Trout Unlimited Wild Trout Chapter’s benefit last night for the Eagle River Preserve was, in my opinion, a smashing success. Of course, my view was based on the number of folks with big smiles on their faces, sipping beers, and spewing good fishing stories. There were also lots of bids for the variety of items in the silent auction, so I suspect some good money was raised for the cause.

US Congressman Mark Udall spoke at length about the benefits of the project, as well as other similar initiatives he is involved with - it was truly refreshing to hear. Then photographer John Fielder gave an outstanding presentation - the man has amazing stories of his treks across Colorado, and the visuals (his unparalleled views from behind the lens) to back it up were and ARE extraordinary.

But the best part of the event was the news the audience received about the cause. The Vail Valley Foundation and its Partners reached their goal of raising $12 million for the purchase of the Eagle River Open Space. Congratulations to all who put in the time, effort, and of course money to make this happen. Press release follows.

For Immediate Release - August 24, 2005
Media Contact: John Dakin
(970) 949-1999
jdakin@vvf.org

VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION AND PARTNERS REACH $12 MILLION GOAL TO PURCHASE EAGLE RIVER PRESERVE OPEN SPACE

VAIL, Colorado—The historic Eaton Ranch homestead in Edwards will forever be known as Eagle River Preserve as the Vail Valley Foundation and its partners have reached its goal of raising the $12 million purchase price to ensure that the 72-acre parcel will be designated as passive open space.

The goal represents an extraordinary public-private partnership, involving governmental entities, metro districts, businesses, homeowner’s associations, conservation foundations and over 600 individuals from throughout Eagle County, spearheaded by the Vail Valley Foundation.

Eagle County contributed $6 million to the preservation effort, along with the $1 million pledged by various metro districts. Individual contributions ranged from $1 to $1 million.

“No one group could have made Eagle River Preserve a reality,” explained Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. “Reaching this goal is the product of incredible teamwork from all sides.”

The Foundation began the effort in September of 2004, purchasing a one-year option on the property and initiating an extensive regional and local fundraising campaign to secure the necessary funds. Once finalized, Eagle River Preserve will be turned over to Eagle County, with a conservation easement, held by the Eagle Valley Land Trust, placed on the property to guarantee that it will never be developed.

“This is a landmark day for everyone that has worked so hard to see Eagle River Preserve become reality,” added Eagle County Commissioner Arn Menconi. “We should all feel a sense of accomplishment in being able to help facilitate this project, but the real winners are the residents and guests of Eagle County. Projects like Eagle River Preserve will guarantee that this valley remains a wonderful place to live and vacation for generations to come.”

With the initial fundraising component of Eagle River Preserve complete, the Foundation will now turn its attention to creating a strategy to address the overall look and feel of the open space, working closely with interested citizens and groups.

The required B & B reclamation effort on the parcel is ongoing and will eventually include a one-acre pond and full topsoil replacement when complete. The section of the parcel that has already been reclaimed has yielded one cut of hay and currently supports cattle grazing.

“The Vail Valley Foundation presented all of us with an opportunity 11 months ago,” offered Ron Wolfe, Chairman of the Eagle County Open Space Commission, “when they purchased the option on Eaton Ranch. Now, with the fundraising complete, they have given us another opportunity: to have a say in what a key piece of open space on the valley floor will look like to our children and grandchildren.”

The Eagle River Preserve acreage includes one half mile of new access to the Eagle River corridor and represents the first significant stretch of public open space between Vail and Edwards. Possible future uses include hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and snowshoeing, as well as other dispersed low-impact recreation.

“This effort by the Vail Valley Foundation and the support by the community is truly visionary,” offered Eagle County commissioner Peter Runyon. “Because of the Foundation’s successful $6 million fundraising effort, Eagle County is essentially purchasing a $12 million piece of property for $6 million.”

“For the past 25 years,” Runyon continued, “we have thought of this property as a gravel pit. Now we can forget about what it has been and envision what it will now become.”

Although the $12 million has been raised for the purchase of Eagle River Preserve, the Vail Valley Foundation will continue to solicit donations and grants for the enhancements and long term maintenance scheduled for the property. A citizen’s committee has been establish to help determine the various uses and facilities for the parcel while the Foundation continues to fine tune the conservation easement with the Eagle Valley Land Trust.

For additional information or to contribute to Eagle River Preserve, visit www.eagleriverpreserve.com or call (970) 949-1999.

I was invited to fish a stretch of private water just outside of Vail this last weekend. I must say it was a fantastic day with some friends, both aquatic and non-aquatic in preferred habitat. In fact, the walking talking bunch were so tired of the action by our scheduled departure time at noon, that we ended up staying an extra hour (and I’ll bet the gill-laden creatures were glad to see us finally go). The option of getting my vehicle towed from in front of a posted gate was no match for the fun we were having. Dozens of wild rainbows and browns were pulled from pockets seemingly stacked with an unlimited population of fish - they had either never seen artificial flies or just didn’t care that their neighbors were getting violently yanked away from them every couple of minutes.

Okay, enough bragging about my gang and I’s trout hunting prowess. Its at the expense of your wonder as to how much bullshit factor is involved (absolutely zero) anyway, so on to more important matters.

The Denver (Wild Trout) Chapter of Trout Unlimited is sponsoring an event in a few weeks that you will likely enjoy. The effort will benefit TU and The Eagle River Preserve, an open space acquisition project in Eagle County, CO where a current gravel pit will be transformed into a 72-acre park, creating a vital section of prime fishing access on the Eagle River. You can learn more about the Eagle River Preserve here.

The time and place is six o’clock in the evening, Monday, August 29th, at Mile High Station in Denver. There will be a silent auction for all kinds of sporting appliances, including some great fishing gear (but unfortunately for you lessons on their use are not included). Food and cash bar are a given. Honored guests will include U.S. Congressman Mark Udall and famed Colorado photographer John Fielder.

Jason Randall, the TU member organizing the event and rallying the troops, would love some notice on attendance - meaning advance ticket purchases are encouraged (and that is good for you too, as the price is $40 per person versus $50 at the door). You can reach Jason at 303-717-9047, or go the direct route as follows:

- Make a check out to “Trout Unlimited-Wild Trout” and send it to: Wild Trout Chapter — Trout Unlimited; ATTN: Steve Lopez; 2101 S. Clermont St; Denver, CO; 80222; or

- To pay by credit card, grab this PDF flyer (since removed), print and fill it out, and fax back to Jason at 303-778-1717.

Your tickets will be waiting for you at the door.

Hope to see you there for some good fun, and possibly some ridiculously colorful fishing stories. It is a great cause for a great stretch of water, not that my completely unembellished description of our experience there wasn’t enough to convince you already!