ACES 2018 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

sym·noun bi·1.oAn·sis interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.

ACES is creating a deeper, more symbiotic, connection between humans and the natural world.

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Table of Contents 2

Letter from the CEO

3

About ACES & Trustees

4

ACES Ed

5

Tomorrow’s Voices

6

Regenerative Agriculture

8

Naturalist Programs

9

Naturalist Field School

10

Forest Health

11

Catto Center at Toklat

12

Building Community

14

Financials

15

Energy

16

Membership & Our Donors

18

Legacy Planning & Corporate Sponsors

19

Who We Are

20

Where We Work

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Letter from the CEO Next Step for the Environmental Movement: Tribal Symbiosis ACES doesn’t play politics.

Instead of furthering polarization, we focus on environmental science education that transcends the political fray and aims to bring together Republicans and Democrats alike.

We do this because I’ve yet to meet one conservative or liberal who doesn’t want clean air, water, and food, as well as a stable climate and economy.

For the most part, human desire for wild places like national parks and forests transcends political and cultural affiliations. In fact, regardless of your “tribe,” nobody wants bees to be harmed by pesticides, glaciers to melt, sea levels to rise, or coral reefs and forests to die. And on a personal level, no one wants endocrine-disrupting chemicals from plastics, or mercury from coal-fired power plants, impacting children’s health.

Regardless of race, color, or politics, ultimately we are all “environmentalists,” even though the term is often derided and politicized. Being an environmentalist requires that we work in symbiosis with natural systems, as well as each other – a sort of tribal symbiosis.

Symbiosis, defined as an interaction between two different organisms to the advantage of both, is vital to our efforts to build community.

But to have symbiosis, one must be ecologically literate. This is ACES’ work. We educate for ecological literacy in a way that promotes critical thinking and includes multiple perspectives. As part of this effort, ACES convenes some of the world’s top environmental experts to explore solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges.

American Dipper feeding on the banks of Hallam Lake.

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Conservation International’s CEO, M. Sanjayan, shared his global perspective on how developing countries are working to protect endangered wildlife. Ocean plastics expert, Markus Erikson, awakened us to how plastics are impacting our ocean ecosystems and what it will take to fix it. Renowned biologist, E.O. Wilson, showed us how we can save biodiversity through his “half-earth” concept.

About ACES Michael Curtin, CEO of DC Central Kitchen, stunned us about the reality of urban food deserts and how he feeds more than 5,000 people per day using food waste. Harvard professor, Naomi Oreskes, made the case as to why, in a world of “fake news,” we must trust scientists. And this summer, former EPA chief and Harvard professor, Gina McCarthy, will open our eyes to common sense strategies to address our country’s biggest environmental and health challenges.

Convening eco-luminaries is educational for adults, but the foundation of what we do is hands-on, experiential, outdoor and classroom-based environmental science education for pre-k to college-aged youths. In school classrooms, we teach life, earth, and environmental sciences to more than 5,000 students, helping schools meet state science standards. Outdoors, we teach field programs in partnership with over 60 schools, engaging a growing diverse population throughout our region and connecting thousands of youths and adults each year to the natural world. I am especially proud to announce that this fall we are expanding our school ecological literacy and field programs to New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Parachute, and Battlement Mesa.

This report summarizes our education and conservation work in regenerative agriculture, forest health, climate change, ecology, and environmental science. It gives you a glimpse into who we are, hopefully inspiring you to get involved, attend an ACES event, become a member, or even donate to our cause.

Here at ACES, we believe that protecting the people of our planet means protecting the natural environment. To achieve this lofty endeavor, we need more science education and we must bridge the unfortunate political divide that exists around “environmentalism.” It requires a new vernacular for the environmental movement which includes diversity, humility, social justice, innovation, and yes—tribal symbiosis.

There is plenty of common ground among us. Ecological literacy is the vehicle to get us there. ACES is bold enough to think we can bridge the divide.

Chris Lane Chief Executive Officer

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is a nonprofit environmental science education organization with four locations in the Roaring Fork watershed: Hallam Lake, Rock Bottom Ranch, Catto Center at Toklat, and Spring Creek.

Making more than 125,000 education contacts in 2017, ACES reaches Colorado residents and visitors through guided hikes, environmental science lessons in schools and in the field, kids camps and adult classes, public lectures, community events, environmental education consulting, and more. Our programs focus on ecological literacy, regenerative agriculture, forest and ecosystem health, land restoration, and environmental civic leadership.

ACES partners with land trusts, public agencies, government entities, and other nonprofits to collaborate on regional land stewardship efforts. Projects include restoration and cooperative management on private lands under conservation easement, open space, and public lands.

Inspired by the words of founder Elizabeth Paepcke, ACES’ mission - “Educating for Environmental Responsibility” - has guided our programming since 1968.

Trustees Michael Carricarte, Chair Neal Dempsey Andy Docken Ryan Elston, Vice Chair Mark Hamilton Cindy Kahn Reenie Kinney Leslie Lamont Kim Master

Diane Moore Gina Murdock Jerry Murdock Robert Musser Wally Obermeyer, Treasurer Ashley Schiff Ramos Barbara Rosenberg Sheri Sanzone Daniel Shaw Rachel Sherman, Secretary Maile Spung, Officer 3

ACES Ed: A Science Classroom Without Boundaries This year, ACES Ed invested in areas that define our commitment and approach to growing ecological literacy: a belief in lifelong learning, a celebration of diversity, and a goal to increase access to environmental education statewide.

ACES Ed now offers programs to a wider range of students than ever before, providing environmental science education from early childhood through high school, including courses for college-credit. In 2017, ACES Ed extended further into adult education programs by offering the ACES Apprenticeship in Sustainability, ecological teacher retreats, and professional development workshops for teachers across Colorado.

To enhance the diversity of the ACES Ed experience, in 2016 ACES launched the Colorado Connects Scholarship (CCS) program to provide direct

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funding to underrepresented schools and students from across the Western Slope. Moving into its third year, CCS has seen a 20% increase in school participation since its launch. With supporting funds from the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Inspire grant, ACES Ed will now offer environmental science field programs to students from New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Parachute, and Battlement Mesa, including our first full-time ACES Ed science classroom outside of the Roaring Fork Valley. In response to budget cuts that have shortened the school week, ACES will also offer a paid environmental science internship for high school students on the days schools are closed.

In 2013, the Colorado Department of Education approved and released the Colorado Environmental Education Plan (CEEP), requiring environmental science education programs in public schools statewide. With this mandate in mind, ACES now provides teacher training workshops at regional conferences, and consults with schools across the state on our teaching model. ACES’ training and consulting work helps us to be a more culturally-responsive organization, working to support the Latino, agricultural, and resource extraction communities of Colorado’s Western Slope.

The Numbers 11

full-time ACES Educators

65,000 student contacts

64

schools and youth organizations

2,700

in-school classes

400+

field programs

Tomorrow’s Voices:

Spotlight

Civic Engagement and Ecological Citzenship

ACES ECOLOGICAL TEACHER RETREAT PROGRAMS While working directly with students is critically important, ACES Ed also understands the power of educating and supporting teachers. As all educators become more ecologically literate, we begin to realize David Orr’s powerful statement that “all education is environmental education.”

To this end, ACES Ed has provided trainings, workshops, and retreats for the teaching staff from Basalt High School, Aspen Elementary School, the Aspen Art Museum, Basalt Elementary School, and others.

Tomorrow’s Voices is a college-level course offered each semester for Roaring Fork Valley high school students.

With a focus on social justice and environmental stewardship, Tomorrow’s Voices tackles a range of issues through discussion-based, action-oriented investigations. Students are encouraged to listen,

speak their mind, and apply what they learn in class to their daily actions.

In our current environmental, social, and political climate, empowering young adults to be active, informed, and ethical citizens continues to be our utmost priority.

This class gives us the knowledge and skills to be able to talk to people with different viewpoints. I have learned to listen and understand where others’ thoughts are coming from, rather than assuming that they’re wrong. These discussions help all of us to branch out.” — 2018 Tomorrow’s Voices student

ACES Ed launched the ecological teacher retreat program in 2017, providing professional development workshops for teachers from across our region. In these half- and full-day retreats, ACES works with public school faculty and staff by blending outdoor exploration, group initiatives, and new student activities.

The retreat was one of the best things I have ever done as a principal to bring our teaching team together.”

- Basalt Elementary School principal Suzanne Wheeler-Del Piccolo, reflecting on participating in an ACES teacher retreat with her staff.

The Numbers 5:1

student-teacher ratio

2,000

hours of political science and environmental ethics education each year

80%

of students’ first college experience is through Tomorrow’s Voices

500+

students over 18 years of Tomorrow’s Voices classes

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Regenerative Agriculture: Teaching Sustainable Food Systems At Rock Bottom Ranch, ACES models regenerative agriculture production systems that prioritize ecosystem health, energy efficiency, carbon sequestration, land stewardship, animal welfare, and social heritage. This work occurs in an outdoor classroom that hosted over 10,500 educational contacts in 2017, where visitors learn about the relationship between food production and the health of our planet.

This year, ACES continued to raise public awareness about the ecological impact of our daily food choices. In addition to educating our community on the impact of industrial-scale animal agriculture, ACES also explored ways in which livestock can help to maintain a balanced food system.

When managed in a holistic manner, livestock are critical to the process of nutrient-cycling and carbon sequestration. To that end, ACES is leading the charge on developing models for replicable, regenerative agriculture where the production of meat and vegetables can actually restore soil biodiversity, leading to a 90% reduction in carbon emissions and increased ecological integrity.

In addition, ACES continued to improve on-site infrastructure at the Ranch, including adding a children’s garden, staff housing, a chicken “hoop coop” and two hoop-houses to increase egg and vegetable production during the winter months. With a growing number of educational partnerships, ACES welcomed local schools for outdoor field programs, seasonal camps, and classes, including a young farmer workshop with students from Colorado Mountain College. We look forward to more visitors interacting with the Ranch through the use of our bike path extension from the Rio Grande Trail.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO REDUCE YOUR IMPACT? • Start small – move to a more plantbased diet by eliminating meat from one meal per week.

• Find and support local, pasture-based farmers who prioritize soil health.

• Eat seasonally.

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food waste leaves & spen t gra in

COMPOST PROCESSING FACILITY

COMMUNITY

(at local landfill)

food

ROCK BOTTOM RANCH

te as

Our Low Carbon, High-Nutrient Local Food System

food & v ege tat ive w

COMPOST

The Numbers A Whole Bunch of Zeros: When compiling statistics for this year’s report, we noticed an interesting trend emerge: lots of zeros. And we’ve never been prouder of such an unassuming number.

0

0

0

0

0

0

500+ cubic yards of leaves & spent grain diverted from landfill to Rock Bottom Ranch

27,202 lbs of food sold to our community

199,511 lbs CO2e produced by industrial agriculture for the equivalent amount of food

84 varieties of organic vegetables planted in 2017

production

Thousands of ladybugs employed to control aphid pests

lbs of food waste sent to the landfill

lbs of food shipped outside of our valley

lbs C02e, produced through our agricultural practices

*C02e, or carbon dioxide equivalent, is the standard unit for measuring any type of greenhouse gas and signifies the amount of C02 that would have the equivalent global warming effect.

lbs of geneticallymodified (GMO) feed and seeds used

gallons of propane & 0 kilowatt hours of electric heat used for vegetable

gallons of pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide used

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Spotlight

Naturalist Programs: Training Future Environmental Leaders

SAPNA SOPORI: FROM ACES TO ISLANDWOOD Sapna Sopori first came to ACES in 2001 as a Summer Naturalist, and currently works as the Director of Youth and Community Programs at Islandwood, one of the premier environmental learning centers in the country.

Following her Naturalist season, Sapna returned to ACES as an Environmental Educator and helped to expand our in-school environmental education program to Basalt Elementary School: a crucial step toward reaching a more diverse population.

In 2012, after working as the Executive Director for Willow Bend Environmental Education Center and earning a Master’s in Education from Prescott College, Sapna joined the team at Islandwood where she continues to work passionately toward providing environmental education for the benefit of all people.

At Islandwood, Sapna teaches graduate courses in Nonprofit Administration and Leadership, often encouraging her students to examine topics like equity through the lens of environmental justice.

In addition, Sapna works with underserved populations and seeks to explore ways in which affluent students may be educated to better understand their privilege and use it to create a more just world.

ACES Educator Sapna Sopori at Hallam Lake.

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Each June, ACES spends two weeks training 16 new Summer Naturalists. These enthusiastic college graduates spend the next two and a half months guiding hikes and providing educational outreach for both visitors and residents at iconic sites throughout the Aspen area. Following the summer season, many Naturalists are re-hired to work through the winter, providing them with an opportunity to continue growing as educators and leaders.

Through training, individual research, and guiding, Naturalists develop a deep knowledge of local ecology, environmental issues, human history, and the physical landscape. Over the course of the summer, Naturalists learn to use storytelling to explain a range of subjects, inspiring a connection to the Aspen area for over 41,000 locals and visitors in 2017.

Through this program, ACES Naturalists often develop greater understanding and passion for

the subjects they are most interested in as they plot their own career paths. For more than 30 years, this ever-growing group of ACES alumni have gone out into the world affecting change. As scientists, teachers, land managers, policy makers, nonprofit administrators, and sustainability experts, Naturalists further ACES’ mission when they bring their knowledge, communication skills, and appreciation of the natural world to new communities.

The Numbers 4,460

410

tour participants at the Maroon Bells, Snowmass, and Aspen Mountain in summer 2017

Naturalists trained

by ACES since 1987

Naturalist Field School: Outdoor Classrooms for all Ages

Spotlight SUMMER EDUCATOR-INTRAINING VOLUNTEERS

She brings home what she learns and it impacts us. She comes home dirty, tired, and grinning - no better way to spend a summer day!”

In 2017, over 35 Summer Educator-in-Training volunteers contributed their curiosity, enthusiasm, and understanding of ACES to help make our summer programs even better. Each year, these volunteers, ages 14-18, have the opportunity to gain experience working with children, developing outdoor leadership skills, and assisting ACES Educators during weeklong summer programs. This role is perfect for teens who are looking for increased responsibilities in a fun and educational setting, especially for those who may have “graduated” from ACES programs or are interested in the field of environmental education.

— Summer Field Science Camp parent For over 30 years, ACES’ Naturalist Field School (NFS) has connected students of all ages with the natural world. From harvesting vegetables at Rock Bottom Ranch, to identifying local plants on a guided hike, to exploring the nature preserve at Hallam Lake, NFS programs educate and inspire participants to feel a sense of place in their surroundings.

During the summer months, ACES becomes a hub of activity and a gathering place for lifelong learning. Expert educators return to Hallam Lake year after year to share their knowledge and

reconnect with this special community. Through a range of programs that combine environmental science education with outdoor exploration, NFS programs transform the local environment into a community classroom. Whether over the course of a day or a week, participants form lasting friendships as they share in immersive and informative experiences in nature.

As we continue to strengthen our programs, ACES is committed to providing relevant, engaging, and exciting program opportunities for learners and adventurers of all ages.

The Numbers 28,000

$20,000

35+

120+

hours kids spend outside in ACES’ programs

awarded in scholarships

Summer Educatorin-Training Volunteers (ages 14-18)

species of birds seen during ACES’ bird classes

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Spotlight

Forest Health:

Ecosystem Restoration & Climate Education Over the last twenty years, the rise of the mountain pine bark beetle epidemic has led Colorado and much of the western US to realize the true vulnerability of our forests. Combined with persistent drought, rising temperatures, and years of fire suppression, tree mortality has increased to a level unseen in recent history. While mountain pine bark beetle populations have begun to decline, our forests continue to struggle against the impacts of climate change, other insects, and disease.

PITKIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS ACES and Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST) have shared a long and fruitful history of collaboration. From 1984-2000, ACES managed North Star Preserve, which included repairing fences, eradicating weeds, and stewarding these valuable wetlands east of Aspen. In 2016, ACES Naturalists began providing educational outreach at North Star to encourage visitors to respect the preserve. In addition, over the past ten years, five former ACES Naturalists have worked as OST rangers.

OST and ACES have partnered on significant forest restoration and agriculture projects. Most recently, this has included a 900-acre prescribed fire in 2016 in the Hunter-Smuggler area, as well as promoting sustainable agriculture on the OST-owned Glassier property. Through the years, ACES’ partnership with OST has helped both organizations to become better stewards and advocates for local ecosystems.

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ACES Forest Programs was founded to better understand and address these alarming trends through an aggressive program of restoration, education, research, and monitoring. We continue to work toward this goal through on-theground restoration in the Hunter-Smuggler area, education and monitoring using the Forest Health

Index (www.foresthealth.org), and research with the help of our Forest Forecast Model (www. forestforecast.org).

In 2017, ACES Forest Programs focused on past project completion, sharing our work, and preparing for the future. In partnership with the City of Aspen and Pitkin County, ACES completed an 80-acre oak mastication project to create habitat and reduce wildfire risk for the Aspen community, extending the positive impact of the 2016 burn. In addition, ACES presented at both the Natural Areas Conference and the Colorado Forest Collaboratives Summit, as well as released our 4th annual State of the Forest Report. In 2018, ACES will expand our Forest Health Index to include forest communities outside of our watershed and continue local restoration and monitoring efforts.

Catto Center at Toklat:

A Wilderness Retreat Where Ecology Meets Spirituality

SNOW MOON DINNER: Each February, ACES invites Donor Circles members to the Catto Center at Toklat for a night of history, astronomy, and community. Enjoy cocktails by the fire, live music, and a locallysourced dinner.

Since the late 1940s, the Catto Center at Toklat has been a place of quiet refuge where visitors can engage in thoughtful inquiry and reconnect to the natural world. Originally built by the Mace family, the Catto Center at Toklat continues to act as a gathering place for community members and visitors alike, offering a space where people can come together to reflect, rejuvenate, and feel inspired by the local environment.

of a professional retreat, workshop, community potluck, field science class, or to visit with one of our seasonal artists-in-residence and simply take in the beauty of the Castle Creek Valley. But no matter how or why they arrive, visitors leave this special place with a renewed sense of connectedness and appreciation for the value of environmental stewardship.

Visitors find their way to the Catto Center at Toklat for a variety of reasons, whether as part

WORKSHOPS: Each winter, resident Naturalists at the Catto Center at Toklat share their unique skills by hosting a free workshop series for the community.

ARTISTS -IN-RESIDENCE: Elena Gonzalez Ruiz and her family have been an integral part of the Catto Center at Toklat for over 30 years. Each summer, Elena teaches the art of weaving and dyeing as her indigenous community has sustainably practiced for generations in Oaxaca, Mexico.

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Building Community: Events

Spotlight

ACES preserves its long-standing tradition of bringing the community together through events that engage, inform, and inspire. Ranging from community lectures to gourmet farm-to-table dinners, ACES events nourish the mind, while building community and affecting positive change.

Photographer Ami Vitale

JESSICA CATTO DIALOGUES Founded in memory of Jessica Hobby Catto, ACES’ Jessica Catto Dialogues (JCD) lecture series brings environmental luminaries to Aspen to inspire positive change. Each year, over 1,000 Aspen residents and visitors come together to engage in an open dialogue about our most pressing environmental concerns. With past presenters including Carl Safina, Joel Salatin, Bill McKibben, and Terry Tempest Williams among others, this series highlights the work of leaders in environmental and climate science, sustainable agriculture, economics, and ecosystem health, specifically focusing on those that are involved in promoting civic action and social justice.

In August 2017, this annual speaker series featured National Geographic magazine photographer Ami Vitale, who has traveled to more than 90 countries and witnessed not only violence and conflict, but also surreal beauty and the enduring power of the human spirit. Whether she’s living in mud huts and war zones, contracting malaria, or donning a panda suit, Ami holds true to her belief in the importance of “living the story.”

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NATURALIST NIGHTS: Each winter, this free 10-week speaker series brings experts to Hallam Lake to discuss groundbreaking topics in their fields of study.

EVENING ON THE LAKE: At ACES’ July benefit, guests dine on the banks of Hallam Lake, while enjoying a locally-sourced meal in support of ACES’ environmental education programs.

POTBELLY PERSPECTIVES: Born from the tradition of storytelling around a potbelly stove, this 10-week speaker series brings community members to Hallam Lake to share their adventures.

RAPTOR FAIR: Raptor Fair draws visitors of all ages to see birds of prey up close. This free event in July educates the community about these keystone predators.

WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL: Each March, this film festival fundraiser showcases inspiring films in support of ACES’ Tomorrow’s Voices program.

STARS ABOVE ASPEN: In August, ACES hosts a special community Astronomy Night at the top Aspen Mountain complete with telescopes, a Starlab planetarium, and more.

PICNIC ON THE PRESERVE: ACES kicks off the summer season in June with our annual membership picnic on the preserve at Hallam Lake.

FARM TO TABLE DINNERS: Throughout the growing season, ACES hosts elegant, locally-sourced meals at Rock Bottom Ranch that include an educational farm tour.

FALL COLORS POTLUCK: Each September, experience the peak of fall colors with friends at ACES’ annual membership potluck at the Catto Center at Toklat.

HARVEST PARTY: In October, ACES celebrates the harvest season at Rock Bottom Ranch with a community event that includes pumpkin-carving, applepressing, a silent auction, and more.

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Financials REVENUE

EXPENSES

Investment Income <1% Other Income 13%

Fundraising Expenses 10% Contributions 30%

Management & General Expenses 14%

Admission & Tuition 25%

$1,685,117

Total Program Expenses 76%

Grants 8%

Membership Income 7% Endowment 16% Revenue & Other Support Contributions Multi-year Pledges Grants Endowment Membership Income Admission & Tuition Other Income Investment Income Total Revenue Educational Expenses

2017

2016

2015

801,546

1,521,676

1,250,380

Grants Receivable

0

1,198,770

0

214,000

208,375

Pledges Receivable

430,000

410,000

375,000

Inventory

183,202

163,441

147,178

678,131

617,882

605,693

Land, Building & Equipment

356,719

321,162

274,807

Total Assets

8,395

4,980

2,374

2,673,993

4,451,911

2,865,822

2017

2016

2015

Educational Expenses

1,803,376

1,826,238

1,976,438

Total Program Expenses

1,803,376

1,826,238

1,976,438

321,668

315,655

290,115

Investments

2015 2,654,621

0

0

277,478

995,534

1,620,765

249,897

22,390

20,640

5,960

603,331

600,000

600,000

7,459,754

7,337,762

7,008,684

13,384,706

13,245,287

10,796,640

2017

2016

2015

4,315

160,115

183,373 171,455

Accrued Expenses

178,044

165,289

Note Payable

377,285

400,000

0

Total Liabilities

559,641

725,404

354,828

Unrestricted Net Assets (Undesignated)

243,767

231,947

234,938

Temporarily Restricted Net Assets

Total Supporting Service Expenses

565,435

547,602

525,053

Permanently Restriced Assets

2,368,811

2,373,840

2,501,491

305,182

2,078,071

364,331

Excess of Revenue over Expenses

2016 3,666,120

Accounts Payable

Fundraising Expenses Total Expenses

2017 4,303,697

Liabilities

Net Assets

Supporting Service Expenses

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Cash Equivalents

216,000

Program Expenses

Management & General Expenses

Assets

Total Net Assets Total Liabilities & Net Assets

2017

2016

2015

7,289,854

6,190,815

5,311,514

1,585,211

2,379,068

1,180,298

3,950,000

3,950,000

3,950,000

12,780,617

12,519,883

10,441,812

13,384,706

13,245,287

10,796,640

REVENUE & EXPENSES

ACES’ NET CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS IN METRIC TONS

$4.5M

160

$4M

140

$3.5M

120

$3M

100

$2.5M

80

$2M

60

$1.5M $1M

40

$500

20

$0

‘10 – ‘11 ‘11 – ‘12

‘12 – ‘13 Revenue

‘13 – ‘14

‘14 – ‘15

‘15 – ‘16

‘16 – ‘17

0

2009

Yet again, ACES obtained a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. This exceptional rating means that ACES exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its category for financial health, accountability, and transparency.

The financial statements of ACES were audited by Reese Henry & Company, Inc. A copy of the complete Independent Auditor’s Report is available on the ACES website.

2011

Gasoline

Expenses

The 2016/17 fiscal year concluded with $2,673,993 in total revenue, a decrease from the previous year because of the recognition of several multi-year pledges in the 2015/16 fiscal year. As a reflection of continued community support for our educational programming, Admission & Tuition revenue increased by approximately 10% from the previous year. While our educational contacts and geographic reach grew in 2016/17, Total Expenses decreased year-over-year to $2,368,811.

2010

2012

2013

Propane

2014 Natural Gas

2015

2016

2017

Electric

ACES continues to work toward its goal to reduce carbon emissions. While Hallam Lake used 44% less electricity during the year, the addition of four staff housing units at Rock Bottom Ranch led to an overall increase in electric use in 2017. At Rock Bottom Ranch, our 25-kw solar photovoltaic system continues to help us minimize energy use by producing 31% of all electricity consumed. As ACES continues to expand, we aim to balance this growth with efficiency improvements and the use of renewable energy sources.

2016 2017 SOURCE

USAGE

UNITS

COST

MMBTU

CO2*

Electricity

113,255

KWH

$13,086

385.36

81.18

Fuel

2,151

Gallons

$7,780

245.21

21.51

Natural Gas

2,600

Therms

$2,689

212.70

10.63

Propane

2,713

Gallons

Total

$5,730

248.51

8.14

$29,375

1091.78

121.46

*CO2 measured in metric tons

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Membership: Making an Impact Our Donors DONOR CIRCLES As a Donor Circles member, you are recognized for your commitment to the environment and for supporting ACES as a model of environmental sustainability and education, helping to extend our impact locally, regionally, and nationally. With an annual membership gift of $1,200 or more, you are a part of an exclusive circle of leading members who are addressing society’s most pressing environmental issues, while also enjoying priority access to ACES events, special Donor Circles experiences, and opportunities to meet the most influential environmental leaders of our time.

YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES (YEA): For individuals 30 years and younger, ACES is thrilled to offer a $25 membership level for Young Environmental Advocates (YEA). The YEA membership aims to inspire and nurture personal and professional development of these young members through engagement in our organization. In addition, YEA members are invited to socialize and network at ACES’ programs and events, while building a knowledge base that enables them to address today’ environmental issues in an informed and engaged manner.

For more information on ACES membership, please visit aspennature.org or contact Development Director, Christy Mahon, at 970.925.5756 or cmahon@aspennature.org.

I first joined as a YEA member after a friend of mine gave a Potbelly Perspectives presentation. I realized that so many of my favorite people in this community are involved with ACES – people who love the outdoors and who want to learn more about the natural world in order to protect it. Now, more than ever, it feels important to be a part of that kind of community.”

— YEA member, Caroline Tory

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We would like to thank the following individuals, businesses, organizations, and families for their extraordinary support between November 1, 2016 and October 31, 2017.

Chairman’s Circle ($50,000 and above) Anonymous Thomas A. Barron and Currie C. Barron John and Ann Doerr Adam and Melony Lewis Jerry and Gina Murdock The Walton Family Foundation Restorer’s Circle ($25,000 - $49,999) Catto Charitable Foundation Neal and Jan Dempsey Suzanne Farver and Clint VanZee Malott Family Foundation Thomas and Margot Pritzker Lynda and Stewart Resnick Benefactor ($10,000 - $24,999) Anonymous Amy Margerum Berg and Gilchrist Berg John and Jackie Bucksbaum Bill Budinger and Zoe Baird Michael and Natalie Carricarte City of Aspen Dornick Foundation Breckie and Matt Hunt Ellen and Bill Hunt Shana and Clint Johnstone Allison and Warren Kanders David Newberger Christina and Tad O’Donnell Helen Ward and Walter Obermeyer Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund RCG Fund of Rose Community Foundation Don and Barbara Rosenberg Becky and Christopher Steere The Leslie and Daniel Ziff, Dirk & Natasha Ziff, and Robert Ziff Foundations Innovator ($5,000 - $9,999) Cara and Robert Barnes The Baum Foundation Jeff and Becky Berkus Mike and Jackie Bezos

Thompson Bishop Ella and Scott Brittingham Sam Brown and Alison Teal Ruth H. Brown Foundation Bill and Jess Budinger Tony and Terri Caine Clint and Nancy Carlson Catto Shaw Foundation Sarah Challinor Sally Cole Margit Cotsen Gary and Sylvie Crum Judith Fisher Alan and Diane Franco John and Jessica Fullerton Pat Goudvis Margot and Richard Hampleman Bill and Lelia Harriman Andrew Hauptman and Ellen Bronfman Hauptman Jamie and Bush Helzberg Annie and Jerry Hosier Michael and Carol Hundert Reenie Kinney and Scott Hicks Linda Lay Jonathan Lewis and Mark Zitelli Ms. Toby D. Lewis Daniel and Margaret Loeb Bill Lukes Estate Mr. & Mrs. John McBride Mr. & Mrs. Tom McCloskey Leslie and John McQuown Laurie Michaels & David Bonderman Kimbal Musk and Christiana Wyly Chad and Ilona Oppenheim Betsy Rockett John Rowland and Sarah Broughton Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Schermer Ashley Schiff & Mike Ramos Mr. & Mrs. David T. Schiff The Schuster Family Foundation Rachel and Tony Sherman Donna and Ron Thompson

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woods Jeff and Elisha Zander Advocate ($2,500 - $4,999) Susan and Jack Apple Kristen and Charles Bieler Mallory and Harrison Buck Mr. and Mrs. William Catto Muffy and Andy DiSabatino Laura Donnelley Barbara Dunaway Leo and Marcy Edelstein Mr. & Mrs. Donnelley Erdman George and Susan Fesus Peter and Patty Findlay Mary and Jim Griffith Jim and Julie Hager Mike and Laura Kaplan Jack and Diane Kennedy Quincy Lee and Lora Reynolds Jonathan and Barbara Lee Kim Master and Noah Lieb Willem and Lisa Mesdag Diane Moore and Joel Sax Marcie and Robert Musser Norman and Melinda Payson Hensley and James Peterson Bob Purvis Sheri Sanzone and Chris Bendon Mark and Lorraine Schapiro Phyllis and David Scruggs Steve Stunda Charitable Fund Eleanor von Stade William Wrigley, Jr. Steward ($1,200 - $2,499) Pamela Alexander Richard and Claudia Balderston Buddy and Connie Bates Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Berger Sallie and Thomas Bernard Louise and Phil Hoversten Ginny and Charles Brewer Galen Bright and Lucy Tremols Kenton and Donna Bruice Carolyn Bucksbaum Laurel and John Catto Christine Karnes and Richard Check Charlie Cole Mrs. Carol G. Craig Leslie Curley Marsha and David Dowler Antonia DuBrul Maja and Nicholas DuBrul

Clayton and Shel Erikson David and Jaimie Field Joshua and Filipa Fink Dean and Sherri Goodwin Wally and Kristen Graham Michelle and Perry Griffith Jim and Julie Hager Mr. & Mrs. Steve Hansen Mr. & Mrs. Gerald D. Hines Johnanna and Todd Hoeffner Robyn Hudgens Gail & Ben Jacobs Matthew and Jessica Jay Kirsten and Kyle Johnstone Cindy Kahn, Steve Marker, and Ruby Marker Jane and Gerald Katcher Christine Karnes and Richard Check Alexandra Kendrick Michael Klein and Joan Fabry Gary and Laura Lauder Francine and Tag Liebel Eric Lish Frederick and Susan Lodge Jamie Brewster McLeod and Glen McLeod Barbara and John Patrick McMahon Mr. Robert McNamara David Moray Tom and Terri Newland Bobbi and Michael Ortiz Hensley and James Peterson Ali and David Phillips Phillip and Emily Ring William Rodman and Kathy LeMieux-Rodman Noelle Rohde Loren and Mary Ryerson Carole and Gordon Segal Mr. Albert H. Small Patti and Brian Smallwood Colter and Meredith Smith Mr. Bill Stirling William Stolz TowerBrook Foundation Barbara Trueman Bob and Ruth Wade Robert Wagner and Jill St. John Charles Wall Jay and Patti Webster Laura Werlin Black Bear ($600 - $1,199) Anonymous Ms. Anne Austin-Clapper

Lisa and George Baker Elizabeth Ballinger Gina Berko and David Fleisher Julie Case Amy and John Charters Lisa Chiles Sally Cole Joanie, Guillaume and Alexander Crete Leslie Desmond Anthony Dilucia Jennifer DuBrul Lauren and Ryan Elston John and Muriel Eulich Gina Berko and David Fleisher Barbara Fretz Ashley Friedman Dr. Jeff Glazer and Dr. Lisa Braun Glazer Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Greenberg Irving Harris Foundation Cecil and Noelle Hernandez Matthew and Kate Holstein Clark and Tavia Hunt Barbara Reid and David Hyman Rusty and John Jaggers Anne and David Johnston Sandy and George Kahle Jeff and Hyunja Kenner John and Karen Krehbiel Brent and Suzanne Lehring Mary Schmidt-Libby and Russell Libby Peter Looram Elizabeth and Adam Lowenstein Marian Melville Sarah Meserve Ms. Ann Mullins Jim and Jan Patterson John Provine and Catherine Ann Couch Gail Scott and Tom Quinlan Rod and Susan Ralls Ken and Emily Ransford Chris Roberts Shereen and Jordan Sarick Judith Scherer Mr. & Mrs. W. Ford Schumann Darlene and Jerome Schwoerer Jill Soffer Robert and Gillian Steel Curt Strand Blair Swift & Samuel Harnett Linda and Dennis Vaughn David Von Storch Ward Walker Jonathon Wells

Big Horn Sheep ($300 - $599) Duane and Sherry Abbott Ashley and John Adams Joanne and David Applebaum Kathy and Carter Barger Mr. and Mrs. Richard Belding Mel and Paulette Blumenthal Liz and John Bokram Gabriel and Deborah Brener Chris and Andrea Bryan Lee and Keith Bryant David and Katherin Chase Stan and Judith Clauson Debbie Copito Ms. Marcia A. Corbin David Corbin Ms. Marcia A. Corbin Brian and Andy Davies Andrew DePaul Andy Docken Mary Dominick and Sven Coomer Gregory and Billie Erwin Lina Eusse The Fink Family Sara Finkle Donald Fleisher and Audrey Sattler Edmund Frank Kristina Fraser Mr. & Mrs. Owen O. Freeman Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Michael Fuller Dr. Leland M. Garrison Lynn Nichols and Jim Gilchrist Justin and Alyson Gish Denise and Andy Goldfarb Arthur Greenberg Ruth Grinspoon Nicholas Groos Lisa and Bill Guth Kristen Henry Juliane M. Heyman Sue and Ron Hopkinson Jefferson and Karen Hughes Riley, JP and Ellis Hutchens Margaret Idema Chonnie and Paul Jacobson Warren and Kathleen Jones Kevin Messerschmidt & Denise Jurgens Nancy Kantor Jaqueline Kaplan and Chad Clark Kristan and Heather Kaplinski Phil and Meg Kendall Marianne and Richard Kipper Leslie Lamont & Lance Luckett Tania Landauer

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Legacy Planning: Elizabeth Paepcke Society

Plan for your future, and the future of our planet. A planned gift with Aspen Center for Environmental Studies can meet your charitable and financial goals, while helping to protect the natural places you care about.

To explore how you can maximize your philanthropic giving through gift planning with ACES, please contact Development Director, Christy Mahon, at 970.925.5756 or cmahon@aspennature.org.

Many things become possible when people work together toward a common vision. With your support, we can continue to educate people about our essential connection with the natural world.”

- Elizabeth Paepcke

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Our Donors Chris and Diana Lane Mark Lantz Victor and Darlene Liss Paula and Monty Loud Jeff Brigham and Wendy MacPhail Brigham Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Marx III Andrea and Bobby McTamaney Antonia Meade Sherry & Gerald Merfish Beth and Josh Mondry Constance Hoguet Neel and Richard Neel John Neil Jacqueline Neuwirth Swire Chris and Vanessa O’Connor Jack and Sis Olson John Liu and Barbara Page Mr. Everett Peirce Frank Peters and Marjory Musgrave Avilla Peterson Lori and Tom Pevny Mr. & Mrs. John Phillips Susan and Kenneth Quintenz Barbara Reid and David Hyman Janet Roberts and Larry Fredrick Elaine and Marvin Rosenberg Mr. Richard Scales Brigette Schabdach Mr. & Mrs. W. Ford Schumann Bruce and Nancy Stevens Clifford and Natasha Stowe Mike and Kit Strang Dana Strong Frederick and Marilyn Subala Mary Ann and Ray Tittle Elissa Topol Anne and Mark Uhlfelder Mia Valley Robin and Peter Van Domelen Jesse and Felipe Vieira da Rocha Elizabeth Weaver and Michael Marek Susan Welsch Brenda Wohlstadter Doug MacLean and Susan Wolf Steven Wolff and Lynne Feigenbaum Jennifer Woodward Buzz and Alison Zaino Paula Zurcher Antonia Zurcher

CORPORATE SPONSORS Leader ($10,000 and above) Alpine Bank Charles Cunniffe Architects

Community Office for Resource Efficiency Environment Foundation Aspen Skiing Company SMOKE Modern Barbecue Vail Resorts/Aspen Sports

Innovator ($5,000 - $9,999) American Solutions for Business Aspen Brewing Company Bethal Rentals FirstBank Halcyon Productions Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel Advocate ($2,500 - $4,999) Aspen Associates Realty Group Aspen Sojourner Aspen Times CITGO Petroleum Corporation Glenwood Springs Post Independent Kissane Viola Design L’Hostaria Ristorante Margerum Wine Company Whole Foods Market Roaring Fork Woody Creek Distillery Steward ($1,200 - $2,499) Aspen Square Condominium Association Forum Phi The Gant Jeffery Berkus Architects KSPN Land + Shelter lululemon athletica Newland Project Resources, Inc. Outdoor Voices Patagonia Reese Henry and Company Rotary Club of Aspen Craig Ward - Aspen Snowmass Sothebys ZGTec Partner ($600 - $1,199) Aspen Daily News Holland & Hart Of Grape & Grain Two Leaves and A Bud Tea Company Patagonia Snowmass Ute Mountaineer Patagonia Snowmass Two Leaves and a Bud Tea Company Ute Mountaineer Western Vegetation Management Whole Foods Woody Creek Distillers Recognition in the ACES Annual Report is a benefit of Bighorn Sheep membership ($300) and above.

Who We Are: Staff & Partners Administrative Staff: (Back Row to Front Row, Left to Right)

Katie Schwoerer, Finance & Operations Director Bowman Leigh, Marketing Manager Arin Trook, Education Director Phebe Meyers, Naturalist Field School Manager Chris Lane, Chief Executive Officer Jason Smith, Rock Bottom Ranch Director Emily Taylor, Development Manager Jim Kravitz, Naturalist Programs Director Ali Hager, Events & Development Coordinator Grayson Bauer, Hallam Lake Programs & Site Manager Christy Mahon, Development Director Adam McCurdy, Forest Programs Director

Partners: ACCESS Roaring Fork Adams State College AJAX Sleepaway The Art Base Ashcroft Ski Touring Aspen Art Museum Aspen Center for Physics Aspen Community Foundation Aspen Education Foundation Aspen Fire Aspen Global Change Institute Aspen Historical Society Aspen Public Radio Aspen School District Aspen Science Center Aspen Skiing Company Aspen T.R.E.E. Aspen Valley Land Trust

Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club Basalt Education Foundation Basalt Elementary School Cap K Ranch Citizens Climate Lobby City of Aspen City of Aspen Parks & Open Space City of Aspen Environmental Health Clean Rivers Initiative CO Alliance for Environmental Education CO Department of Education CO Mountain College CO Outward Bound School CO Parks and Wildlife CO State Forest Service CO State University

Community Office for Resource Efficiency Crystal River Elementary School CU Succeed Program EverGreen ZeroWaste The Forest Conservancy Great Outdoors Colorado Holy Cross Energy Indivisible Aspen Kid’s First The Little Nell The Nature Conservancy Pitkin County Pitkin County Healthy Rivers & Streams Pitkin County Open Space & Trails Protect Our Winters Roaring Fork Anglers Roaring Fork Audubon

Annual report photos courtesy of ACES staff, Aspen Historical Society’s Cassatt Collection, Peter Feinzig, Jordan Curet, Olivia Emmer, and Chris Cohen.

Roaring Fork Conservancy Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers Roaring Fork Transit Authority Rotary Club of Aspen Spradley Farms Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center Snowmass Tourism Town of Snowmass Village U.S. Forest Service U.S.F.S. White River National Forest University of Arizona University of Colorado Upper CO River Interagency Fire Management Unit WE-cycle Wilderness Workshop

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Where We Work BASALT AREA Basalt Elementary School Basalt High School Basalt Middle School Blue Lake Preschool Cornerstone Christian Academy Glassier Open Space Rock Bottom Ranch Spring Creek

RIFLE / NEW CASTLE AREA Coal Ridge High School Elk Creek Elementary School Graham Mesa Elementary School Kathryn Senor Elementary School Rifle Middle School Riverside Middle School Wamsley Elementary School RIFLE

INTERST ATE

EAGLE GLENWOOD SPRINGS EAGLE AREA Brush Creek Elementary

GLENWOOD SPRINGS AREA Glenwood Springs Elementary School Glenwood Springs High School Glenwood Springs Middle School Riverview School Saint Stephen’s School Skylark School Sopris Elementary School St. Stephen’s School Sunlight Ski Area Two Rivers Community School Yampah High School

ACES at Spring Creek

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CARBONDALE BASALT

133

ACES at Rock Bottom Ranch

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ACES at Hallam Lake

ASPEN ACES at The Catto Center at Toklat

CARBONDALE AREA Carbondale Community School Carbondale Middle School Colorado Mountain College Colorado Rocky Mountain School Crystal River Elementary School Roaring Fork High School Ross Montessori School Waldorf School of Roaring Fork Valley

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MARBLE 133

MARBLE AREA Marble Charter School

PAONIA

NORTH FORK VALLEY AREA North Fork Montessori Paonia Elementary School

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OTHER Colorado Parks & Wildlife (Denver) Denver University Great Sand Dunes National Park Logan School Meeker High School Mesa County Mount Princeton Ridgway State Park Sangre de Cristo Mountains

ASPEN AREA American Lake Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Aspen Community School Aspen Country Day Aspen Elementary School Aspen High School Aspen Meadows Trail Aspen Middle School Aspen Mountain Buttermilk Castle Creek Valley Cathedral Lake Catto Center at Toklat Crater Lake Early Learning Center East of Aspen Ashcroft Ghost Town Hallam Lake Hunter Creek Maroon Lake Mt. Tots Preschool North Star Nature Preserve Red Butte Snowmass Nature Trail Snowmass Rabbit Run The Cottage Preschool U.S. Forest Service Office Weller Lake Wildwood

There are two great days in a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life: the day we are born, and the day we discover why. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; William Barclay

Non-ProďŹ t Organization U.S. Postage

PAID

Aspen, CO 81612 Permit No. 43

100 Puppy Smith Street Aspen, CO 81611

...educating for environmental responsibility.

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