If you spend enough time around the Gunnison Valley, chances are you have crossed paths with High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) — perhaps on a trail, at a public lands meeting, during a restoration project, or maybe at a brewpub in Crested Butte South to discuss public lands?
On Sept. 19, the conservation group brought the community together for its second annual Public Lands Palooza at Zuni West Brewing in Crested Butte South. The free gathering celebrated the public lands, waters, and wildlife of the Gunnison Valley, as well as the people who volunteer their time to care for them.
What does HCCA do? For nearly 50 years, HCCA has been part of the local conversation about what happens to the mountains, forests, rivers, and open spaces surrounding the valley.
The Crested Butte-based nonprofit traces its roots to 1977, when residents organized in opposition to a proposed molybdenum mine on Mt. Emmons, better known as Red Lady. That fight became one of the defining conservation battles in the Gunnison Valley and continued for decades.
What is HCCA doing today?
During the gathering at the public lands palooza, the Gunnison Country Times asked several HCCA board members and staff about the organization's current focus. Sue Navy, who has been part of the organization since the beginning and has served on the board of directors since about 1980, said she is optimistic about the Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act (GORP) and noted that the legislation has bipartisan support from Senator Michael Bennet and Representative Jeff Hurd, R-CO-03.
HCCA board member Bryan Wells told the Gunnison Country Times, "We've reinvigorated our stewardship program... this is a way for people who care about public lands to help. It is older adults, people from Western [Colorado University], people from Crested Butte, Gunnison, CB South, and includes those who ride bikes, hike, and enjoy the outdoors. The events are community gatherings to make small, incremental changes to public lands in the region."
The organization advocates for public lands, water and wildlife and works on conservation and restoration projects throughout the Gunnison Country. It also organizes hikes, educational programs, volunteer projects and community events aimed at getting people outside and involved.
Regarding the volunteer stewardship events, board member Natalie Ehmsen told the Gunnison Country Times, "People want to get involved and get their hands dirty; these make you literally feel like you are making a difference. We have really made an effort to reinvigorate these stewardship events."
The next event is on Saturday, September 26, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, for a day of wetland restoration near Crested Butte.
Isabel Lucas, Administrator, Stewardship and Outreach Coordinator with the group, added, "The biggest movement we have had with the GORP Act is that it had a hearing recently before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. That is a movement in Congress. Now that it has had a hearing, it can be put up for a vote in the Senate. It probably wouldn’t pass, but it is still progress for the bill. It is good to see it is being talked about. Senator Benett gave great testimony and emphasized that it was bipartisan."
“Over a decade ago, I stood on the banks of the Slate River in the Gunnison Basin and promised the local community that if they could agree on a shared vision to protect this landscape, I would carry a bill to help make that vision a reality, and they did…These conversations reflect a broad vision for the landscape, bipartisan agreement on common sense solutions, and ultimately strong support for the Gunnison Outdoor Resource Protection Act, or as we call it, the GORP Act.” Said Bennet during his July testimony.
That emphasis on community is no accident. More than 80% of Gunnison County is public land, according to HCCA, making decisions about those lands part of everyday life here — whether someone is hiking in the Slate River Valley, fishing the Gunnison River, skiing above Crested Butte or ranching along the valley floor.
To celebrate National Public Lands Day, join HCCA for a day of hands-on stewardship and restore wet meadows along Antelope Creek using Zeedyk rock structures, in partnership with the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, and the Bureau of Land Management.
Wet meadows are vital ecosystems that absorb water, support plant life, and provide important habitat for wildlife. Human impacts and prolonged drought have caused many of these ecosystems to decline, making restoration efforts more important than ever.
Volunteer Details regarding the September 26, HCCA Antelope Creek Wet Meadow Project:
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here