What a winter this has been. Terrific for flying with blue skies dominating the Rocky Mountain region, but unbelievably bad for the snowpack, the skiing industry, and most importantly, setting the stage for a potentially devastating wildfire season. Warm temperatures and drought conditions overwhelmed our snowpack and historically underwhelmed moisture in the mountains. We are at 60% of normal, a record-setting “snow drought” for the 2025/26 winter season, with Colorado’s highest March temperatures ever recorded.  And while we have been flying more than typical because of the bluebird skies and warm temperatures, every day brings a new surprise from the administration for our environment and established protocols, rules, and regulations.  Sand to Snow National Monument, CA

Recently, during a rare respite in the office, I received a phone call from Sportys, the world’s largest pilot shop, training and equipping pilots worldwide since 1961. They asked if I would take the opportunity to join their new podcast to discuss airplanes in general and how EcoFlight utilizes the Cessna 210 for conservation aviation. We talked about what it means to use flight not just for transportation, but for connection. It’s a bridge, I explained.

It brings unlikely partners together, helps decision-makers see landscapes as living systems, and reminds us that we share more than we are divided on.

Rosemont Copper Project, AZ
We conversed about seeing the world from 1,000 feet AGL (above ground level) – that changes you. Borders blur. Rivers, ridgelines, and communities connect in ways you can’t see from the ground. Political divides quiet down. We talked about flying small aircraft in the mountains and the challenges presented, and giving the land a voice, not just looking inside the cockpit at instruments but looking out on the magnificent landscapes of the American West.

Almost simultaneously, our Executive Director was interviewed by Regan Mertz of Aspen Public Radio. Jane talked about how the EcoFlight team manages this somewhat depressing time in conservation, and how EcoFlight offers a unique and hopeful way to combat the environmental threats of today and continues to work proactively on protecting our public lands, targeting both sides of the aisle. As regulations and protections are being rolled back in some of the West’s best wild places, Jane shared how uplifting overflights can be.

A few days prior, our Conservation Programs Director, Lea, spoke live on KDNK Radio about the growing threats to public lands and the complicated moment we’re navigating as a country. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about what’s at stake. The podcast is called For Land’s Sake, underscoring a simple truth: if we care about public lands, we have to stay informed. And all the while, Amanda, our Communications Director, is making sure this meaningful information is getting disseminated to the public.

As you can see, we continue to get a lot of “air” time educating and advocating for the environment. All three interviews capture something I believe in deeply: aviation is uniquely positioned to reconnect people to place. When you see a watershed from 1,000 feet AGL, when you can trace wildlife corridors across state lines, when you witness development and conservation side by side, you understand that stewardship isn’t partisan, it’s practical for all people.

In a divided world, shared perspective is powerful. Flight gives us that gift.

I hope you’ll listen to these podcasts to learn more about EcoFlight and remain engaged in today’s fight for our environment and community health

Take care,

Bruce Gordon