by Melizza Belkin Trust in 1991, the Lower one of the trail Loop parcel was a top priority for preservation. Comprised of building days for 193 acres, the Lower Loop provides opportunities for hiking, the Lower Loop biking, fishing and skiing, as well as offering physical and spiritual connections with nature. The trail begins in the Town in the summer of Crested Butte and meanders through National Forest lands of 1999. on its way to Oh-Be-Joyful in the Raggeds Wilderness. The Slate River runs through the property, creating wetlands and wildlife habitat that is home to a diverse Photo submitted by John Hess community of plants, mammals, birds and fish. Here, one can hear an elk bugling or discover mountain lion tracks in the mud. Great Blue Herons nest on the island in Peanut Lake, wildflowers beckon hummingbirds, and hawks fly overhead. In 1999, a local Crested Butte couple offered to provide a $100,000 Challenge Grant if CBLT could raise an additional $100,000 for the Lower Loop. CBLT continues to be extremely grateful to these anonymous donors for their generosity ten years ago. Their gift, combined with additional donations and grants, resulted in the Lower Loop trail, which is the most utilized trail system in the Gunnison Valley. Surveys indicate that over 500 hikers, bikers and horseback riders use the Lower Loop on any given summer day. CBLT won an Award for Excellence for the Lower Loop project from the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts. The Lower Loop project stood out because of the many private and public partners that collaborated with CBLT, including the Town of Crested Butte, Gunnison County Land Preservation Photo submitted by John Hess Board, Great Outdoors Colorado, Adaptive Sports, the State town and connects users to a wilderness area, without the need Trails Commission, International Mountain Bike Association, or use of motorized vehicles. the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, and many We are so fortunate to know that this trail system and individual donors. In addition, the wider track portion of recreational area will remain natural and accessible now and the trail made the Lower Loop the first trail in the Slate River forever. The Lower Loop remains one of CBLT’s proudest Valley to accommodate those with wheelchairs and special achievements. Celebrate the 10th anniversary by getting out needs. The project was also unique because the trail starts in and enjoying the Lower Loop. Photo by www.XavierFane.com In Praise of Trail Easements rails provide a meaningful and satisfying outdoor local recreational lands. Placing a trail easement on private experience. By maintaining access to our magnificent property can benefit both the property owner and the public forests, meadows and wetlands, trails offer a unique simultaneously. Tway to reaffirm our sense of connection with the natural In surveys across the nation, trails are the most world. They also provide physical activity for a diverse range popular amenity preferred by home buyers. They usually of people, including persons with disabilities, children and consume very little buildable land because trails are often the elderly. constructed on slopes where homes are not usually built, Local trails afford a myriad of opportunities to ap- so little land is lost. There are also state and federal tax preciate Crested Butte’s natural heritage. Trails often cross incentives available for trail easements. lands which are environmentally sensitive. By leading hikers CBLT collaborates with many partners, including and bikers along well-worn paths, delicate wetlands and high developers and landowners, to provide trails and protect our alpine meadows are protected, while allowing recreationalists access points to public lands. If you would like to discuss to experience varied plant and animal life. the possibility of donating a trail easement on your property, People come to the Gunnison Valley to escape or donating financially to our trail easement program, please the city and enjoy a pristine mountain environment rich call the CBLT office at 970.349.1206. Trails provide what in recreational lands. Recreation provides a stable, lasting residents and visitors to our community seek – access to income to our valley, and trails are a valuable amenity to our natural landscapes.