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DON’T FORGET TO RSVP!

RFOV Appreciation Party

Thursday, September 26
5:30 - 8:30 pm

Join us at Sunlight Mountain Resort for the 2024 RFOV Appreciation Party! Enjoy project season awards, a buffet dinner provided by Sunlight, a cash bar, music, games, prizes, a stacked silent auction, and beautiful autumn views.

All guests, including partners, friends, and children need to RSVP individually by Friday, August 23.

RSVP here

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Ted Zislis

This past spring, Ted joined RFOV's Board of Directors and quickly became a trained Project Ambassador and Crew Leader. In just a short time, he has completed eight RFOV projects or trainings, with plans to complete many more before the season ends. Additionally, Ted's dedicated commitment enabled us to run a tent at both the Glenwood Farmers Market and the Aspen Marathon in July, which would not have been possible without his support. Thank you, Ted, for all your hard work!

Ted is active in the community through a variety of other organizations as well. When not wearing his RFOV hat, he is a part of the Carbondale Bike Project, Age Friendly Carbondale, English in Action, Roaring Fork Valley Red Cross, and GarCo Democrats. You can also find him performing jazz music in venues up and down the valley!

GROUP PROJECTS & ADOPT-A-TRAIL

Community Stewards

Summer is going fast and we appreciate all the organizations and groups we've worked with as Adopt-a-Trail partners and individual Group Project partners. Let's give a HUGE thanks to the Jaywalkers Lodge who has adopted the Light Hill Trail in Basalt and so far this season have given over 100 hours of trail work!

In addition, we've worked with Forum Phi on the Thompson Creek Trail, The Elks removed barbed wire from the Burlingame Open Space, Four Mountain Sports cleared vegetation on the Skyline Trail, Smart Media did rock work and invasive species removal on Red Hill, and Strafe Outerwear helped prepare Congo Trail for the Power of Four Race.

If your organization is interested in partnering with RFOV in the future, please reach out to cwoodward@rfov.org.

YOUNG STEWARDS

Adventure Stewards

Adventure Stewards wrapped up its final 5-day session of the summer last week.

24 students across three different sessions enjoyed exploring local public lands, completing stewardship projects, learning about unique ecosystems, and celebrating their hard work by rafting, rock climbing & rappelling! Thank you to our partners at Defiance Rafting Company and Glenwood Climbing Guides for their support.

This year, students trimmed more than two miles of overgrown trails, improved a popular picnic area, removed invasive plants, installed trail signs, and more!

At RFOV, stewardship means caring for something you care about. Thank you to our new and returning Adventure Stewards families for helping RFOV empower the newest generation of stewards! If you want to support Adventure Stewards, consider donating to our scholarship fund.

See you in 2025!

Youth In Nature

This year's cohort took the annual 4-day, 3-night trip to Margy's Hut, near Lenado, CO. Between sunset hikes, cooking meals together, and fireside storytelling, this time away from technology and the pressures of everyday life is critical to a successful year together. Students also

Went foraging for mushrooms with local chef/naturalist Matt Kennedy
Met a couple of Youth In Nature Alumni working by Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES)
Participated in a stewardship project by stacking wood for winter hut-goers with Tenth Mountain Division
Learned orienteering skills with the Buddy Program and more.

Learn more here

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coke Ovens Open Space - Saturday August 10

Venture down the Crystal River Valley and come to the quaint town of Redstone. The Coke Ovens Open Space is a unique property recently acquired by Pitkin County Open Space. We need your help removing barbed wire to improve wildlife access and mobility on this property.

Only a few spots remain

Register here

Nature Trail - Tuesday, August 13th

Join us for night two of the Nature Trail Revegetation Rendevous. Volunteers worked hard on August 6 completing various revegetation and restoration projects along the trail.

Food at the end of the night will be provided by
Tasters Pizza!

Register here

Snowmass Falls Ranch - Saturday, August 17th

Snowmass Falls Ranch is a 650-acre parcel that serves as a gateway to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. In its transition to public land, a key objective is the removal of unnecessary barbed wire within the property to improve wildlife access and mobility.

register here

Red Hill Work Day 2 - Tuesday, August 20th

Red Hill needs your help again! Join us for the 2nd Red Hill workday helping to remove invasive tumbleweeds from 8:30 am- 12:30 pm. Day 1 of this project filled quickly. Limited space, secure your spot today!

Register here

VALLEY HAPPENINGS

Summer Yoga Series Supports RFOV

Shianne Wright, a local yoga instructor, is offering an awesome opportunity this summer to do "yoga in the park."

*Donation based* 15% of donations go to support RFOV!
Cash and Venmo accepted.

When: 8/22, 9/19
Time: 7-8 pm
Where: Riverside Park in Basalt

Garfield County Water Day

Colorado Wildland Fire Conference

The 2024 Colorado Wildland Fire Conference conference will be in Snowmass Village, Colorado in October 2024. The Colorado Wildland Fire Conference is geared toward professionals working proactively to improve wildfire outcomes in Colorado communities and landscapes such as Mitigation Specialists, Emergency Managers, Firefighters, Researchers, Foresters, Developers and Policy Makers. In an era where wildfires are both more frequent and intense, the 2024 Colorado Wildland Fire Conference will focus on meeting the challenges of our time, with the implementation of robust strategies to help our communities to adapt and live with wildfire. Anyone wishing to learn more about how they can reduce their community’s vulnerability to wildfire is welcome to attend.