protecting wild places and wildlife, for their sake – and ours

Summer 2014 Fielder John

WILDERNESS FIVE-O The 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act is a cause for celebration!

t’s never a bad idea to stop our region’s role in the wilderness Iand smell the roses. So once movement. In the two decades in 50 years, at least, we owe it to that followed, local citizens’ cam- ourselves to make a point of cel- paigns secured seven other wil- ebrating the wilderness – and the derness areas on the White River idea of wilderness – that makes National Forest, and more than our country great. doubled the size of the original This year marks the 50th an- Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilder- niversary of the Wilderness Act. ness – permanently protecting Signed into law by President more than 750,000 acres, nearly

Lyndon Johnson on Sept. 3, 1964, a third of the Forest. Meredith Ogilby Meredith the Wilderness Act established the Members of the Aspen Wilder- National Wilderness Preservation ness Workshop (as it was then Top: The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness was System, and got the ball rolling by called), led by Connie Harvey, established with the passage of the Wilderness Act designating the first 54 wilderness Joy Caudill and Dottie Fox, were in 1964. The original area comprised only the core areas. These were the first-round the boots on the ground for these of the Elk Range; it took 16 more years for the As- draft picks – the very paragons efforts in the Roaring Fork water- pen Wilderness Workshop, led by “Maroon Belles” of wilderness – and among that shed. Folks like Bill Mounsey and Connie Harvey, Dottie Fox and Joy Caudill (above), number was our own Maroon Chuck Ogilby played a similar to get Congress to expand its boundaries to include places like American and Cathedral Lakes and Bells-Snowmass. Mount Sopris. That was just the beginning of CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Wilderness 50 Events Pg. 5 • Hike/projects Schedule Pg. 7 WILDERNESS FIVE-0 FROM PAGE 1

role in the Eagle Valley. Thanks to that “greatest generation,” we and our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy these magnifi- cent areas in their natural state in perpetuity. Is that a cause for celebration or what? This summer and fall, the Wilder- ness Workshop is spearheading a

series of events to commemorate John Fielder the big Five-O; highlights are a The appropriately named Raggeds Wilderness was part of a massive wave of areas gigantic Maroon Bells Birthday Bash designated by the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1980. at the base of Aspen Highlands on Aug. 2, and a wilderness sympo- Humility and restraint than contempt, we must leave them sium at the Aspen Institute’s Paepcke a glimpse of the world as it was in The Wilderness Act has been Auditorium on Sept. 10. Be sure to the beginning, not just after we got called “the most beautiful piece of mark your calendar – see the sched- through with it.” legislation ever written.” In soar- ule on page 5. It was, and remains, an historic ing language that was hammered gesture of humility and restraint out over eight years and dozens toward the natural world. of drafts, it speaks of the need “to Challenging the view that the secure for the American people of value of land is measurable only in present and future generations the board-feet of lumber or tons of ore, benefits of an enduring resource of the Act asserts that wilderness itself wilderness.” In its most memorable is a resource – and one that grows passage, it defines wilderness as “an more valuable in a time of increas- area where the earth and its commu- ing population and modernization. nity of life are untrammeled by man, The landmark legislation laid down where man himself is a visitor who a philosophical foundation that has does not remain.” permanently shaped our national In signing the Act, President John- consciousness. son contributed a bit of homespun It establishes, as a matter of law commentary that’s just as worth and policy, that it’s in the national recalling: “If future generations are interest to set aside some places to remember us with gratitude rather to remain in their natural state. It

In the 1960s, the Colorado Department of Transportation wanted to route I-70 through a tunnel under the Gore Range-Eagles Nest Primitive Area to shave 11 miles off the Vail Pass route. Eagle Valley citizens rallied to block the plan, and then cam- paigned to protect the area as the Eagles Nest Wilderness in 1976. John Fielder

2 Wild Works | SummerJUNE 2012 2014 doesn’t go into much detail about trailhead and go at the pace that our why; its framers were savvy enough feet (or a horse) will take us. to know not to limit the Act’s force Wilderness is the slow food of by enumeration. recreation – it’s a country road com- But 50 years later, the value of pared to the interstate of our daily wilderness becomes ever clearer. lives. There are benefits in taking the Even as we alter our planet at an slow road, both for the traveler and ever-accelerating pace, we’re bet- for the land. ter understanding the extent of our impacts on ecosystems. More than Leading horses to water ever, we need large “untrammeled” Establishing a first batch of wil- places where wildlife can find derness areas and defining how they refuge, where natural processes can would be protected was only the continue to play out, and yes, where beginning of the Wilderness Act’s we humans can find solitude and genius. What makes it worth cel- recreation. ebrating now, 50 years later, is that The Wilderness Act didn’t just pro- it provided for the designation of tect certain places; it also stipulated additional wilderness areas through how we humans should behave in further acts of Congress. them, and this too has proved to be It’s that enabling function that has prescient. leveraged the original 54 wilderness

The Act prohibits not only roads areas into more than 700, expand- John Fielder and structures, but also mechanized ing the National Wilderness Pres- You could say the idea of wilderness was born in what travel. While some bemoan this as ervation System from just 9 million is now the Flat Tops Wilderness. In 1919, a young For- discrimination against bikes and acres in 1964 to nearly 110 million est Service engineer named Arthur Carhart was sent other machines, in effect it’s a speed acres today. to Trappers Lake to plot planned vacation home sites. limit. As our machines become faster While only Congress can des- Upon his return, Carhart boldly advised his superiors and more powerful, they enable us ignate wilderness, citizens play that the best use of the area was wilderness recreation; to go places we previously didn’t an essential role in leading those his action inspired fellow conservationist Aldo Leopold go, and to cover more ground and political horses to water. One of the to champion the creation of the first Wilderness Reserve impose more impacts. In wilderness, first groups to seize the opportunity (what is now New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness), and later led to the protection of the Flat Tops as a Primitive we must leave our wheels at the CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE Area.

Conservationists led by the Aspen Wilderness Workshop spent much of the 1960s and ’70s saving the Hunter Creek Valley, first from residential development and then from a massive water diversion project. Prevailing on both fights, they went on to secure designation of the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness in 1978. Max Lyons Jared Polis, represents a hopeful WILDERNESS FIVE-0 FROM PREVIOUS PAGE return to the golden era of big, bold wilderness bills of the 1970s and ’80s. Udall’s proposal has passed offered by the Wilderness Act was Peaks were low-hanging fruit, ripe through every conceivable screen Aspen’s own Wilderness Workshop. for wilderness designation. Even and has successfully addressed virtu- Connie, Joy, Dottie and their crew then, it took more than a decade ally all the concerns of myriad user correctly perceived that wilderness of campaigning, with much of that groups and special interests, and is was a constituent issue that lent itself time spent parrying threats like water ready for introduction in Congress. well to grassroots organizing. By diversions and interstate highways. (Rep. Polis’s bill has already been pioneering the use of on-the-ground When victory came, it came in a introduced, and is poised for reintro- inventorying, mapping, petitions, rush: two bills, in 1978 and 1980, duction this summer.) public events and the like, they established most of the wilderness In the old days, this would have helped pioneer the model of the acreage on the White River National been more than half the battle. Now, modern citizens’ wilderness cam- Forest. it takes a lot more to get Congress to paign. These days, building consensus take action on such matters. Public Theirs was a simpler, less partisan around new wilderness is a complex lands bills are pawns in the wider and less recreationally intense time. process. Sen. Mark Udall’s Central ideological war; they may advance, Big blank spots on the map like the Mountains proposal, together with Hunter-Fryingpan and Collegiate a related bill in the House by Rep. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Left: While the bulk of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness lies in the Arkansas River drainage, it also includes part of the upper Roaring Fork watershed south of Highway 82. WW advocates contributed to the effort that led to its establishment under the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1980, along with 30 other areas. Below: The Holy Cross Wilderness has been revered by pilgrims ever since William Henry Jackson first photographed the famed mountain’s cross of snow in 1873. The giant Homestake water diver- sion project, completed in 1967, sent a warning shot across the area’s bow, and the Homestake II proposal galvanized a movement for its protection. It received wilderness designation in 1980. John Fielder John Fielder

4 Wild Works | SummerJUNE 2012 2014 Wilderness years

2014 roaring fork valley events

Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act with these special events! Guided Hikes & projects June-Sept. maroon bells b-day Bash Aug. 2

This summer our free hike se- Party like it’s 1964! It’s the 50th ries showcases lesser-known birthday of the Maroon Bells- destinations in local wilder- Snowmass Wilderness, so a big ness areas, and our habitat community-wide party - complete restoration program focuses with cake and candles - is in order. on projects in existing wilder- And where better to do it than at ness. See p. 7 for schedule. Aspen Highlands, the gateway to the Bells? The outdoor event will feature parade live music by multiple bands, July 4 inspiring words by author/activist Rick Bass, a Ute Nation perfor- See the Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Regional Pack String mance, kids’ activities, wilderness - a team of mule and horse ambassadors - in the Aspen July 4 displays, and food and drink deals by the Highlands Alehouse. parade. Other free activities will be offered during the day by various local organizations. Tickets and full schedule at MaroonBells50.org Wilderness in pictures July 15-Aug. 16 Renowned landscape photog- rapher John Fielder is com- Alpine symphony memorating the 50th anni- Aug. 3 versary of the Wilderness Act with a touring exhibition of his To honor the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, the Aspen most breathtaking images. Music Festival's Sunday afternoon concert will feature Leonard Catch the show while it’s on Slatkin conducting Richard Strauss's majestic tone poem to display at Aspen’s Wheeler nature. Opera House. wilderness symposium Sept. 10 carbondale mountain fair July 25-27 An evening with national and local wilderness experts, examining the legacy of the Wilderness Act and the challenges of the next 50 The valley’s favorite festival celebrates the 50th with the theme Wild years. Speakers will include Dave Foreman, former U.S. Senator At Heart: Celebrating our People, Town, and Wilderness. Tim Wirth, Jamie Williams, Gloria Flora and John Fielder. At Aspen’s Paepcke Auditorium.

The Wilderness Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964. Throughout 2014, communities around the country are celebrating this historic act of human restraint and humility toward the natural world. Summer 2014 | Wild Works 5 WILDERNESS FIVE-0 FROM PAGE 4

sometimes suddenly, but it’s a long in the face of these changes – if we waiting game. manage it carefully, and add to it Despite political uncertainty, the where appropriate. Wilderness Act remains as relevant But for all the good and logical as ever. Nothing else compares – it’s reasons to protect wilderness, in the the gold standard of conservation, end, utilitarian arguments don’t fully affording the strongest, most endur- state the case. As Wallace Stegner ing protection for federal public famously wrote, lands. “That is the reason we need to put into effect, for its [the land’s] The next 50 years preservation, some other principle And what of the next 50 years? than the principles of exploitation or The need for such protection will ‘usefulness’ or even recreation. We only increase. simply need that wild country avail- Climate change threatens to able to us, even if we never do more force plant and animal communities than drive to its edge and look in.

Jon Bradford northwards and uphill. Increasing For it can be a means of reassuring human population and new forms of ourselves of our sanity as creatures, The youngest of the White River National Forest’s eight recreation will likely put more pres- a part of the geography of hope.” wilderness areas, the Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness was sure on our public lands. Drilling, So we celebrate the wilderness designated in 1993. Summit County residents originally proposed a 75,000-acre area, but pressure from Denver mining and other forms of resource that has been handed down to us, Water and the Federal Timber Purchasers Association re- extraction will continue to fragment and we invest in it our hope, with duced it to 13,000. New proposals by Rep. Jared Polis and wildlife habitat. interest, for the next generation. Sen. Mark Udall would regain some of the lost acreage. Wilderness can provide resiliency

ART AUCTION TO BENEFIT WW

ince 2008, WW’s Artist in Wilderness them – at wildernessworkshop.org/auction. Sprogram has offered residencies to al- The online auction will remain open until low artists to make works inspired by the 12 noon on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Please lands that we’re working to protect. bid early and often! The highest bidders for The selected artists are provided with each piece will be our guests at the annual housing, a generous stipend and travel gathering of the Maroon Bells Circle (WW’s expenses, and a guide if they need one. national council) on Friday, Aug. 22, where In return, they give us one piece resulting the art will be sold by silent auction. from their residency. Meanwhile, we’ve received a record Finally, after six years, the program has number of entries for the next two Artist in acquired enough works to fulfill its other Wilderness residencies, in fall 2014 and purpose, which is sell them off to raise spring/summer 2015. The jury, led by WW money for our conservation work. board member Mary Dominick, will an- You can see the pieces – and bid on nounce the winners in August. “Across the Valley II,” by Richard White (0il on linen, 2010)

6 Wild Works | SummerJUNE 2012 2014 join us this summer! 2014 Schedule

hike series restoration free Guided hikes to explore our local backcountry projects 9 (Wed.) Hunter Creek Wildflower Hike WITh aCES, neaR aspen july 11 (fri.) Hay Park Full Moon, Base of mt. sopris restore a wildlife 12-13 (Sat.-Sun.) frying pan lakes, holy cross corridor wilderness (overnight) 19 (Sat.) Hoosier Ridge, near Breckenridge Sat. July 19 : Ashcroft, Castle Creek Valley 20 (Sun.) Savage Lakes, holy cross wilderness Remove old barbed-wire fencing to allow animals to move freely across a high alpine valley. 2 (Sat.) East Maroon Pass, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness restore a wetland 9 (Sat.) McCullough Gulch, proposed Tenmile AUGUST Wilderness Area Sat.-Sun., Aug. 23-34 : Crooked Creek Pass Reservoir 9 (Sat.) Tabor Lake, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness The Forest Service is removing this reservoir to restore a former wetland; our crew will car-camp in the area and revegetate the 10 (Sun.) East Willow, Thompson Divide area with willows and other native species. 16 (Sat.) West Lake Creek, proposed wilderness area near Avon restore a trail 17 (Sun.) Marion Gulch, Thompson Divide 23 (SAt) spraddle creek, proposed wilderness Sat.-Sun., Sept. 6-7 : Thomas Lake Trail area north of vail Reconfigure the trail to the summit of Mount Sopris, which crosses sensitive terrain above treeline and was never 13-14 (Sat.-Sun.) Lake Ridge Lakes, Thompson properly constructed. Because of its remoteness, the crew Divide (overnight) SEPT will camp overnight. 20 (Sat.) Marble Peak, Raggeds Wilderness | 21 (Sun.) Bull Dog Creek, Proposed Crystal River Wilderness

Hikes and projects marked with this symbol rsvp required! are part of a series of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. learn more and sign up at www.WildernessWorkshop.org See full schedule on page 5. MORE THAN THE THOMPSON DIVIDE FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

recreational playground, critical operations and the source of water Baldy Mountain – are just as worthy wildlife habitat, a renowned hunting for communities and farms – all of of protection. For a start, they’re area, summer pasture for local ranch this would be put at risk by oil and roadless! What’s more, together they gas development. form a long, wild, mid-elevation But the Thompson Divide isn’t corridor that’s critical to our region’s the only special place in our region wildlife. Rugged and hard to access, that’s threatened by drilling. these roadless areas are home to the In April, WW took the next step best bear habitat in the state, and in a long-running effort to protect support large herds of elk and deer eight roadless areas on the White year-round. As oil and gas develop- River National Forest that contain ment continues to displace wildlife oil and gas leases that we contend from the Colorado River Valley, these were issued illegally (see page 8). areas are becoming all the more Four of them are within the Thomp- important as refuges. son Divide; the other four stretch So amid all the campaigning to westwards from there, and comprise save the Thompson Divide, let’s much of the high country that’s vis- spare a thought for its little-visited ible to the south of I-70 between Silt cousins to the west. They, too,

Nelson Guda and Debeque. deserve to be spared. That’s why we Located just west of the Thompson Divide, the Reno While not as well known as the at the Wilderness Workshop asked Mountain Roadless Area is in the path of oil and gas Thompson Divide, we believe these BLM to cancel all 65 leases currently development spreading southwards from Silt. four areas – Housetop Mountain, under review, not only the ones in Mamm Peak, Reno Mountain and the Thompson Divide. ON THE RIGHT TRACK

he White River National Forest about 20 miles of bandit trails; this est committed to this basic travel Tis proposing to construct a new project offers the opportunity to re- scenario in its 2011 Travel Manage- single-track dirtbike trail between place those trails with a shorter, less ment Plan, which we supported and Basalt and Gypsum. The 11-mile- impactful alignment and to move the which was a strong win for wildlife long Green Gate Trail would traverse parking lot out of a wetland. Another and watersheds. forested backcountry just west of part of the deal is that the Forest Since then, we’ve also been Basalt Mountain and Red Table, two Service will step up enforcement in working closely with the valley’s areas we’ve been working to protect the area to prevent illegal riding and local dirt-biking group, the Colorado for more than a decade. trail construction, so overall impacts Backcountry Trail Riders Association, You may be wondering why we should be reduced. on this project. They’ve been a key haven’t come out against it. Colorado Parks and Wildlife views part of the effort to move from the While adding a new motorized this as the least bad of the available status quo of riding illegally cre- route through the backcountry isn’t options, and will hopefully join us in ated routes to “staying the trail” and something we’re thrilled about, we asking for seasonal trail closures to ensuring future use occurs only on see this as a net gain. The area is further protect wildlife. the new legal trail. currently fragmented by a network of The White River National For-

10 Wild Works | SummerJUNE 2012 2014 involves a number of stages and an VOID THE LEASES Environmental Impact Statement. MORE THAN THE The recent meetings and public comment period were only the first his spring, citizens of the Roar- with every single speaker calling for they haven’t been approved for THOMPSON DIVIDE step, known as scoping, because ing Fork Valley told the BLM the leases to be voided. (A fourth development, and they could go T the agency must first determine the in no uncertain terms to nix 65 meeting, held in Debeque, not away entirely as a result of this pro- Illegal leases threaten four other scope of what it will consider in its “deficient” oil and gas leases in the surprisingly drew almost entirely cess. Thus the lease review has the analysis. roadless areas, too. Thompson Divide and elsewhere on pro-drilling comments.) potential not only to remove a major Scoping is when you have to the White River National Forest. Meanwhile, more than 30,000 part of the threat to the Thompson speak up if you want issues to be ome places are too special to Hundreds of people attended people emailed comments telling Divide, but also to spare four other analyzed, and that’s why we asked drill. Is that such a controver- BLM public meetings in Aspen, the BLM to consider canceling the roadless areas from drilling (see next S you to tell the BLM to include void- sial concept? Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, leases. We want to thank the Natural page). ing the leases and modifying their Judging by the energy industry’s terms among the options that it had rhetoric, you’d think that anyone The BLM calls them “deficient”; to consider. questioning its right to develop we contend they’re illegal. The BLM says it’s going to take every square inch of land with until next summer to produce the fossil fuels under it is a hemp-clad draft EIS, and the final decision ecoterrorist bent on dynamiting Resources Defense Council, Wilder- “Deficient” is the word the feds won’t come until the summer of the American dream. ness Society, Conservation Colorado use to describe these 65 leases; we 2016. However, expect a flurry of Or an Aspen one-percenter and other groups for sending out contend they’re illegal. The BLM activity this summer on a related who wants his private jet and his alerts, and all of you who attended itself admits that it issued them in matter, when the White River Na- heated driveway but is strangely the meetings or wrote comments. violation of environmental laws Nelson Guda tional Forest issues its long-awaited squeamish about fracking fluid in The BLM’s review of these leases in the 1990s and early 2000s. The final oil and gas leasing plan. The his kale. The industry scatters its The Mamm Peak Roadless Area, south of Silt, runs the got off to a somewhat confusing problem is something we’ve been BLM is likely to rely heavily on that shot pretty broadly. gamut from steep cliffs to bear-rich forests. start, because it came just days after focused on for a long time. In 2004, plan for guidance on what to do Despite such hyperventilations, the agency announced it was ex- WW and Pitkin County protested about its 65 leases. We’ll be pushing the vast majority of regular folks “too special to drill,” of course, and tending 25 leases in the Thompson three leases that had been issued in hard for a plan that allows no further take a more balanced view of the if you’re reading this newsletter Divide for another two years. the Thompson Divide with the exact

Olivia Weber leasing in the Thompson Divide and situation. Drilling is going to hap- you’re probably familiar with what’s So, to clarify: the 25 leases in the same “deficiencies”; those leases that adequately protects roadless pen in many places, but it doesn’t at stake there. A massive, 220,000 Thompson Divide are a subset of the were finally voided in 2009. Students spoke out at one of the BLM’s public areas across the Forest. have to happen everyplace. swath of backcountry, a year-round 65 leases that the BLM is reviewing. The process that the BLM has meetings in April. The Thompson Divide has Although they’ve been extended, initiated to remedy the problem become a national poster child for CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

MISTAKES WERE MADE: A 20-YEAR TIMELINE OF OIL & GAS LEASING IN OUR AREA

Piceance Basin drilling WW and Pitkin County BLM launches review Current White River boom starts ramping up; begin challenging new 3 Thompson Divide White River NF of 65 deficient leases, BLM to issue draft National Forest oil & gas BLM takes “lease now, leases and development leases voided as a result Colorado Roadless releases draft holds public scoping EIS on deficient leasing plan finalized look later” approach in roadless areas of WW/Pitkin challenge Rule implemented leasing plan meetings leases

You are here 1995 2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Federal Roadless White River NF BLM admits leas- White River NF to release final oil BLM to issue final EIS Rule implemented begins revising its oil ing “deficiencies” & gas leasing plan/Record of De- on deficient leases & gas leasing plan cision, which will inform BLM’s deficiency EIS 8 Wild Works | JUNE 2012 9 8 Wild Works | Summer 2014 SummerJUNE 20122014 | Wild Works 9 LIKE ROLLING A BOULDER UPHILL

n March, the almost-final Re- as much gas in its first 100 days as ment there in the meantime. Isource Management Plan for a typical well in this region does in Case in point: the Grand Hog- our local BLM lands hit with an 20 years. The Beast is the highest- back, that sweeping rock curtain electronic thud: if you printed it all performing shale gas well in the that stretches from I-70 near New out, it’d probably fill a bookshelf. Its nation, followed closely by another Castle up to Rifle Gap and beyond. release triggered a 45-day protest pe- riod, and there was much to protest. We and our partners are demanding stronger This is an important document, as it will serve as a blueprint for action on oil and gas and special places in the development on a half-million acres BLM’s Resource Management Plan. of public lands in the Colorado, Roaring Fork and Eagle valleys over the next 20 years. (The current plan, well drilled nearby. The fracking The plan identifies over 11,000 issued in 1984 and amended several recipes and drilling techniques used acres of it that qualify as Lands with times, is woefully out of date.) to drill and produce these wells, Wilderness Characteristics – yet WW has been engaged in the along with the extraordinary initial hastily dismisses the idea of manag- revision of this plan since 2007, production, represent big changes ing to protect those values because nudging it toward something that in the way drilling is done in the of the potential for oil and gas will do a better job of protecting our Piceance Basin, but the BLM’s plan development there. public lands over the long term. But hardly registers the risks and impacts Our protest also asks the BLM to while the latest version has its mer- that could come with it. restrict motorized travel on a hor- its, we find its handling of oil and The potential impacts are far- ribly eroded road in the Thompson gas development and protections for ranging and grave: air quality, water Creek area, southwest of Carbon- special places to be unacceptable. quality and quantity, disposal of dale, and to protect greater sage- So WW staff attorney Peter Hart ral- wastewater, traffic, human health, grouse habitat in the Castle Peak lied an A-Team of analysts, experts earthquakes, climate change and area north of Eagle. and partner organizations, and more. Our protest delivers a thor- The BLM has indicated that it drafted two formal protests. ough critique of the BLM’s analysis, would like to have protests resolved Honestly, the plan’s analysis of and recommends how to do better. by August of this year. A Record of potential oil and gas development In the second protest, we urge the Decision should follow and the new is a pretty flat-footed exercise, BLM to protect places that it found plan could become the law of the revealing an agency that’s unable or to have wilderness characteristics land later this year. We’ll unwilling to commit itself to protect- but opted not to protect in the plan. continue pushing this ing the land and public health. Our And we challenge its cursory review agency to produce first protest takes the plan to task for of many other areas that may have the best possible failing to factor recent trends into its wilderness character, according to plan, even if it’s like projections of future enery develop- agency guidance; we’ve asked the rolling a boulder ment. agency to take a closer look at these uphill. Consider the “Beast.” That’s what areas, and defer approving develop- industry insiders are calling a well drilled into shale formations near The BLM’s plan could do more to protect greater sage- Parachute last year that produced grouse in the Castle Peak area north of Eagle.

11 SummerJUNE 20122014 | Wild Works 11 WW WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

he Wilderness Workshop board 2010 to work as a summer naturalist planning a large public meeting this Trecently added two new mem- for the Aspen Center for Environ- fall on community resilience in the bers – without losing any old ones! mental Studies, and went on to work face of changing forests. Allyn Harvey has as a staffer for the Community Office Will Roush has been promoted to been a Wilderness for Resource Efficiency (CORE). the position of conservation director, Workshop supporter She currently teaches yoga at True and has been invited to speak at the and ally since 2008, Nature Healing Arts as well as of- National Wilderness Conference in when he acted as fering privates and health coaching Albuquerque in October. communications throughout the valley. Staff attorney Peter Hart and his consultant to the Hid- Since childhood Lindsay has been wife Katy welcomed their second den Gems Wilderness deeply rooted in wilderness, and she child, Asa, in February. In March, Campaign. A former says she’s thrilled and honored to Peter was a panelist at the Public Allyn Harvey Aspen Times reporter join the WW board and can’t wait Interest Environmental Law Confer- and managing editor, to share her energy in the amazing ence in Eugene, Oregon. he now runs his own work of the WW team. Operations and outreach coor- public and media rela- We’d also like to heap vast praise dinator Melanie Finan spent the tions company, Allyn on our new board president, Karin months of April and May in Bali and Harvey Communica- Teague, who has inspired board other exotic locales. tions. and staff alike by her passionate Development and communica- Allyn also somehow leadership and her hard work on the tions director has just returned manages to juggle Wilderness 50 event series. from an extracurricular trip to DC being a member of the And by the way, our staff mem- as a volunteer for Citizens’ Climate Carbondale Board of bers haven’t been letting any grass Lobby. Trustees and a found- grow under their feet, either in or And part-time community orga- Lindsay Gurley ing board member of out of the office. nizer Alex Bethel recently completed the nonprofit Sopris Sun. Executive director Sloan Shoe- a course in Leadership, Organizing Lindsay Gurley moved to the maker continues to chair the Colo- and Action through Harvard’s Ken- Roaring Fork Valley from Denver in rado Bark Beetle Cooperative, and is nedy School.

JOIN OUR MONTHLY GIVING CLUB

here’s a small but growing band of folks who are sup- If you’ve been meaning to support WW, but weren’t sure Tporting the Wilderness Workshop in a way that’s more you could make a meaningful donation, recurring giving convenient for them, and more helpful for WW. They’re our could be the way to go. You’ll hardly notice the monthly pay- monthly givers, and we love them! ments, yet they’ll add up to a sizeable annual gift. If you’re a once-a-year giver, you might look into setting up Slow and steady: that’s the easiest way to climb a mountain, recurring payments through our online donation page (wil- and it’s the most efficient way to support your local conserva- dernessworkshop.org/give). You can choose to have payments tion nonprofit! Your regular donations will provide a reliable deducted monthly, weekly or whatever. It’s easy, secure and flow of funding for the crucial, long-term work of safeguarding painless, because you’ll be spreading your contribution out our wild places and wildlife. Thanks for your help! over the year.

12 Wild Works | SummerJUNE 2012 2014 DONOR HALL OF FAME

Reese Henry & Co. David Houggy*, in honor of The Wilderness Workshop wishes to thank the Ford and Susan Schumann Charlie Hopton Sandy Jackson following generous people who have made $500-999 donations since the previous newsletter. New Colby June Jewelry Anonymous members are indicated by an asterisk (*). Tita and Dan McCarty Aspen Square Condominium Michael McVoy and Michal Association Brimm Brundige $25,000+ Bruce Berger Barney and Dot Mulligan Annie Cooke Anonymous Debbie and Marc Bruell Tom Newland Marty and Sarah Flug New-Land Foundation Beth Cashdan and Paul Ragged Mountain Sports Moore Huffman, Jr. D’Amato $10,000-25,000 Barbara Reese Bill Hunt/Oak Lodge Douglas and Lynne DeNio Tom and Currie Barron/ Foundation Roaring Fork Audubon Merlin Foundation Drew DePaul Society Fred and Elli Iselin Founda- Jim Bonesteel Leslie Desmond tion Tara and Casey Sheahan Gayle Embry/Embry Family Maggie DeWolf Islands Advised Fund at Pat Spitzmiller Foundation Sue Edelstein and Bill Spence Aspen Community Foun- Deidre Stancioff Peter Looram and Owen dation Jane and Dick Hart Jay and Patti Webster McHaney Lynn Nichols and Jim Ann Johnson Susan Welsch and Everett The Cynthia and George Gilchrist Judith Lapkin Craig Peirce Mitchell Foundation Marty Pickett and Edgell Henry Lowe Toni Zurcher, in memory of Rob Pew Pyles Martha and Mke McCoy Christoper H. Smith Pitkin County Jill Soffer Kent and Elizabeth Meager $100-249 Eaden and Deva Shantay/The Mark Tache Marjory Musgrave Bob Adams Cohen Family Fund of the Thendara Foundation Blanca and Cavanaugh Community Foundation for Barbara Andre O’Leary Southeast Michigan $1,000-1,999 Anonymous Susan O’Neal Hansjoerg Wyss/Wyss Arches Foundation David Arnold* Patagonia Charitable Endowment Aspen Associates Realty Camilla and Raymond Auger Ken and Emily Ransford $5,000-9,999 Group Paul and Carole Auvil Roaring Fork Valley Horse City of Aspen Connor Bailey/Warrington Marti and Charles Bauer Foundation Council John and Laurel Catto/Alpen- Georges Becus* Kay Brunnier Bill Stirling glow Foundation Richard Beresford Shelley Burke and Al Nemoff Harry Teague Architects Marcia Corbin Diana Beuttas Drs. Rick and Alice Voorhees Felicity Huffman Anneliese Chumley and Bedard-Voorhees, in Don Birnkrant Frannie Dittmer John and Laurie McBride/ memory of Randy Udall Gavin Brooke ABC Foundation Mary Dominick and Sven Paula Zurcher William Brunworth Coomer Martens Foundation Judith Byrns Carol Duell $250-499 iMarcie and Robert Musser Rick and Lorrie Carlson Advised Fund at Aspen Bill Fales and Marj Perry Gina Berko Steve Child Community Foundation Wallace and Kristen Graham Phil and Sunny Brodsky Ned Cochran Pew Charitable Trusts Lucy Hahn Kristine Crandall Charles and Janice Collins Carol Racine Joe Henry Susan Fesus Gesine Crandall RCG Fund Judy and Amory Lovins Donna Fisher and Skip Crystal Valley Environmental Garry and Sharon Snook David Newberger Behrhorst Protection Association Wendy and Hank Paulson Lynn and Judy Hancock $2,000-4,999 Chuck Downey Ann Harvey and Mike Town of Carbondale Pitkin County Campbell Michele Dressel* Chelsea Congdon and James Ken Ransford, P.C. Kristen Henry CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

13 SummerJUNE 20122014 | Wild Works 13 William Roush Lucy Chew DONORS FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Steph and Ken Ryan Jeanette Darnauer Sandy Shea Barb and Doug D’Autrechy Paul David Ellis Collins and Patrick Kelly, in Carolyn and Dick Shohet Don Davidson Susy Ellison and Marty honor of Will Roush Roger Shugart Rachel Dayton and Chip Schlein Laurie Loeb Carolyn Shurman* Mccrory Jan and Jerry Fedrizzi Patricia Maddalone Leonard Simmons* Kimberly Defries Connie and Ted Finan Howie Mallory Kim Stacey and John Hoffman Barbara Dills* Jim Finch Mirte Mallory Sandy and Stephen Stay David Eberhardt Jerry and Nanette Finger* Alex Gay Marks Hjalmar Sundin Greer and Bruce Fox Al Fiorello, in memory of Bill and Sally Meadows David and Geni Swersky John Fox, in memory of Dottie Dottie Fox Fox Tom and Lindy Melberg Sally Tischler Audrey Sattler and Don Joe Mincberg* Tom and Roz Turnbull Ruth and Peter Frey Fleisher Vyonne Mincberg* Denny and Linda Vaughn Mark Fuller Annie Flynn*, in memory of Elsa Mitchell Walter Gallacher Randy Udall Mary Ann Wallace* Carolyn Moore Sara Garton Lynelle Fowler Annie Ware Pam Moore Jon Gibans Cici Fox Dexter Williams Sue Mozian Randy Gold and Dawn Dorothy Frommer Hugh and Mary Wise Jim Neu* Shepard Jim Githens and Valerie Gil- Maggie Woods, in memory George and Liz Newman Anne Goldberg liam of Dottie Fox and Jackie Rebecca Norman Dvorak* Chandler Candace Goodwin Donna and Bernie Grauer Virginia Parker King Woodward Les Gray Joyce and Bill Gruenberg Lee Parker* Pam Zentmyer* Janet Guthrie* Brewster Hansen* Bruce Parlette Edward Zukoski Richard and Sheryl Mary and Shep Harris Herrington Maggie Pedersen and Bob Trautlinde Heater $50-99 Millette Katherine Hubbard Sue Helm Anonymous* Julie and Greg Pickrell John Isaacs Casady Henry, in honor of Carol Bayens Anne and Arny Porath Bob and Eilene Ish Mark Fuller and Penny Lee Beck and John Stickney Suzanne Jackson Atzet Jacquelyn Powers and Jourdan Robert and Tracy Bennett Dern, in honor of Karin and Sandra and Peter Johnson Karen Hessl* Nancy Berry Harry Teague Shael Johnson Ann Hodges Jeff and Janette Bier Irma Prodinger Gary L. Johnson* Gail and Phil Holstein Mary Sue Bonetti Bob Purvis Suzanne Jones Kate Hudson* Betsy Bowie Rich Ranieri* Deborah Jones and John Tai and Molly Jacober Charlyn Canada Ron Reed Katzenberger Leslie and Patrick Johnson Susan Cashel* Ty and Terry Reed Kristan Kaplinski* Sarah Johnson Lee Cassin Maggie Rerucha Laura Kirk and Dave Patrick and Donna Keelty Patricia Chew, in memory of Carpenter

WATCH NATURALIST NIGHTS ONLINE

e hope you caught some of this past ing Company, Bristlecone Mountain Sports, Wwinter’s Naturalist Nights presentations Days Inn Carbondale, Filson, KUUR, Main at ACES and the Third Street Center. But if you Street Gallery & The Framer, Ragged Mountain missed any, you can still watch them online at Sports, Reese Henry & Co., St. Moritz Lodge our website (wildernessworkshop.org/video). & Condominiums, Stirling Peak Properties, Thank you to our sponsors who made it The Big Wrap, The Connected Concierge, True possible for us to have GrassRoots TV record Nature Healing Arts, Two Leaves Tea Company, the presentations: Alpine Bank, Aspen Ski- and Tyrolean Lodge.

14 Wild Works | SummerJUNE 2012 2014 Sarah and Steve Knous Robert Zupancis Constance Matuschek Barbara Larime* Up to $49 Matthew McKenna Lis Sue Layne Anonymous Graeme and Liz Means Susan Lindbloom Debbie Crawford-Arensman and Rebecca Mirsky Cristal Logan* Russ Arensman Virginia Newton Parker and Tilly Maddux Mary Ballou Warren Ohlrich P.O. Box 1442 Malcolm McMichael Eric Baumheier Doc Philip Carbondale, CO 81623 Cathy Montgomery Tony Bennet and Maureen Pat and Michael Piburn Offices in the Third Street Center, Stephanie and Dave Munk Bennett Chew* Heather Pratt* 520 S. 3rd St., Carbondale Shari Nova Kim Beroman* Bob Rafelson* Tel (970) 963-3977 Tom Oken Leslie Bethel Jim Rahman www.wildernessworkshop.org Gracie Oliphant Maralyn Bloomer John Real* [email protected] Connie Overton and James Barb Brown* Alyssa and Dave Reindel* The Wilderness Workshop’s mis- Gilliam Helen Carlsen Janie Rich and Scott, Tess and sion is to protect and conserve the Fred and Sandra Peirce Willard Clapper Lexie Munro* wilderness and natural resources of the Roaring Fork Watershed, the Elizabeth Penfield Jane Click Rachel Richards White River National Forest, and William and Elizabeth Phillips Virginia Culp Cooper Rogers* adjacent lands. Susan Philp and Lance Clarke Dawn Dexter* Wiley Rogers* Suzy and David Pines Tim Drescher* Mary Russell Board of Directors Dale and Sally Potvin Carol Dresner* Janet Rutigliano* Karin Teague, Glenn Randall Stephen Ellsperman Judith Schramm President Glenn Rappaport* Sally and Chris Faison Lee Sherman II*, in memory of Michael McVoy, Gerald Roehm Renee Fleisher Bam Sherman Vice President Polly Ross Herb Fox* Karen Siebert Peter Looram, Co-Treasurer Susan Rothchild Susan Frazee Steve Skadron Charles Hopton, Jill Sabella Linda Froning* Shayne Sledge* Co-Treasurer Marius and Clare Sanger Marty Ames and Steve Hach Emilie Somerville Cici Fox, Beth Schaefer Teresa Hall and Doug and Bent- Justin Streeb* Secretary Renata Scheder-Bieschin ley Rager* Edward Swanick Beth Cashdan Sherry Schenk* Kay Hannah George and Jenny Tempest Mary Dominick Sacha Hart-Logan Timothy Tillman Jill and Michael Scher Sue Edelstein John Tirrill* Andre Schwegler* Huey Hurst Lindsay Gurley Rosalinda Shearwood Elise Jones* Nicolette Toussaint* Allyn Harvey Shelly Sheppick Jackie Kasabach Felicia Trevor* John McBride, Jr. Richard Simpson Debra Keller* Mike Truman* Tim McFlynn Aron Ralston Skye and Steve Skinner Reenie Kinney and Scott Hicks* Doug Tucker Mike Stranahan Karn Stiegelmeier Kathleen Kopf Katie and Hank Van Schaack Peter Van Domelen Sharon Clarke and Mark Lacy John and Sarah Villafranco* Shelley Supplee and Hawk Andy Wiessner Greenway Brad and Laurel Larson Kevin Ward Lynn Tanno Terry Lawson Dunn* Deborah Webster Founders Diana Tomback Patty Lecht Julia Weese-Young* Joy Caudill Margaret Truman Alicia Lee* Jacque Whitsitt* Dottie Fox Connie Harvey Gerry and Maria Vanderbeek Geoffrey Lester Andy Wiessner Eric Wahl Mary Logan* Robbie Williams* Staff Tom and Donna Ward Jennifer Long Beka Wilson Sloan Shoemaker, Sylvia Wendrow and JD Sturgill Christine Lucht* Jeffrey Wuerker Executive Director Polly Whitcomb William Lukes + Associates Lisa Wuerker Melanie Finan Jason White Architecture Nancy Yang* Peter Hart Andre and Julie Wille Renee Maggert Daniel Yuhascik Dave Reed Jackie Wogan Julia Marshall/Mt. Daly Nathan Ziv* Will Roush Ed and Cindy Zasacky Enterprises

15 SummerJUNE 20122014 | Wild Works 15 NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NUMBER 62 CARBONDALE, CO P.O. BOX 1442 81623 CARBONDALE, CO 81623 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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