This was not a typical summer season for the White River National Forest, but thanks to unprecedented efforts from local organizations, visitors may not have noticed. The U.S. Forest Service did not hire seasonal workers to manage the influx of crowds, but it did offer incentives for employees to quit. Funding shrank and uncertainty grew. […]
Author Archives: Elizabeth Stewart-Severy
Elizabeth Stewart-Severy is a freelance journalist based in Snowmass Village. She grew up in Aspen and has worked as an editor at Aspen Journalism, reporter at Aspen Public Radio and an English and journalism teacher at Aspen High School.
Posted inEnvironment
Snowmass Village’s wilderness water source poses unique wildfire risk
“There are some quite vulnerable systems in the Roaring Fork Valley — Snowmass being at the very top of that list — that really need some advance planning,” said a senior hydrologist with Wright Water Engineers.
Posted inEnvironment
‘The public is losing out’
Working two full-time jobs was taxing, and it’s true that the federal government pays far less than local governments in the same resort communities. But the real push to leave the agency came from Washington.
Posted inEnvironment
Volunteers report uptick in illegal campfire rings
Given the moment’s urgency, the Forest Conservancy is seeing record levels of staffing, recruitment, total hours and in-kind value. Through Aug. 17, volunteers with Forest Conservancy have worked more than 8,800 service hours, which Johnson said represents an in-kind contribution value of more than $340,000, or the equivalent of 10 to 12 seasonal employees.
Posted inEnvironment
‘Voice of wildlife’ takes early retirement from the Forest Service
Nyland was involved in a wide array of projects across the White River National Forest. But his legacy is clearest in his work to improve wildlife habitat through prescribed fire, and his departure raised alarm in at least one partner agency.
Posted inEnvironment
Local groups unite over concern for forests’ future
Forest Service functions across the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District and the wider White River National Forest have been deeply affected by the reductions, which were driven by the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce.
Posted inEnvironment
Rep. Hurd voices concern about Forest Service cuts
“The loss of red-card holders threatens public safety, undercuts local economies and undermines years of local wildfire prevention efforts. We urge you to restore the Forest Service red-card holders without delay.”
Posted inEnvironment
Former White River boss fears for future of public lands amid drastic budget, staffing cuts
The White River was down 27 or 28 positions since Jan. 1, 2025, and just over 50 fewer positions in the past 12 months.
Posted inEnvironment
Fighting fire with collaboration
“All of us in the valley are doing work, but we kind of get in our own silos. The collaborative allows us to come together, so we know where people are working, and if there’s an opportunity to partner, we can pool funding and do cross-boundary work.”
Posted inEnvironment
Red Mountain to see prescribed fire this spring
The 900-acre burn is intended to improve habitat quality for wildlife, including the local elk herd, while also reducing the dry, aging vegetation that could fuel a large wildfire. It’s one piece in a valleywide wildfire mitigation and preparation strategy that Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative aims to stitch together with partner agencies.