JUNE OVERVIEW
Volunteers Rock! Successful Day at Rock Bottom Ranch
June started off strong with 48 volunteers gathering at Rock Bottom Ranch, completing over 1,500 ft of trail work. Of those 48 volunteers, 7 kids ages 3-9 joined Little Explorers where they got to start the day off with some animal yoga, go on a nature scavenger hunt, and collect over 80 chicken eggs.
The highlight of the day was when everyone finished their assigned tasks and joined forces to assist a crew in breaking a new trail on the property. Volunteers didn't want to end the day until that trail was done and worked until the very last second. It was a buzzer-beater end to the day with every single volunteer and staff helping to finish breaking tread on this new trail!
Improving Aspen’s Hunter-Smuggler Trail System
In early June, the popular Hunter-Smuggler trail system in Aspen received much-needed maintenance by RFOV and a team of 20 amazing volunteers. Their efforts were focused on erosion control through rock armoring across a creek crossing and maintaining rock bar drainage structures. Extensive tread and corridor clearing was also completed allowing for better sustainability and accessibility of the trail. Additionally, there were some exciting wildlife sitings including a bear cub and a moose!
Volunteers Weather the Marble Monsoons
Despite a wild, yet typical June monsoon season in Marble, the 4th annual Marble Stewardship Extravaganza was a huge success. Camping in the rain did not seem to scare away volunteers and over the span of two full days, our crews were able to remove over 2 acres of invasive species on the Marble Wetlands and install 15 check steps up on Raspberry Creek. Our group of trained chainsaw volunteers also cleared an impressive 2 acres of brush and vegetation at the in-town Marble Mill Site.
When volunteers were not hard at work on the trails, some made the short hike to Treasure Falls while others set up a hammock or relaxed at the beautiful Marble campground by a warm fire.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Kris Yadao
Kris is RFOV's June 2024 Volunteer of the Month. He has already completed 3 projects this season and is excited to attend several more. Kris "decided to independently volunteer with RFOV this year to strengthen his connection with the community of the Roaring Fork Valley as well as with the lands that we live on." He says, "It has been a very rewarding experience."
In addition to his support of our shared public lands, Kris enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking, and biking!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Volunteer at the Aspen Valley Marathon
Saturday, July 13
7:00 am - 12 pm
RFOV is helping out at the 2024 Aspen Valley Marathon on Saturday, July 13 and we need volunteers!
RFOV has been put in charge of the Aciero Trail aid station off of the Rio Grande Trail in Snowmass. Volunteers will help set up at 7 am and stay until about 11:45 am. There are estimated to be close to 700 runners between the half-marathon and full-marathon events.
Project Ambassador Training #2
Tuesday, July 16
6:00 - 7:30 pm
RFOV's community projects depend on Project Ambassadors to sign in and orient volunteers, talk to the community about the project and other RFOV work during the volunteer day, and support general project logistics. Please come learn about the Project Ambassador program and join us in this accessible, low-impact volunteer opportunity.
First Aid CPR
Monday or Tuesday, August 19 & 20
4:00 - 6:00 pm, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
RFOV is offering a basic First Aid & CPR course to the public! Michael Hutton, one of RFOV’s original founders, will be teaching this course at the Third Street Center in Carbondale. Hurry to secure your spot, only a few remain!
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.
GROUP PROJECTS & ADOPT-A-TRAIL
Community Stewards
The trails were busy in June! Our Adopt-a-Trail partners—REI Glenwood Springs, Ragnar Events, Jaywalker's Lodge, and Aspen Dev Co—each came out to maintain their respective trails from Glenwood to Aspen. All of these amazing organizations are providing 60 hours of trail work and a donation to help us maintain these trails year after year. Thank you for being stewards of our public lands!
Other Group Projects in June consisted of the Limelight Hotel on the Sunnyside Trail in Aspen and a group from the Aspen Chapel who did work on Red Mountain. Thanks for an awesome June!
If you'd like to participate in the Adopt-a-Trail Program or plan a Group Project for this summer or next please reach out to cwoodward@rfov.org.
YOUNG STEWARDS
Adventure Stewards
There are still a few openings in the final session of Adventure Stewards. This exciting program introduces students, ages 11-14, to local, world-class outdoor adventure activities, such as rock climbing and white water rafting, while giving back through hands-on stewardship. We encourage you to sign your student up on a waitlist if the session is full in the event of a cancellation.
Session 3: Rock Climbing (July 29 - August 2)
Youth In Nature
The 2024-25 Youth In Nature Cohort joined together for their first session on June 15th at Coffman Ranch. After spending some time getting to know each other, the group discussed the scope of the year-long program and got to further bond through a variety of team-building activities.
The group will meet together for their second session on July 15th for the annual hut trip to Margy’s Hut.
RFOV IN THE NEWS
RFOV is making waves in the community! Our dedication to conservation and community building has garnered significant attention and earned coverage in local newspapers and digital media.
Read and listen to the stories below:
The Sopris Sun: RFOV helps to improve outdoor space at Cactus Valley Elementary
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: 7/18, 8/15, 9/19
Time: 7-8 pm
Where: Riverside Park in Basalt
Colorado Pika Project Needs Your Help
Is climate change taking a toll on pikas, the cutest animal in Colorado? Every summer, volunteer Pika Patrollers hike out to monitoring locations across Colorado to collect important data on how pika are faring against the climate crisis. Thankfully, pikas only live in beautiful places!
Check out pikapartners.org for more info or to sign up for a training session.
Training Dates:
June 29
June 30
July 13
July 14
EASY WAYS SUPPORT RFOV
THE ASPEN PLEDGE
Simply by signing the Aspen Pledge, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) will make a donation on your behalf to Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers.
Go to citymarketrewards.com
Login or create an account
When asked to "Link your card", choose "Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteer" from the list of organizations
