2023 Summer Events Recap
This article first appear in our Winter 2023 issue of Wild Works.
Independence Pass Snow Fence Removal Restoration Project
This past summer, Wilderness Workshop teamed up with the Independence Pass Foundation to continue work that has been done over the past decades to remove sections of an experimental snow fence that was abandoned in the 1960’s. The snow fence was originally installed in an attempt to capture more winter snow and increase the spring run-off. This experiment was unsuccessful, and the infrastructure was abandoned along the continental divide. Volunteers removed a series of corrugated steel panels and rebar and helped consolidate dozens more panels for future crews to remove with greater ease.
Latino Community Listening Sessions with the Forest Service
These listening sessions, conducted in August, brought together Latino leaders from the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys with local and national Forest Service staff. Community leaders expressed their concerns and issues to the Forest Service about access to nature, language justice and accessibility, among other topics. Because of the meeting, and using our Camino Latino map as a guide (see pages 6-7 of this newsletter), the Forest Service identified trailheads and access corridors to install new bilingual signs and information.
Wild Feast With Abigail Dillen
Hosted at the St. Regis in Aspen, this summer’s Wild Feast was a wonderful evening of celebration and an opportunity to connect with some of our organization’s most generous supporters. Our featured speaker, Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen, highlighted the important role Wilderness Workshop plays in the environmental movement and also put a fine point on what a critical moment we find ourselves in, namely, regarding our shared work to protect people and the planet. Due to the generosity of the attendees, WW raised nearly $200,000 to fund our work protecting wilderness, water, and wildlife. Photos courtesy of Sam Sheppard.
