The Eagle Valley Land Trust and Walking Mountains Science Center have closed on a 224-acre conservation easement off Sweetwater Road five miles north of Dotsero, with support from Eagle County Open Space.

Walking Mountains has owned the property, the Precourt Family Sweetwater Campus, since 2015 and intends to further develop the site to expand access to educational programming for local students.

An eight-acre portion of the property outside the conservation easement, the George Family Base Camp, has been set aside for a future education center.

“The location of our Sweetwater property allows for easy access from down-Valley communities and provides a different ecological area for our field science programs,” said Markian Feduschak, President of Walking Mountains.

The property contains important wildlife habitat for elk and mule deer, who utilize the area as critical winter habitat. The new conservation easement will ensure the permanent protection of the ecological and educational landscape. “This project is a model for how to balance sensitive wildlife habitat with environmental education - two values that continue to be at the forefront of our local community conversation. This is a win for our local youth and elk alike” said Jessica Foulis, EVLT’s Executive Director...Continue reading.

Join EVLT and partners for a week of conservation, learning, connection, and camaraderie to kick off EVLT’s 40th anniversary. To celebrate, we’re launching our signature Community Land Connection Series, hosting a virtual auction, and introducing a one week donation matching challenge generously provided by EVLT’s board of directors - that means your Earth Week donations will be doubled during this week only!

Earth Week, which coincides with the changing of the seasons and the opening of many trails countywide, is the perfect time to get outside to enjoy the benefits of protected land in our community - the protected land that you helped make possible. We’re taking the opportunity to launch a variety of innovative new (and free!) programs, underwritten by Sally Davidson, with partners throughout our community. Will you join us? Here's the schedule:

Protecting wildlife is a responsibility that unites all of us. Trail closures are one of our community’s most important tools for giving wildlife the space they need during times of the year when they are most vulnerable. Right now, elk and deer are in survival mode; even the slightest disturbances can have cumulative impacts throughout winter and spring. As our community grows, so too must our respect for wildlife and their needs....Continue reading. Photo by Todd Winslow Pierce.