PLEASE WELCOME NEW RFOV STAFF!
After graduating from the University of Mary Washington with a degree in marketing and sociology, Sophie Ahava joined AmeriCorps to build an outdoor curriculum for an early learning center. She has also worked in digital marketing, non-profit fundraising, and volunteer outreach at Plan International USA. Joining RFOV as Communications & Development Coordinator, Sophie enjoys traveling, hiking, backpacking, and coaching youth sports.
Joining RFOV as Program Coordinator for the Youth In Nature program, Carly Valerious graduated with a degree in environmental science from Colorado College. Carly has worked in sustainable food systems and community supported agriculture (CSA). She was also an outdoor educator in Valdez, AK. When not at work, you can find Carly on her bike, running in the woods, drawing, and snowboarding/splitboarding with her friends.
SPOTLIGHT ON youth in nature
The Youth in Nature program addresses the needs of our local communities by enabling students from Aspen to New Castle to form real connections with other students, all while learning the value of stewardship and enjoying and protecting local public lands.
During the final session of the ’22-23 school year spent camping at Rifle Mountain Park, the YIN cohort completed a service project at Harvey Gap State Park with the help of CPW staff. They also took time to journal in a beautiful forest along a creek and waterfalls.
Saturday night, the group enjoyed the campfire mucking around, playing guitar, and stargazing. Just as one student opened an astronomy app and pointed their phone to the sky, the International Space Station flew directly overhead. On Sunday morning, Glenwood Climbing Guides arrived for rock climbing the sheer limestone walls of the canyon.
YIN program partners have expressed interest in maintaining their relationships with the cohort. One of the YIN students was accepted to the Trook Apprenticeship program with ACES.
All YIN students, parents, guides, and RFOV staff are grateful to both the Aspen Community Foundation and the Jonathan D. Lewis Foundation for bringing this paid student internship program to life in the Roaring Fork Valley.
The ’23-24 cohort with 12 new students launches June 21 at Coffman Ranch in Carbondale.
upcoming community projects
MARBLE STEWARDSHIP EXTRAVAGANZA - 6/24+25
Come join one or both days of a weekend campout June 24 and 25 in Marble full of stewardship projects, learning opportunities, and plenty of time to just hang out. We'll work on trail and restoration projects at the in-town Marble Mill Site, the Raspberry Creek Trail, and the Marble Wetlands.
CMC SPRING VALLEY - 6/10
This Saturday, June 10, help care for CMC'S publicly accessible natural areas by removing invasive thistles. Invasive plants outcompete native plants for light, water, and resources, eventually reducing biodiversity and resilience in local ecosystems. All volunteers will receive a coupon from Pollinator Chocolate in Carbondale for a free beer or chocolate soda.
INTRO TO TRAIL MAINTENANCE & BUILDING - 6/20
Join us Tuesday evening, June 20 at the Red Hill Trailhead in Carbondale for an evening of learning about and discussing some of the basic trail work concepts and skills, including trail planning, tread maintenance, erosion control, and corridor maintenance.
volunteer of the month
Stephen McGrath went all-in this past May. He joined all 3 Mushroom Rock projects on consecutive Tuesdays and persevered through lightning and hard rain at Intro to Restoration at Coffman Ranch. A biology major from UMass Amherst, Stephen works in landscaping across the western slop.
hanging lake hike
Come join a hiking tour to Hanging Lake this Sunday, June 11 from 8 am - 1 pm, to learn about the impacts of the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire and resulting debris flows in 2021.
Space is limited - please book your ticket with permit included HERE by Friday, June 9.
Learn about rebuilding plans for one of the most popular hikes in White River National Forest from experts from the National Forest Foundation, H2O, the USFS and more. Suggested donation is $25 with proceeds going to the Middle Colorado Watershed Council work in post-fire mitigation and water quality monitoring programs.
easy ways to SUPPORT RFOV
LINK YOUR REWARDS CARD
Every dollar you spend benefits RFOV!
Go to citymarketrewards.com
Login or create an account
When asked to "Link your card", enroll in "Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteer" from the list of organizations
TAKE THE ASPEN PLEDGE
By simply signing the Aspen Pledge, you can help RFOV unlock up to $50,000 in donations from the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) and continue to spread stewardship in our communities.
