Aspen Valley Land Trust

1. PROTECT the special places and signature landscapes of our region to ensure they remain forever open and vital for wildlife and communities. The health of our future depends on the health of our land, water, air, wildlife, and access to open spaces.
2. STEWARD conserved lands to be resilient and forever beneficial to the communities of our region. Sound management of conserved lands and conservation easements ensures that the benefits of conservation and open land extend into the future, and providing resources for a healthy environment and healthy communities.
3. ENGAGE diverse communities on the land to inspire broad-based understanding and support for nature and conservation. By exploring and highlighting the shared future of humans and nature, we can strengthen the benefits to both, grow a stronger and more resilient organization, and create a healthier life-long connection between our communities and the environment.
4. COMMIT to building an organization capable of fulfilling its mission in perpetuity and maximizing the benefits of conservation to diverse communities. An organization cannot grow or thrive without a strong and broad base of support and sound financial policies and resources.

PROTECT our special places to ensure they remain forever vital for wildlife and communities.
- Protect ecosystem integrity, wildlife habitat and migration corridors, and natural resources.
- Support landowners commitment to conserve their land.
- Prioritize projects with highest conservation impact and return on investment.

STEWARD conserved lands to be resilient and forever beneficial to our communities.
- Strengthen landowner and partner relationships to further land management and conservation goals.
- Organize volunteer opportunities to help manage conserved lands.
- Help improve the Silt River Preserve to protect wildlife habitat and to provide public recreation.
- Support Highwater Farm in connecting diverse communities and youth to agriculture and increasing local food production.
- Address local water scarcity and water quality issues and needs through the Hause R3 Fund.
- Create resource hub to promote sustainable agriculture and regenerative ecosystem services.

ENGAGE diverse communities to inspire understanding and support for conservation.
- Provide kids outdoor education experiences at Marble Basecamp.
- Establish community land to provide “hands-on” engagement with conservation, land stewardship, habitat restoration, and outdoor education.
- Expand opportunities for community recreation and education on conserved land. Support inclusive and relevant growth in our community.

COMMIT to building an organization capable of fulfilling its mission in perpetuity and maximizing the benefits of conservation for a diverse community.
- Support growth and excellence of board, staff, and volunteers.
- Improve communication channels and frequency to build understanding and support of conservation.
- Increase financial strength and long-term resilience to carry out mission for forever.

As the oldest land trust in Colorado, Aspen Valley Land Trust has worked with landowners and community partners to conserve land in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys since 1967.

With significant community input, partner expertise, and data analyses, AVLT created a Strategic Conservation Plan to guide our work to double our impact in the next decade toward our goals of protecting and enhancing working lands, water, open space, climate resilience, habitat, equity, and connection.