Capital Campaign Update: November 2023

As we get ready to celebrate ACES' 55th anniversary in 2024, we continue to be grateful for the generosity of our community, which has enabled ACES to undertake some of the most critical work in its history.

We are excited to share an update on the projects and programs made possible by ACES' 50th Anniversary Campaign, "Protecting the Future." These funds continue to ensure our ability to educate for environmental responsibility.

Hallam Lake Nature Preserve Renovations

In 2023, our community has been enjoying the overwhelming affirmation that our Hallam Lake Restoration Project last year was an incredible success and bolstered wetland biodiversity. This past spring, we had a rare visit from the Willet bird species at Hallam Lake, which is a testament to ACES' habitat improvement projects having a positive impact. This summer, we saw not only the Willets but also active Ospreys, Great Blue Herons, and many other animal species thriving on the lake.  

In 2024, we plan to begin our Hallam Lake Nature Center renovations. we have finally secured our permit from the City of Aspen, and are set to begin renovating this spring. We will update our science laboratory and nature center to increase engagement for families, children, and visitors of all ages. New additions will include a topographic map of Hallam Lake, interactive exhibits, a tree climber loft, and a wildlife viewing area, among many other features. Renovations on our office spaces and camp drop-off area are also set to begin this spring. This past year, ACES also completed its roof replacement project for Hallam Lake Nature Center. After years of leaks and shoveling snow off the roof, we anticipate a leak-free winter!

Read about the project's success

The Catto Center at Toklat: Opening 2024 

Thanks to fundraising from our Capital Campaign, ACES is renovating the beloved 70-year-old building and looks forward to opening our wilderness retreat center in 2024. "Toklat" is an Inuit word meaning "headwaters" or "source." And that is at the heart of Toklat: it is the root of ACES. Toklat is a source of inspiration for all of us, whether inviting conversations about the environment, exploring the property, or getting lost in the vast library.

Renovating the Catto Center at Toklat allows us to remain stewards of the Castle Creek Valley long into the future by running almost exclusively on renewable energy, providing staff housing, expanding programming, and offering a new residency program. ACES has intentionally renovated only what is necessary while maintaining the historical integrity of the building and the many stories within its walls. We can't wait to welcome you through its doors. Whether hopping off your bike to check out what the place is all about, attending an event, or participating in a workshop or program, Toklat will provide an inviting, comfortable, and stimulating learning environment for everyone in our community.

Farming for the Future at Rock Bottom Ranch

This past year, the ACES 50th Anniversary Campaign continued to fund various ranch improvements to support our regenerative agriculture, future farmer training program, and educational programs at Rock Bottom Ranch. We are excited for our new greenhouse, grain silos, an electrified kitchen with 3-phase power, and our expanding farm store which provides local, low-carbon food for our community. Through our new ACES Agriculture digital project, we have recorded over 50 educational videos on our regenerative agriculture practices to share our approach of an economically-profitable business model with a wider audience.

Thanks to our capital campaign, ACES' farmer training program offers an immersive farming experience for fostering a new generation of farmers. Future farmers have the opportunity to engage in the operational management of diversified field crops, soil, greenhouses, multi-species livestock and grazing systems, and vegetable management. In addition, our training programs provide a whole-systems approach that allows participants to discover the interconnections across a wide range of agricultural disciplines. Additionally, we are exploring the interest and opportunity for intensive seminars and conferences. To ensure the longevity of this program, we are also working on acquiring on-site seasonal housing.

“I really enjoyed and learned a lot from the various hands-on workshops throughout the season. Learning the basics of welding, trailer backup, flower arranging, chicken butchering, and more was fun and memorable. I gained a lot from these engaging, hands-on programs.”

- ACES Agriculture Apprentice

See our agriculture videos here

Expanding Access to Environmental Education

Now in its third year of expanded programming in Newcastle, Silt, Rifle, and Glenwood Springs schools, ACES’ impactful school and field programs aim to provide students across the region with equal access to nature and environmental education. Through this education expansion, we are reaching over 400 new students each year, many of whom are in schools experiencing severe budget cuts and would otherwise not have access to environmental education. This means that 1,556 regional students get one hour of ACES environmental education in school each week.

Our experiential education field programs are also expanding thanks to the Capital Campaign, providing more students with opportunities for hands-on learning along the Colorado River, at Rifle Falls, Rock Bottom Ranch, Hallam Lake, and other ecologically important sites throughout the region. ACES has found that our programs in the Roaring Fork and Garfield County School Districts, in addition to Aspen, are one of the best ways to engage the valley’s diverse communities with ecological literacy, environmental education, and the opportunity to build personal connections with their natural surroundings.

Thank you to all those who participated in ACES’ 50th Anniversary campaign and to everyone who generously supports us today. We are so grateful to have you as partners.