FUN ON THE TRAILS
Professional Trail Crew Update
The RFOV Trail Crew has been busy this summer. From front-country projects in the Spring snow to beautiful back-country projects on the Four Pass Loop, this crew is doing some amazing work! See all the fun they are having making our trails better and safer!
GROUP PROJECTS & ADOPT-A-TRAIL
Community Stewards
Thanks to all of our Adopt-a-Trail partners who gave their time and energy to work on some of the Roaring Fork Valley's most well-loved trails in August.
The Steadman Clinic came out on a Friday evening to do maintenance on the Lower Hunter Creek Trail in Aspen.
Aspen Rotary did 60 hours of trail maintenance this month on Linkins Lake Trail off Independence Pass.
JVAM, a local law firm, completed its 60 hours on the Lorax Trail in Carbondale.
Viewline Resort continues to do awesome work on the Viewline Trail in Snowmass.
Two Leaves and a Bud gave their time to Arbaney Kittle Trail in Basalt at the end of the month.
Independence Run & Hike did some restoration work at Red Hill.
We couldn't do what we do without our Adopt-a-Trail partners! If you are interested in adopting a trail next season please reach out to cwoodward@rfov.org.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Judy Gaukel
Judy recently retired and has been immersing herself in the outdoors. Judy joined RFOV on the Geneva Lake 4-day overnight project in August, but unlike other volunteers, she had to hop on a plane to join this project. Judy had so much fun on last year's Geneva Lake project that she made it a priority to come back, all the way from California! One of the things she enjoys most about RFOV is, "seeing how to move huge rocks and build check steps, stairs, and drainage channels - all techniques that make for lasting trail improvements that I never thought about before."
Judy is an inspiration and a joy to be around! We hope to see her again next year!
YOUNG STEWARDS
Spruce Up Your School
School is back in session and that means it's time to Spruce Up Your School! This month, RFOV partnered with Elk Creek Elementary School in New Castle, for their first-ever project day. Students left their classrooms and took an active part in making their school grounds a more beautiful space by removing weeds, cleaning up litter, and planting dozens of pollinator-friendly plants.
Later that same week, RFOV spent the morning with the fourth-grade class from Sopris Elementary School in Glenwood Springs. These students also got to get their hands dirty improving a new campus pollinator garden, just outside their classroom window! Students had a great time seeding, planting, removing weeds, and creating rock rings to protect plants.
Spruce Up Your School is a program aimed at giving back to some of the most important outdoor areas - your own campus! Interested in setting up a project? Email Ben Sherman at bsherman@rfov.org.
Youth In Nature
In August, RFOV hosted the first-ever Youth in Nature Alumni event at the Coke Ovens Community Project in Redstone. Students from all three years of YIN attended! The group worked together to pull invasive plants, trim overgrown trail sections, and repair water drains. During our time together, we connected about past hut trips, projects, and general life updates.
While getting to connect with each other's shared experience in YIN, this group also experienced an RFOV community project where they got to see the volunteers who made each season a success. We look forward to more YIN Alumni programming in the future.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 14: Nancy's Path
Sept. 15: ¡Celebremos al Aire Libre!
Sept. 21: Butler Creek Beaver Dam Analogue (BDA)
Sept. 28: Coffman Ranch + Little Explorers
Sept. 29: Coal Basin Ranch
Oct. 5: Wulfsohn Mountain Park
Oct. 12: Fire Mitigation Training
VALLEY HAPPENINGS
5th Annual Pristine Riders Trash Crush
This volunteer litter clean-up along local roads and multi-use paths is an ideal way for locals who love our area to give back while improving environmental health. Partnering with CDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program, orange safety vests & trash bags will be provided. The first 15 volunteers to sign up at sundog@sopris.net will receive a complimentary volunteer lunch alfresco courtesy of lunch sponsor Silverpeak Grill held at Koch Park. "Trashy" Awards with special prizes, will be presented. Adults ages 18 and older & kids accompanied by adults are invited. Walking or biking is encouraged.
When: Friday, September 13th
Time: 10:00 AM-12:30 PM rain or shine
Where: North Star Nature Preserve’s South Gate parking lot.
What to bring: Sun protection, long pants, work gloves, drinking water, and extra clothing in case of
inclement weather is suggested.
Contact for more information: Erik Skarvan at
sundog@sopris.net or (970) 925-1069.
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.
Party in the Pasture
Join your community for Aspen Valley Land Trust’s 2024 Party in the Pasture on Sunday, October 6! Performances by Sweet Jessup & the Dirty Buckets and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklorico, kids' crafts and activities, and opportunities to connect with the land and your community are all a part of this celebration at Coffman Ranch. Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers will have a table at this event with some family-friendly games!
Get your tickets here: avlt.org/party
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
