Stephens: Conservation requires care – for the land and each other

We appreciate The Aspen Times for running the clarifying article about the wolf-release misinformation surrounding Lost Marbles Ranch. It is vital to address the spread of misinformation, which has not only caused unwarranted stress to the landowners but also placed their family, livestock, and neighbors at risk.

Aspen Valley Land Trust was also drawn into this situation without our knowledge. AVLT holds a conservation easement on Lost Marbles Ranch, which was generously donated by the McBride family, and we want to recognize just how significant this contribution is — not only to our local community but to all of Colorado. By conserving this land, the McBride family has ensured that it will remain a place of immense value for generations to come, supporting wildlife, agriculture, and the broader ecosystem. They have also made a significant financial sacrifice to protect this special piece of Western Colorado.

When private land is conserved through a conservation easement, the landowner retains ownership and management responsibility over their conserved land, subject to the limitations on development, subdivision, and other prohibited uses outlined by the conservation easement. This ensures they can continue to ranch and steward their land as they see fit while upholding the conservation values they have chosen to protect.

As a non-political, non-advocacy organization, neither AVLT nor any of its representatives have taken a position on Colorado’s wolf reintroduction. Our focus remains on steadfastly protecting the open spaces and working lands that make this state extraordinary.

Moreover, the decision for a particular property, whether conserved or not, to participate in a wolf-relocation release is not up to AVLT. That management decision is strictly up to the landowners, who know best how to care for their land. We strive to support these committed families that have chosen to conserve their land for the benefit of all Coloradans and our wildlife.

The McBride family has reiterated that they did not grant permission for wolves to be released on their property. What’s more important than their decision is their longstanding role as a pillar of conservation and philanthropy in this community. They have demonstrated an enduring commitment to preserving the natural beauty of this valley and supporting the community they call home. No one deserves baseless criticism or harassment, but it is especially disheartening to see such an altruistic and goodhearted family placed in a difficult and unsafe position.

Conservation is not just about safeguarding land; it’s about fostering relationships and cultivating shared stewardship and respect among those who live, work, and care for these places. If we care about our valley, we must extend the same care and respect to our neighbors who steward it.

AVLT’s vision is “a future where land, wildlife, and people flourish together, and where land is a treasure to be passed on forever.” We hope you will join us in working toward this vision and honoring the conservation efforts that make this state so special.