Roaring Fork Conservancy

Background Statement

Roaring Fork Conservancy was founded in 1996 to protect the Roaring Fork River and all of its tributaries. With a pro-active, science-based, and collaborative approach we believe that a healthy environment depends upon a healthy watershed.

We work alongside professional associates and a strong network of partners and volunteers to fulfill our mission: To inspire people to explore, value and protect the Roaring Fork Watershed. We engage children and adults with hands-on, in-the-field watershed exploration and education programs, lead scientific studies addressing key water resource issues to provide a sound basis for land and water resource management decisions by state and local jurisdictions, protect and manage multiple conservation easements in the watershed, and lead community projects and programs to enhance and protect the Valley's water resources.

We build consensus on complex water issues by bridging the gaps between hard science, local and regional land use and water policies, recreational interests, requirements of a rural agricultural community, and the varied interests of full and part-time residents in the Roaring Fork Valley.