2009 Annual Report - Aspen Valley Land Trust

Transcription

A s p e n Va l l e y L a n d T r u s t
2009 Annual Report
A Word From Our
Executive Director
Martha Cochran
A few years ago, Trust for
Public Land (TPL) published a study
called “How to Talk about Open
Space.” It analyzed how people feel
about certain words associated with
the land and what types of images
and feelings they evoke.
One of the more interesting
recommendations of the study is to
avoid use of the term “open space.”
People in the study perceived “open
space” as empty land, not near them
and not necessarily something they
could benefit from or use. “Natural
areas” was found to be a more
meaningful way for people to think
about open spaces. Other suggestions
were to talk about working ranches,
not just ranches; poorly planned
growth, not sprawl; and don’t talk
about undeveloped land – that’s just
land that’s not yet developed.
This year TPL published
another study quantifying the value
of different services provided by
ecosystems on conserved land in
Colorado compared to the amount
of money Colorado has invested in
conservation. Ecosystem services are
natural processes that would have
to be engineered if they were not
provided by the land. The benefits
of privately-owned conserved lands,
such as water filtration, carbon
sequestration, food production,
wildlife habitat, and water supply
Fifty-four miles of streams, 4,870 acres of
potential lynx habitat and a bunch of turkeys
A Townsend’s big-eared bat, northern leopard frog and De Beque milkvetch
aren’t something you run into everyday. Hayfields and piñon-juniper forests
aren’t quite as rare, but all are important when it comes to conserving the diverse
environment of the central Colorado mountains.
At first blush, it might seem easy to determine if a property is valuable for
conservation. It might be “pretty” or “useful” or where the “wild things” are, but
undertaking a conservation easement involves a great deal of science, mapping and
legal articulation to document the conservation values of a property. We thought
it would be interesting to see what the science shows about the conserved lands in
Aspen Valley Land Trust’s region – spanning from Independence Pass to De Beque,
and including the Roaring Fork, Fryingpan, Crystal and Colorado River valleys.
Most people understand the importance of biodiversity in maintaining a
healthy ecosystem. AVLT uses information from Colorado State University’s Natural
Heritage Program to target areas that are important to conserve for biodiversity.
The program has identified Potential Conservation Areas (PCAs): geographic
areas with particularly rich or unusual plant or animal life. (Just so you’ll know - the
Townsend’s big-eared bat lives among the rocks and cliffs around Glenwood Springs,
the northern leopard frog hangs out in Divide Creek, and the De Beque milkvetch
grows in the Roan Cliffs and upper elevations west of the Roan Plateau.) AVLT has
helped conserve more than 5,000 acres of private land within these PCAs.
Agricultural land is another high priority for conservation. County, state and
federal policies all speak to the need to preserve the nation’s food production resource.
In our area, irrigated land, located mostly on fertile valley floors, is valued for both
agriculture and for development. Ten percent, about 5,700 acres, of the irrigated
(story continued on page 3)
Picturesque Tall Pines
(4A Ridge) outside of
De Beque. Learn more
about this ranch
and the rest of
our 2009 conserved
properties on pages 4-5.
(story continued on page 2)
Aspen Valley Land Trust, 320 Main Street, Suite 204, Carbondale, CO 81623 tel:970/963.8440 fax:970/963.8441 email: [email protected] www.avlt.org
A Word From Our Executive Director - cont.
2
protection were given market values. The study
found that Colorado receives $6 worth of ecosystem
services for each $1 spent on the purchase of land
and conservation easements.
These ways of describing open space – oops,
I mean working ranches and
natural areas – made us at Aspen
Valley Land Trust think about
what local land conservation
really means to those who live in
these central mountain valleys.
It is hard to visualize the
32,000 acres conserved through
AVLT. That’s 50 square miles or
24,200 football fields. It’s more
than all the agricultural land in
Pitkin County, and equal to all of the irrigated land
in Garfield County.
Those are interesting statistics, but we
wanted to think about how conserved lands add
quality to our everyday lives: the health of the places
we live and what that means to our children. Can
we produce food to feed ourselves, fuel to warm
our homes, do we have clean water and clean air?
What does it mean for maintaining the diversity
of indigenous animal and plant life – are there still
healthy, functioning ecosystems able to adapt to
changes in the climate?
The feature article in this
annual report gives a picture of
the types of lands that have been
permanently conserved with
AVLT and the types of public
benefits that they provide.
Land is an investment in our
well-being and quality of life.
Unlike many of us humans, land
is adept at multitasking – it can
provide food in the summer,
sustain wildlife in the winter, and filter our water and
air all year long. And yes, it’s also beautiful.
Next time you walk or bike through our
magnificent public lands or drive by a working ranch
dotted with calves, take a minute to think about all
the benefits that land provides and the many reasons
it’s important to conserve. Open space, or whatever
you call it, is something that benefits us all.
“It is hard to visualize
the 32,000 acres
conserved through
AVLT. That’s 50
square miles or 24,200
football fields.”
Dawn Barton of West Elks Consulting “on the job”
performing annual property monitoring.
AVLT staff (left to right): Suzanne Stephens, Martha
Cochran, Bethany Collins and Melissa Sumera.
photo by Sanborn Studios, Rifle
2009. Steve grew up in New York City and Boulder, and attended the University of
Colorado-Boulder for his undergraduate and law degrees (with a stint in the Peace
Corps in Columbia in between). Steve served as a Garfield County Court judge and
has been a practicing attorney in the Roaring Fork Valley since 1972. He and his wife
Georgia raised three children, including twin daughters who had early careers in the
Peace Corps and U.S. Marine Corps. He first heard about AVLT and its mission from a
client and learned from their family how valuable the conservation movement can be to
preserve our vanishing agricultural heritage from the “Creeping Ranchette” syndrome.
Steve has been an exciting addition to the AVLT Board and his professional expertise
has proven vital as our projects increase in complexity.
photo by West Elks Consulting
staff & board
New board member: Steve Carter
Steve Carter joined the Aspen Valley Land Trust Board of Directors in February
board
Wally Obermeyer
President
Louis Meyer
Vice President
Cathy Porter
Secretary
Sandy Jackson
Treasurer
staff
Martha Cochran
Executive Director
Bethany Collins
Project Specialist
Suzanne Stephens
Associate Director
Melissa Sumera
Office Manager
Jim Aresty
Dave Bellack
Steve Carter
Sue Edelstein
Lee Ann Eustis
Rosemary Patterson
photo by Lois Abel Harlamert
Streams, lynx and a bunch of turkeys - cont.
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land in Pitkin and Garfield counties is conserved by AVLT.
Conserved irrigated land also has a secondary long-term
benefit that someday may prove more valuable than protection
of the land itself: When irrigated lands are conserved, the water
used for irrigation is permanently attached to that land. It will not
be available for diversion to the Front Range or for municipal or
industrial use. This means that the aquifers will continue to be
recharged by irrigation and stream flows replenished by return
runoff.
Another side benefit of protecting land is the protection of
rivers and creeks. Both water quality and water quantity are adversely affected by disturbance to the riparian
areas and soils adjacent to waterways. Some 54 miles of rivers and creeks in the Colorado and Roaring Fork
watersheds are now protected through AVLT.
Natural areas of sagebrush and forest provide habitat for wildlife, scenic vistas for us and tourists and
carbon-catching mechanisms to clean the air. Preservation of these areas is a focus of conservation organizations
throughout Colorado.
Some people say that Colorado doesn’t need more conserved land because so much of the state is owned
by the federal government. About 85 percent of Pitkin County and 60
percent of Garfield County is managed by the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau
of Land Management. That’s a lot, but land, like species, needs diversity.
Most of the Forest Service land is at high elevations and unsuitable for yearround habitation by large mammals. BLM lands are the ones that the early
settlers passed by, usually for lack of water. It is the lush valley floors and
surrounding mountain meadows that were snapped up by homesteaders
for their ability to support crop and livestock production.
The same low-lying lands that make great ranches are critical habitat
for deer, elk, and now, moose that move to lower elevations for food and water in the winter, and calving areas
in the spring. They also encompass the riverside areas that filter water, support riparian life and host a different
variety of plants and wildlife than exist up high.
Another way to measure the public benefit of private land is to identify the types of habitats that support
native plants and animals. The Colorado Division of Wildlife maintains the Wildlife Resource Information
System (WRIS), which identifies habitat for species that are “economically important,” such as deer and elk, as
well as for species that are “threatened, endangered, or are valuable as indicators of habitat health.” Here are a
few measures from WRIS of what 32,000 acres conserved in partnership with AVLT provides:
8,535 acres of b a l d e a g l e winter range
3,253 acres of m o o s e overall range
4,870 acres of potential habitat for ly nx
(listed as threatened by state and federal governments)
22,554 acres of mu l e d e e r summer range
3,664 acres of b o re a l to a d range (listed as endangered by Colorado)
22,748 acres of w i l d tu rke y overall range
1,140 acres of b i g h o r n sh e e p overall range
20,135 acres of el k winter range
771 acres of el k calving areas
93 acres of g re at b l u e h e ro n nesting areas
All told, these figures represent 25,871 acres of important wildlife habitat that have been conserved on
private land in our valleys.
So what’s in a number? Often just a collection of individual stories – but in this case, these stories add
up to the fabric of our physical world, whether for habitat, ranching or water conservation. We, who live here,
are very fortunate to have these important lands conserved, because in the words of Mark Twain “they aren’t
making it anymore.”
statistics
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I
n 2009, AVLT again had the honor of working across varied landscapes and with equally varied and
generous landowners and partners to conserve important unspoiled places in the Roaring Fork and Colorado
River watersheds. These efforts resulted in the permanent protection of nine properties and 1,175 acres,
from Snowmass Creek to the Roan Plateau north of De Beque, and in rearranging some previously conserved
properties to further organizational goals.
Last year, two nonprofit organizations, Aspen Center
for Environmental Studies (ACES) and the Two Rivers
Community Fund – whose missions do not directly involve
land conservation – transferred conservation easements
previously donated to them to AVLT to hold and manage as a
way of better meeting their organizational goals and ensuring
that these easements would be looked after “in perpetuity.”
In Glenwood Springs, the Two Rivers Community
Fund transferred the 35-acre Stuart Paul Rippy Memorial
Wildlife Easement to AVLT. This wooded parcel is adjacent Stuart Paul Rippy Memorial Wildlife Easement,
Glenwood Springs
to public land
and overlooks the historic Red Mountain Ski Area on the hillside
west of Glenwood Springs.
In Old Snowmass, ACES transferred the 185-acre
Snowmass Creek (Davis/Donnelley) conservation easement to
AVLT. Adjacent to Windstar, also conserved by AVLT and Pitkin
County, and near the Watson Divide conservation easement
and Williams Hill Potential Conservation Area (identified as
important habitat by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program),
this property includes high priority big game habitat on a
beautiful hillside overlooking the valley.
In a related transaction, AVLT gave a four-acre property
on Independence Pass to ACES. This streamside parcel, which
is also protected by a conservation easement held by Pitkin County, adjoins other land owned by ACES and will
be cared for and restored to further ACES’ mission of environmental education and restoration.
AVLT also received new conservation
easements from several previous donors
and one “first-timer” – all of whom we’ve
enjoyed working with on some very unique
properties.
Perched on the steep cliffs along
the western rim of the Roan Plateau are
the rugged meadows and valleys of David
McDonald’s 1,000-acre Tall Pines property.
Dave conserved 520 acres of this beautiful
high-mountain rangeland last year, including
riparian areas surrounding natural springs
that support five designated rare plant
species and lie within the 4A Ridge Potential
Conservation Area. This scenic backcountry
Tall Pines (4A Ridge), north of De Beque
gem includes an unusual blend of sagebrush,
aspen and conifer forests, and provides vital
habitat for everything from big game species to the greater sage grouse, a Colorado “species of concern.”
Snowmass Creek (Davis/Donnelley Easement)
Thank you landowners!
your generosity enriches us all.
Dr. Richard Timmer and Marilyn Rice –
longtime stewards and owners of the Spring Creek Fish
Hatchery on Lime Creek near Thomasville, completed
conservation of their 160-acre property with AVLT in
2009, and then gifted the underlying ownership of the
Emma Farms, Emma
land to ACES,
which hopes to use the property for its environmental education
programs, and possibly to resurrect the fish hatchery. The unusually
pure and prolific springs found on the property sustain a range of
aquatic flora and fauna, including freshwater shrimp, and were
formerly used by the Colorado Division of Wildlife to raise whirling
disease-free trout.
At the south end of the Dry Hollow/Divide Creek basin,
Bill and Bobbie Rowe donated a third conservation easement over
125 acres of their ranch, bringing their total conserved acreage
to almost 575 acres. The Rowes are dedicated participants in the
Colorado Division of Wildlife habitat protection and enhancement
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Repeat donors Tom and Steven Waldeck
conserved an additional section of their beautiful Emma
Farms – part of the historic Cerise Ranch and home to
a herd of handsome Wagyu cattle. The 67-acre easement
overlays a large irrigated hay meadow at the base of the
Crown area of Mount Sopris visible from Hooks Lane and
Highway 82 between El Jebel and Basalt.
Spring Creek Fish Hatchery, Thomasville
programs. The new addition includes spectacular
piñon-juniper habitat and dryland pasture that
provide year-round food and cover for numerous
big game and small mammal populations.
Don and Beth Fulton conserved an additional
115 acres of their
historic Record Ranch
along West Divide
Creek, south of Silt.
271 conserved acres
of the ranch include
productive pastures
Rowe Ranch, Divide Creek
used in the Fultons’
agricultural operation and rich habitat and riparian areas for numerous creatures,
including the endangered northern leopard frog.
Finally, in the “AVLT Hall of Fame” category, AVLT has now worked with
two families that have donated over five conservation easements each to AVLT
in as many years(!). Wendy McNulty and daughters, Katy and Meg, preserved
80 more acres of their Quarter Circle 8 Ranch on upper Cattle Creek in honor
of the late Gary McNulty – husband, father, and son of the original homesteader.
With almost 700 acres under conservation easement, this ranch is now over half
conserved.
photo by Tyler Stableford Photography
Quarter Circle 8 Ranch,
And, in their sixth conservation donation, Dr. Mike and Maci Berkeley
Missouri Heights
conserved 26 more acres of their Rivendell Farm in Spring Valley – extinguishing
an additional nine building lots in the Lake Springs Ranch subdivision. Their conserved ranchland now includes
almost 170 acres of important wetland meadows, sod farm and pastures, and helps protect the purity of the
fragile Missouri Heights aquifer.
Proceeds will benefit AVLT:
Damian Clinton donates Ruedi Shores property
He caught a trout on his first cast into the Fryingpan River. That was enough
photo by ERO Resources Corporation
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to make Damian Clinton decide he wanted to buy a place in the valley and retire there
someday. He soon bought a lot in Ruedi Shores, above Ruedi Reservoir.
A growing business and busy life in Monterey Bay made Damian change his
retirement plans, and, after owning the lot for almost nine years, he decided to donate
it to a nonprofit that conserved land. Fortunately, he chose Aspen Valley Land Trust.
“I am a big believer in preserving beautiful land for the common good, not
just for the wealthy, and preserving natural settings for all to enjoy. I’ve always been
Damian Clinton
a supporter of the park system,” Damian said. “Nothing pleases me more than seeing
families in a camper or the outdoors. The best things in life are free.”
The one-acre lot is a lush, sloped parcel with beautiful aspen and pine trees. But, while the lot is lovely, it
is within a subdivision and too small to provide meaningful wildlife habitat. For those reasons, Damian specified
that the lot could be sold and that the proceeds from the sale
would be used to further AVLT’s mission of local conservation.
He received a tax deduction for the donation, which for him
“was a benefit but not motivation.”
Damian grew up in New Jersey, but found his preferred
lifestyle in northern California. He is a principle at Sierraspen
Consulting, a Silicon Valley consulting firm specializing in
technology and hedge fund business development, and is a
principal at Financial and Technological Global Placement
Services, an executive search firm.
In addition to AVLT, Damian is a supporter of the Sierra
Club and other conservation organizations.
Fall aspens and evergreens cover the donated parcel
www.avlt.org
supporters
check out
Look up maps, get information, purchase a book, or make a tax-deductible donation on our website!
Club Offset: Land Rover commits to conservation
Land Rover Roaring Fork’s Club Offset program provides funding for local conservation and
introduces buyers to nonprofits engaged in conservation work. Club Offset is the brainchild of owner
Randy Tuggle who envisioned the program as a way for the company and buyers to offset a portion of the
carbon emissions generated by all auto use. Last year, 90 people who purchased a vehicle at Land Rover
Roaring Fork each donated $100 to Aspen Valley Land Trust and became members of Club Offset. AVLT
uses the funds to help conserve private land in the Roaring Fork and Colorado watersheds.
Thank you Land Rover Roaring Fork!
2009 Donors
Jake & Jennifer Aubert
Kristine & Robert Baumann
Diane Boat
Dr. Dennis Cirillo
Amy Doherty
Devin Fetchin
Matt & Anna Freedman
Malcolm George
Henry & Nancy Goetze
Jill & David Hopcroft
Jon Jacoby
Warren & Allison Kanders
John Kirby
Drew E. Lauter
Steven Lee
Mr. & Mrs. H. M. Loud
Wilson & Susan Lyle
Jeff & Nicola Marcus
Matthew Hinter Meister
Sarah & Peter Millett
Motor Toys LLC
Kiarash Noorizadeh
Marc & Sevenne Philippov
James Rafferty
Cathy & Mike Schermer
Steven D. Shane
Robert Snead
Gail Stanger
Jim & Mary Stokes
Don & Linda Trisch
Eli Weiss
Dr. Douglas &
Alexandra Yajko
earth day
art show
In 2009, the 5th Annual Earth Day art show featured over
30 local artists whose work reflects the landscape that AVLT helps to
conserve. We would like to thank all the artists who participated and
donated half of all sale proceeds to benefit AVLT.
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LEFT: Greg Tonozzi’s “Deviled Egg” (foreground) and Daniel Sprick’s “A View of West Glenwood“ (background).
RIGHT: Shannon Muse’s metal and glass piece (far right) was among many that sold at the show.
Our
Place
is out about town!
T
Neenah Conservation Papers
Environment Benefits Statement
Aspen Valley Land Trust saved the following resources by using Neenah
Conservation Paper, made with 100% post consumer recycled fiber, and
processed chlorine and acid free:
• 1704 lbs wood – A total of 5 trees that supply enough oxygen for 3 people annually.
• 2488 gal water – Enough water to take 145 eight-minute showers.
• 2 min BTUs energy – Enough energy to power an average American household for 7 days.
• 517 lbs emissions – Carbon sequestered by 6 tree seedlings grown in 10 years.
• 151 lbs solid waste – Trash thrown away by 33 people in a single day.
L
Strang Ranch
sheepdog trials
10.1.10 - 10.3.10
photo courtesy of Bridget Strang
ast October, the Strangs hosted the first annual Sheepdog Trials, featuring some 40 Border Collies
from all over the West. Over 200 local sheep played along as herding animals under the sunny skies, with snowdraped mountains in the background. Following last year’s success, the Strangs will stage an even bigger and
better event at the second annual Trials on Oct. 1- 3, 2010. Mark your calendars – there’s nothing better than
seeing these speedy four-legged wonders hard at work on a
golden fall day in Colorado.
It’s all in preparation for the big event – when the top
Border Collies from the U.S. and Canada will be coming to
Carbondale in September, 2011 for the National Sheepdog
Trials. The event will be hosted at the Strang Ranch in
conjunction with Aspen Valley Land Trust and the National
Border Collie Handlers Association.
Sponsors, volunteers and other assistance are needed
for the 2011 finals. Contact [email protected], Bridget
Strang at 970/948.2391, or Ellen Nieslanik, 970/210.1125.
noteworthy
hanks to a very generous donation from the Aresty Family Foundation,
copies of Our Place, AVLT’s hardbound book which tells the tales of some of our
generous landowners, is finding its way into more hands. The donation allowed for
the distribution of the book in waiting rooms of professional offices such as doctors,
dentists, veterinians, and chiropractors, along with banks and others from De Beque
to Aspen. As you wait for your checkup, check out this great book – you are sure to
see a familiar face or two. Copies of Our Place are available at local book stores and
at www.avlt.org.
State Certification of Land Trusts
Colorado has become the first to require conservation news
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state certification of land trusts and governmental
entities that participate in the Colorado conservation
tax credit program. The change was part of 2008
legislation designed to prevent the
type of fraudulent transactions by
a few promoters and unethical land
trusts that surfaced in 2003 and led
to widespread audits of conservation
easements by the IRS in Colorado.
The certification program is under
the
governor’s
Conservation
Easement Oversight Commission at
the Division of Real Estate, a branch
of the Department of Regulatory
Agencies. The process includes a rigorous review of
applicants’ records, practices, policies, capacity and
fiscal health, and is based on the criteria established by
the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
All nonprofit entities that hold a conservation
easement for which a tax credit is claimed must now
be certified. By January 1, 2011, all state agencies and
local governments that hold these easements must
also be certified.
The Division of Real Estate certified 27 nonprofit organizations for 2010, all of which must renew
their certification annually. None of the fraudulent
“land trusts” implicated in the abuses of the previous
years applied, which effectively
shuts them down and proves that
the program is working. Between
voluntary national accreditation,
and mandatory certification in
Colorado, prospective easement
donors in the state finally have
a standard by which to measure
land trusts, and accountability has
become the law.
The process
includes a rigorous
review of applicants’
records, practices,
capacity and fiscal
health...
AVLT was certified by the State of Colorado in 2009
to accept conservation easements for which a state tax
credit is claimed and has been nationally accredited
by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission since
2008. To learn more go to: www.dora.state.co.us/realestate/conservation.htm. To see a list of Colorado
certified organizations, click on “applicant status.”
Colorado, Congress and Conservation
In this era of tight budgets and difficult choices, both the Colorado State Legislature and U.S. Congress
have been proactive in furthering land conservation by strengthening support for conservation easements.
Colorado’s conservation easement tax credit program, the most aggressive in the U.S., received
bipartisan support during the most recent legislative session, even as other state tax credits were eliminated.
The legislature, through HB 1197, kept the maximum tax credit at $375,000 but did place a cap of $26 million
annually for the next three years on the amount of tax credits that can be claimed statewide. Conservation
easements that are completed after the cap has been reached will be placed on a waiting list for credits in the
next fiscal year.
Another change made this year to the state’s conservation tax
credit program is that additional review authority was given to the
Colorado Conservation Easement Oversight Commission staff at
the Division of Real Estate. All appraisals will be reviewed before the
landowner files for tax benefits. This will provide an additional level
of assurance for easement donors that their transactions have been
reviewed at the state level and that any issues or errors can be identified
and corrected before taxes are filed. The Colorado Department of
Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service can still review any tax
filing at will, but the added state review is intended to prevent the
widespread federal audits that occurred in 2006.
At the federal level, both Colorado Senators and all Colorado Representatives from rural areas have
signed on to cosponsor HR 4213, which would extend the increased federal tax benefits for landowners who
place their land under conservation easement. The bill has passed both the House and Senate and is expected
to be reconciled this spring and made retroactive to January 1, 2010.
HR 4213 allows taxpayers to deduct up to 50 percent of their federal adjusted gross income for donations
of qualified conservation easements, and carry forward the deduction up to 15 years. Those whose income is
primarily derived from qualified farming and ranching activities would be able to deduct up to 100% of their
AGI for donated easements, also with a 15 year carry forward.
...both the Colorado
State Legislature
and U.S. Congress
have been proactive
in furthering land
conservation.
Map of AVLT conserved lands
Our hosts Mike Goscha, Emma Danciger,
and Mark Nieslanik.
The “scene” in the Tybar barn.
Aspen Valley Land Trust’s 6th Annual Save the Land Dance
September 12, 5:30 pm
save the land dance
we’re moooo-ving the party this year to
Tybar Ranch, Carbondale
Tickets $75
Sponsors:
Party Hosts:
Purchase tickets online at www.avlt.org
Music by Acoustic Mayhem
“Aspen to Parachute”
Our volunteers rock!
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AVLT Board Members
Amy Barr
Patsy Batchelder
Michele Cardamone
Kelly Cave
Betty Collins
Jerry Fazzi
Gloria Greene
Barb & Pablo Hanrahan
Andrea Holland Sears
Rye Lemons
Lydia McIntyre
Jennifer Michaud
Steve Mills
Candace Nadon
Pat Patterson
Julie & Doug Pratte
Linda & Mark Schuemaker
Kate Schwartzler
Shelley Spalding
Bill Spence
Laurie Stevens
Jacque Whitsitt
Aspen Valley
Land Trust
T 6
he th annual Save the Land Dance set a new tone for
our festive event. While we were sad to leave the beautiful
sweeping views at Strang Ranch, we felt right at home in
the fantastic barn at Tybar Ranch. Once again supporters
and neighbors came together to eat, drink, dance and raise
money for land conservation. Please save the date for our 7th
annual event, September 11, 2010 which again promises to
be the party of the year!
save the date
9.11.10
Tybar Ranch Board Members Robert
Barnett (left) and Cameron Sewell
(right) visit with AVLT Executive
Director Martha Cochran.
Good thing we were inside the barn!
Brooding skies brought rain and served as a
dramatic backdrop to the live auction display.
Laurie Loeb, Dave & Krysia Reed,
Teresa Salvatore & John Armstrong.
All photos this page by Jennifer Michaud
Thank you to our sponsors!
Party Hosts::
Sponsors:
Dorothea Farris, Bill Spence, and
AVLT Board Member Sue Edelstein.
Special thanks to:
Basalt Regional Heritage Society
Choice Liquors - “It’s All Good.”
Crystal River Meats, Jacober Brothers Construction
Flying Dog Brewing
Fusion Catering - Alex & Laura Kim, Dragonfly Ranch
Gloria Greene
Lydia McIntyre, Flying Dog Ranch
Skylar Rossi
and of course...
“Aspen to Parachute”
Focus on a Conserved Property
“Genes that Fit.” That’s the tagline for the famous Tybar
Ranch, located on Prince Creek Road outside Carbondale.
Don’t be fooled by the bucolic setting, well managed
pastures and docile cows. Tybar is a serious cattle operation.
For many years, the ranch staff has worked with Colorado State
University to develop testing and tracking systems that use
genetics to improve profitability and productivity for buyers of
its breeding stock.
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ABOVE: the entrance to the
picturesque Tybar Ranch.
LEFT: After calving, he
ranch crew checks on
the calves twice daily. In
muddy fields the calves
often eat the mud. “They’re
just like kids” says ranch
manager Mark Nieslanik.
After roping, they medicate
the calf with Pepto-bismol
and an antibiotic shot.
Pictured here in green
Mike Goscha, in tan Bowdy
McMullin, and in black
Casey Griffith.
BELOW: Haybales decorate
the fields in summer.
on the land
David and Emma Danciger were pioneers in the Angus business, starting in Texas in 1952 and then
moving their enterprise to Tybar in 1979. David was a pioneer in artificial insemination and computerized
selective breeding, and worked with agricultural research studies at various universities. David passed away in
2004, but the business continues under the inspired leadership of Emma, with the help of long-time manager
Mark Nieslanik and assistant manager Mark Goscha.
The former owner, George Stranahan, conserved a portion of the ranch with Aspen Valley Land Trust
in 1981, in what was AVLT’s first conservation easement. Emma and Mark are now working with Pitkin County
and AVLT to fulfill David’s vision of conserving the rest of this 700+ acre working ranch, and to dedicate a bike
and pedestrian trail along Prince Creek Road.
It’s not all work at Tybar – although it may seem like that during calving season. Come fall the ranch
hands spend days mowing, moving, cleaning and spiffing up the barn in preparation for AVLT’s annual Save the
Land Dance.
Tybar and the Dancigers have made giant contributions to both the local community and to the nation’s
cattle industry.
AVLT Conserved Lands
conserved properties
12
1967-1999
Freddie Fisher Park - Aspen
Stein Park (Fisherman’s Park) - Aspen
Aspen Alps Park - Aspen
Center Lode Mining Claim - Aspen Mountain
Millionaire Lode Mining Claim - Aspen Mountain
Flying Dog Ranch West - Carbondale
Tybar Ranch - Carbondale
Fox Family - Snowmass
Aspen Chance - Aspen Mountain, Aspen
Lenado Mining Claims - Lenado
Red Butte (Ute Butte) - Aspen
Verena Mallory Park (Hammerhead Park) - Aspen
Castle Creek Valley Ranch - Aspen
Emilee Benedict Park - Hunter Creek, Aspen
Hunter Creek - Smuggler Mountain, Aspen
Acreage
0.42
1.57
0.14
4.03
1.5
224.0
198.0
59.65
2.8
560.0
35.58
10.71
8.5
10.06
52.76
Stillwater Ranch - Aspen
Sopris Mountain Ranch - West Sopris Creek, Emma
Faranhyll Ranch - Glenwood Springs
Windstar Preserve - Snowmass
Aspen Village - Snowmass
Dart Family - Snowmass
Larsh - Carbondale
Price I Ranch - Dry Hollow, Silt
Central Ranch - Missouri Heights, Carbondale
Crystal Island Ranch - Carbondale
Hummingbird Lode - Hunter Creek, Aspen
Watson Divide - Snowmass
Barbee Open Space (Ajax Trail) - Aspen
Rock Bottom Ranch - Emma
Acreage
5.9
280.0
437.73 957.0
13.7
292.0
8.0
279.3
101.18
1,067.42
9.3
860.0
13.56
77.98
2002
Brackett - Sopris Crown, Emma Lazy H/11 Ranch (Jackson) - Glenwood Springs
Northstar Preserve - Indpendence Pass, Aspen
Price II Ranch - Dry Hollow, Silt
Wilson / Eck I - Redstone
48.49
292.42
175.0
160.0
0.73
34.0
7.8
148.5
100.0
57.8
740.0
38.0
288.14
168.0
139.29
Holy Cross (City of Aspen) - Aspen
Kinstead Ranch - Dry Hollow, Silt
LaLone Family - Redstone
Marble Ski Area Lots 44 & 47 - Rikkers Family
Marble Ski Area Lots 42 & 43 - Walden Family
Springridge - Dry Park, Glenwood Springs
Strang Ranch - Missouri Heights, Carbondale
Wilson / Eck II - Redstone 0.94
194.53
31.97
6.48
3.38
308.75
297.69
2.6
2004
Canyon Creek - Balcomb Arbaney Canyon Creek - Elk Canyon Ranch (Robinson)
Canyon Creek - Engeler Canyon Creek - Little River Ranch (Armstrong/Alford)
Canyon Creek - Que Sera Ranch (Beard/Szedelyi)
Fischer - Three Mile, Glenwood Springs
Happy Day Ranch Lot I (Parker) - Emma
Harris on the Roaring Fork - Glenwood Springs
La Bodega del Rio - Rio Grande Trail, Woody Creek
Last Dance / 7H Ranch - Dry Hollow, Silt
Lester Family - Redstone
Little Chief Lode - Hunter Creek, Aspen
41.11
32.21
24.64
50.55
44.5
86.83
25.5
1.12
3.0
217.18
0.63
9.87
Marble Ski Area Lots 29 & 55 - Harris Family
Morris Ranch - Dry Hollow, Silt
Philly Wolf Ranch (Arbaney) - Carbondale
Ranch at Coulter Creek - Carbondale
Redstone Coke Ovens - Redstone
Rivendell Farm - Spring Valley, Glenwood Springs
Seven Star - Brush Creek, Snowmass Village
Stormking Hunting Ranch (Ingelhart)- Glenwood Spgs.
Turgoose Ranch - Rifle
Wieben Ranch - Capitol Creek, Snowmass
Wilson/Eck III - Redstone
4.86
142.15
80.0
305.25
14.63
168.91
231.59
126.0
84.2
212.7
30.6
2005
Blackman Ranch (Lowery) - Rifle
Broker Load (Goldsmith) - Avalanche Creek
Canyon Creek - Carter
Cozy Point South - Brush Creek, Snowmass Village
Daley-Myers Ranch - Dry Hollow, Silt
Dwyer Family - Alkali Creek, New Castle
Fazzi Ranch - Dry Hollow, Silt
Grand View Ranch (Patterson) - Dry Hollow, Silt
Harvey Ranch - Snowmass
Hood Ranch - South Canyon
Knaus Ranch - Taughenbaugh Mesa, Rifle
Little Ajax - Shadow Mountain, Aspen
Little Muddy Gulch (Ingelhart) - Divide Creek, Silt
720.0
10.33
33.88
135.42
70.0
80.0
284.03
283.89
1,820.21
160.0
85.68
0.65
70.0
McCray Ranch - Divide Creek, Silt
Morrisania Ranch (Michaelis) - Parachute
Nieslanik Ranch (John) - East Mesa, Carbondale
O’Connell Ranch - Dry Hollow, Silt
Quarter Circle 8 Ranch (McNulty)- Carbondale
Shield O Mesa (RMI) - Snowmass
Sage Canyon - Dry Hollow, Silt
Singletree Ranch (Daley) - Dry Hollow, Silt
Smuggler Mountain Open Space - Aspen
Smuggler Mountain B & M Mining Claim - Aspen
Vallario - Dry Hollow, Silt
W/J Ranch (Areas A & B) - McLain Flats, Aspen
W/J Ranch (Area F) - McLain Flats, Aspen
307.75
36.65
166.96
230.0
596.9
35.76
65.38
70.0
161.26
10.33
35.34
29.42
86.60
2000
Hardy - Castle Creek Valley, Aspen
Stein Ranch I - Sunny Side Trail, Aspen
Stein Ranch II - Rio Grande Trail, Aspen
Stout Ranch - Baldy Creek, New Castle
90.0
148.1
83.7
1,300.0
2003
Aspen Skiing Co - Creek Valley, Snowmass Village Aspen Skiing Co - Ridge East, Snowmass Village Aspen Skiing Co - Wildcat Ridge, Snowmass Village Burlingame Ranch East - Aspen
Burlingame Ranch West - Aspen
Capitol Creek Ranch (Child Family) - Snowmass
Coffman Ranch - Carbondale
Colorado River Preserve & Island Park - Rifle
Cozy Point Ranch - Brush Creek, Snowmass Village
Hole-in-the-Ground Ranch (Crawford) - El Jebel
Okenala Ranch (Knobel) - Canyon Creek
Rocky Hill Ranch (Dibrell) - Collbran
Rowe Ranch - Divide Creek, Silt
Scott Ranch - Roan Cliffs, De Beque
Taucher Place (Fales/Perry) - Carbondale
West Divide Ranch (BriAnn) - West Divide, Silt
West Divide Ranch - West Divide, Silt
West Rifle Creek Ranch (Belgum) - Rifle Young Ranch - Collbran
495.79
1,513.0
571.0
147.29
80.0
1,114.74
96.67
655.0
881.0
2007
CRMS River Parcel - Carbondale
Dunn-Galloway Ranch - Divide Creek, Silt
Emma Farms (Waldeck) - Emma
Flogus Pond (Barnes) - Marble
Flying Dog Ranch (Stranahan) - Woody Creek
Grange Ranch - Basalt
Malone Ranch - Mamm Creek, Silt
Montover Ranch - East Divide Creek, Silt
Parry Pond (Baldwin) - Marble
Peterson Ranch - Missouri Heights, Carbondale
Roan Creek Ranch (Bedell) - De Beque
18.5
75.79
66.94
160.0
123.55
216.96
194.73
320.0
160.0
78.0
280.0
Smuggler Contraband Mining Claim - Aspen
Smuggler Della S Mining Claim - Aspen
Smuggler Result Mining Claim - Aspen
Snowmass Divide Property - Snowmass Village
Spring Creek Fish Hatchery - Upper Fryingpan Valley
Streamside at Crown Peak (Kelley) - East Divide Creek
Toomer Ranch - Divide Creek, Silt
Triple J Ranch - Garfield Creek, New Castle
Una (Grand River Ranches) - Parachute
Ute Mesa Open Space - Aspen Mountain
W-T Ranch (Witt) - Missouri Heights, Carbondale
9.3
10.33
6.9
124.98
159.7
79.61
80.0
2,063.18
163.0
4.11
79.48
2008
Dowdy Property - Basalt Mountain
Flatbush Farm (Pietzrak) - Emma
Record Ranch (Fulton) - West Divide Creek, Silt
Sunnyside Ranch (Blue) - Missouri Heights, Carbondale
Tie Camp (Uihlein) - Frying Pan, Basalt
85.2
56.43
261.37
165.4
143.0
2009
Quarter Circle 8 NW Pasture- Carbondale
Snowmass Creek (Davis/Donnelley) - Snowmass
Stuart Paul Rippy Memorial Wildlife Easement - GWS
Tall Pines - 4A Ridge (McDonald) - De Beque
80.0
184.36
35.0
520.0
TOTAL CONSERVED ACRES
Total Number of Conserved Properties 31,546.02
153
This newsletter is generously sponsored by
2009 donors
Dr. Mike & Maci Berkeley
Don & Beth Fulton
David McDonald
Wendy & Gary McNulty,
Katy Sorli, and Meg McNulty
Bill & Bobbie Rowe
Dr. Richard Timmer & Marilyn Rice
Tom Waldeck & Steven Waldeck
Growth in Conserved Lands
Acres
35,000
Colorado River Preserve, Rifle
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
1967
1970
1973
1976
1979
1982
1985
1988
1991
1994
1997
2000
2003
2006
photo by Pam Sant
2009
thank you easement donors!
13
conserved properties
2006
Acreage
Clark Ranch - Emma
117.62
Crown Mountain Ranch (Fender Ranch) - Emma
559.9
Darien Ranch - Marble
159.41
East Canyon Creek Ranch (Slappey) - Glenwood Spgs. 320.0
Farnum Ranch - Roan Cliffs, De Beque
130.84
Fischer Out Parcel - Three Mile, Glenwood Springs
3.17
Hood Ranch (J&J) - South Canyon, Glenwood Springs 80.0
Hunter Valley Way - Hunter Creek, Aspen
9.59
Nieslanik Ranch (J&S) - Buck Point, Coulter Creek
630.0
Lifetime Members
ANONYMOUS
HRH Prince Bandar bin Sultan
Over $75,000
Damian Clinton
River Valley Ranch Master Association
14
*We apologize for any misprints or omissions
photo by Rare Earth Science, LLC - Rowe Ranch, Divide Creek
donors
These accomplishments brought to you
by AVLT’s generous donors*
$5,000 and Over
ANONYMOUS
Aresty Family Foundation
Obermeyer Asset Management
Seligman Western Enterprises, Ltd
Shenandoah Foundation,
Mr. & Mrs. Johnstone
The Little Nell
Woody Creek Hounds Advised Fund
$1,000 - $4,999
Alpine Bank
ANONYMOUS
ANONYMOUS
Bald Mountain Development
Charlie Cole
Mark Taché & Christin Cooper
Carol Craig
Dalby Wendland & Co., P.C.
Bill Spence & Sue Edelstein
Elizabeth Fergus Foundation,
Elizabeth & Robert Fergus
Jonathan & Lucie Fitch
Mark Harvey
Robert & Soledad Hurst
John P. McBride Family
& the ABC Foundation
Peter Looram
Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan
Family Foundation
BF Foundation, Sarah & Richard Shaw
Mike & Laura Kaplan Advised Fund
Ann Nichols
Wally Obermeyer
Richard E. & Marianne B. Kipper
Foundation
Sue Rodgers
Michael Rosenberg
The Moore Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Lynde Uihlein
Western Land Group
Patsy Batchelder & Andy Wiessner
William B. Wiener Jr. Foundation
Advised Fund
$500 - $999
Dean Bowlby
David Corbin
Lee & Donna Dale
Sherri Draper & Will Ferry
Marcia H. Fusaro
Phyllis F. Hire
David & Ruth Hoff
Carter & Louise Jackson
Sandy Jackson
Chuck & Beverly Johnson
Bill & Melanie Livingston
Henry Lord
Peter & Ann Martin
Martha Cochran & Steve Mills
Don Price
Chris Reither
Betty Ann & Richard Shenk
Dr. Steven O’Brien & Nathan Stowe
Mr. & Mrs. William F. Wallace
Advised Fund
J. Fred Wooden
Dan Young
Julie, Michael & Hayden Kennedy
Albert & Susan Kern
Mr. & Mrs. Robert LeBuhn
Amory Lovins & Judy Hill Lovins
Lisa & Jonathan Lowsky
Barbara & Bill McElnea
Rick & Virginia Newton
$250 - $499
Mark Nieslanik
Bank of the West Employee
Bette Oakes, in honor of John Oakes
Giving Program
Rosemary & Pat Patterson
John & Jackie Bucksbaum
Norman & Melinda Payson
Craig & Mikaela Barnes
Fred & Sandra Peirce
Suzanne Farver
Bill Fales & Marj Perry
Travis Clark
Cathy Porter
Stephen Bershenyi
Les & Cynthia Price
Chelsea Congdon & James Brundige
John & Catherine Anne Provine
Steve & Georgia Carter
Lecie & Jack Resneck, in honor of
John & Susan Cottle
Bonnie Levinson & Don Kay
Caroline Duell
Maureen & Arthur Rothman
Jeremy & Angela Foster
Raymond & Judith Schoonmaker
Walter Gallacher
Alan & Senator Gail Schwartz
Peter & Aileen Gilbert
Susan & Warren Sheridan
Gordon & Lillian Hardy
Carolyn & Dick Shohet
Juliane Heyman Advised Fund
Jan & Bruce Shugart
Howie Mallory Family
Pat Spitzmiller
Jacober Brothers Construction
Ron Rogers
Louis & Cindy Meyer
Scott & Tammie Stuart
Shannon Muse
Melissa Sumera
Virginia Parker
John Taylor
Brooke A. Peterson and Diane T. Peterson Alexander & Dorothea Thomson
Advised Fund
Craig & Becky Ward
Chuck & Linda Vidal
Betty Weiss
Jay & Marnie Webster
Hans Widmer
Lauri Korinek & Mark Weston
King R. Woodward
Doug & Sharon Ziegler
$100 - $249
Alpha Natural, Inc.
Compass Mountain Land Use, LLC
Kevin Gibson
Susie Hoeppli
Mt. Daly Enterprises, LLC, Julia Marshall
Zanin Family Foundation
Rebecca Ayres
Bea & Tom Beckley
Michael Behrendt
Skip Behrhorst
Elyse Elliott & Jeremy Bernstein
Stephen & Carla Berry
Alan Bershenyi
Dee Blue
James & Katherine Bulkley
Michele & Jim Cardamone
Barbara Conviser
Jack & Gesine Crandall
Pam Cunningham
Susan Cuseo
Jim & Jackie Dallman
Robin & Dick Danell
Dr. Dale & Pam Darnell
Susan Darrow
Brian & Stephanie Davies Family Trust
Gregory Durrett
Joan Engler
Dorothea Farris
Sarah & George Hart
Casady M. Henry
Kristen Henry, in honor of John Fielder
Judith & Stanley Hoffberger
HP Geotech, Inc.
Glen & Lynne Jammaron
Greg & Sean Jeung
Sam & Ann Johnson
Up to $99
Molly & Barry Adams
AVLT Board of Directors in honor of
Jerome Aresty
Charles & Martha Bauer, in honor of
Susan Cuseo’s birthday
D. John Stickney & Lee Beck
Jeff & Janette Bier
Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting
Dr. John & Myra Bone
Scott & Betsy Bowie
Susan Boyce, in honor of the wedding of
Steve & Bailey Haines
Jerry & Eugene Burk
Roger & Helen Carlsen
Paul D’Amato & Beth Cashdan
Joy Caudill
Cassie Cerise
Robert Tures & Christine Chisholm
Hal Clark
Mark & Jeanie Clark
Anne Cooke
Susan Cuseo, in honor of
Marty Bauer and Diane Zamansky
Laura Kirk & David Carpenter
James Conway & Anne Dakin
Dr. Nancy Thomas & Dr. Roger Davis
Peter & Catherine Davis
Nancy & Bob Dederer
Marjorie DeLuca
Bob & Nancy Emerson
John & Mary Lou Flynn
Anne & Phil Freedman
Alfred & Kay Gardner
Sara Garton
Jon Gibans
Shelley Supplee & Hawk Greenway
Bill & Joyce Gruenberg
15
Lathrop Strang
Memorial Fund Donors
Rebecca Donelson & Robert Blattberg
Debby & Michael Brady
Ed & Judy Brown
Jane Covington
Jody, Charlotte, and Courtney Edwards
Lee Ann Eustis
Shelley Supplee & Hawk Greenway
Bob & Sue Helm
Michelle & Keith Marlow
Carolyn Miller
David & Mary Jane Nunes
Erik & Carla Peltonen
Geoffrey & Hope Platt
Dr. Robert Thorsen & Dr. Lori Pohm
David Reed
Cynthia Scholl
Ashley Smith
Pam Szedelyi
Mike & Kit Strang
Jennifer Phelps Tempest
Tom & Roz Turnbull
donors
Ajax Bike & Sport
Alpine Animal Hospital
Aspen Skiing Company
Aspen Sports
Aspen Times
Basalt Regional Heritage Society
Stephen Bershenyi
Red Rock Diner
Redstone Inn
Restaurant Six89
Rivendell Sod Farm
RJ Paddywacks
Roan Creek Ranch
Roaring Fork Transit Authority
Roaring Fork Valley Co-op
Roberts-Gray Studios
Rocky Mountain Pet Shop
Skylar Rossi
Jill Sabella
Jennifer Sanborn
Silt Discount Liquor
Skyline Ranch and Kennels
Smoke Modern Barbeque
Snowmass Western Heritage Association
Sopris Sun, LLC
Amber Sparkles
Splendor Mountain Spa
Daniel Sprick
Sherrill Stone
George Stranahan
Bridget Strang
Strang Ranch
Suitable for Framing
Melissa Sumera
SuNora’s Hair Salon
Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association
The Hotel Jerome, a Rock Resort
The Prospector
The Sky Hotel
Greg Tonozzi
Two Old Hippies
Ute Mountaineer Ltd.
Villlage Smithy
Western Slope Aggregates
Western Window Washing
White House Pizza
Wonderview Farms
Blaine Wright
Dan Young
Zheng Asian Bistro
These accomplishments brought to you
by AVLT’s generous donors*
In Kind Donors
Jo Bershenyi
Betsy Bingham-Johns
Joy Blong
Book Train
Dean Bowlby
Bristlecone Mountain Sports
Anna Cabral-Mishmash
Lisa Chapman
Choice Liquors
Martha Cochran
Colorado Animal Rescue
Community Banks of Colorado
Corky Woods
Crystal River Meats
Cuvee World Bistro
Bob Dando
Darwins
Divide Creek Farm
Dos Gringos Burritos & Cafe Olé
Dwyer Greens & Flowers
Joan Engler
Epicurious
Chris Erickson
Explore Booksellers & Bistro
John Fielder
Flying Dog Forge, Inc.
Frias Properties
Marcia H. Fusaro
Fusion Design & Catering @
The Dragonfly Ranch
Walter Gallacher
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Grana Bread Company
Gloria & Patrick Greene
Harmony Scott Jewelry Design
Wendy & Carl Hayden
Heidi Hat / Heidi Bottom
Dr. Jay Heim
Linda Helmich
Homeshow
Kathy Honea
Hot Springs Lodge & Pool
Isberian Rug Company, Inc.
Italian Underground
Sandy Jackson
Jobody Pilates
Dr. Corey Johnson
Majid Kahhak
Michael Kinsley
Kitchen Collage
Jane Lee
Linda Loeschen
ma2 architects
Marilyn MaC
Main Street Gallery
Kim McIntyre
Heather McGregor
Lee Mercer
Michael Pier Studios
Midland Baking Co.
Summers Moore
Mountain Flowers of Aspen
Shannon Muse
Mary Noone
Vallee Noone
Lynette O’Kane
Wally Obermeyer
Paper Wise
Pat Patterson at Fine Things
Performance Ski
Olivia Pevec
Pink Lemonade Creations
Planted Earth
Red Hill Animal Health Center
*We apologize for any misprints or omissions
Tim & Kay Hagman, in honor of
Adele Hause
David Hamilton
Richard & Jane Hart
Ann Hodges
Karl Hoff
Andrea Holland-Sears
Gail & Philip Holstein
Barbara Reid & David Hyman
Tom Isaac
Sage Wiley Jarman
Jim Jensen
Peter & Sandy Johnson
Susan & Jerry Katz
Deborah Jones & John Katzenberger
John & Linda Keleher
Mary Jo Kimbrough
Michael Kinsley
Tim Knight
Peggy Mason & Mark Lee
Terry Lee
Tricia Louthis
Bob & Jane Lucas
Jan MacCready, in honor of
Lloyd & Marlene Manown
Mr. & Mrs. Austin Marquis
Barbara Maxson, in honor of
Janet & Bob Mineo
Bill & Jane Mitchell
John & Barbara Moebius
Tom & Carolyn Moore
Viginia & George Morris
David Muckenhirn
Bruce Gabow & Deborah Murphy
Shannon Murphy
Gordon & Nancy Nelson
Bob & Carolyn Purvis
Erik & Carla Peltonen
Teddy Hill & Elizabeth Penfield
Katherine Reppa
Rachel Richards
Stephen & Elissa Salzman
Cathy & Mike Schermer
Barbara & Rodger Schomaker
Randy Gold & Dawn Shepard
Lori & Kimball Spence
Steve & Sandy Stay
Sherrill Stone
Edward Sullivan
Hal Sundin
Henderson Supplee
Suzie & Don Swales
Yvan & Marie Taché
The Forbes
Armand & Nancy Thomas
Thorsen Family, in memory of
James Edward Griffin (Jed)
Shelly Sheppick & Stu Urfrig
David & Diane Zamansky, in honor of
Theresa Zelenka
S
Aspen Valley Land Trust
320 Main Street, Suite 204
Carbondale, CO 81623
Presorted
NONPROFIT
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #90
Glenwood Spgs, CO
.
t
s
a
l
o
t
.
.
.
t
s
e
aving the b
The Little Nell AVLT’s partner
in conservation
since 2003.
Thank you to our conservation donors, financial supporters, various partners, and talented
staff and board! Your generosity, foresight and dedication helped make 2009 a very successful year
despite a continuing difficult economic environment.
While total new acreage conserved was below the 2007 and 2008 levels, the nine easements
added in 2009 are comprised of some truly remarkable properties; equally impressive are the
caring owners and the remarkable connection they have to their land.
Good stewardship requires financial strength. Through the generosity of its supporters,
AVLT’s financial position has remained strong, enabling it to stay focused on its 100-year mission
as opposed to suffering the vulnerabilities that come with being underfunded. A special thanks to
you who make this possible.
While the recession presents unique challenges, it also presents unique opportunities. The attendant slowdown in
development may ultimately keep the door open longer for AVLT to put more acreage under conservation. It is also possible
that higher future tax rates could further improve the attractiveness of putting land under conservation easement. Although
these are factors that we cannot control and will likely change at some point, at the moment the future looks very bright for
AVLT.
We are witnessing an industry maturation and consolidation of the land conservation business. Out of this
environment are emerging fewer, but better-run land trusts. I am proud that AVLT has the opportunity to take a leadership
role in this evolution and am grateful to our dedicated and highly skilled team.
Sincerely,
photo by Dan Bayer
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Wally Obermeyer,
President, Board of Directors

2009 Annual Report - Aspen Valley Land Trust

Transcription

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