Mission

To learn and connect with our environment, EcoFlight flew with Yampah Mountain High Schoolers involved in aviation and environmental science classes.

We flew over Glenwood Springs; some students saw Yampah Mountain High School and others saw their homes. We continued to the Thompson Divide, 250,000 acres of pristine public lands that are, for now, protected from new oil and gas and mining leasing under an administrative mineral withdrawal! This protection has been a long time coming and has taken decades of advocacy from local communities, businesses, students, government leaders, and conservation groups. However, the Divide lacks permanent protection, and continued community activism is necessary to safeguard this uniquely special landscape amidst emerging political challenges.

We followed the Crystal River from Carbondale toward Marble and the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The Crystal is one of the last undammed and undiverted rivers in Colorado and a major tributary of the Roaring Fork River, which provides between 6-12% of the Colorado River's annual flow. The river is home to wildlife like deer, bears, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and cutthroat trout. Beyond ecosystem values, the Crystal boasts amazing recreational opportunities like kayaking and fishing. The river also provides drinking water for 7,000 people and is crucial to the region's rich ranching and agricultural heritage.

A group of local citizens and organizations has come together to advocate for the protection of the Crystal River. They have a goal of procuring a legislative protection over the upper parts of the Crystal. This will ensure the river remains unobstructed by new dams or out-of-basin diversions, retaining its free-flowing nature.

It was inspiring to meet these students and learn how we can all help to protect wild spaces, clean water, and a healthy climate.

Click for photos from the flights.