Shaw: Big thanks to PitCo for land purchase
As Pitkin County closes on the 650-acre Snowmass Falls Ranch property this week, the future of this wilderness gateway has been secured for wildlife and people, alike.
Of course, this conservation opportunity is only possible because of its owners’ careful stewardship over the last 80 years; they are a wonderful example of how conservation values can be protected under private ownership. But the likelihood of another conservation-minded buyer stepping forward when the property was listed for sale was slim, and I am so grateful that the county had the vision and a strong Open Space program to take the lead on conserving this remarkable landscape for the long-term benefit of our community.
The beauty of this project is that thanks to a collaborative partnership with the White River National Forest and The Wilderness Land Trust — an organization founded in Aspen 31 years ago — Pitkin County will recoup most of the purchase price to re-invest in other significant community conservation projects once the majority of the property is added to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
As development continues to encroach on special places, collaborations like this help protect lands in and around our wild places for healthy ecosystems, clean air and water, and public access. As a 30-year local resident, conservationist, and current chair of the Wilderness Land Trust board, I’m proud of our local government working with federal agencies and non-profits like ours to protect this legacy, so that future generations can know and love our wilderness as I have.
Sarah Chase Shaw
Basalt
