“I used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address those problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy—and to deal with those we need a spiritual and cultural transformation—and we scientists don’t know how to do that.”
- Gus Speth (National Resources Defense Council co-founder)
Table of Contents
Letter From the CEO
Community Outreach
ACES Education
Naturalist Programs
“A Naturalist’s Guide to the Unknown”
Forest & Climate
Regenerative Agriculture
Special Events
Lecture Series & Other Events
Fulfulling Capital Campaign
Membership & Donors
Financials
Community Engagement
Staff and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
About ACES
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is a nonprofit environmental organization with three locations in the Roaring Fork Valley: Hallam Lake, Rock Bottom Ranch, and the Catto Center at Toklat.
Since 1968, ACES has inspired a lifelong commitment to the Earth by providing innovative and immersive programming for all ages. Our programs focus on education, regenerative agriculture, forest and ecosystem health, climate, land restoration, and environmental leadership.
ACES contributes to a national agenda for increased environmental awareness. With support from many partner organizations, our programs reach over 140,000 individuals every year. We teach in local schools daily, lead camps in the summer, and host adult classes. We share the beauty and ecology of our area with locals and visitors through Naturalist-led hikes and field programs for all ages. We also engage our community by hosting public lectures and events. ACES collaborates with land trusts, public agencies, and other nonprofits to achieve our mission.
In the decades ahead, ACES seeks to cultivate a community of environmental stewards so that children, parents, consumers, decision-makers, and leaders can make informed decisions in an increasingly complex world.
Ozempic, Cancer, and the President
Imagine if our president were ecologically literate?
As a young child, he would have attended Wild Exploration at ACES’ summer camp, getting his fingernails dirty, mucking around in nature while learning about Colorado’s flora and fauna.
In elementary school, ACES’ Educators would have taught him the difference between a spruce and a fir tree and an omnivore and herbivore. As part of the fourth-grade curriculum, he would win a renewable energy competition for building miniature wind, solar or hydro systems.
By middle school, he would have gone on ACES’ rigorous Wilderness Survival course where kids forage all their own food and make their own shelters in a remote pristine wilderness.
In 11th grade, he would have spent a summer as a paid Trook Apprentice, teaching ecology at ACES’ camps while learning environmental policy from regional leaders.
As a senior, he would have taken ACES’ Tomorrow’s Voices class (for college credit) where he would have learned to harness his environmental and civic leadership skills.
After college, whether he studied finance or real estate, he might have been one of the select few to be accepted as an ACES Naturalist, spending a season sharing his environmental intellect with visitors from around the world.
As an adult, he would attend an ACES’ Jessica Catto Dialogue lecture listening to Dr. Jane Goodall’s wisdom about how to protect Earth’s species or Paul Hawken explaining the ‘ecology of commerce’ or Jean-Martin Fortier teaching regenerative farming.
On one of our community programs, he would have joined ACES’ Climate and Forest Director to learn how climate change is affecting western forests through our Fire Walk or Know Your Trees program.
Years later as president, no matter his position on immigration, tariffs, or the size of our federal government, he would work tirelessly to protect our air, water, food, climate, and biodiverse ecosystems because he would know it is one thing all Americans agree upon. It makes not only ecologic sense, but also economic sense.
For example, he would know that hidden within the toxic poison of a rare desert reptile, the Gila Monster, is a hormone called exendin-4, similar to the GLP-1 hormone found in humans, that helped scientists derive the diabetes and weight loss drug Ozempic. He would know that a one-of-a-kind chemical derived from the bark of the rare Pacific Yew tree—Taxus brevifolia —is where the chemotherapy drug Taxol was derived, keeping millions of women with breast cancer alive today.
For him, it would be obvious: no intact natural ecosystems means no Ozempic and no Taxol.
Aware that more than a third of the food Americans eat depends upon insect pollinators, he would clarify to anyone, whether Democrat or Republican, that protecting pollinators and their habitats is not a political position, since $577 billion in annual crop production would be at risk. He would support protecting mangrove forests along coasts because loss of those ecosystems would expose up to 300 million people globally to increased risk of flooding.
A president who had been through ACES’ education programs, rather than cutting the EPA budget by 65% as proposed, would ask his EPA chief, Lee Zelden, to do whatever is needed to protect nature because in the Americas alone, nature provides some $24 trillion of non-monetized benefits to humans each year. He would remind Lee that our forests absorb immense quantities of carbon and help slow the pace of global warming— reducing the probability of California wildfires and hurricaneinduced Asheville flooding.
It would be obvious to a president with even a basic understanding of ecological economics that protection of our nation’s natural capital provides economic benefits to society –helping to keep our taxes and insurance rates as low as possible, actually saving, not costing, taxpayer dollars.
An ACES-educated president would instruct his energy secretary, Chris Wright, to launch as much solar, wind, and hydro energy projects as possible because he would know that they are more economical and less polluting than coal, oil, and gas. And he’d know that every year about 15 billion tons of fossil fuels are mined from the earth. That’s roughly 535 times more mining than a clean-energy economy requires! And a bonus: protecting wetlands from the impacts of such extraction helps purify our drinking water.
Unfortunately, the president has never participated in an ACES’ program. But former ACES Naturalist John Goodin did, and he went on to become the Director of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds at the EPA. Tyler Ruggles worked on fusion energy at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. ACES Educator, Rosamond Naylor, went on to become Professor of Global Environmental Policy at Stanford, and Zach Spector is now Chief of Land and Conservation at Texas Parks and Wildlife. ACES intern, Philip Higuera, is now Professor of Fire Ecology at University of Montana. These are just a few of the tens of thousands of people who have participated in various ways at ACES.
If only the president had gone through ACES’ programs! Would our world be different today? I can only imagine.
Regardless of whether you lean Republican or Democrat, it has never been more critical in the history of our country to protect what we love—our natural environment. I hope you will come along with us on our journey toward a sustainable future.
Chris Lane, Chief Executive Officer
Community Programs
Our Community Programs transform our sites and the local environment into a community classroom, inspiring a greater sense of place, passion for learning, relationship building, and responsibility toward our environment. These programs thrive on shared and individual discovery in nature at every age.
Our landscapes tell us stories and illustrate the role that humans and wildlife play within them. From geologic mysteries to forest adventures, participants of all ages explore the relationships between humans and nature through observation, adventure, games, and storytelling, often learning that everything is interconnected. Toddler to adult participants can experience fun, educational, age-relevant programming that instills the importance of environmental stewardship. Many program participants first come to ACES as children in our family programs and continue learning with ACES in their elementary education and beyond.
We strive to cultivate authentic, place-based connections through engaging and creativity-driven offerings. These ties maintain personal and community connection with ACES for decades to come.
“I have realized there are so many opportunities in education other than a traditional classroom setting. ACES Trook Apprenticeship has definitely made me more interested in pursuing education further.”
-Trook Apprentice 2024
The ACES Trook Apprenticeship is a hands-on learning and traini ng program for those interested in pursuing a career in education or the environment
Summer Camp Registrants’ Residence
9 Trook Apprentices in environmental education
21 States represented in summer camp registrants
74 staff & visitng instructors teaching our community programs
140+ bird species identified on our outings
1,400 10 days of toklat visitors
2,800 participants
6,230+ eggs collected by the community
$23,155 summer camp scholarships
Caregiver & Toddler Programs Field Courses & Hikes Wellness experiences
ACES Education
ACES’ extensive education programs from pre-K through high school are an essential first step toward cultivating environmental stewardship in our community. We kindle curiosity, connect students with their natural surroundings, and prepare them to excel in scientific inquiry and ecological understanding at an early age. ACES’ Education partners with schools throughout the Roaring Fork Valley to provide environmental education in the classroom and in the field through hands-on exploration and investigation. Our curriculum and programs aim to increase students’ connections to nature, provide positive experience outdoors, enhance their awareness and knowledge of cultural, biological, and scientific systems, deepen their engagement in learning, and foster self-efficacy. Our 16-person Education team regularly dedicates time to continue growing and developing their teaching skills. Educators attend the fall and spring conferences of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, gather monthly for workshops, and attend relevant training at their schools. The team works to provide accessible and inclusive programs for all students. A Cultural Relevancy and Inclusion committee meets biweekly to review and revise curriculum, create bilingual classroom and program materials, and discuss how we can best support our diverse student population.
1,650 students received weekly ACES environmental
1 new partnership with Sopris Elementary School
50 schools participated in field programs with ACES
270 field programs facilitated outdoors at 16 sites from Aspen to Rifle
4,000 students in pre-K through 12th grade participated in ACES classroom and field programs
ACES Education welcomed Sopris Elementary School in Glenwood Springs as a new partner school in Fall 2024, thanks to a generous donor. An ACES Educator is facilitating a five-day unit with each grade level, and all students participate in two ACES field trips over the school year.
“Our students have been fortunate to learn about energy from the ACES’ Educators. These engaging hands-on lessons allow our students to discover where our energy comes from and the effects of our energy usage on our environment/world. It is amazing to watch them have that ‘aha!’ moment when they realize that some forms of energy are not renewable. The discussions that occur after are invaluable.”
- Sopris Elementary School 4th Grade Teachers
First grade students at Sopris Elementary School dissect an owl pellet to learn about what owls eat.
Naturalist Programs
Each summer since 1978, recent college graduates have been invited to Aspen to participate in our Summer Naturalist program. They engage our local community and visitors with the natural world through guided tours and programs, including birds of prey demonstrations, informational tree walks, and beaver programs. The ACES’ Naturalist Program is mutually beneficial for young environmental professionals, community members, and visitors.
Naturalists interact with more than 45,000 people annually and use original storytelling to inspire environmental responsibility. Through mentorship, training, and individual research, Naturalists hone their knowledge of environmental issues and become confident communicators. Each summer season, ACES is lucky to be enriched and reinvigorated by the innovative ideas and energy the new cohort brings.
Training the Environmental Leaders of Tomorrow
Today, over 450 alumni from the ACES’ Naturalist Program work in meaningful careers such as scientists, teachers, land managers, policy makers, nonprofit administrators, and corporate executives. For these professionals, the ACES’ Naturalist Program was a transformative opportunity. They gained research and communication skills, and developed a greater understanding of the subjects they are most passionate about as they plotted their career paths.
Over the past year, ACES connected with hundreds of Naturalist alumni and documented the role ACES played in their career development. This ever-growing group is effecting change throughout the world.
ACES is proud to share a sample of our Naturalist alumni and the work they are doing across the country. This ever-growing group of ACES alumni continues to go out into the world to effect change. The map above showcases the United States, and where our previous Naturalists are now.
Where Are They Now?
Rosamond L. Naylor
William Wrigley Professor of Global Environmental Policy, Stanford University
“Although I am trained as an economist, I have a keen interest in ecology. My experience working at ACES gave me an appreciation for observing and studying ecosystems and relating that knowledge to others. To guide Naturalist tours at ACES, I first had to learn about everything I was seeing around me! I have taken that approach to my research and always begin by getting out into the field and understanding ecosystems, including humans in the ecosystem. I have become known as an interdisciplinary scholar, and my ability to synthesize across fields of studies began when I worked at ACES. Thank you for the amazing opportunity to launch my career!”
Nicholas Lund
Advocacy and Outreach Manager at Maine Audubon
“ACES gave me my first experience with science communication. The daily experience of speaking with visitors face-to-face about the natural world really helped me learn about what works and what doesn’t when trying to communicate environmental issues. I use these skills almost every day in my current job, either by helping to craft language to reach different audiences with environmental advocacy messages or by giving me the confidence to speak in front of the public.”
Anna Wearn
Policy Advisor at U.S. Department of the Interior
“ACES trained me to clearly convey ecology and natural resource management concepts to diverse audiences in an engaging way. I use those skills every day as I explain connectivity science and policy to scientists, managers, policymakers, the media, and large public audiences. Through ACES, I learned how to use storytelling to inspire individuals to care more deeply about the environment and protect our natural and cultural heritage for future generations.”
A Naturalist’s Guide to the Unknown
Iona Normandi, 2024 Naturalist
I woke up one 40-degree February morning, and my white hybrid Hyundai Sonata, once again, wouldn’t start. It had been sitting outside the forest service bunkhouse all winter, forcing me to jump it anytime I needed groceries or had to drive to The Catto Center at Toklat (if the roads were clear). This time, though, a jump couldn’t do the trick. After a morning spent calling mechanics, AAA, and my parents, I learned that a hybrid sedan with summer tires from California is not ideal for winter. How was I supposed to know?
Moving from sunny, seasonless California to the color-changing mountains of Colorado has made me ask that question many times. Apparently, people ski uphill, it rains all the time in August, and wearing two pairs of socks in the cold can actually make you colder. Even summer—a season I thought I knew— was different at 8,000 feet. I quickly learned the true importance of sunscreen at high altitude and that moose, not bears, were the ones to fear. Though my peers and mentors were generous in teaching me, I couldn’t shake the insecurity of not knowing.
As a novice Naturalist in June, I was eager to lead tours. I had mastered why paintbrush flowers evolved alongside hummingbirds and what makes aspen groves unique—I was ready for the big leagues! But as I guided hikes atop Richmond Ridge and to Crater Lake, I didn’t expect so many questions about life in Aspen—what it was like to live in the mountains, how I had ended up there, and what I thought of it all. Was I the right person to answer? When I found ACES on CoolWorks.com, the opportunity of something new and different post-grad was exciting, but adjusting, learning, and growing came with it. Like my guests, I was learning about mountain living in real time, discovering how quickly the weather shifts and that, yes, it can get cold in July.
As I struggled to answer these questions, fearing they’d realize I wasn’t a born-and-raised mountain
girl, I became exhausted. Slowly, whether consciously or not, I stopped trying so hard. I began to pivot— agreeing and relating rather than searching for the most knowledgeable answer. Yes, it’s crazy that pine squirrels aren’t like grey squirrels and have figured out how to store pine cones in their middens for winter.
And yes, it’s fascinating that snowshoe hares change their coat color not just for camouflage but for insulation. Some of these details had never occurred to me before becoming a Naturalist, and now, I got to share what I learned. More than that, I had helped create a space where curiosity was shared, and discovering the natural world became something we experienced together.
The fact is, I am a California girl who moved to a small mountain town, a trope that’s not lost on me, I promise. The leaves change faster than I expected, and skiing the Highland Bowl still looks terrifying. But those feelings resonate with people.
That defensive reaction—how was I supposed to know?—is universal. Of course, I’ve learned why a snowshoe hare’s coat changes and why squirrel middens are so impressive, but as I look ahead, I’m not sure how much those facts will help me. What I do know is that admitting when I don’t have all the answers—and fostering connections because of it— will stay with me forever. Whether I become a guide in Yellowstone or a researcher in Bozeman, that skill makes me confident in my future.
I’ve taken on the unknown before, and I can do it again. So, if my next journey takes me to another mountain town in my white California-plated Hyundai Sonata hybrid, I won’t just know how to keep my battery from dying; I’ll know that figuring things out as I go is part of the adventure—and trusting myself to do so is just as important.
Forest & Climate Program
ACES’ Forest & Climate Program works to connect our community to local forests, bolster conservation efforts, and provide education about climate change.
For the past three years ACES, in partnership with the Aspen Fire Protection District, City of Aspen, Pitkin County Open Space & Trails, U.S. Forest Service, and Colorado State Forest Service, has distributed pheromone packets on Aspen Mountain to mitigate the impacts of the ongoing Douglas-fir beetle outbreak. The pheromone packets contain the synthetic pheromone methylcyclohexanone (MCH), which mimics anti-aggregation pheromones naturally produced by bark beetles.
This year, ACES published its seventh State of the Forest Report focusing on the intersection of forest and climate.
Recently, ACES worked with partners including the Roaring Fork Wildfire Collaborative, Aspen Fire Protection District, City of Aspen, and Pitkin County to provide education and awareness around a U.S. Forest Service prescribed fire on the front side of Red Mountain. This helps link the restoration work in Hunter Creek to similar work being done in Woody Creek. This type of connectivity and restoration improves habitat and mitigates wildfire. Additionally, this year we continue to help our community understand how climate change is already impacting us though changes to weather and local ecosystems.
7
Forest Reports published for the Roaring Fork Watershed
8 years working with the City of Aspen and Pitkin County to manage noxious weeds in Hunter Creek
328
People guided through local burn areas
19,000 mch Pheromone packets distributed on Aspen Mountain to protect trees from Douglas-fir beetles
5,400,000 native seeds used in Toklat restoration
Rock Bottom Ranch
ACES at Rock Bottom Ranch aims to transform the way people think about food systems and farming–inspiring a community of food-educated citizens. The ranch continues to evolve education about growing food, from our Farm-to-Table Dinners, to our Farmer Training Program. Our agricultural practices demonstrate that food production can be profitable while protecting local ecosystems and enhancing the social fabric of our community. Every year, we raise about 50 different vegetable crops and graze cattle, sheep, chicken, and egg layers in our pastures. We integrate local food production with land stewardship, demonstrating that food production can be profitable and rewarding.
Agricultural Apprenticeship
Rock Bottom Ranch prioritizes education alongside production. Our apprenticeship applies lessons for replicable and profitable regenerative agricultural practices. Production on the farm provides realistic exposure to agriculture for our apprentices, building a foundation for a career in farming or ranching.
At ACES, we spend time educating, training, and enabling a “soft-hard launch” to production farming for new farmers. This means we offer structured workshops, farm tours, and hands-on training for our apprentices. Apprentices and stewards work hard, while enjoying space to enable curiosity and passion about careers in agriculture.
The ranch continues to evolve in our approach to educating about growing food, whether it be a tour at one of our Farm-to-Table Dinners, summer programs, hosting school groups, or increasingly, our Farmer Training Program. In 2024, four apprentices completed our Farmer Training Program from April to October. In addition to our apprentice program, we trained four Agricultural Stewards. The Steward program offers a low-stakes, ten-week introduction to the basics of farming for community members who want to try their hand at farming without the time commitment and responsibility of a full apprenticeship. Rock Bottom Ranch integrates local food production with land stewardship, demonstrating that food production can be profitable and rewarding.
The keys for sustainability in agriculture are community, profitability, physical and mental health, adaptability, and the passion of emerging farmers. It is inspiring to watch our apprentices continue in agricultural careers, which means we are doing something of value.
67,595 eggs laid
28 lambs born
ROck bottom ranch Apprentices: Where
are they now?
2022 Apprentices
MK Wilcox pursued a NAP apprenticeship at Redwing Ranch in Colorado after their apprenticeship and now works at Paicines Ranch in California.
Jess Burroughs worked at BCS Livestock Ranch in Winthrop, Washington, after her apprenticeship, and now works at Reno Food Systems Farm in Reno, Nevada.
After Masha Brumer’s apprenticeship, she worked as a goat specialist on a ranch in Michigan that raises dairy cows, goats, and chickens.
2023 Apprentices
Julianne Tippett worked at Tiny Seed Farm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now has a position at Hilltop Urban Farm in Pittsburgh.
1 surprise calf born
Molly Farrell went on to work at County Rail Farm + Field Five Flowers in Huson, Montana. She plans to continue working in agriculture in Taos, New Mexico this upcoming season.
Cameron MacKenzie remains on the Rock Bottom Ranch crew. After her apprenticeship, she became the Livestock Lead and is now the Livestock Manager at Rock Bottom Ranch.
2024 Apprentices
Cami Brazell began an AmeriCorps Garden Coordinator position immediately after her time at Rock Bottom Ranch for the city of Flagstaff, Arizona.
Melina Gary has become an assistant farm manager at Gibbet Hill Farm in Massachusetts. Sabrina Palao completed a Young Farmers Coalition program and began working as a horticulturist at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden after her apprenticeship.
Teddy Loof stayed on the Rock Bottom Ranch crew through the winter of ‘24-’25. He plans to continue working with livestock in the West and to go to grad school for rangelands management.
50% Vegetable sales increased
80 turkeys raised
213 pounds of vegetables donated
1,000+ carrot bunches washed, bagged, and sold
1,600 pounds of ground beef sold
5,700 farmers’ market visitors
8,000 onions transplanted
ACES Events
seek to bring our community together, whether through educational experiences inspiring environmental stewardship or building connections between members, donors, ACES staff, and folks throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. Over the past year, our events continued to celebrate ACES’ goal of promoting positive change in the environment through conversation and education on pressing environmental topics of our time. These events wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners and sponsors.
Jessica Catto Dialogue: Ami Vitale
Every story has the power to inspire action, and each of us plays a role in shaping the future of our planet.
ACES welcomed renowned National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, and conservationist Ami Vitale to the Roaring Fork Valley this year, where she inspired audiences with powerful stories of resilience, conservation, and the interconnectedness of people and nature as our Jessica Catto Dialogue speaker. Through her work, Ami has documented some of the most pressing environmental challenges across the globe, highlighting the efforts of communities striving to protect wildlife and natural ecosystems.
Her visit aligns with ACES’ mission to educate for environmental responsibility, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in driving meaningful change. From covering endangered species conservation to the role of indigenous communities in safeguarding biodiversity, Ami’s work serves as a call to action for a more sustainable future. Jessica Catto Dialogues are made possible each year by the Catto Shaw family.
Local Film Premiere:
“Common Ground” at The Wheeler Opera House
ACES was proud to host the Aspen premiere of “Common Ground” at the Wheeler Opera House. This award-winning documentary, the sequel to “Kiss the Ground,” explores how regenerative agriculture can restore soil health and combat climate change. At Rock Bottom Ranch, ACES is committed to these same principles, integrating regenerative practices into our farming to support a healthier ecosystem. Following the screening, RBR Agriculture Manager Mariah Foley joined a panel discussion to dive deeper into the film’s themes and solutions. Thank you to our partners—Aspen Valley Land Trust, The Farm Collaborative, Big Picture Ranch, Area23A, and Kiss the Ground—for helping bring this important conversation to our community!
Jessica Catto Dialogue:
The Black Forager
ACES was honored to host a Jessica Catto Dialogue with Alexis Nikole Nelson, also known as The Black Forager. Alexis, a forager and outdoor educator, captivated the audience with her enthusiastic and insightful approach to finding, identifying, and preparing wild foods. With her signature humor and deep knowledge, she shared the environmental and cultural significance of foraging, shedding light on Black and Indigenous food traditions. Through her work—recognized with a James Beard Award and Forbes 30 Under 30—she has empowered many to see the natural world as a source of both nourishment and sustainability.
Jessica Catto Dialogue:
The Election & the Future of Food on Your Table
ACES hosted a Jessica Catto Dialogue exploring the policies shaping U.S. food systems and the environmental impact of industrial agriculture. Experts Peter Lehner, Elizabeth Candelario, and Jessica Hulse Dillon led a thoughtprovoking discussion on inefficiencies in land use, the consequences of “agricultural exceptionalism,” and the need for greater oversight and reform. The conversation also examined past and future farm bills, offering solutions that support farmers, farmworkers, animals, and consumers alike.
ACES Snow Moon Dinner:
Rediscover the magic of The Catto Center at Toklat
This past winter, ACES welcomed our Advocate Donor Circles members to an unforgettable series of Snow Moon Dinners at the newly restored Catto Center at Toklat. Guests enjoyed an intimate evening featuring libations, live music, and a four-course meal crafted with seasonal ingredients from Rock Bottom Ranch and other local farms. The experience was elevated by a guided moonlit walk through the pristine Castle Creek Valley, concluding with dessert and drinks by the fire. These special evenings honored Toklat’s legacy as a place of connection, storytelling, and appreciation for the natural world.
Potbelly Perspectives
Potbelly Perspectives is a beloved winter speaker series that brings together community members to share inspiring adventure stories from around the world. In partnership with the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, this series highlights the spirit of exploration while fostering a deeper connection to Aspen’s small-town character and responsible travel values.
Shishapangma: The First American Ski Descent From an 8,000-meter Peak with Mike Marolt
Defining Moments: an Extraordinary Anthology of Photographs and the Stories Behind Them with Tony Harrington
Seeing All the Cats with Chris Daniels
Too Many Elephants and Too Few Dugongs: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities in Botswana and Mozambique with Daniel Shaw & Isa Catto Shaw
Naturalist Nights
Beavers are for Birds with Delia Malone
Wild Perspectives
From Slopes to Summits: A Decade of Skill-Building for Denali with Aidan Goldie-Ahumada
Other Events
Terrible Beauty: Reckoning with Climate Complicity and Rediscovering Our Soul with Auden Schendler
Tribal Engagement in the Colorado River Basin with Celene Hawkins and Izabella Ruffino
Wildland Recreation and Ecological Disturbance: Recreation and Public Land Management Implications for Western Colorado with Christopher Monz
Untrammeling the Wilderness: Restoring Natural Conditions Through the Return of Human-ignited Fire with Clare Boerigter and Jonathan Coop
Naturalist Nights is a series in partnership with Wilderness Workshop and Roaring Fork Audubon.
The Swiss Mountaineer Who Made Aspen— André Roch with Maurizio Raselli
Dirt, Water, Snow: A Woman’s Journey to Self through Nature with Madeline Werner
An All-You-Can-Ski-Buffet: Covering the Aspen-Snowmass Nordic System in a Day with Kaya Williams
Wild Perspectives is a series in partnership with The Collective Snowmass.
Throughout the year, ACES hosts many other engaging events that strive to connect the unique Roaring Fork Valley community with our mission.
Earth Day
Farm to Table Dinners
Harvest Party
Partnered Speaker Events
Picnic on the Preserve
Raptor Fair
Stars Above Aspen
Fulfilling Capital Campaign Goals
For 55 years, ACES has provided unparalleled educational experiences at our three regional sites. These are community destinations for exploring nature, forest health, agriculture, and sustainability. For the last three years, ACES has used the funds from our 2020 capital campaign to improve our visitor centers, site infrastructure, and programs.
Regional Forest Health Restoration:
With a focus on climate change education, we prioritize forest restoration and resilience projects that also reduce the probability of catastrophic wildfire in and around Aspen. So far, ACES (with our USFS and local government partners) has facilitated two 1,000-acre prescribed burns in the Hunter Creek Valley, along with several mechanical vegetation treatments (mimicking fire). Another prescribed burn around Aspen is planned for 2025 or 2026 (weather depending). Additionally, we continued to install more MCH pheromone packets to protect high-value tree species from beetle infestation on the front side of Aspen Mountain.
Education:
This past year ACES moved one of its in-school education programs into Sopris Elementary School in Glenwood Springs. We continue to expand where we teach our outdoor field programs including Silt River Preserve, Rifle Falls State Park, and Sunlight Mountain. At Basalt High School, we support their expanded experiential education program.
Housing:
This past year ACES purchased or built 16 new housing beds for our employees, bringing our intraorganizational housing stock to more than 50 beds, allowing ACES to operate at its current capacity for the foreseeable future.
All of these improvements are thanks to the generous support of ACES members and donors.
Catto Center at Toklat & Riverdance:
The Catto Center at Toklat is a wilderness retreat center inspiring dialogue, reflection on nature and our role in it, and motivation for environmental protection. The renovation of the 77-yearold facility is now complete, with new indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, employee housing, scientist in residence cabin, arts spaces, library, kitchen, and renewable energy systems. The nearby Riverdance property is now a completed outdoor education hub with camping facilities.
Hallam Lake:
For the first time in its history, the Visitor Center has been renovated. This included new and expanded indoor and outdoor educational meeting and classroom spaces, a new kids’ education lab with exhibits, a safe roundabout entrance for pickup and dropoff, and new office spaces. We also refurbished the enclosures of our resident raptors. Local residents and visitors from around the world can now come to Hallam Lake for a unique environmental education experience with the ability to observe, learn, and work in more dynamic and inspiring spaces.
The five-acre wetlands area and lake underwent an biological restoration to enhance existing habitat and reintroduce native plant species. Thus far, the project has been successful, with plant species flourishing and bird species not seen in years returning to the property.
Rock Bottom Ranch:
Infrastructure improvements have been made to the field study center, chicken and egg processing facility, employee housing, and other food production technologies. These are a few of the improvements seen this past year at our regenerative agriculture farm and education center in Basalt.
The Rock Bottom Ranch Farmer Training Program for aspiring and beginner farmers now includes new farm tours, workshops, classroom training, and 50 regenerative agriculture education videos that seek to enrich learning experiences. Now in its fifth year, the Farmer Training Program seeks to mentor four apprentices and three stewards in the agriculture field, who are passionate and curious about regenerative agriculture and the practices used at Rock Bottom Ranch.
Our Native Habitat Garden was planted and finished. The goal of this rewilded piece of the Rock Bottom Ranch property is to educate visitors about the importance of pollinators and native-species gardening.
Membership
Why ACES Membership Matters Now More Than Ever
By becoming an ACES member, you are investing in this mission while also enjoying exclusive benefits. Membership supports hands-on education for thousands of students, protects vital ecosystems, and advances climate action by creating a community of ecologically informed people. Plus, members gain free or discounted access to events and programs, priority registration for Farm to Table Dinners, discounts on community programs and kids’ camps, and invitations to special members-only gatherings, including ACES’ Membership Dinner, Picnic on the Preserve, and ACES’ Fall Colors Dinner at the Catto Center at Toklat.
As climate change accelerates, its impacts are becoming more evident here in the Roaring Fork Valley— from shrinking snowpacks to heightened wildfire risks and shifts in local ecosystems. Now more than ever, our community must unite to protect the landscapes we love. ACES is leading the way, providing environmental education, ecological restoration, and science-based solutions to ensure a resilient future. Whether you’re passionate about regenerative agriculture, wildlife, conservation, or simply love exploring nature, ACES membership offers a meaningful way to connect, learn, and take action. Join us in making a difference today!
MEMBERSHIP PROFILE
Caroline Winslow Farny & Luke Farny
“We initially joined ACES to support its incredible regenerative agriculture work, which not only nourishes communities in the Roaring Fork Valley but also serves as a platform to educate farmers on practices that improve soil health and benefit the climate. Visiting Rock Bottom Ranch has been a highlight—each time, we leave inspired by the innovative, hands-on work happening there (and greatly enjoy the delicious turkey for Thanksgiving)!
As Colorado natives, Luke and I feel a deep responsibility to help protect the natural landscapes that shaped our childhoods. ACES plays a vital role in educating the community about the value of these ecosystems and the importance of preserving them for future generations. Luke’s grandparents, Dave and Sherry Farny, ran a mountaineering school in Ashcroft in the ’60s, and we love supporting ACES as it continues that legacy—offering transformative outdoor educational experiences.
ACES is a cornerstone of this community, not only teaching and inspiring but actively enhancing the local environment. We’re proud to support an organization that brings science, education, and conservation together so thoughtfully and effectively.”
ACES Donor Circles
Becoming a Donor Circles member of ACES is a powerful way to make a meaningful impact on the future of our environment while enjoying incredible opportunities to engage in nature and ACES programs. This includes behind-the-scenes access to the world’s most intriguing environmental experts. As $1,200 and above member, you join a passionate community of individuals who are committed to supporting ACES’ mission of environmental education, conservation, and stewardship. Your contributions help fund essential programs that connect people of all ages with nature, foster environmental responsibility, and drive positive change in our community and beyond.
Donor Circles members also receive priority access to ACES’ most popular events, including Farm to Table Dinners at Rock Bottom Ranch, Snow Moon Dinners at the Catto Center at Toklat, and ACES’ summer benefit, An Evening on the Lake at Hallam Lake (for Advocate Level Members and above).
Joining Donor Circles is not just about making a donation—it’s about becoming part of an increasingly important movement to protect our planet. Your support is crucial in creating lasting change for the environment and our community. By becoming a Donor Circles member, you’re investing in a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Create a Legacy at ACES
Join the Elizabeth Paepcke Giving Society
The Elizabeth Paepcke Society honors those who have made a planned gift to ACES, ensuring their commitment to protecting the natural world extends beyond their lifetime. By including ACES in your will or estate plan, you can create a lasting legacy that supports environmental education, conservation, and the future of our community.
Your planned gift can be directed toward a specific program or project close to your heart, making a meaningful impact on ACES’ work for generations to come. It can also become part of our endowment, providing long-term support for programs that connect people of all ages with nature and inspire lifelong environmental stewardship.
To learn more or start a conversation about making a difference for our environment, please contact Christy Mahon, Vice President of Development, at cmahon@aspennature.org.
Thank you for considering a legacy that will protect and nurture the natural world for generations to come!
Thank you!
We would like to express our gratitude to the contributors who generously supported ACES’ Annual Fund, Capital Campaign, Summer Benefit, and special projects from January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Recognition in the ACES annual report is a membership benefit of the Bighorn Sheep membership level ($300) and above.
Our Donors
Chairman’s Circle ($50,000 & Above)
Anonymous (2)
Catena Foundation
Catto Shaw Foundation
Joanie, Guillaume and Alexander Crété in honor of John and Lucy Merriam
Jan and Neal Dempsey
Lori and Laurence Fink
Jonathan D. + Mark C. Lewis Foundation, Aspen Community Foundation
Melony and Adam Lewis
Living Peace Foundation
Merlin Foundation
Gina and Jerry Murdock
North Star Foundation
Pettit Foundation
Margot and Thomas Pritzker
Richard A. Riffel Philanthrope Trust
Barbara and Don Rosenberg
Restorer’s Circle ($25,000-$49,999)
Anonymous Argonautica
Aspen Business Center Foundation
Natasha and Brandon Beck
Brittingham Family Foundation
Jacolyn and John Bucksbaum
Ruth Turnquist Carver and Jim Schmidt
Fidel Duke
Ann and Tom Friedman
J & M Foundation
Malott Family Foundation
Lisa and Willem Mesdag
Penner Family Foundation
Aimee and Ben Pritzker
Mary and Pat Scanlan
Rob Walton Foundation
Tillie Walton
Elisha and Jeffrey Zander
Benefactor ($10,000-$24,999)
Lisa and David Alpern
Anonymous
Aspen Community Foundation
Meredith Bell
Amy and Gilchrist Berg
Jackie and Mike Bezos
Julie and Randall Brodsky
Sarah Broughton and John Rowland
Carla and John Brozovich
Ruth H. Brown Foundation
Jessica and Bill Budinger
Kristina and William Catto
Sarah Challinor
City of Aspen
Ann Dahmer and Kevin Geiser
Pat and Dorian Damoorgian
Sarah and Chris Daniels
Linda and Ben Davis
Laura Donnelley
Marsha and David Dowler
The Environment Foundation
Muriel and John Eulich
Suzanne Farver and Clint VanZee
Dawn Ford and Eric Doppstadt
Jessica and John Fullerton
Jennifer and Greg Goldfarb
Sherri and Dean Goodwin
Kristen and Wally Graham
Margaret and Bill Greenfield
Griffith Family Foundation
Jody Guralnick and Michael Lipkin
Ellen Bronfman Hauptman and Andrew Hauptman
Ambassador Bruce and Vicki Heyman
Louise and Phil Hoversten
Amanda and Ashton Hudson
Carol and Mike Hundert
Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation
Soledad and Robert Hurst
Karen Jaffe
Sheila King
Ronald and Eva Kinney Family Foundation
Francine and Tag Liebel
Margaret and Daniel Loeb
Susanne and Bill Losch
Anne Welsh McNulty
Diane Moore and Joel Sax
David Newberger
Oak Lodge Foundation
Chad and Ilona Oppenheim
Kristi and Tom Patterson
Melinda and Norman Payson
Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund
The Rodel Foundation
Polly Scott and Jim Maher
Heidi Swartz-Marek and David Marek
Wendy and Mike Sidley
Katherine Tomford and David Grossman
Misty and Tyson Weihs
Innovator ($5,000-$9,999)
Susannah and Jim Adelson
Claudia and Richard Balderston
Jeffrey and Jody Black
Galen Bright and Lucy Tremols
Sam Brown and Alison Teal
Betsy and Jim Chaffin
Teresa and Ben Chestnut
Janet Clark
Sylvie and Gary Crum
Mr. and Mrs. David Dillon
Dubose Family Foundation
Maja and Nicholas Paepcke DuBrul
Wally and Terry Durham
Marcy and Leo Edelstein
Tracy and Bubba Eggleston
Joan Fabry and Michael Klein
Lori and Eric Friedman
Mary and Jim Griffith
Arjun Gupta
Rebecca Henry
Jaya Foundation
Diane and Jack Kennedy
The Knapp Fund
Anne Kerr L’Heureux and Matthew L’Heureux
Mary Schmidt-Libby and Russell Libby
Shelly and Tony Malkin
Patricia and Ricardo Marino
Heidi and Jon McNeill
Janna and Tom McNicholas
Andrea and Bobby McTamaney
Marcie and Robert Musser
Ann Richards Nitze
Marina and Charles Nitze
Elizabeth Nordstrom
Hensley and James Peterson
Alexandra and Gunnar Sacks
Stephen Sander
Karen Setterfield and David Muckenhirn
Sarah and Richard Shaw
Jacqie and Neal Shear
Shenandoah Foundation
William Stolz
Linda and Jerry Strickland
Patsy Tisch
Mary Ann and Ray Tittle
Heather and Phillip Wilhelm
Advocate ($2,500-$4,999)
Lisa and George Baker
Coventry and Davis Berg
Jeff and Becky Berkus
Sallie and Thomas Bernard
Nancy and Stephen Bernstein
Morgan and Matthew Brown
Chinook Charitable Foundation
Liz Coplon and Carl Eichstaedt
Carol Craig
Alicia and Jon Creyts
Sabina Daley Deaton
Andy Docken
Ed and Amy Easton
Clayton and Shel Erikson
Kristen and Andrew Firman
Donna and Gary Freedman
Orly Friedman and Matthew Miller
Patricia Goudvis
Julie and Jim Hager
Carolyn and Tim Hagist
Toni and Daniel Hunt
Jenny and Tim Hurd
Laura and Mike Kaplan
Katherine Kendrick
Richard Kipper
Nina Kjellson and Sanford Zweifach
Judy and Robbie Mann
Pete McBride
Drew McCourt
Constance Hoguet Neel and Richard Neel
Lynn Nichols and Jim Gilchrist
Jim and Jan Patterson
Shereen and Jordan Sarick
Lorraine and Mark Schapiro
The Schiff Foundation
Carole and Gordon Segal
Allison and Ben Tiller
David Trujillo and Alana Tutty
Michael and Adelaide Waters
Carrie and Joe Wells
Mr. and Mrs. Edward White
Boniface and Alison Zaino
Steward
($1,000-$2,499)
Vanessa and Karl Adam
Alpenglow Foundation
Erin and Sam Ankin
Shari Applebaum
Julia and Tomakin Archambault
Kaitlyn Archambault and Jon Brown
Lisa and Steve Ayres
Lissa Ballinger
Buddy and Connie Bates
Barbara and Bruce Berger
Gina Berko and David Fleisher
Rachael and Brian Brady
Marla and Lawrence Butler
David Byrnes
Lisa and Michael Cader
Lauren Callaghan and Beau Seguin
Cynthia Calvin and Mac McShane
Shelley Senterfitt and Ken Canfield
Danielle Flug Capalino and Reid Capalino
Courtney-Celeste and Sam Fisch
David and Katherin Chase
Donna and Steve Chase
Rona and Jeff Citrin
Sally R. Cole
Charles William Cole
Elizabeth Cole
Mona and Rick Crandall
Damaso Household
Nick and Maggie DeWolf Foundation
Chelsea and Chace Dillon
Jacqueline and Jarka Duba
Jennifer DuBrul and Derek Foster
Hall R. Easton
Kim Edwards and Jesse Bouchard
Bruce Etkin and Laurel Gilbert
Eileen Fagan
Judith Fisher
Ruth and Dan Flournoy
Fergus Foundation
Peter Gaston and Jordy Agamie
Neil Glaser and Richie Lin
Dr. Jeff Glazer and Dr. Lisa Braun Glazer
Shawn and Katherine Gleason
Joanna Golden
John and Kathleen Goodin
Tom Gottlieb
Anne Goudvis
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Greenberg
Roger Gurrentz
Kim and Mark Hamilton
Bobbi and Matt Hapgood
Shirley and Barnett Helzberg
Kristen Henry
Charles and Nancy Hess
Elizabeth Hinck
Linda and Gregg Hollomon
Kate and Matthew Holstein
Mary and Dan Horn
Tavia and Clark Hunt
Lynni Hutton
Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Jacobs
Rusty and John Jaggers
Caroline and Hugh Kaplan
Christine Karnes
Wendy and Todd Kennedy
Valerie Kinkade and Kevin Grant
Ali and Alex Kohner
The Lally Family
Gary and Laura Lauder
Linda Lay
Elaine Le Buhn
Rebecca and Doug Leibinger
Kim Lewis
Travis and Jennifer Lindahl
Peter Looram
Sam and Peter Louras
Jessica Kaplan Lundevall and Torjus Lundevall
Marlene Malek
Kim Master and Noah Lieb
Dan and Tita McCarty
Barbara Reid and David Hyman
Joe McGuire and Matthew Tenzin
Tom and Lisa McKelvey
Barbara and John Patrick McMahon
Denise Monteleone
Jennifer Monteleone
David Moray
Nancy and Joe Nevin
Diane Oshin and Sidney Mandelbaum
Elaine Pagels
Nancy Paley
Richard and Karen Parker
Fonda Paterson
Tom and Merbie Payne
David Pesikoff and Nicole Longnecker
Carol Hood Peterson and Brooke A. Peterson
Cathy and Hunter Pierson
Noah Pollack
Rahm Household
Susan and Rod Ralls
Arches Foundation
Wendy and James Read
Phillip and Emily Ring
Alison Robbins
Louisa and James Rudolph
Kaja Rumney
Brian Sayler
Kirsten and Chad Schmit
Phyllis and David Scruggs
Sallie Shatz
Layne and Mike Shea
Joyce and Charles Shenk
Jennifer and Daniel Shorr
Cyrena Torrey Simons
Adriane and Robert Sirkus
Andrea and Glenn Sonnenberg
Susan Sparks
Krista Speno
Jill St. John and Robert Wagner
Pamela Stanton and Jack O’Donnell
Morgan and Shawn Stephenson
Gretchen A. Straub
Steve Stunda
Anne Tobey
Arden and Bob Travers
Barbara Trueman
Kristen and Chris Tullar
Jennifer Turkat
Kimberly Veber
Ruth and Bob Wade
Jane and Bruce Warren
Patti and Jay Webster
Melanie, Daniel, Ava & Eli Weinrot
Elizabeth Wolcott
Carolyn Workman and Kurt Wacker
Gerry and Martha Wyrsch
Black Bear ($600-$999)
Carol and Robert Auld
Steve Barsanti
JR and Katie Berger Family Foundation
Eric Eisenberg and Rebecca Goldfarb
Caroline Winslow Farny and Luke Farny
Patty and Peter Findlay
Shannon Fischer
Karen Freedman
Christine and Bryan Gieszl
Karen and John Gray-Krehbiel
Nicholas Groos
Bunny Harrison
Trautlinde Heater
Casady Henry
Katherine Hoctor
Jack Barlow and Diane Humphreys-Barlow
Debora Kelly and Scott Messina
Christina King
Sandra and Michael Klein
Tricia and Rich Kolsby
Susan Okie Lindenau and Scott Lindenau
Jacqui Matthews
Janie Rich Munro and Scott Munro
Frank Peters and Marjory Musgrave
Walter Obermeyer and Helen Ward
Ann O’Brien
Missy and Steve Prudden
Paula Rhodes
Beverly and Howard Robinson
Alma and Barry Salky
Claire Shope
Sarah Sparkes
William Lundeen Stirling
Megan Talarico and Alvaro Arnal
Sally Pendleton Thompson
Amy and Doug Throm
Joseph Tobin
Linda Vaughn
Angi Wang
Kathy and Roger Wells
Charles and Barbara Winton
Bighorn Sheep ($300-$599)
Sherry and Duane Abbott
Alison Coenen Abrams and Dale Abrams
Elizabeth and Betts Armstrong
Amy and Justin Barrow
local versus out-of-state membership
ACES membership spans the country, but the majority of our members reside in the Roaring Fork Valley. 61% of our members are local to the Roaring Fork Valley, 66% of our members reside in Colorado, and another 34% contribute to our organization from out of state.
Skip and Donna Behrhorst
Amy and Neal Beidleman
Mr. and Mrs. A. Richard Belding
Chuck Bellock and Madeleine Morrison
Kathy and Drew Berkman
Jalene Bermudez
R.J. Paddywacks Pet Outfitter
Sharon Bistline
Sarah Blaine
Christi Blish and Tom Morrison
Liz and John Bokram
Ghislaine Boreel
Bill Stein and Leslie Boyer
Bryant Household
Ruthie Burrus
Barbara Bussell
Heather Cabot and Gaelen Means
Nicole Capehart
Tom and Jody Cardamone
Julie Case
Stan and Chris Cheo
Laurence Cohen
Anne and Edward Colloton
Melinda and Donn Conner
Annie Cooke
Marcia Corbin
David Corbin
Bobbi Cunningham and Michael Ortiz
Sabrina and Stephane DeBaets
Anakarina Dingle
Julia and Allen Domingos
Ashley Dopf
Jessica Wildman Dubin
Carol and Jim Farnsworth
Lynne Feigenbaum and Steven Wolff
Tom and Darlynn Fellman
Sherry Ferguson and Robert Zoellick
John Ferolito
Sara Finkle
Sistie Fischer
Barbara Fretz
Ernie and Lacy Fyrwald
Alyson and Justin Gish
Maggie Goldstein and Brodie Kettelkamp
Barry and Thorey Goldstein
Nina and Matt Gworek
LeeLee Harriman
Bart Harris
Bayard & Marilyn Hovdesven
Brett Jenks
Janet A. Johnson and Mary Ellis
Sandy and Peter Johnson
Vytas Juskys
Nobuku Kang
Patrick and Donna Keelty
Meg and Phil Kendall
Alexandra Kendrick
Mary Jo Kimbrough and Jim Harrison
Missy and Chris Klug
Meredith and William Knowles
Russell Koff
Judy Kravitz
Dr. and Mrs. Tom Kurt
Joan and Bill Lamont
Kirsten and Alan Langohr
Nancy Lazar and George Zachar
Helen Leeke
Pamela Clavette Levy
Suzanne Leydecker
Gary and Daylene Lichtenwalter
Camilla and Jon Locker
Janie Lowe and Tom Oken
Elizabeth and Adam Lowenstein
Lynn and Ned Lubell
Craig and Pamela Mackey
Mirte Mallory and Philip Jeffreys
Katharine Mann
Martin Manosevitz
Dr. Frank C. Marino Foundation
Jim Martin
Dee Matthews and Richard Thompson
Monica Mayotte
Rebecca McCurdy and Edgar Toledano
Brittanie Rockhill Mcknight and Spencer Mcknight
Sherry and Gerald Merfish
Melanie Muss and Tracy Nichols
Nona Niland
Allison and David Niles
Doug and Glenda Otten
Ruth Owens
Buzz Patten and Judy Wender
Susie and Daniel Patterson
Robin Pauli
Ali and David Phillips
Lynn and John Phillips
Jayne and Bill Poss
Ellen Potter
Susan Proctor
Gloria Pryzant
Andrew Rachlin
Robert and Nan Ratner
Sarah Ankeny Reiley and Toby Reiley
Elise and Jack Resneck
Nancy Rivin
Katherine Roberts
Noelle Rohde
Andy and Ivette Rothschild
Donni Ryan
Oakleigh and Tobin Ryan
Linda and Jay Sandrich
Nina and Joshua Saslove
Kristen Schonwald-Vila
Joanna Segal
Marcelina and Joshua Seymour
Jeffrey Shoaf
Jonathan Singer
Tami Solondz
Jim Stafford
Sandy and Steve Stay
Elizabeth and Flynn Stewart-Severy
Phil Sugg
Victoria Thomas and Tom Davies
Diana Tomback and Jim Knowles
Elissa Topol and A. Lee Osterman
Lea Tucker
Deborah Tullman
Floy Wakuya
Susan Walker
Susan Welsch
Laura Werlin
Lori and Ken Williams
Susan Wolf and Doug MacLean
Suzanne Wolff and Gary Tennenbaum
Jessica Worth
David and Cecelia Zumwinkle
Financials
This past year, inspiring donor support, impactful expenses, and a stable investment portfolio drove a 6% increase in total revenue. ACES’ commitment to hands-on learning and ecological stewardship meant operating expenses rose as well, with educational programming expanding by 33% over the past two years and now comprising 72% of total costs.
With a solid financial foundation, ACES has been able to invest in strategic staffing initiatives and further expand its housing portfolio with acquisitions totaling $2.29 million. This stability has also provided the necessary resources for the successful opening and operation of The Catto Center at Toklat, ensuring its long-term sustainability as a vital hub for environmental education.
Revenue, Gains, and Other Support
Partners
We thank the following ACES’ corporate sponsors and business members who are committed to investing in the environment that sustains us all. Through their contributions and event sponsorships, these businesses help protect our natural world and ensure a sustainable future for our community and beyond. These donations and sponsorships occurred between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
Corporate Partners
Benefactor ($10,000 and above)
Alpine Bank
Bethel Party Rentals
MacDonald Hardwoods Co. Inc.
Innovator ($5,000-$9,999)
Aspen Chamber Resort Association
Aspen Skiing Company
Aspen Thrift Shop
Aspen Vodka
Field 2 Fork Kitchen
Forum Phi
Harriman Construction, Inc.
Martin Woods Winery
Obermeyer Wealth Partners
Reese Henry and Company, Inc.
Advocate ( $2,500-$4,999)
Aspen Public Radio
Black Diamond/Mountain Khaki
Carington Creative
CCY Architects
Chris Klug Properties
FirstBank
The Little Nell
Steward ($1,000-$2,499)
Aspen Brewing Company
Aspen Daily News
Aspen Times
Birdsong Project
Christie’s International Real Estate
Gran Farnum Printing
Of Grape and Grain
Halcyon Productions
Isa Catto Studio
Lead with Love
Marble Distillery
North Drinkware
Ken Ransford, P.C.
Ute Mountaineer
Partner ($500-$999)
Alpine Valley Services
Bristlecone Mountain Sports
Fusalp
Eagle Crest Nursery
Town of Basalt
Aspen Elementary School
Aspen Meadows
Aspen Mountain
Castle Creek Valley
Hunter Creek
Independence Pass Foundation
Maroon Bells
North Star Nature Preserve
Pitkin County Library
Riverdance
Snowmass Mountain
U.S. Forest Service
Basalt Area
Basalt Elementary School
Lake Christine Burn Area
Rock Bottom Ranch
Trustees
Diane Moore, Board Chair
Adam Lewis
Adelaide Waters
Alex Sanchez
Andy Docken
Barbara Rosenberg
Ben Pritzker
Brian Brady
Chris Daniels
Colter Van Domelen
Gina Murdock
Hadley Hentschel
Jennifer Goldfarb
Jerry Murdock
Leslie Lamont
Mark Hamilton
Megan Talarico
Reenie Kinney
Carbondale Area
Crystal River Elementary School
Third Street Center
Glenwood Springs Area
Glenwood Springs Community
Art Center
Sopris Elementary School
Sunlight Mountain Resort
Rifle/Newcastle Area
East Elk Creek
Kathryn Senor Elementary School
Rifle Falls State Park
Rifle Gap State Park
Rifle Public Library
Silt River Preserve
Legacy Council
Allison and Warren Kanders
Amy and Gilchrist Berg
Jacolyn and John Bucksbaum
Lori and Larry Fink
Melony and Adam Lewis
Margot and Tom Pritzker
Zoe Baird and Bill Bundinger
Administrative Staff
Chris Lane
Chief Executive Officer
Adam McCurdy
Climate & Forest Programs Director
Andrea Aust
Education Director
Brodie Kettelkamp
Vice President of Finance & Operations
Christy Mahon
Vice President of Development
Alyssa Barsanti
Farmer Training Facilitator
Ariel Rittenhouse
Vegetable Production Manager
Cameron MacKenzie
Livestock Manager
Ella Dunn
Communications & Design Coordinator
Charlie Robinson
Toklat Projects Coordinator
Jim Kravitz
Vice President of Programs
John Middleton
Rock Bottom Ranch Director
Molly O’Leary
Events Director
Morgan Gosda
Communications Director
Phebe Meyers
Community Programs Director
Trevor Washko
Toklat Steward
Caring About Our Community: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
ACES is committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment for our staff, program participants, and community. We are continually working toward this through:
• Comprehensive training for our staff and Board of Trustees
• Updating policies and practices in order to better recruit and retain employees who are representative of our diverse community
• Encouraging innovative ideas from all areas of the organization
• Collaborating with local organizations to provide meaningful opportunities for all Roaring Fork Valley residents to engage with ACES
In addition to continuing our work to make our programs and workplace more inclusive, this upcoming year we are focusing on site and trail accessibility improvements for all visitors.
Izzy Tils
School Programs Manager
Kate Huun
Field Programs Coordinator
Lillian Bell
Community Programs Coordinator, Hallam Lake & Toklat
Mason Marsh
Development Coordinator
Trisha Lavery
Community Programs Coordinator, Rock Bottom Ranch
This past year we have:
• Created and implemented an all-staff DEI training as part of our onboarding
• Donated surplus produce grown at Rock Bottom Ranch to a local food bank
• Invited Aspen One to speak about their DEI work with our staff
• Created a Cultural Relevancy and Inclusion Committee on our education team
• Translated our school and field program educational materials into Spanish
• Developed a Bilingual Educator position
• Conducted Rifle Library programs for 1-4 year olds in English and Spanish in partnership with the Early Childhood Network
• Attended a 2-day training on trail accessibility
“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.”
– Clay P. Bedford
Educating for environmental responsibility since 1968.
CONNECT WITH US: 100 Puppy Smith St., Aspen CO 81611 @aspencenterforenvironmentalstudies @acesaspen www.AspenNature.org
