October Mountain Memo – CB Land Trust

October Mountain Memo E-Newsletter

Photo by Jeff Stevenson

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Marble Basecamp is Saved

Earlier this month, Crested Butte Land Trust became the co-holder of a conservation easement at the historic Colorado Outward Bound School Basecamp in Marble, CO, purchased by the Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT). Since 1962, this 42-acre parcel was owned and operated by Outward Bound as a campus for youth outdoor education, until programming ended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The parcel is now called Basecamp West and sits adjacent to the Chapin Wright Marble Basecamp, also owned by AVLT and where the Crested Butte Land Trust holds the conservation easement. By purchasing Basecamp West, AVLT will be able to expand equitable access to outdoor programming for surrounding communities.

The Crested Butte Land Trust is honored to work with AVLT on this project by co-holding a conservation easement on the parcel with Pitkin County. AVLT purchased the property for $1.85 million with funding from Pitkin County, Great Outdoors Colorado, the City of Aspen, and private donors. AVLT estimates that the entire project, including the land acquisition, funding the conservation easement, and updating existing basecamp infrastructure, will likely cost around $3.5 million.

This project is a unique opportunity to protect this region’s legacy in broadening students’ outdoor experiences. It also preserves the High Elk Corridor, an area where we have focused to protect unique wildlife migration corridors, critical watersheds, long term biological research, and recreational opportunities for the public. Through collaborative conservation and working with fellow mission-driven organizations like AVLT, Basecamp West will be available to inspire the next generation of land stewards forever, and we are thrilled to be a part of this landmark acquisition.

Learn more about Basecamp West on AVLT’s website, here.

Fall Stewardship

Winter feels right around the corner, but the stewardship team is still hard at work getting ready for snow to keep flying! There is still a lot of field work to do as we prepare for the changing of seasons. River fences are being removed along the Slate River, and lay-down cattle fences will soon be de-commissioned for the winter. Maintenance projects on irrigation infrastructure and at the Gunsight Bride will be completed this fall. Additionally, signs will be swapped to note winter-specific trailheads, skier access, and parking.

Monitoring of all Land Trust properties will continue until the snow really sets in! Taking care of your lands is an important and ever-changing task, and while summer’s over, stewardship of your land continues year round.

Volunteer Opportunites

Our friends at Crested Butte Nordic are hosting their annual Bridge Days to help get river crossings ready for winter. Meet at the Nordic Center at 8:30AM on Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21. RSVP here.

High Country Conservation Advocates, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District are hosting a volunteer work day to protect and restore critical wet meadow habitat Saturday, October 21 from 9AM to 2PM. Learn more and register for this event here.

Thank You for a Fun Summer!

Fresh snow on the peaks has us reminiscing on our eventful summer season! Whether you were able to attend one of our summer field trips or parties, or enjoyed a cup of coffee with a board member, Jake, or Ashley, thank you for taking time to connect with us!

Keep an eye out for future events on our website, and if we missed you this season, we hope that we can connect with you soon.

As always, please feel welcome to contact Ashley at ashley@cblandtrust.org if you ever want to get together for a cup of coffee or have questions about the work that you make possible.