Crested Butte Land Trust PROTECTING & PRESERVING natural lands, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, trails and working ranches CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST SUMMER 2010 NEWSLETTER CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST president’s letter BOARD OF DIRECTORS Keith Bauer, President Peter Kennel, Vice-President Tim Mueller, Treasurer Fred Holbrook, Secretary Beth Appleton David Baxter ike many of you, Joe Currier LI’ll never forget my first Margery Feldberg drive up the East River Karen Janssen Photo by Rebecca Weil Valley. It was as if I was Chuck McGinnis being pulled back to simpler times; huge meadows with cows lazily grazing, distant white capped peaks pumping out clear water for the lush valleys below, and a STAFF welcoming wave from a passing truck as I was headed north. Ann Johnston, Executive Director It may have been the sheer beauty that drew me here, but it was the sense Kim Carroll Bosler, Development Director of place I recognized that made me put down roots. For, at the end of the road, Chad Martens, Stewardship Coordinator I found a community full of individuals not only passionate about their lives and Liz Vehlow, Outreach Coordinator their towns, but also about the magnificence surrounding them. Danielle Beamer, Conservation Assistant That passion fueled the inception of the Crested Butte Land Trust, and it’s what sustains us today. We are all drawn together for a greater good; we recognize CONTACT our strong, shared connection to the land, and, with that, our willingness to protect Mailing Address: and preserve this valley that we all love. PO Box 2224 My time on the board has given me valuable insight to the vision, Crested Butte, CO 81224 perseverance, and tireless work of our past board members and staff; they deserve Physical Address: our heartfelt thanks for all their time and energy. Land conservation is not as 308 Third St. simple as it may appear, and with new national standards coming online, it’s only Crested Butte, CO 81224 getting more complex. P: 970.349.1206 In response, the Crested Butte Land Trust continues to strengthen our F: 970.349.1210 ability to protect and care for our natural lands. We have just finished a strategic www.cblandtrust.org planning process, and have made progress towards a commitment to achieve Land [email protected] Trust Alliance accreditation this coming year. And as I write, CBLT and the community have broken ground on the Cover Photographer, JC Leacock Budd Trail, adding more single track to the Lower Loop trail system. We have Editor, Ann Johnston worked with several different families protecting more acreage in the High Elk Associate Editor & Designer, Kim Carroll Corridor. And we are in the midst of a campaign to protect an additional 384 acres Bosler in the Slate River Valley. And, in between all that, we continue to provide excellent stewardship, nurturing the lands in our care. Founded in 1991, CBLT is an IRS designated We simply could not accomplish all this without your support. Thanks for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed your part in making that happen; for your donations of time and resources over to the protection and preservation of the the years and into the future. We’ll see you on the trails. Gunnison Valley’s natural lands, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, trails and working ranches. All gifts, grants and contributions Keith Bauer, President are tax deductible. Preserving the present for the future Building the Budd Trail ational Trails Day was this past June 5th. The Crested CBLT remains grateful to our many partners over Butte Land Trust and the Crested Butte Mountain multiple years who have helped ensure that the Lower Loop NBike Association (CBMBA) celebrated in a big way trail system and recreation area will forever remain natural and with over 175 volunteers by building the Budd Trail. First- accessible. The Lower Loop is the most utilized trail system in time participants joined with trail blazing veterans and whole the Gunnison Valley, and multiple surveys show that trails are families for this community event. Following the trail work, a a highly valued asset in our amenity and recreation-based local party open to the public was held at the Magic Meadows yurt, economy. Trails also help protect the environment by offering complete with BBQ, beer and a bluegrass band. a well-worn path for recreationists and leaving fragile wetlands, Beginning at the Peanut Mine reclamation site, the high alpine meadows and sensitive wildlife habitat undisturbed. Budd Trail will quickly challenge bikers, runners and hikers CBLT continues to work with willing property owners with a steep climb up the ridge to the west. This new trail adds to provide new extensions and linkages to the Lower Loop. about one and a half more miles of single track to the Lower Placing a trail easement on private property can benefit both Loop trail system. It passes through aspen and spruce forests the landowner and the public simultaneously. There are state and federal tax incentives available to property owners for “Securing permanent trails and access is a trail easements. In addition, trails are often constructed on priority for the Crested Butte Land Trust. It’s slopes where homes are not usually built, so little land is lost. If you would like to discuss the possibility of donating a trail been very rewarding to be a part of this process easement on your property, or if you would like to support from start to finish.” CBLT’s Trails Program with a tax-deductible contribution, -Ann Johnston, CBLT Executive Director please call the Crested Butte Land Trust at 970.349.1206. The Budd Trail is now open to the public, and we and offers incredible views of the Slate River Valley below. encourage everyone to get out and enjoy it this summer. Connecting with the upper Lower Loop, one can continue on single track to Oh-Be-Joyful Creek and return on the lower The Budd Trail was Lower Loop. Or, make your return on the Budd Trail and take built on June 5, 2010. in the majestic view of Mt. Crested Butte as you head back A diverse mix of over 175 volunteers from to town. CBLT offers sincere thanks to Russell and Dorothy the community used Budd and Charlie McBride for donating the easement for the shovels, pick axes and Budd Trail. Their generosity has resulted in a permanent gift hoes to hand-build the for Crested Butte residents and visitors. trail in just one day. Photo by Chad Martens Photo by Chad Martens Photo by Ann Johnston Photo by JC Leacock Saving the Slate River Valley Imagine a place where there’s a vibrant town in close proximity to an easily accessible and abundant natural area. The place is real, and it’s called the Slate River Valley. Located just north of Crested Butte, the valley extends almost seven miles along the Slate River past the old town site of Pittsburg. It’s here in the Slate River Valley that the Crested Butte Land Trust has preserved over 1,000 acres. pen lands preserved by quality of the local natural environment. a 5-mile hiking, biking and equestrian CBLT in the Slate River Many of these projects can take years of trail that hosts over 500 users on a busy Valley afford spectacular confidential negotiations, but the result summer day. In the winter season, views of Paradise Divide, is open space protected in perpetuity for the Crested Butte Nordic Council sets Osupport diverse wildlife and plant the enjoyment of locals and visitors. track for skiers and snowshoers. CBLT species, and provide miles of trails CBLT’s accomplishments to won an Award for Excellence for the accessing public lands, including the date in the Slate River Valley include the Lower Loop project from the Colorado Raggeds Wilderness Area. purchase of fifteen land parcels combined Coalition of Land Trusts. Conservation of the Slate River with seven conservation easements Connecting with the Woods Valley has been successful thanks, in large donated by landowners for a total of over Walk Trail, the Lower Loop begins at part, to the multiple property owners 1,000 acres of conserved land. the Peanut Mine and meanders through that CBLT has worked with over many The Lower Loop trail system is public lands on its way to Oh-Be-Joyful years. CBLT works closely with willing one of CBLT’s hallmark achievements Creek in the Raggeds Wilderness. The landowners to craft flexible conservation in the Slate River Valley. Last summer Slate River runs through the property, projects that respect both personal CBLT celebrated the 10th anniversary creating wetlands and wildlife habitat property rights and the public interest, of the Lower Loop. Comprised of that is home to a varied community of while maintaining the integrity and 193 acres, the Lower Loop provides plants, mammals, birds and fish. NEW PROJECTS CBLT is also working on a McBride, donated the trail easement. In the Slate River Valley new trail on the old rail grade out to the CBLT and CBMBA celebrated National Gunsight Bridge parcel called Mike’s Trails Day on June 5, 2010, by building CBLT is currently pursuing protection Mile. This new trail will honor Mike the trail, which is now open for the of an additional 384 acres in the Slate Martin, a Crested Butte local who was benefit and enjoyment of the public. River Valley, working collaboratively with passionate about trails and the outdoors. the Kochevar family and in partnership Partnering with CBLT on Mike’s Mile STEWARDSHIP with the Trust for Public Land and the are Kathy Martin, the Crested Butte In the Slate River Valley Town of Crested Butte.