Celebrating 30 Years of Stewardship
By Rebecca Schild
Here in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys, we’re fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of outdoor spaces, from expansive wilderness areas to downtown pocket parks. For many of us, spending time outside isn’t just a pastime—it’s a part of who we are. Our connection to the land shapes our personal lives and the spirit of the communities we call home.
We all experience nature in different ways, but we share a collective gratitude that these places exist—and that they remain accessible, safe, and well maintained. That doesn’t happen by accident. Managing the vast network of public lands across our region is no small task. And as Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, I’ve been reflecting on just how much we’ve accomplished together as stewards of this shared landscape.
I’ve asked some of our longtime volunteers and partners:
What has RFOV’s impact been over the past three decades?
The answer is resounding: Without RFOV, many of the trails and open spaces we enjoy today simply wouldn’t exist—or wouldn’t get the TLC they need to be safe and enjoyable.
RFOV’s Legacy on the Land: Highlights from 30 years
Hunter Creek - 2015
Since 1995, RFOV has played a pivotal role in both building and maintaining the trails and natural areas that shape our region’s outdoor experience. From well-loved trail systems like Hunter-Smuggler Recreation Area, Sky Mountain Park, Red Hill, Four Pass Loop, and Wulfsohn Mountain Park, to hundreds of lesser-known sites, our volunteers and staff have consistently shown up to get their hands dirty and give back.
Our very first project took place on the Hunter Creek Trail in Aspen—and we’ve returned nearly every year since. In the early 2000s, RFOV helped expand the Hunter-Smuggler Trail System, building new routes like Iowa Shaft and the Lollipop Trail, while restoring degraded sections. In one memorable season, more than 60 volunteers rebuilt the Smuggler Observation Deck, restored habitat, improved trails, and installed fencing—saving an estimated 300 hours of staff time.
At the same time, Pitkin County Open Space & Trails and the City of Aspen were acquiring more open space lands, thanks to voter-supported funding. RFOV stepped in to restore newly protected areas like the Marolt Wetlands, Snyder Park, and Maroon Creek Wetlands, with volunteers planting thousands of native plants to bring these ecosystems back to life.
Maroon Creek Wetlands Before and After
Trail Crew on Geneva Lake Trail - 2025
From our very first season restoring the Crater Lake campground, we’ve supported the U.S. Forest Service to steward hundreds of miles of trail in our region. In recent years, as visitation skyrocketed during the pandemic and federal resources declined, that partnership has only grown. In 2022, we launched a professional trail crew to assist on some of the most remote and challenging terrain in the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness. In just three years, our crew and volunteers have dedicated more than 6,400 hours to maintain over 50 miles of Wilderness trails.
In Carbondale, Red Hill became a model of community-driven trail development in the early 2000s. With an estimated 20,000 users each year on the unmanaged trail system, the Red Hill Council began working with the Town of Carbondale and BLM to create an accessible and more sustainable network of trails. RFOV added its expertise and an existing volunteer base to these efforts and became a critical partner throughout the early trail building process. Now, with over 75,000 annual visitors, RFOV dedicates 10-15 field days per season to maintain these trails with our volunteer and staff crews.
In 2008, Pitkin County Open Space & Trails purchased Sky Mountain Park to build out a network of trails. PCOS&T was considering contracting professional trail builders to construct many of these new trails; instead, RFOV mobilized a multi-year effort with 30-40 volunteers coming out to each project to create the high quality trails that are now a mainstay of the Snowmass Village area.
Sky Mountain Park - 2022
Our early impact extended across the region, including trail work in Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, and Rifle. RFOV was instrumental in developing trails at Wulfsohn Mountain Park, Red Mountain, and Mt. Medaris, and most recently helped construct the Grand Hogback trail system in Rifle.
Whether you’re hiking a favorite trail or discovering a new one, chances are RFOV has played a role in building or maintaining it.
That’s the power of a community that shows up—not just to hike and enjoy, but to give back.
Fostering a Culture of Stewardship
RFOV’s story has always been about more than trail maintenance or habitat restoration—it’s about cultivating an ethic of care. For 30 years, tens of thousands of volunteers, partners, and donors have rallied around a simple but powerful idea: this place matters, and we all share a responsibility to protect it.
At RFOV, we believe that outdoor stewardship does more than improve the land—it builds connection. It brings together people of all ages and backgrounds, working side by side to care for the places we love. Yes, the work is physical—but it’s also deeply personal. When we dig, plant, carry, and build together, we’re not just restoring trails; we’re strengthening community, character, and a shared sense of purpose.
In a time when so much feels divided, that kind of connection is more meaningful than ever.
Looking Ahead: The Next 30 Years
RFOV’s mission continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of our region. Today, we’re focused on:
Ongoing maintenance of our region’s vast recreation resources
Restoration of critical ecosystems
Fire mitigation in the wildland-urban interface
Empowering youth to be the next generation of land stewards
To learn more about our direction for the future, I invite you to explore our updated strategic plan.
Thank You for Being Part of This Work
Whether you’ve volunteered on a project, hiked one of the trails we’ve helped maintain, brought your students to a youth program, or simply care about the future of public lands—you’re part of RFOV’s story.
Thanks to your support, RFOV has never been in a stronger position to lead the stewardship of our region’s outdoors. I’m deeply grateful for all you’ve done to get us here—and all we’ll do together in the years ahead.
With deep appreciation,
Becca Schild
Executive Director, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
