Mountain Mayhem: Inside ACES’ annual summer benefit

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) held its annual summer benefit, “An Evening on the Lake,” on Thursday, July 16, at the serene Hallam Lake Nature Preserve. Marking the most successful fundraising event in ACES’ history, the record-breaking evening brought together community members, environmental advocates and local sponsors to support crucial environmental science education across the Roaring Fork and Colorado river valleys and beyond.

The evening featured strong partnerships with local and eco-conscious producers. The Little Nell, a premier sponsor of the event, collaborated through its renowned wine program to feature producer Evan Martin of Oregon’s artisan Martin Woods Winery, who generously provided varietals for the lakeside bar, dinner tent and after party. Guests also enjoyed spirits from Woody Creek Distillers, whose products utilize grains and potatoes grown within 250 miles and pure Rocky Mountain water, with spent grains returned to local farms for livestock feed. All event dining was sourced directly from Rock Bottom Ranch, providing fresh, local cuisine alongside Field to Fork Catering, to complement the rare experience of canoeing around Hallam Lake — the only time of year boats are permitted on the water.

A hallmark of the event was the presentation of the Elizabeth Paepcke Visionary Award, named for the founder of the organization, presented this year to Sir David Attenborough. The award was accepted in-person on his behalf by Alastair Fothergill, the world-renowned nature filmmaker and Sir David’s 40-year co-producer. Honoring ACES’ tradition, the celebration extended into the broader community the following evening with a free public talk during the William A. Nitze Lecture at Paepcke Auditorium. 

Alongside an energetic paddle raise to fund education for all ages, ACES offered unique, low-carbon auction items, including private farm-to-table dinners at Rock Bottom Ranch and a glamping experience at the Catto Center at Toklat. Attendees departed with recycled cotton tote bags printed locally and filled with Rock Bottom Ranch produce, eggs and flowers, a local medicinal plant book by a former ACES naturalist, sweet bites from the pastry chefs from The Little Nell and a special bottle of pinot noir from Martin Woods Winery, dedicated to Sir David Attenborough. Learn more by visiting aspennature.org.