2016 Winter online newsletter

Q UA R T E R LY
Winter 2016

R T OH may be worth pondering what Rocky
Mountain Na onal Park could be like in
by C.W. Buchholtz 2115 — a hundred years from now — even
though none of us will be around to enjoy
Centennials for parks, just like it. What kind of park should we pass along
birthday par es for people, are something to our progeny?
to celebrate. As everyone knows, this last
year Rocky Mountain Na onal Park turned Feel free to answer these ques ons for
one hundred. And this year, the Na onal yourself.
Park Service is celebra ng its centennial as
well. Congratula ons all around, along In the mean me, allow me to present
with special events and wide acclaim. a few observa ons (which are en rely my
Milestones like these are always fun to own and not those of my employer, my
note, even if they might be bi ersweet to a orney, or my wife). People love parks.
those being honored. (I know people who People especially love Rocky Mountain
worry about aging and wince at the Na onal Park. They love hiking, mountain
thought of birthdays.) climbing, picnicking, fishing, photography,
driving Trail Ridge Road, and myriad other
Centennials tend to be mes for ac vi es. To use a trite phrase, they are
reflec on, drawing out a bevy of historians happy campers. It is safe to predict that the
ready to regale us about the good old days. park will con nue to a ract millions of
Poli cians take their bows for the never- users in the foreseeable future.
ending flow of Congressional support that
keeps the park running. Park officials may Animals love Rocky. Elk, moose,
list their score of accomplishments. An ador- bighorn sheep, mule deer and marmots
ing public arrives in mul tudes, ready to — the list of creatures goes on and on.
express their enthusiasm for a park, gree ng Rocky Mountain Na onal Park affords living
it like an old friend, hail and well met. space for lots of wildlife. Rather than
qualify these statements with worries
Truth be told, Rocky Mountain Na onal about the health of the bighorns or the
Park has aged pre y well. Okay, we no ce a overpopula ng problems of elk, the record
few recent scars carved down mountain- of the past hundred years reveals an
sides by the Flood of ‘13. And yes, there are abundance of wild creatures calling the
a few dead trees caused by the recent park home. People enjoy seeing wildlife
beetle invasion. But overall, the park’s and they are likely to enjoy seeing it in the
topography looks pre y darn awesome years ahead.
(pardon an overused term). The landscape
appears as scenic as ever with snowcapped The Na onal Park Service loves Rocky.
peaks, forested slopes, a host of waterfalls, It goes almost without saying that people
lakes and meadows. Wildlife abounds. who work for the park and the Na onal
Park Service (including its partners, like the
But, as we bask in the a erglow of Rocky Mountain Conservancy, volunteers
adula on, perhaps it is wise to glance and concessionaires) have great affec on
backward and examine what lessons we’ve for the place. Their cri cs may complain
discerned from the past. What, for about “government bureaucracies,” but
example, has been posi ve about the few would ques on the dedica on of park
park? What has been not so posi ve? It
(Rocky Turns 100 con nued on page 2)

I : RMNP LICENSE PLATE AVAILABLE JANUARY 1, 2016 (see page 10 for details)

2 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

(Rocky Turns 100, conƟnued) preserve park resources came in fits and of electric trams and trains. A century ago,
most park visitors entered Rocky on
wtktsCfnehnbatlcgRGilCeaaplaPaiowbhtlboOt“FRuMonaitiohhhhruofeafnenlndcnuoiuoooaearfbioimsrtaonlirecvdsoeeaebloffeimttaghdsdvlhebcnatljtelrlnerbterda.hioegezteiuoapanneokeeetnesaeldkLrsrRabdseonOmefsecisroSOP,npndcoRyirdorceaearrcnoospclriaepnnucvtiuoiteevpnvaiwotataeao-nakRsmsrvnuncnroalMdzeehregLsasnveeorsrdnteoyoeelddlerceguoaogncglerbialnpoireehneiydcryrante’etksntr(ntodkosapsiativkvciig’dyohhsahihptaannysxlgRgrethosslcnouadteuooeilei:lseueppsft.rieersaoini.da-eheiomemeaptn,nns,rhnnnrraspuaatitydihaOsltarreoHwnneseyttrancohripeieabtlihhegtdn.rserckcr.gtaonase,iyldelnwgaosvedhsiedrecnedakicseTioryeissnOnpcb,rrdsaganem,iInbrnaeensusrerwoottecnshaeeserasiarwpdlslsuovutarkepgvegolheofiaisexuiomeEtarenncetphncrleoofetmnl“pomriaagttpreloamacwrswirralsucpnstradwyaedvrwhtnyeozlrbatratetfsatseaercosmoiaihllo.geFecaebukhseiil,e”ntnteapraeanuuCndterncesnmgopooeer,semn’ikesreRheacvccsedslarschpeesmeoodlcgeienafakniswtsoaayicroiojve.femdrProstianisoaln.shoc,rdnetoccstpennsosneceemfc,env,iaaikaropnlnAertfe.oermattndtruipostcgakr,dckeloiaybrtysroasaosiAhtbiRanshaohlnhaekuytuslsp.ekpp:tnruduhirsmzefredenootcwealaswieerieAlraOrkadeaaeMsgodderadsdtobnpaulrisr.ssoirbinrnyphvhwrzee”rpve,nrttgvkiagetkau,lolebvaande’rwehsyegdasssyeiese.nat)tc2eeumtn,syaoorr.rhsmTotmtRacaeolblvqBiti2sterwknscesoaatnlehcstetehyhsairedtddronua,eoeoa.thesrslhneevoroei0haismsinapenaiteellaaiCocnniconaestneddo,ensddotofo0rhcemnnaaitassrlh,kkoosaokBepigntfiwariiaehnn0forteRggdpprapstifita.biyLme,roeefrdsthksrgyngtheh.oip,.sr,nuaaoeaspdAelRnnhare,iai-vaegmMteTcmutSagdbrhnokcdaleoerdvesveerwmkrkykerbwalnthgfo.or,eeascediriuiseysoh,,ktccl-stsAsfdkudinr.oi-issel.hucelomssRystinstkseenlotoidr,aesntacifprywadekiatabftpwwaiieFsyRotssRew2nvsvlcpnoneoantniieohhtihueoabaae-gynuxhvn1orouaaeeetroydvaoeircstdsehaelirllhaeut,eatdcdx1seecbleoonpkluuthrror.ehiummeroryekmnttrkece5ditllSRlsr,eetsleresoAnipAsidndaPPSWrsrvenyyueyrda?pcwvoesi.sspaeelooin,tioariaefvrsiugomprasegeneanhpcoMtAwslhxdlclephifsciarcerreaaieoemsaarnrscrhnwgrgainprsttskeheqeeooaravreatsigtnssaotaortnylc,velttegplsanotiunrs,hepuyee)rdleauroVddishmmlsbureettf.h.rokupris.wesivaarrntrttchojiesareiueiarlrniepUetuPaoehaemsseumbdseoratetbottesaoaeoshgntvnisluatpsmgabrcrnhmn-eeierrotyfe,war-nmrrhoecoeteearmisoehsbois-yleeiaastkulicneetascp,tninaseet,nnralhrapgndmnlo.tioeoalmiltsttmmcfnccheseeontCsrciemeatsronii-hooiice(.dtcnaaomesnndernetnlseeNalchanloeencr,iSs.vkneupvgnysosegneeoscNme2lcavsdBcecrpeeehaaseolncL,i,aooritoefrhhhiqadkpetnvd0htauuaornrneeiakrliume;iasyfolscanpencrlisiteeaau.nnytd1ugavrtoeutttrioktorartohymocsrttsdnrsfnsfTulenietoses3luetrpardweenyonnruaorktgefsatuemoeslagdrdn,s,oi,onrhaartiviesoaladepiadrn,ntserfhrrfekpeemeifahawgipufmmdrlowoohermlvuoynle.icrlenggeewaks?rnndknabaviiechadolsrliePWnecnomliesinnmatsvfooeycspenoaneLncaeawtgDtapeavrpaadenareoepAre,ihfniwezhnwsryopgeguherpsdoromloaoteusrdrviagdeovtosiyetgshdsueldkltmtubelrvcectepsnlaheadnemvrhaanshvet-riaoispsriisirtsLeitrcaSlaxslripot.nofetpeceoeensdtiaeuplshleboegaaaeerpiteatnpedyloreawmrosnxaetousogkeuooeprrakertoritrnitrnttrgseevcrwspnrnaaecsvhkinshnemeloesrtanharrvleettnttieoekecr.eatoanoapyno.fcebdaehhrdlkigdeoeu,mictwlasaonsya,cY,.nldentshoalelaaoerraissjrn,saee:enrprr,wikdueieosciifi-st,odemnenotecnnitdeaiohseistnwhi,brrecfwtdrls-t.resliiiakie-nn,lsl-l horseback. A hundred years from now,
gasoline-driven machines may be as rare as
horses are today. Where transporta on is
concerned, the park needs long-term
solu ons beyond mere buses and parking
lots. It needs partnerships.

Why not expand the role for ci zens in
park affairs? Stewardship in the form of
volunteers and philanthropic partners
already exists. Why not expand that
concept? An excellent example of ci zen
stewardship can be seen at Ebby’s Landing
Na onal Historic Reserve on Washington’s
Whidbey Island. There, the Park Service
works in tandem with local farmers and
land owners to preserve villages, scenery
and agriculture. In a more urban se ng
the Golden Gate Conservancy, together
with the Park Service, has merged a host of
natural and historic sites in the San
Francisco Bay area into a seamless region
of parklands.

One final idea brought forward from
history: Why not substan ally expand
Rocky Mountain Na onal Park? An original
proposal for the establishment of the park
included all the mountains from the
Wyoming border south to Mount Evans. Of
course, that idea failed due to mining
interests. But perhaps it is me to revisit
this idea of preserving the en re region,
blending the na onal park together with
na onal forests, even including the quaint
neighboring villages (and perhaps exclud-
ing the less-quaint Blackhawk and Central
City unless we need their revenue). Why
not consider crea ng the Rocky Mountain
Na onal Reserve, stretching from Inter-
state 70 north to the Wyoming line?

Borrowing well-tested ideas from
elsewhere, we can protect even more of
nature and, at the same me, celebrate
our mountain culture — including places as
diverse as Grand Lake, Ward and Neder-
land. Centennials are more than mere mile-
stones; indeed, they force us to contem-
plate the future.

Curt Buchholtz is a Director of Major and
Planned Giving with the Na onal Park
Founda on.

Celebrating the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 3
National Park Service
Centennial Ask Nancy

Join us in a second century of stewardship as the Na onal Park Quarterly Editor Nancy Wilson a empts to unearth answers
Service celebrates its 100th birthday in 2016. More than 400 to any ques ons asked by Conservancy members and park
na onal parks and monuments preserve the natural and cultural visitors. If you are curious about something in or about the
iden ty of this na on. Help us promote conserva on in America park, email [email protected] or write:
and around the world. Call the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nancy Wilson, Rocky Mountain Conservancy, PO Box 3100,
at 970-586-0121 Ext. 13, or visit RMConservancy.org to Estes Park, CO 80517.
place your order today!
I recently saw a ny dung beetle in ROMO. It was rolling a
2016 Na onal Park Service Centennial Products large very round ball of what looked like deer scat.What is
their scien fic name? What do they do with the scat? How
Official NPS Centennial Collectors Patch (Item 7239) $4.99 do they make such a perfectly round poo ball? Are there
Measures 3 ½” x 2 ¼ʺ $1.99 subspecies of beetles in ROMO that use different kinds of
Official NPS Centennial Collectors Decal (Item 7240) $4.99 scat? Dung beetles haven’t been documented in the park and thus
Measures 4 ½” x 3ʺ aren’t on the NPS species list for Rocky, but there are dozens of
Official NPS Centennial Collectors Pin (Item 7238) species of dung beetles in Colorado with most falling in the 5-10
Measures 1 ⅛ʺ x ¾” mm range. Dung beetles are true beetles – scarabs (Order Coleop-
tera, Family Scarabaeidae) with mul ple genera. Dung beetles use
The Na onal Parks: An Illustrated History the balls of fecal material for feeding (caprophagy), gaining nutri-

An inspired tribute to the astonishing on from undigested plant material in the feces. Depending upon
the species, they may also use the ball as a dwelling, burrowing
beauty and priceless cultural treasures of inside the ball and/or laying their eggs within the ball to provision
newly hatched young. Unlike many insects, dung beetles exhibit
America’s Na onal Parks, this volume is parental care of young. Some species are specialists as to the
species-of-origin of their prize, while others are more generalists –
a lavish celebra on of the 100th anniver- any old pile of poop will do. I recall a Na onal Geographic ar cle of
a few years ago describing experiments on dung beetles’ ability to
sary of the Na onal Park Service. This is navigate using stars. Inves gators put li le “hats” on dung beetle
heads to prevent them from seeing the sky, and those so fi ed
a collec on of the very best of Na onal were unable to navigate a straight line, while those without were
able to travel directly to their des na on. — Gary Miller, re red
Geographic’s photographs, combined with RMNP wildlife biologist

an expertly told history. Hardcover, 384 Several antennas have been installed near the old chow hall
near Lake Irene on the west side of RMNP. What are they
pages. used for? The antennas are associated with a Natural Resource
Conserva on Service (NRCS) SNOTEL (snow telemetry) site at Lake
(Item 9888) $42.50 Irene. The park has several SNOTEL sites located in areas that pro-
vide informa on on the snowpack and water content of the snow,
RMNP Map Mug which is extremely valuable for water managers. The data collected
is relayed via telemetry, hence the need for antennas.— RMNP
This nostalgic ceramic mug features a line Chief, Branch of Planning & Compliance Larry Gamble

drawing of Longs Peak with “Rocky Moun- We saw a lot of axe marks on trees along the trail to Twin
Sisters at the end of August. Almost all the slashes were vis-
tain Na onal Park Est. 1915” on both sides ible going down the trail, as opposed to up the trail. What
could be the purpose of these markings? And are they made
of the mug. Inside is a map sec on of Rocky by the Park Service? This is an ongoing problem we have been
no cing on Twin Sisters, in Wild Basin, and on a lot of our more
Mountain Na onal Park. 4ʺ tall, 3 ½ʺ across. remote trails; and we don’t know who is responsible. It is called
trail blazing and it is an outdated way for marking the trail corridor,
Dishwasher and microwave safe. especially in winter condi ons. The more common method is using
florescent markers that can be secured to a tree, as can be seen
(Item 1198) $12.95 along some sec ons of the Thunder Lake Trail. As this park has
become a designated wilderness and as its mission speaks more to
Cover photo credits a conserva on approach (and not a management approach), this
prac ce of marking trails is not one that we support. The park would
(Upper): “Bobcat in Repose” by Conservancy Member Dick prefer that all visitors/hikers use Leave No Trace methods such as
Coe, Estes Park, CO; (Lower) “Ice Cracks at Dream Lake” by maps, compasses, trail signs, and/or GPS units to navigate the park’s
Jeremiah Ramirez, Estes Park, CO. backcountry. — RMNP Trails Program Supervisor Kevin Soviak

Please send high-resolu on images to
[email protected] by March 1 for publica on
in the 2016 Spring Quarterly.

Photos are always appreciated! Scenery, wildlife and wild-

flowers greatly enhance this publica on, so get out there and

take a hike! Thank You!

4 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

An Unconventional
Approach to Entry
Fees in Rocky

by Suzanne Silverthorn

The first auto permit was issued by Ranger Jack Moomaw in June 1939 From the beginning, Na onal Park
to Charles Reed (Brinwood Hotel), seated in his car. Also included in the Service Director Stephen Mather insisted
ceremonial photo are Abner Sprague and Superintendent David Canfield. that park fees should not impose a bur-
A coin flip was used to determine which of the two pioneers would be the den upon the visitor, even sugges ng that
first to pay a dollar to enter the park. Both men remembered the me auto fees could be reduced as the volume
when there were no park boundaries, and roads into the region were only of motor travel increased. But as automo-
trails. Photo: NPS bile travel surged, the demand for new
roads and other infrastructure weighed
It was only a ma er of me that In 1921, a headline in the Estes Park heavily on the park system.
Rocky Mountain Na onal Park (RMNP) Trail, “Mistaken Idea About Entrance Fee
would join more than 100 other Park Ser- to Park,” illustrates the park’s vigorous Funding for RMNP was challenging, at
vice units in increasing entrance fees to efforts to dispel misinforma on. The story best, in those early years. Federal fund-
help offset an erosion in federal funding. alerts readers that “there is no possibil- ing for the park was limited to not more
The modest increases became effec ve ity of a charge being made for several than $10,000 a year from 1915 – 1918 for
October 1, 2015, represen ng the first years yet and when that me comes we administra on, protec on and improve-
rate hike since 2009. will have roads within the na onal park ments. Furthermore, federal funds were
that will be worth the small annual fee prohibited from being used for improve-
There was an earlier me when charged, and which in turn will be used ments or maintenance of non-federal
RMNP had resisted entry fee collec ons; to improve and extend the roads.” The roads.
in fact, Rocky was the last of the great explana on was a ributed to U.S. Interior
Western parks to change its free-access Secretary Albert B. Fall. In 1919, Rocky Mountain Na onal
policy. While Glacier, Yellowstone and Park was awarded the same funding con-
Yosemite were charging between $1 and That same year, a change in the sidera ons given to other major parks.
$10 per vehicle at the me of RMNP’s park’s leadership occurred following the
founding in 1915, it wasn’t un l 1939 – resigna on of Superintendent L. Claude First auto permit issued on June 1, 1939. The $1 fee
nearly a quarter century later – that visi- Way (1916 – 1921). As incoming superin- was good for the remainder of the year. Photo: NPS
tors to RMNP began paying to enter the tendent of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park,
park. It was a $1 fee per automobile, good the affable Roger Toll sought to mend the
from June 1 to December 31. park’s soured rela ons with community
leaders a er several tumultuous years
Records suggest sensi vity to public under Way’s administra on.
opinion about this issue, and an inter-
est in maintaining posi ve rela onships With a endance at Rocky Mountain
with nearby communi es played a role in Na onal Park now outpacing visitors at
maintaining free access during the park’s Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier com-
ini al years. Challenges over ownership bined, Superintendent Toll (1921 – 1929)
and jurisdic on of park roads further set the tone for the park’s goodwill when
complicated ma ers. And, in 1919 when arrangements were made to produce a
the park’s biggest advocates — Enos Mills souvenir s cker, joining 10 other parks
and F.O. Stanley — became outspoken that already had been producing the
in their cri cism of the park’s decision to popular windshield collec ble — with one
award an exclusive transporta on fran- dis nc on. In announcing the release of
chise to an out-of-town operator, the park the new “ornamental poster” in 1923,
worked to overcome a public rela ons as reported in the Estes Park Trail, RMNP
disaster by aggressively making its free became the only park that provided the
admission policy known. s ckers for free.

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 5

Despite this, RMNP con nued to hold 1946 – 1954) proudly proclaims, “June Park Superintendent Roger Toll carved the
the line with free admission un l a number 1939 will be remembered as a month likeness of a bighorn ram in a wooden plaque
of significant events had taken place, of important events in Rocky Mountain that he displayed in his home. His residence
including the important ma er of jurisdic- Na onal Park. The collec on of entrance also included six bronze bighorn sheep sculp-
fees was ini ated on June 1 and begin- tures. The art pieces have since been donated
on. In 1929, exclusive jurisdic on over ning June 15 the fees were collected on a to the RMNP archives. Photo: NPS
the park was ceded to the federal govern- 24-hour basis. As has previously been ob-
ment by the state of Colorado, thus remov- served, public reac on has, on the whole, the latest fee increase, perhaps upholding
ing lingering ques ons by state and county been favorable towards this change in a long tradi on of visitor goodwill.
authori es about ownership of roads and policy.” Earlier, he had feared the change
maintenance responsibili es. By this me, would create an an cipated “local furor.” Suzanne Silverthorn is a member of the Rocky
the courts also had determined that the Instead, he wrote that “almost the oppo- Mountain Conservancy and a regular con-
Park Service was within its rights to grant site has been the case.” tributor to the Quarterly. She’s the author of
an exclusive transporta on franchise. And Around Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, which
in 1932, the first sec on of the new Trail Now, more than 70 years later, entry showcases the park’s history through vintage
Ridge Road was opened to motorists from fees have become an essen al compo- postcards.
Deer Ridge to Fall River Pass. nent — and an accepted reality — in
funding enhancements and improve-
There also were changes in public ments in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park.
opinion. This sen ment was best demon- The Federal Lands Recrea on Enhance-
strated in 1939 in the Colorado General ment Act of 2004, and its predecessor,
Assembly when a resolu on protes ng the Fee Demonstra on Program of 1996,
the collec on of an entrance fee at RMNP allow 80 percent of the fees collected
was soundly defeated, a reversal from a within the park to be retained for projects
posi on taken by the state legislature in that directly benefit visitors. Since then,
1937 when it offered its opposi on to an RMNP has spent more than $66 million
entry fee. Rep. Ted Herring, the legisla- in repairs, renova ons, improvements
tor whose district included Estes Park, and resource restora on. Projects include
Loveland and Fort Collins, was instrumen- opera on of the visitor shu le system,
tal in the defeat of the 1939 measure. In renova on of campgrounds, installa on
the park’s monthly report for April, Ac ng of sustainable picnic tables, hazard tree
Superintendent John McLaughlin noted, mi ga on and trail enhancements, as well
“It is apparent that the passing of the last as addi onal projects funded by the Rocky
two years has introduced new elements Mountain Conservancy.
and a changed viewpoint on the entrance
fee situa on in the park.” True to form, Rocky Mountain Na-
onal Park was one of the last of the large
In the park’s next monthly update, Su- parks in the Western region to implement
perintendent David Canfield (1937 – 1943,

Windshield Stickers Become Popular Souvenirs

The park’s most iconic animal, the bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain Na onal Park would have easily won approval
was used to grace the free souvenir windshield s ckers given by then Superintendent Roger Toll, the ar st, photographer
by RMNP to visitors during the 1920s and 30s. The octagonal- and writer naturalist. Toll’s residence was decorated with sev-
shaped windshield s cker was among 22 such souvenirs issued eral bighorn sheep bronze sculptures as well as a wood carving
by the park system represen ng loca ons across the country of a ram, striking a similar pose, all of which are now housed in
from approximately 1918 through 1940. Travelers once placed the park’s archives.
the s ckers on their windshields as a proud trophy of their
summer excursions, which ul mately caused the Park Service
to reduce the size of the decals from the original
5” design to 2 ¼” because they had become
a safety hazard. The back of the s ckers
contained various safety messages for driv-
ing in the park, such as “Keep out of the
ruts” and “Horse-drawn vehicles have the
right of way.” Today the original s ckers have
become treasured collectors’ items.

RMNP Curator Kelly Cahill suggests that
the selec on of a ram for the front of the s cker issued by

Photos from the author’s collec on, except for the backside of the 1923 decal (NPS)

6 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

Rocky in Winter is BEAUTIFUL!!

2016 Winter
Rocky Mountain Conservancy
Field Institute Classes

Winter Ecology: A Snowshoeing Avalanche Awareness & Frosty Hallet Morning
Trek for Kids & Families Outdoor Safety in Winter photo: RM Conservancy Member Walt Kaesler

January 23; February 6, 13; March 5, 19 February 12 $40 per adult Winter Survival Skills
$15 per adult/child
Children 5 and under FREE Learn to iden fy how, when, where February 27 $80 per adult
and why avalanches are likely to
Discover the serene beauty of RMNP in the occur in Rocky Mountain Na onal Explore contemporary, historic, and prehistoric strategies
winter me on this four-hour snowshoe hike. Park. Travel to Hidden Valley for a for surviving in the Rockies – even in winter. Then put
Learn how plants and animals survive winter two-hour hike to study the snowpack your skills to the test outside – building shelters and mak-
and learn more about the proper es of snow and terrain aspects of avalanches and ing fire in the snow.
and how it can help the inhabitants of an review the basics of avalanche rescue
area survive the long winter months. techniques. Photographing Winter Landscapes

MEET WINTER February 25-27 $300 per adult
OLSON FELLOW
CARLY WARD Learn about depth-of-field techniques, focusing, exposure
range challenges and filtra on. On the more fun side,
Since 2006, Alan and Carol-Ann Olson of learn about composi on, the beauty that is unique to
Boulder, Colorado, have donated to the Rocky winter scenes, crea ve in-camera techniques, crea ve use
Mountain Conservancy to fund two interns of lenses, and more. Travel to Sprague Lake, Bear Lake,
each year with the Rocky Mountain Nymph Lake, and, based on condi ons, Dream Lake for
Conservancy’s Field Ins tute. photographic opportuni es. This workshop is suitable for
beginning, intermediate, and advanced photographers.

Hometown: Mundelein, IL Coyotes: The Song Dogs of the West
College: University of Tasmania, Australia
March 26 $80 per adult
Career Goal: To be er communicate scien fic concepts to a non-scien fic com- O en misunderstood and maligned, the coyote’s impact
munity. I want to bridge the gap between science and other academic disciplines on our everyday life is profound. Explore the country’s
to create a more comprehensive understanding of what sustainable environmental second-largest canine’s natural history, Na ve American
management can be. stories, coyote discovery by Lewis and Clark, and expan-
sion to the east.
Internship Goals: Develop crea ve ways to convey key scien fic concepts to a
large, diverse audience. Winter me Wonders: On-demand Bus Tour

Internship Du es: Teach interac ve family, youth and school group nature $250 for up to four people then $50 per each addi onal
ac vies and programs for the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, engage in community adult and $25 per each addi onal child ages 12 and under
outreach and assist with program development.
Join a naturalist guide on a trip through the park in
Carly Likes: Cooking, Ul mate Frisbee, kni ng, hiking, biking, snowboarding, winter. From the comfort of a heated 14-passenger bus
cleaning, travelling, podcasts, coffee and cra beer or 12-passenger van, guests will experience the serenity
of areas such as Trail Ridge Road (to Many Parks Curve)
Halfway through college, Carly studied abroad in Tasmania, the island state of and the Bear Lake corridor. Entrance into Rocky Moun-
Australia. She decided to stay and become a full- me student, resul ng in a tain Na onal Park and complimentary hot beverages are
Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania. While studying, she started included in the registra on fee.
volunteering and then working as a research assistant for the dendrochronology
lab at the university, which she loved because it was such a prac cal and pro-
gressive job and gave her such easy access to the wilderness and remote hikes.
Because it is a smaller university, she was recruited for many field trips in addi on
to class excursions. She was lucky enough to par cipate in a mul tude of studies,
including small animal trapping (possum, marsupial mice and antechinus), rescuing
wallabies, shorebird surveys along the Bay of Fires, rainforest mapping in ancient
Aboriginal lands, and wombat and kangaroo surveys. A er finishing her degree,
she stayed for an addi onal year and worked as a hiking guide for the largest tour-
ism hiking company in the state, during which she learned how to cook gourmet
meals for guests and teach them about the conserva on area which showcased
some of the most beau ful, remote beaches in the world. A er the guiding season
ended, she returned to the U.S. for her next adventure!

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 7

SIMPLIFY YOUR GIVING WITH
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIPS

S ck to your budget and make a big difference!

Becoming a sustaining member is an easy and affordable way to support
the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Just choose an amount that fits your
budget, and your contribu on is charged to your credit card each month.

Your membership automa cally renews each year, which helps us elimi-
nate postage and other administra ve costs. As a sustaining member,
you enjoy the added benefit of knowing that more of your gi will go
toward the Conservancy’s efforts to protect and preserve Rocky
Mountain Na onal Park and other public lands.

Join the growing number of sustaining members today for as li le as
$10 a month. Your ongoing contribu on makes a difference!

“Isabella Bird” (Liz Po er) meets 21st century Rocky RMConservancy.org

Mountain Conservancy members at the 2015 picnic event.

Park Puzzler by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which is a newly discovered ___.

by RM Conservancy Member Joel Kaplow 3 9-Across flows through ny ___ Park in Forest Canyon. It was named for the fruit

of a member of the rose family that both hikers and bears like to munch on when

Across they ripen in late summer/early fall.
4 In addi on to 1-Down, Rocky has Glacier Gorge (now temporarily closed), Mo-

5 The Alva B. ___ Tunnel was completed in 1947, transpor ng water from Grand Lake raine Park, Longs Peak and ___ campgrounds.

to the East Portal near Emerald Mountain, 13.1 miles to the northeast. It was named for 8 A small number of campsites are listed with a “(WF)” in the park’s Backcountry

the Colorado senator who introduced the project’s bill in 1937. Wilderness Camping Guide. This designa on means that ___ are permi ed. (2 wds.)

6 Cross-country ___ differ from the backcountry campsites, as the camper is allowed 11 A group of lakes east of Mt. Ida, namely Highest, Azure, Inkwell, Doughnut,

the freedom to pitch a tent anywhere within a large chunk of real estate, instead of a Arrowhead, Rock, Li le Rock and Forest, are known collec vely as the ___ Lakes.

designated spot at a silver arrowhead marker. (Don’t be afraid to check your Rocky topo map!)

7 Enos Mills’ dream did come true, but it was not as grandiose as he originally had 12 Stretching for about two miles along Bear Creek Road is a lateral ___, a glacial fea-

hoped. When he first envisioned protec ng a large parcel of land from mining, logging ture named for famed landscape ar st Albert Bierstadt, who visited the area in 1876.
and grazing, he wanted the southern boundary to be as far south as ___ Peak. With 16 Near Onahu Creek on Rocky’s west side is Chickaree Lake, named for the cri er
also known as the Douglas, pine and American ___ squirrel.
me and compromise, the southern boundary crept north to Mt. Evans, and then to 17 The Peak to Peak Highway, now connec ng Estes Park to I-70 to the south, was
Rollins Pass, un l it finally stayed put near Meadow Mountain in 1915. designated as Colorado’s first scenic ___ in 1918.
9 July 31, 1976 saw the Big ___ river swell and sweep down its namesake canyon in a 19 It is thought that up to nine bat species may live in RMNP. In 2012, the BioBlitz
20-foot wall of water, destroying 418 homes and taking 145 lives. A sta onary storm could confirm only four, however; the big brown, li le brown, long-legged and ___ bat.
was to blame.

10 When you’re out where the deer and antelope play, you will see the young ones

frolicking with all four hooves in the air at the same me. The whole herd will leap this

way while fleeing from danger. The term for this gait is sto ng, or ___.

13 Straddling the Divide in central RMNP between Sprague and Ptarmigan passes is ___

Flats, a vast, open area named for a furry four-footed feral friend found flourishing in Rocky.

14 The source of 9-Across is at the head of RMNP’s Forest Canyon, just east of ___ Pass.

15 Colorado’s state fish, the ___ Cu hroat trout, was officially declared ex nct in 1937.

That was a li le hasty, as some were rediscovered in 9-Across in RMNP in 1957. That

was a li le hasty too, as it was determined in1999 that these were hybridized and not

“pure.” Fortunately, a four-mile stretch of Bear River, southeast of Pike’s Peak, was

found to have 700 of the pure subspecies. Whew!

18 Rocky sees about ___ million visitors a year nowadays.

20 In addi on to backcountry and car camping in RMNP, there is another designa on

for those technical rock-climbing folks with nerves of steel; bivouac camping. They must

sleep on either snow or rock, and tents are not allowed. The sanest way to accomplish

this is with the use of a ___ sack, which is like a sleeping bag on steroids.

21 Estes Park was named for ___ Estes, the first rancher to se le there in 1860. He was

born in Kentucky in 1806.

22 In the warmer months, you may see a colorful bird visi ng RMNP. The male Western

___ has a yellow breast, black wings with two sets of stripes, and a very dis nc ve red

head. Interes ngly, its red feathers don’t grow that way all on their own; it comes from

the pigment rhodoxanthin within the insects it eats, which in turn get it from the conifer

needles they eat.

Down

1 There is a sad irony associated with the ___ Creek Campground on the west side of
the park, as there is hardly any of its namesake le standing, due to the bark beetle
infesta on. But at least you will s ll find a creek there!
2 White-nose syndrome is wiping out vast popula ons of Eastern U.S. bats. It was first
confirmed in New York in 2006, and has been working its way west. It was found in
Nebraska and Oklahoma in 2014, and hasn’t yet reached RMNP. The disease is caused

8 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

Students work on iden fying dragonfly larvae to family with ERS teacher Jon Anderson. (Photo: NPS)

St dying Mercur Levels in Rocky

by Holly Nickel and Jon Anderson me frame. But how best could ci zen parks in 2010-2011, including Rocky
Mountain Na onal Park (RMNP). Now in
Are mercury levels a problem in na- scien sts answer these ques ons? its fi h year, the 2015 sampling season in-
cluded more than 40 park sites and other
onal parks? How might mercury levels in As it turned out, dragonflies were the open space areas.

na onal parks be studied? Which places answer. Dragonflies spend most of their The Dragonfly Mercury Project, as
it is known today, is designed to engage
in the U.S. have the highest amounts of life (up to five years!) in the larval stage ci zen scien sts in hands-on specimen
collec on and research. Since 2013,
mercury? Would there be a way to get before morphing into their fast-flying, aer- RMNP has conducted this project through
a partnership with Eagle Rock School and
mul ple na onal parks to collaborate and ial predator adult selves. During the larval
Professional Development Center (ERS)
ci zens to par cipate in a study like this? stage, dragonflies dwell in water and play and the Con nental Divide Research

These ques ons were just a few of an integral role in the aqua c ecosystem. Learning Center (CDRLC).
Over the past three years, the project
many that a group of Maine scien sts and Smaller insects (which may have ingested
has evolved into a five-week, spring
educators examined. The project began mercury) are o en consumed by dragon- semester course offered at ERS. Students
spend four days out of each week dedi-
as part of Acadia Learning, a collabora- fly larvae during this stage, a process cated to the project both in the classroom
and out in the field. This teacher adop on
on with the Schoodic Ins tute at Acadia called bio-accumula on. model gave Jon Anderson, a 12-year vet-
eran educator at ERS, freedom to develop
Na onal Park, the University of Maine and The larvae accumulate mercury as relevant curricula on topics such as bioac-
cumula on in food webs, the transporta-
Maine Sea Grant. they develop and
on and deposi on of mercury, riparian
Mercury is a toxic pol- Because mercury levels grow, with concen- zone ecology, and dragonfly life cycles and
their habitats.
lutant detrimental to the across the United States tra ons increasing as
health of both wildlife and remain largely unknown mercury passes up the The course incorporates a variety of
humans alike. Furthermore, food chain. Ul mately, learning styles with plenty of hands-on ac-
it threatens the natural with much data s ll larger fish consume
resources that the Na onal needed to be collected, some of the larvae, vi es that are meaningful and structured
in such a way to promote understand-
Park Service (NPS) serves to it was hypothesized crea ng an avenue by ing, connec ons and background for the
student ci zen scien sts. Former CDRLC
protect. The main source of that engaging park units which mercury can be Learning Specialist Ben Baldwin has seen
human-caused mercury in passed on to larger this program come a long way:
remote na onal park envi- through ci zen science animals, including hu-
ronments is atmospheric de- would prove beneficial in mans. Dragonfly larvae
are rela vely small,
posi on from coal-burning finding more answers in a

power plants. Because mer- shorter me frame. making them easy to

cury levels across the United amass and transport

States remain largely unknown with much to the U.S. Geological Survey (U.S.G.S.)

data s ll needed to be collected, it was laboratory for analysis. For these reasons,

hypothesized that engaging park units the collec on of dragonfly larvae seemed

through ci zen science would prove ben- a choice op on.

eficial in finding more answers in a shorter The study started in a handful of

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 9

“This is a great project that shows the po- get out of the class-
ten al of ci zen science projects and the room:
benefits from them. The dragonfly project
enhances a classroom experience by using “As a teacher I like to
the park as a lab and field experience and
provides the park with much-needed infor- provide real-world
ma on. It highlights the nexus of public
involvement in parks, science literacy and opportuni es for stu-
youth engagement. All of these result
in youth having stronger connec ons to dents to learn about
parks and stewardship.” — Ben Baldwin
both science and
In 2015, the student ci zen scien sts
collected samples from four bodies of about the wild places
water in RMNP, along with the help of
park staff from the CDRLC. Prior to each and the animals that
collec on, a scou ng day occurred in
which students made observa ons about live in them. Ge ng
the loca on, prac ced sampling protocols
and iden fied loca ons where dragonfly to work and partner
larvae could be found. During the second
visit, a total of 20 dragonfly larvae (iden - with the CDRLC and
fied to the family level) were measured,
bagged and prepared for analysis at the RMNP give us these
USGS laboratory. Along with the larvae
samples, informa on and data gathered experiences. Students
about each site (such as size, loca-
aren’t just si ng in
on and vegeta on cover) were compiled
and included. The students worked side class reading about
by side with NPS staff members and their
instructor to complete all of these steps – mercury and drag-
a real team effort!
onflies; they are out
Addi onally, Eagle Rock students had
unique opportuni es to network with in the field experienc- Mercury deposi on in the United States and Na onal Parks par cipa ng
park visitors while out in the field. These ing first-hand what it in the Dragonfly Mercury Project in 2012. (Map: NPS/U.S.G.S.)
interac ons led to special public outreach
connec ons that enhanced the students’ means to do place-
park experience and that of the visitors as
well. Working alongside NPS staff allowed based collabora ve research. Students get of how to use student ci zen scien sts to
the class to come to life with authen city to become the experts! Seeing students collect meaningful data that can influence
and professionalism. Jon Anderson appre- interact with the park staff, volunteers park management. Stay connected with
ciated the opportunity for his students to and the public while we have been out this project and others happening through
the CDRLC via their website www.nps.
sampling has been a highlight. Students gov/CDRLC.
develop meaningful rela onships with
park employees and turn into educators

themselves as they explain the project and Holly Nickel is an Educa on Technician for
share their knowledge of dragonflies with the Con nental Divide Research Learning
those they encounter.” — Jon Anderson Center in Rocky. Jon Anderson is the Hu-

The baseline data collected thus far man Performance and Outdoor Educa-

is being used to answer myriad ques ons on Instructor for Eagle Rock School and

regarding mercury in our na onal parks. Professional Development Center.

Further expansion of the project and col-

lec on of addi onal data over me will

help scien sts be er

understand the implica- Ci zen Science Research
ons of their results.

This project serves in RMNP
as a successful model
Ci zen science projects are intended to enhance
scien fic literacy of the par cipants and improve
the overall stewardship of park resources. Park man-
agers develop scien fically sound prac ces and then
train volunteers to use these techniques and collect
informa on for resource-related projects. These
programs allow par cipants to experience the park
while also helping to address important manage-
ment ques ons. Rocky Mountain Na onal Park
has a long history of volunteer help in the park and
con nues to expand this through ci zen science.

Past and current projects include blitz events
(water, beaver, microbial, biodiversity), dragonfly
mercury, hummingbird, bu erfly and limber pine.
Visit www.nps.gov/romo/learn/scienceresearch.
htm for more informa on about this research
learning program.

Students wade into Lily Lake to look for dragonfly larvae. (Photo: NPS)

10 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

Centennial Campaign Rolls On

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s in nego a ng the purchase of the land. ley Land Trust would match their pledge
Centennial Campaign for Cascade Co ages TPL is well-known throughout the na onal with contribu ons of $25,000 each. Both
con nues to gather steam as we enter the conserva on community for their skill with organiza ons readily agreed. This show of
Na onal Park Service’s own centennial. assis ng willing owners to place their land support by our local government and land
This past year, the owners of this 40-acre within the public domain. This le the Con- trust is especially inspiring.
parcel which lies just inside Rocky Na onal servancy free to launch a campaign to raise
Park’s eastern boundary, offered the park the funds necessary to acquire the largest As we enter the second year of this
first right of refusal to purchase the prop- remaining inholding inside the park. three-year campaign, we have some excit-
erty. The Conservancy immediately took ing milestones to reach. By late March,
up the challenge and engaged the Trust I am pleased to report that, as of we expect that our partner, TPL, will have
for Public Land (TPL) to act as our partner this wri ng, the Conservancy has raised completed the nego a ons for acquiring
approximately $2.1 million of the $3.6 the property. In the mean me, we will be
million necessary to complete the pur- doing our best to spread the word of this
chase. And it is thanks to you, among our pending acquisi on with a goal of raising
hundreds of loyal and generous donors, an addi onal $1 million by the end of
that we are well on our way to meet- 2016 and the balance in 2017.
ing this ambi ous goal. Another notable
contribu on came in the form of a chal- We hope you will join us in reaching
lenge grant by the Larimer County Open out to the many other friends of Rocky
Space Program. Larimer County agreed Mountain Na onal Park to include them
to pledge $50,000 toward the purchase if in this opportunity to give the gi of per-
the Town of Estes Park and the Estes Val- manent protec on to this treasure within
the park.

RMNP License Colorado
Plate Available Gives Day
January 1 a Success!

The new, much-an cipated Rocky servancy, will not replace the standard Colo- Once again, we had tremendous response
Mountain Na onal Park License Plate will rado state license plate, but will be available to the Colorado Gives Day event on Decem-
be available January 1, 2016. The cer ficate as a voluntary fundraising op on through ber 8! Dozens of Rocky Mountain Na onal
for the issuance of the plate, which was ap- the State’s Group Special Plate program. Park fans, some brand-new to our growing
proved by the Colorado General Assembly Conservancy team, gave a total of more
and signed into law by Governor Hicken- To qualify for a set of these plates, you than $21,000 via the GivingFirst.org web
looper this past spring, will be available must make a minimum $30 dona on to the site — a new record! It is always inspiring to
exclusively through the Rocky Mountain Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s License Plate see how much you love Rocky Mountain Na-
Conservancy. A minimum $30 one- me Fund. Dona ons will be accepted beginning
dona on to the Conservancy’s License Plate on January 1, 2016 at the Conservancy’s onal Park and the work we all accomplish
Fund is required to qualify for this plate. website (www.RMConservancy.org). License together. Thank you! We’ll see you again
plate dona ons cannot be combined with
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy, gi s to other funds, prior dona ons, or Annual Appeal Update
Rocky Mountain Na onal Park’s official Conservancy membership dues.
nonprofit philanthropic partner, will ad- We hope you have received an invita-
minister the dona on program for this new A er a qualifying dona on is received on to support the Conservancy through
plate, which is available only to Colorado- by the Conservancy, a license plate cer fi- our Annual Appeal campaign. This is the
registered vehicle owners. 100% of the cate will be mailed to the donor. To obtain one me of year that we ask everyone on
funds generated, es mated at more than your plates, present this cer ficate to your our team do what you can to contribute
$100,000, will directly support Rocky Moun- local county motor vehicle office. They will to our work. If everyone gives a gi , small
tain Na onal Park. Use of these funds will be assess two $25 (total $50) one- me fees in or large (all gi s make a difference!). As
determined jointly by the Conservancy and addi on to other standard registra on fees. of today, we have received more than 791
Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. Since 1985, All fees are due at the me of registra on. gi s totaling $234,390. That is tremen-
the Conservancy has raised over $23 million Plates will be printed on demand and will be dous — thank you!
for the park and supports trail construc on mailed directly to the donor, conveniently
and maintenance, land and historic preser- elimina ng the need for a second visit to If you have not yet made a gi , fear
va on, educa on, publica ons, and more. your county motor vehicle office. not! There is s ll me. For informa on on
any of these projects (and others!) visit
The new plate, designed by the Con- For more informa on about the license RMConservancy.org.
plate program, visit RMConservancy.org.

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 11

Experiencing Cascade Cottages:

A Retrospective a very good reason that L.V. drove his old

sta on wagon around to each co age in the

by Darrell C. Schaper evening to empty out the garbage cans and

We first learned of the death of Grace deposit the waste in a bear-proof container.

Sipes in a Christmas card received in December There was no playground equipment for

of 2014. I remarked to my wife, Judy, whether the kids. Who needed that when there were

any of her children would take over the busi- big boulders and trees to climb and a rushing

ness of opera ng Cascade Co ages. If not, then mountain stream to explore?

according to the late L.V. Davis, the land would In our co age, I made breakfast every

go back to Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. morning while the rest of the family was

This was sad for us, for un l our daughter ge ng up. A erwards, Judy and I packed our

became a professor at the State College of noon lunches for our day packs while our

Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho, we stayed at Cascade two children went to the community wood

Co ages for a week each summer while we en- pile and brought back enough firewood for

joyed the park. However, we had not returned our evening use in the fireplace. Since an

since 2000 as our route west shi ed to crossing a ernoon shower was common in July and

Wyoming on the way to Idaho, where I tried to August, it was a good idea to have some dry

get my mountain “fix” in the Wallowa Moun- wood stacked under the co age.

tains near Enterprise and Joseph, Oregon. Some evenings, we drove to one of

So, although neither Judy nor I can hike in the nearby campgrounds to par cipate in L.V. Davis and his daughter Grace Sipes
the mountains anymore, nor have we visited a ranger-led nature talk by a crackling fire. (photo courtesy of Darrell Schaper)
Colorado for some me, it was sad to learn that There, the audience sang songs, told what

Cascade Co ages was up for state they were from, and listened to the was high me to make some improvements in
the co ages and she, along with her assistants
sale. There was almost never ranger programs Johnny and Kay Flook, made new curtains for
the windows, painted some of the furniture
a vacancy, unless at the last about the history of and generally spruced up the interiors. New
inner-spring ma resses were placed on the
minute a guest cancelled a the park, the flora beds. In some cases, the exposed studs in
some of the co ages were covered. They tried
reserva on due to unfore- and fauna and other to match the kitchen chairs around the ea ng
table. In the co age in which we were staying
seen circumstance or had interes ng topics. they only had three chairs that matched at the
table. I said that we had the cousin to those
to leave early for the same We studied the chairs at home in the barn (my mother had
dabbled in the an que business at one me
reasons. week’s ac vi es in and there were some things that remained)
and I offered to bring one out when we re-
In fact, the regular the park newspaper turned next summer. She was grateful, so the
next summer, we loaded up the cousin chair
clientele were so faithful that was handed out and delivered it as promised.

that reserva ons had to be when we entered the We appreciated the isola on from the
workaday world. Cascade Co ages was our
made a year in advance. park. From this, we home away from home and a springboard
for all of our day trips in and about Rocky
For instance, you might ask Were we the elite? No, we planned what ranger- Mountain Na onal Park. It was always tranquil
for space when you came for were among the lucky; faithful led day hikes we might except for a child’s gleeful voice about the
the current year’s stay for a want to join. We liked wonders of it all and the mesmerizing sound of
the rushing mountain stream spilling over its
specific me in the following regulars that had discovered these as we usually rocky bed which could quickly lull you to sleep.

summer. Your name would this haven on the advice of my picked up addi onal Were we the elite? No, we were among
be penciled in on a big wall parents who had stayed there dbits of informa on the lucky; faithful regulars that had discovered
board with the days of the before us. this haven on the advice of my parents who
month marked out for the about the trail and the had stayed there before us. Our family was very
terrain along the way. blessed to have had the opportunity to stay
there one week each summer, especially during
next year. Then, in the fol- The lobby at the the me when our children were growing up. It
was Shangri-La in Paradise. While those mes
lowing January, the Davis family would a empt office of Cascade Co ages was always open to are gone, they live on in our memories.

to fit everyone into a final assignment. the guests, though there wouldn’t be anyone

L.V. Davis was a re red college profes- managing it in the morning while the laundry

sor from Wichita, Kansas, where they resided was being done. The towels and sheets were

when the Co ages were shut down for the washed in wringer washing machines on an

winter. He firmly believed that guests came to open deck in back of the main building. Home-

the Rocky Mountains to enjoy nature in the made laundry soap was used, and clean laun-

wilderness. As such, there were no telephones dry was hung on clotheslines in the backyard.

or televisions in the co ages. What you did It was planned that the dry mountain air would

have were: hot water for a shower, indoor dry the clean laundry before any a ernoon

toilets during the summer months, a fireplace, showers might come over the mountains.

in some cases, clean accommoda ons with But in the evening, you could go to the

cooking facili es and dry, comfortable lodging. lobby, sit in front of a fire in the fireplace to

A screened-in box-like cage was located out- visit with other guests or the hosts and look

side of one of the kitchen windows to serve as through several big photo albums of images

a makeshi refrigerator since it always cooled of past guests, or events at Cascade Co age.

down at night. Cookies and coffee were always available and

Our children had the opportunity to on some occasions, we would all be invited to Darrell and Judith Schaper hail from Bri , IA,
watch chipmunks, hummingbirds, the occa- enjoy homemade ice cream and cake. and they have been supporters of the Rocky
sional deer, a porcupine, and on one occasion, Mountain Conservancy since 1997.
even a black bear on the grounds. It was for A er L.V. died, his daughter, Grace Sipes,
took over the management. She decided it

12 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy
expresses special thanks to the following people

for their donations toward projects
in Rocky Mountain National Park:

September 21, 2015 – December 14, 2015

876 gifts ~ total donations $429,030

CC Phyllis A. Easley, Loveland, CO Mary Lou & Roger Klinkhammer, William Peterson, Phoenix, AZ
CF Karin Edwards, Estes Park, CO Shoreview, MN: Pfizer Founda on Matching Gi s Program,
The Paula Edwards Family, Estes Park, CO
Terri Adrian-Hardy & Rob Hardy, Carefree, AZ Fred & Tena Engelman, Colorado Springs, CO: In celebra on of RMNP’s 100th anniversary Princeton, NJ
Kermit and Judy Allard, Fort Collins, CO In memory of Fred Engelman, Sr. Tom and Linda Kocourek, University Park, FL Dennis and Candice Phillips, Merriam, KS

Richard and Sarah Amos, Minneapolis, MN Carolyn Ennis, Dallas, TX Louise and John Koss, Fort Collins, CO Shirley Pine, Li le Rock, AR
Paul and Melisse Anderson, Fort Collins, CO: Dave Essex, Clella Essex, Estes Park, CO Mary and Mike Ko ke, Fountain Hills, AZ William and Sue Pinkham, Estes Park, CO
Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/Marjorie Getchell, Mark and Chris ne Kraemer, Wilme e, IL
In memory of Gordon and Nell Anderson Kate Polk, Fort Collins, CO
Phillip and Vicki Anderson, Thornton, CO Boston, MA Frederick Krampetz, Lakewood, CO Victor and Ann Pollak, Boulder, CO
Tom and Fran Fike, Brighton, CO Robert Krisinger, Pleasant Hill, IA Ethel and Charley Pope, Boulder, CO
The Anschutz Founda on, Denver, CO Bill and Anne Fitzgerald, Fremont, NE Terry and Jean Quinn, Colorado Springs, CO
Charlie and Casey Audirsch, Houma, LA: Joseph Krol, Joliet, IL
In memory of Lorraine Pellegrin Audirsch Richard J. Flynn, Boulder, CO Gary Kubik, Omaha, NE Ken and Jeri Ragan, Lenexa, KS
Bruce and Cindy Bachleder, Li leton, CO Colin Forbes, Ballwin, MO Sandra Kuhn, Naples, FL William Raley, Golden, CO:
Bruce and Cindy Bachleder, Li leton, CO: Mary Ann Kundtz, Estes Park, CO
Howard and Dana Fry, Castle Rock, CO Anne M. Kylen, Fort Collins, CO In honor of Don and Carole Cheley
In memory of John Azzarello Carson and Gail Gardner, Waubun, MN Tracy Lantz and Tony Kish, Catonsville, MD Jack and Jackie Ramaley, Boulder, CO
Sharon Hammer Baker, Findlay, OH Larimer County Colorado, Fort Collins, CO
Janice Gibb, Berthoud, CO Jerry and Susan Lauer, Estes Park, CO Mary Ann Rasnak, Lawrence, KS
Vaughn Baker, Estes Park, CO: Donna and Gary Gisle, Boulder, CO Leanne and Howard Lauren, Estes Park, CO Carol and John Redd, Houston, TX
In memory of Bill and Lorraine Baker Karen Lawson, Colorado Springs, CO Margaret Reinaas, San Antonio, TX
Dennis and Barbara Baldwin, Centennial, CO Gertrude Grant, Denver, CO Frank and Sandy Learned, Shelbyville, IN Richard Remington, Arvada, CO
Melanie Grant, Denver, CO Chris ne and Ron Lee, Bella Vista, AR
Mary Banken, Estes Park, CO Rhondda and William Grant, Denver, CO Ulla and Mani Lee, Loveland, CO Robert Rich, Denver, CO
William & Esther Bas an, Mount Prospect, IL Judith Graziano, Poland, OH Shirley and Donald Legler, Louisville, KY Bob and Donna Ricklefs, Olathe, KS
Deborah and John Green, Drake, CO Susan A. Legler, Longmont, CO Helen and Clayton Ringgenberg, Iowa City, IA
Dale and Peggy Beck, Estes Park, CO James and Mary Groves, Denver, CO Wesley and Heather LeMasurier, Boulder, CO Beth and David Robinson, Loveland, CO
Laurel and Donald Benson, Loveland, CO Roger Gunlikson, Fort Collins, CO Jim and Ava Lewis, Arvada, CO
Roger Bergman & Wendy Wright, Omaha, NE: Thomas and Karen Guter, Fort Collins, CO Clay and Becky Lindwall, Cedar Rapids, IA: Brian Ross, Denver, CO
Barb Haaland-Michaels, Hygiene, CO In honor of Janet and Allan Lindwall John Rossie, O umwa, IA
In honor of Evelyn Elizabeth Shelstad Sco Hacker, League City, TX Carol T. Linnig, Estes Park, CO Marvin & Merilyn Rowan, College Springs, IA
Gary and Elizabeth Bernhard, Aus n, TX: Grace I. Hahn, Wheat Ridge, CO Mike and Marilynn Loustalet, Greeley, CO Joy Russenberger, Superior, CO
In memory of Reverend Al & Marcia Persons Charles and Anita Lyden, Chamberlain, SD Richard and Karen Sandberg, Omaha, NE
Sandra and Buster Boatman, Loveland, CO: Sonja Hahn, Arvada, CO Lee Machin, Estes Park, CO Mary L. Sandmann, Lafaye e, CO
In honor of the 100th anniversary of RMNP Theodora A. Haines, Estes Park, CO Leon V. Mason, Sheila Ray, Boulder, CO Mr. Michael Schaughency, Loveland, CO
Dr. and Mrs. O.W. Hampton, Estes Park, CO Dennis Mateski, Lakewood, CO Carlen Schenk & Barry Brezan,
Lynda Price Bohager, Hanover, PA: David and Regina Haner, Loveland, CO Lesley Matschke, Lakewood, CO
In honor of Z.Q.P., Forestry Larry and Shirley Hannert, Phoenix, AZ Margaret Ma , Estes Park, CO New Berlin, WI
Opera ons Specialist Julie and Mar n Harrington, Denver, CO William McDonald, Pi sburgh, PA John Schneider and Kate Parker, Evanston, IL
Susan and Ronald Harris, Estes Park, CO: James and Tricia Medlock, Fort Collins, CO
Jon & Catherine Pe to Boyce, Sea le, WA Frank & Paula Megorden, Craig and Pamela Seaver, Estes Park, CO
William and Louise Bradley, Boulder, CO In memory of Pierre Perney Colorado Springs, CO David & Jenny Seely, Marine on St. Croix, MN
Richard and Lola Bre , Estes Park, CO Jo Ann Hasselmann, Monroe, IA Deirdre and James Mercurio, Houston, TX:
David and Lore a Brewer, Estes Park, CO In honor of William West Grant, III Garland and Marlys Seibert, Ankeny, IA
Barry Brezan & Carlen Schenk, New Berlin, WI Mary Jo Havlicek, Omaha, NE Walter and Carol Messier, Longmont, CO: Julia and William Short, Caulfield, MO
Keith and Beth Heaton, Eden Prairie, MN In memory of Reverend Paul Godburn
Charlo e Brigham, Boulder, CO Gerald and Ann Heinz, East Dundee, IL Guy Miller, High Rolls Mountain Park, NM Lois Shroyer, Springfield, OH
David and Cindy Brown, Iowa City, IA Frend John Miner and Jeff Lawhead, Fort Donna Singer, Broomfield, CO
Brunsman Family Living Trust/Kenneth Reagan, Ma hew, Bowie Helm, Caroline and Jay Smith, Loveland, CO
Brunsman and Paula Goodson, Kerrville, TX Beverly Henderson, Estes Park, CO Morgan, CO Myron C. Smith, Greeley, CO
Micheline and Philip Burger, Longmont, CO Nancy & Roger Hershey, Independence, MO David and Joy Mohr, Estes Park, CO Patricia and Kurt Sommer, Houston, TX
Jacquelyn Hertel, Estes Park, CO Douglas and Rosemary Moore, Loveland, CO Greg and Carin Spalla, Seymour, IN
Judy Burke, Grand Lake, CO Donald Hillger & Laura Hillger, Windsor, CO Charles and Shirley Morgan, Pla eville, CO Margaret Spitzer, Greeley, CO
Katharine Burton, Highlands Ranch, CO Frank and Anne Holleman, Greenville, SC Don and JoAnn Mueller, Greeley, CO Elmer Sprague, Brookline, MA
Robert and Patricia Canfield, Leawood, KS George and Rachel Hopper, Fort Collins, CO Pat and Catherine Mulligan, Boulder, CO Kenneth and Barbara Stallings, Leland, IL
Eric and Tanya Mullins, Cincinna , OH Chris ne and Donald Steger, Placitas, NM
Kathy Cargill, Eagle, CO Susan Horvath, Lansing, MI Terry and Catherine Nance, Overland Park, KS William & Shirley Sterling, Jr.,
Marjorie A. Carr, Gladstone, MO Anne and Richard Howland, Bethesda, MD Jon and Beverly Nelson, Estes Park, CO
Adrian & Melanie Chamberlain, Ft. Collins, CO Georgetown, TX
Jane Charbonneau, St. Louis, MO Charles and Joan Hoyt, Clare, IL Shirley Ney, Aurora, CO: John and Sally Stevenson, Estes Park CO:
Cheley Colorado Camps, Inc., Estes Park, CO Ron Hughes, Lee’s Summit, MO: In memory of the In honor of Warren and Mary Jo Plowden
Richard Chiaramonte and Sally Eberhardt, John and Sally Stevenson, Estes Park, CO:
In honor of Ruby Downs Stewart and Jeanne e Fi on Family
Stamford, CT Ned Husman, Centennial, CO Michael and Jane Olson, Loveland, CO In honor of Vicky and Bill Craig
Shelley and Mike Clayton, Riverswood, IL James Jackson, Fern Park, FL William and Anita Ondr, Centennial, CO Gerald & Elizabeth Stonecipher, Ft. Collins, CO
The Community Founda on Boulder County, Julie Jacobs, Fort Worth, TX: Edmund Orsini, Jr. and Chris ne Robinson,
Janice and Kevin Stout, Dillon, CO:
Boulder, CO In honor of Rick Jacobs Li leton, CO In memory of Doyle and Eva Cubberly
Lillian Connelly, Longmont, CO: Patricia Jameson, Denver, CO Wayne and Sally Park, Estes Park, CO
Kent & Emiko Johnson, Evergreen, CO Philip Straffin, Jr., Longmont, CO
In honor of her birthday Willard & Patricia Johnson, Peoria Heights, IL Laurie Paulik, Loveland, CO Mark and Joan Strobel, Saint Paul, MN
Ma Cox, Davenport, IA: Kathleen Jordan, Cedar Falls, IA Paula and Timothy Peele, Arvada, CO Grant and Joyce Strombeck, Berwyn, IL
Terry Kane, Berkeley Springs, WV The Peterson Charitable Lead Trust/John Donovan,
In honor of Walt Cox Mark Stucky, Li leton, CO:
Marvin and Lela Criswell, Estes Park, CO Lynn Kelly, Fort Collins, CO Houston, TX: In memory of Victor E. Stucky
Richard and Donna Cur s, Brewster, MA: Lailoni and Kent Ke erman, Eagle River, AK In memory of Harry Peterson and Maurita Stueck, Saint Louis, MO
In memory of Glenn, Eleanor & Jim Greenfield in honor of Anna Faye Peterson Cynthia Sundberg, Santa Rosa, CA
Carolyn E. Kilgore, Estes Park, CO: The Peterson Charitable Lead Trust/Claire Caudill, Karen Szews, Greenfield, WI:
Dave Dent, Warrenton, MO In memory of Tamara Schaefer In memory of Ed and Jean Szews
Sco Dent, Chesterfield, MO: Houston, TX: Joan M. Tarapacki, Longmont, CO
Peter and Janet Kim, Olympia, WA In memory of Harry Peterson and in honor of Ma hew and Barb Teply, Cedar Rapids, IA
In honor of David L. Dent Steven King, St. Louis, MO W. Jeffrey Terrill, Lakewood, CO
Brian and Louise Desmond, Estes Park, CO: Anna Faye Peterson Charles & Margaret Thornburg, Loveland, CO
Maureen and Bruce Kiphart, Arvada, CO Gregory and Heather Thorwald,
In memory of Glo Nordeen Thomas and Gretchen Kirk, Germantown, TN
Derald and Mar DeYoung, Estes Park, CO Westminster, CO
Jan and Don Kirkpatrick, Boulder, CO Rebecca Timmins and Michael Barnes,
John and Dolores Dolan, Mahwah, NJ Mr. and Mrs. Frank Klahn, Houston, TX
Barbara J. Dowd, Cedar Falls, IA Minneapolis, MN:
Alex Drummond, Salida, CO Virginia Klenk, Mankato, MN In memory of William H. Timmins

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 13

Barb and Milt Tokunaga, Milliken, CO Marianne Gaynor, Taylor, MI: Tim Shropshire and Sherry McGlochlin, Linda Andes-Georges, Longmont, CO
H. Wolco Toll, Santa Fe, NM: In honor of Martha and Gene Stehman Boulder, CO Anonymous
In honor of Roger, Hank and E.
Marianne Gaynor, Taylor, MI: Herman Sievering, Boulder, CO Cindy and Wayne Anthofer, Denver, CO
Rachel and Kenneth Towbin, Potomac, MD In honor Kelly Stehman and Ryan Dick Tom and Linda Stanar, Highlands Ranch, CO Elaine and Paul Arguien, Grand Lake, CO
Susan Tower, Longmont, CO
Jennifer Gray, Thornton, CO W. Jeffrey Terrill, Lakewood, CO Laurie Augspurger, Broomfield, CO
Town of Estes Park, Estes Park, CO Richard and Elaine Greenwood, Oviedo, FL Lee and Richard Tillotson, Nederland, CO Jane Axtell, Highlands Ranch, CO
Linda and Kermit Trout, Overland Park, KS Nancy Bakehouse, Has ngs, IA
Bruce Harshberger, Loveland, CO: Clare Torso, Zelienople, PA
Linda Trzyna, Denver, CO In memory of Robert and Edna Harshberger Todd Truby, Zion, IL Kathy Baker, Streetsboro, OH
Anne Turner, Boulder, CO Jim and Sue Baldwin, Loveland, CO
Carole K. Tu le, Fort Collins, CO Rochelle Hoff, Walnut Creek, CA: Mary Wade and Robert Anderson,
Floyd and Leslie Tyson, Eaton, CO In honor of Diane Friedman Washington Island, WI Doug Balok, Loveland, CO
Linda Van Arsdale, Ham Lake, MN Barber Family Founda on, Arvada, CO
John and Helen Vinck, Longmont, CO Susan Hollinger, Prairie Village, KS Jim Warner, Fort Collins, CO
Barbara Vogelsang, Madison, WI: Jeffrey and Shirley Hya , Melbourne, FL Sarah Webb, Alstead, NH Richard Barr, Campbell, OH
In honor of Billy and Louisa Sanders Dr. James and Gerry Irvine, Estes Park, CO John Bartholow & Janet K. Seeley,
William and Carole Walsh, Newark, DE Ben F. Weir, Jr., Columbia, MO
Robert and Lynn Waltman, Greeley, CO: Louise H. Johnson, Bloomington, IN: Fort Collins, CO
In honor of Ted Nelson In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ludlum TI Robert and Diane Basse , Denver, CO
Roger Alan Walton and Helen T. Anderson, F
Dr. Peggy A. Keefer, Geneva, IL: John and Nina Bates, Osage, IA
Lakewood, CO In memory of Doreen Jacobchak Stuart and Cathy Barnes, Longmont, CO Mary Ann Baughman, Manchaca, TX
Weldon and Eva Wamble, Houston, TX Mary and Mike Ko ke, Fountain Hills, AZ Shirley Bas lla, Highland, IL
Karen and Vernon Lee, Iola, KS Donald Bauman, Wilmington, DE
Steve Watson, Bozrah, CT William and Ann Duncan, Boulder, CO Louis and Janine Belle re, Longmont, CO
Chuck Westerheide, S llwater, OK: Be y J. Lu kus, Aurora, CO: Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/John Mize,
In honor of Joe Westerheide’s birthday In memory of George Lu kus Martha Bendel, Canyon City, CO
Jim and Louise Meiman, Fort Collins, CO Boston, MA Blaine Benedict, Las Vegas, NV
Stacy Westerholm, Phoenix, AZ Ford and Merry Nielsen, Estes Park, CO: Thomas and Linda Gardner, Allenspark, CO: John and Rose Marie Benisek, San Angelo, TX
Judy Wild, Emporia, KS The Benevity Community Impact Fund,
In honor of Ruth Hess In memory of Ron and Sylvia Kuhns
Linda and Howard Williams, Mike Phillips, Omaha, NE Van Grotenhuis and Kathryn Moore, Hudson, OH
Colorado Springs, CO Joseph and Barbara Rumburg, Rio Rico, AZ David Benner, Roscoe, IL
Marvin and Marilyn Rutkowski, Tucson, AZ Eden Prairie, MN: Lore a Bentel, Lockport, IL:
Tom and Rachel Williams, Estes Park, CO Robert and Mary Seifert, Estes Park, CO In memory of Kathryn Grotenhuis In memory of John W. Bentel, Sr.
J. Michael & Peggy Wilson, Whitefish Bay, WI: Dana Shonbeck & James Orshaw, Van Grotenhuis and Kathryn Moore, Janet and Donald Berry, Spencer, IN
Jon and Carolyn Bible, Aus n, TX
In memory of Grace Salome Nakdimen Somerville, MA: Eden Prairie, MN: John and Anne Blair, Fort Collins, CO
Carolyn and Jerry Young, Madison, WI In honor of Sco and Michelle Shonbeck In honor of Robert and Norma Moore Verle & Virginia Bland, Colorado Springs, CO
Bill and Pamela Zarrella, Boca Raton, FL The Denver Founda on/Hallidie G. Haid, John and Anita Bloor, Centennial, CO
Bruce Harshberger, Loveland, CO Sandra and Buster Boatman, Loveland, CO:
John and Karen Zinan , Arvada, CO Denver, CO Dennis and Bonnie Henley, Estes Park, CO In honor of RMNP’s 100th anniversary
Jean Vevers, Palos Park, IL Gerald and Darcy Boock, River Falls, WI
All in Memory of Charles Westerfield: Jim Warner, Fort Collins, CO Josephine Hereford, Saint Louis, MO Bruce and Catherine Bosley, Brush, CO
J.L. Heider, Estes Park, CO: Caroline A. Wilkinson, Denver, CO Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: Paul S. and Naomi Bowman, Burke, VA
Richard and Kathleen Zehrbach, Solon, IA Denise and Mark Bre ng, Loveland, CO
In loving memory of her husband Tom and Linda Stanar, Highlands Ranch, CO In honor of Merry and Ford Nielsen Carol Brewer and Paul Alaback, Berthoud, CO
on their 30th anniversary Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: Charlo e Brigham, Boulder, CO
OF Bryan Brown, Hideaway, TX
Brian and Louise Desmond, Estes Park, CO F In honor of Helen & Rocky Lee Scot Brown, Aurora, CO
Carolyn E. Kilgore, Estes Park, CO Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: Katherine Bruce, Bedford, TX
Alan and Carol-Ann Olson, Boulder, CO In honor of Inez Kelley H. Bruggink, Wauwatosa, WI
S RF Ruth Hess, Loveland, CO: Kenneth and Susan Brunk, Centennial, CO
CC Barry Bryan, Glenside, PA
Renate Edmundson, Estes Park, CO F In honor of Richard & Shirley Tucker Carol Buckingham & James Morris, Gober, TX
Susanne Hicks, Nashville, TN R. Russ and Ann A. Buckley, Erie, CO
FR David and Mary Ann Bliley, Erie, PA Carol Holden, Miami, FL Judy Burke, Omaha, NE
VCF Melissa Bonacquista, Aguilar, CO Phillip and Nancy Burns, Parker, CO
Curt and Heidi Buchholtz, Estes Park, CO Mike and Mary Homiack, Broomfield, CO Flo Butler, Fort Collins, CO
Dr. and Mrs. John Chris ano, Jupiter, FL: Jorah Huibregtse, State Center, IA Harry and Mary Ann Butler, Lakewood, CO
In honor of Marilyn Hubbard Thomas Daly, Boulder, CO Beth Jenkins, Mentor, OH Judy Byrd, Atlanta, GA
Rasmus and Marian Erdal, Fort Collins, CO Jonathan Byrne, Fort Collins, CO
Dr. and Mrs. John Chris ano, Jupiter, FL: Patricia Jean Johnson, Davenport, IA: Jerry and Karen Campbell, Greenwood, IN
In memory of John P. Chris ano Douglas Erion, Loveland, CO In honor of Howard Johnson Art Campfield, Fort Collins, CO
Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/ James Leupold, Erie, CO: R. Laurent and Betsy Cannon, Englewood, CO
CG Paul and Rosemary Eide, Boston, MA In memory of Marilyn Leupold Kenneth and Barbara Card, Englewood, CO:
OF William Fryer and Karen Brackstone-Fryer, In memory of Ronald S. Loser
Stephen A. Massad, Houston, TX Robert and Carol Carper, Conifer, CO
Elizabeth Elser Dooli le Charitable Trusts/ Estes Park, CO K.C. and Regine Mericle, Denver, CO Peggy Carr, Denton, TX:
Elizabeth & Philip Nicholson, Milwaukee, WI Fred and Catherine Gaupp, Covington, LA Network For Good, Washington, DC: In memory of Peggy Askew
The Denver Founda on/William W. Grant, Margaret and Brian Greene, Longmont, CO In honor of Charlie Inderman, RMNP Ranger Robert and Mary Ann Carter, Longmont, CO
George C. Casey, Denver, CO
Denver, CO Carl and Nancy Hane, Fort Collins, CO Tammy Pelnik, Louisville, CO Tom Caudill, Lexington, KY
Vanguard Charitable/William Stuart, Boston, MA Betsy Heppner, Boulder, CO Nancy Roberts, Longmont, CO Robert J. Checkley and Susan Kummer,
Kenneth Schade, Denver, CO
LP Jessica and Tom Inglefield, Longmont, CO Michelle and Sco Shonbeck, Bellaire, TX High Ridge, MO
F Deborah Kodros, Chicago, IL Tom and Linda Stanar, Highlands Ranch, CO Nelson Chenkin and Judith Friend,
Mike and Carol Stolz, Fort Collins, CO
Judy Capra, Wheat Ridge, CO Mary and Mike Ko ke, Fountain Hills, AZ Fort Collins, CO
Kathleen Clang, Aurora, CO Georgia and John Locker, Fort Collins, CO Kevin Stout, Dillon, CO: Cheryl and Jay Christopher, Englewood, CO
Julie Guzze a, Estes Park, CO In honor of Janice Stout
Thomas Heppner, Williston, VT: Gerald and Hazel Maharry, Yuma, AZ Swanson’s Trailhead S cks, Loveland, CO Robert Cleary, Westlake, OH
In honor of Betsy Heppner Ted and Kathy Massey, Sioux City, IA Phil and Starr Teague, Fort Collins, CO Jennifer L. Clemetson, Mesa Verde, CO
Janet and Larry Kilgore, Estes Park, CO Mr. and Mrs. Dale McCutcheon, Plano, TX Ron and Marilyn Tu le, Loveland, CO Mike and Pam Cline, Pam Cline, Arvada, CO
Karolyn Snow, Denver, CO Mary Ann McHale and Jeffrey Corson,
Tom and Linda Stanar, Highlands Ranch, CO TR R Richard B. Coats, Clio, MI
Paul Yeargain, Oviedo, FL Loganton, PA Kenneth & Jo Anne Cocking, Prophetstown, IL
Tamarra Noirot, Louisville, CO Bonnie Severson, Grand Lake, CO
NG F Canton and Ann O’Donnell, Denver, CO Dennis and Be y Coit, Centennial, CO
Joyce O’Donnell, Loveland, CO BU Madelynn Coldiron, Frankfort, KY
Sandi Cardillo, Omaha, NE Carla Persone e, Rockford, IL:
Joanie Crocke , Estes Park, CO In memory of Steve Persone e Accenture Founda on, Inc. Employee Giving Concordia on the Lake, Li leton, CO
Marjorie Dunmire, Estes Park, CO Diane Phillips, Wildwood, IL Campaign, Chicago, IL Larry and Lynda Conley, Fort Worth, TX
Bruce and Lois Ellingwood, Estes Park, CO Dianne and Richard Pra , Durango, CO
Richard Acheson, Milliken, CO Robert Connelly, Lee’s Summit, MO
Janet Prehn, Arvada, CO Dianna and Joe Adorjan, Saint Louis, MO Jayne E. Coover, Camp Hill, PA
Sco e Priesmeyer, Chesterfield, MO John Cornely, Li leton, CO
John Reber and Sarah Wynn, Longmont, CO Eva Ager, Longmont, CO Hope Covey, Morgantown, WV
Leslie and Neil Alexander, Nashville, TN Gloria Cox, Denton, TX
Nancy Roberts, Longmont, CO
John Rossie, O umwa, IA James Alfred, La Grange Park, IL Walt and Sandra Cox, Blue Grass, IA
Lorraine Alleman, Highlands Ranch, CO Carolyn Crabtree, Woodridge, IL
Joseph and Barbara Rumburg, Rio Rico, AZ
Alpine Trail Ridge Inn, Estes Park, CO Helen and Ralph Culter, Greeley, CO
Mary Amann, Lake Mills, WI Bert and Jackie Cushing, Estes Park, CO

AmazonSmile Founda on, Sea le, WA
Erik and LaVerne Anderson, Boulder, CO
Mark and Lorinda Anderson, Fort Collins, CO

14 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er

Thomas Daly, Boulder, CO In memory of Gordon Weller Joseph Lebel, Cornwallville, NY Robert and Ann Parsons, Longmont, CO
David Daniels and Lynn Tharsing, Harold and Ilene Gutjahr, Denver, CO Art and Trudi Leissa, Fort Collins, CO Susan Pedrick, Erie, CO
Reginald and Judy Guy, Estes Park, CO
Pacific Palisades, CA Anne Elizabeth Hale, Westminster, CO JD Leonard, Westminster, CO Jim and Betsy Petersen, Metairie, LA
Jeane Darst, Fort Collins, CO Michael H. Levy, Broomfield, CO Karen Peterson, St. Paul, MN
Bonnie Davis, Loveland, CO: Shelley Hall, Vail, CO Jason and Linda Lillegraven, Laramie, WY
In memory of Charles Westerfield Dr. and Mrs. O.W. Hampton, Estes Park, CO Shirley Lindley, Fort Collins, CO Jerry and Marilyn Petrocco, Arvada, CO
James Davis, Somers Point, NJ Michael and Wendy Handler, Denver, CO David and Barbara Lindsey, Arvada, CO Merike Philips, Kenosha, WI
Carol and Dave Handshue, Fort Collins, CO John and Marilyn Lines, Clarkston, MI
Donald Dick, Boulder, CO Karen Hansen & Mary Lou Fenili, Denver, CO Diane E. Phillips, Estes Park, CO
Joan Donner, Colorado Springs, CO Nicholas and Patricia Hanson, Cincinna , OH Mary Loberg, Plymouth, MN Paul and Alison Pierpoint, Bethlehem, PA
Denise Lochner, Auburn, IN
Patricia Donovan, Denver, CO Tanya Hanson, Omaha, NE Jim and Barbara Louk, Lutz, FL Victor and Ann Pollak, Boulder, CO
Kathleen Doyle, Golden, CO Franklin and Ruth Harold, Sea le, WA Peter Pollock and Diane Yates, Boulder, CO
Dr. Frank C. Marino Founda on Inc./ Keith Lucey, Arvada, CO
Umberto VillaSanta, Bal more, MD David L. Harrison, Boulder, CO Robert Lundy, Louisville, CO Paul and Joan Poston, Denver, CO
Constance J. Drumheller, Estes Park, CO Monte and Terri Harrison, Tulsa, OK Tom and Barb Macgillivray, Windsor, CO Joel and Linda Prehn, Lakewood, CO
Dorothy H. Dunn, Augusta, NJ Wendy Mack, Woodland Park, CO Paul and Deborah Price, Loveland, CO
Kendra Dunn, Broomfield, CO Darby Hartman, Estes Park, CO Mr. and Mrs. Deane Maddocks, Glenwood, IA
Amie and Benji Durden, Boulder, CO Robert and Colleen Haven, Louisville, CO William and Patricia Malina, New Baden, IL Jim Pyrzynski, Bellevue, NE
Janene and Steven Hawkins, Burnsville, MN Michael Malone, Dallas, TX Fred Rainguet, Allenspark, CO
Jack Eakins, Topeka, KS Rala Mandelson, Estes Park, CO
Jim Eckel, Harrison, OH Joseph & Judith Heck, Racine, WI Vicky & Greg Manlove, Colorado Springs, CO Lauren Rals n, Cortez, CO
William & Gretchen Edwards, Centennial, CO Louis and Kathleen Hegeman, La Grange, IL Judith Christy & Robert Mann, Ft. Collins, CO Glenn Randall, Boulder, CO
Liz and Jim Eliassen, Denver, CO Charles Manning, Ridgeland, MS: Pamela Razniewski, Island Lake, IL:
Elizabeth Elser Dooli le Charitable Trusts/ J.L. Heider, Estes Park, CO In memory of Dixie C. Manning In memory of Tom Razniewski
Elizabeth and Philip Nicholson, David and Marjean Heidt, Englewood, CO Pauline & Deirdre Marshall, Georgetown, CO Frank and Nancy Reilly, Phillipsburg, NJ
Kenneth Mar n, Houston, TX Renaissance Charitable Founda on Inc.,
Milwaukee, WI Roberta Heisterkamp, Denver, CO Dr. Norman Mar n and Shirley Mar n,
Annikki Elkind, Fort Collins, CO Marilyn Herrmann, Estes Park, CO Indianapolis, IN
Barry and Patricia Hia , Li leton, CO Leawood, KS Robert M. Renwick, Goodyear, AZ
Lucy Elliot, Clinton, CT Lawrence & Margaret Mason, Ft. Collins, CO
Larry and Linda Emsing, Estes Park, CO Dale Hilyard, Louisburg, KS Don Richard, Humeston, IA
Jane I. Hoel, Fort Collins, CO Helen Masterson, Arvada, CO Dee Ritz, Highlands Ranch, CO
Chris Engleman & Joan Alexander, Richard and Katherine Hoenigman, Berea, OH Martha L. Maxwell, Boulder, CO Joan & Terry Roberson, West Des Moines, IA
Boulder, CO Lance Hoffman, Omaha, NE Garland and Sue McAulay, Paris, TX J. P. Roberts and Marjorie Roberts,
Peter and Linda Hogue, Katy, TX Vicki McConnell, Lafaye e, CO
Kurt and Heidi Erchinger, Vernon Hills, IL Delores and Ron Hoisington, Barbara McCornack, Fort Collins, CO Jersey Village, TX
Lori Evely, Longmont, CO Michael and Sara McKay, Buford, GA: Mary Roberts-Bailey, East Syracuse, NY
Commerce City, CO In memory of Donald and Joyce Savage Blake and Susan Robertson, Estes Park, CO
Beth and Tony Fabrizio, Broomfield, CO Phyllis and William Howard, Pleasant Hill, IA Mary Ann and Alexander McLanahan, Philip and Marlys Robertson, Boulder, CO
Lloyd & Thora Sue Fahrenbruch, Jane and Larry Howe, Highlands Ranch, CO
Fort Collins, CO Houston, TX Patricia Robinson, Bolingbrook, IL
Jean Howell, Belvidere, IL Charla and Ronnie McManus, Hurst, TX: Guests of the Rocky Mountain Park Inn, LLC,
Cynthia Farkas, North Olmsted, OH Jim and Peggy Hudson, Waco, TX In honor of Madeline Framson’s birthday
Robert and Mary Farmer, Athens, TX Wayne and Be y Huff, Estes Park, CO Cheryl and Gregory Meier, Chesterfield, MO Estes Park, CO
Martha and Philip Melcher, Saint Paul, MN Paul and Mary Roloff, Lake Zurich, IL
Kevin Farrell, Davenport, IA Carol Hundley, Homer Glen, IL Larry and Twila Rosenow, Grinnell, IA
Elinor and Stephen Feiss, Towson, MD Ann R. Hunt, Ft. Collins, CO Mark Meremonte, Evergreen, CO Mr. & Mrs. David E. Rosenson, Lakewood, CO
Mackenzie Merrill-Wick, Longmont, CO Leonard Rotherfeld, Lakewood, CO
Ethelwyn Fellinger, Phoenix, AZ David and Nancy Hurt, Loveland, CO Daniel and Suzanne Michaud, Berthoud, CO Bill and Margaret Rowe, Saint Louis, MO
Mary Ferguson, Memphis, TN: Diane Lenicheck Hutchinson, Aurora, CO
In honor of Meribeth and Rick Wilkinson Rhonda Mickelson, Estes Park, CO Josef Ruhl, Arvada, CO
Mary Ferguson, Memphis, TN: George Hutchinson, Estes Park, CO A.L. Miller, Estes Park, CO William and Mary Russell, Tulsa, OK
In honor of Mary and David Markham Laird and Carol Ingham, Hollywood Park, TX Marilyn and Marvin Rutkowski, Tucson, AZ:
Mary Ferguson, Memphis, TN: Carolyn and Rich Miller, Breckenridge, CO In honor of Jeanne Griffith and Joan Hansen
In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Wyndell Thomas Anne Isbister, West Har ord, CT Mary and Charles Miller, Landenberg, PA
Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/Eric Corwin, J. Warren Clinton Living Trust/Warren Clinton, Dragos Sabau, Indianapolis, IN
Dann Milne, Denver, CO Dave and Lois Sauer, Wamego, KS
Boston, MA Estes Park, CO Chris Moore, Denver, CO
Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/ Carol Janda, Longmont, CO Fred Moore, Boulder, CO Kathleen Sawada, Arvada, CO
Bob Ladenburger, Boston, MA Janus Founda on/Jane Goreski, Denver, CO: Jerry Moore, Fort Collins, CO Dan and Tami Scace, Estes Park, CO
Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/Henry Rasof, In memory of Louise Goreski Nancy and Connor Morris, Leawood, KS
David and Kim Jennings, Cedar Rapids, IA Bill and Lucy Mueller, Denver, CO Marla Schiebout, Loveland, CO
Boston, MA: Juliet and Arthur Jiracek, Broomfield, CO Marilyn Murphy and Robert Medlock, Neil and Judie Schmachtenberger, Gowen, MI
In memory of Beatrice Rasof Dorothy and R. K. Jobes, Lincoln, NE
Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/Allen Sanborn, Darlene Johannsen, Fort Collins, CO Fort Collins, CO Lori Schmid, Avon, IN
John & Cynthia White Johnson, Tom Murto, Sachse, TX Ron and Linda Schneider, Estes Park, CO
Boston, MA Martha Mustard, Golden, CO
Fidelity Charitable Gi Fund/ Alexandria, VA Valerie and David Myers, Li leton, CO Liz Schoeberlein, Boulder, CO
Katherine Young, Boston, MA Kay I. Johnson, Evergreen, CO Terry and Catherine Nance, Overland Park, KS Jane and Ken Schroll, Highlands Ranch, CO
James and Gwyn Fields, Silver Spring, MD: Pa Johnson, Fort Collins, CO Margaret J. Na on, Waterford, ME Susan and Robert Schubert, San Jose, CA
In memory of Geoff Underwood Keith and Mariane Jolly, Angels Camp, CA Be y Naughton, Boulder, CO Raymond and Nancy Sellers, Sevierville, TN
Steven M. Fishburn, Aus n, TX Carolyn and John Jones, Larkspur, CO Be y Neale, Estes Park, CO Serendipity Trading Company, Estes Park, CO:
David and Diane F. Green, Boulder, CO Enos Nelson, Indianapolis, IN
David Fli er, Denver, CO Denise Jurgens, Carbondale, CO Richard and Carol Nelson, Oxford, PA: In honor of RMNP’s 100th Anniversary
Daniel and Tara Flynn, Sparta, NJ In honor of Carol M. Nelson John and Patricia Shearer, Johnstown, CO
Sandra Kaptain, Elgin, IL Karen Nesler, Fort Collins, CO Shell Oil Company Founda on Matching Gi s,
Richard J. Flynn, Boulder, CO Barbara & Frank Kelley, Network For Good/Lendell Cummins,
Alan Folz, Dallas, TX Greenwood Village, CO Princeton, NJ
Ann J. Folz, Dallas, TX Lydia Kelley, Tucson, AZ Washington, DC Janice Shirey, Louisville, CO
Tony Khorouzan, Golden, CO Network For Good/Chadwick Griffin, Ralph and Theresa Shroba, Boulder, CO
Lloyd Fosdick, Estes Park, CO Kind Coffee, Estes Park, CO Doug and Lynn Singletary, Gulfport, MS
O. Lehn and Johannah Franke, Boulder, CO Urling and Hugh Kingery, Franktown, CO Washington, DC: Peter & Stephanie Sinno , Glen Haven, CO
Charline and Robert Freitag, Lawrence, KS David Kinser, Champaign, IL In memory of Gary Griffin Debbie and William A. Skarstad, Boulder, CO:
Jim and Deb Kiple, Estes Park, CO Mary and Rolf Ni mann, Fort Collins, CO In memory of Papa & Mom
Jerome and Norma Fricke, Golden, CO Bonnie Kissling, Denver, CO: Jean and Tom O’Donnell, Denver, CO: Carol Ann and Randolph Smith, Spring, TX
William Fryer and Karen Brackstone-Fryer, In memory of Carl Kissling In memory of Bryant O’Donnell Francoise Smith, Fort Collins, CO
Clement and Elizabeth Klaphake, Bellevue, NE James and Mary O’Hara, Denver, CO Jean and Gad Smith, Kansas City, MO
Estes Park, CO Gilbert and Mary Knapp, Spencer, NY Edmund Orsini, Jr. and Chris ne Robinson, Robert and Deana Smith, Oklahoma City, OK
Helga Gaffron, Niwot, CO Alice Knox, Denver, CO Bob and Sandy Biebel, Allenspark, CO
Ruth and Jim Gaulke, Parker, CO Curt & Tonya Knudsen, Highlands Ranch, CO Li leton, CO John C. Snider, Tuscaloosa, AL
GE Founda on, Fairfield, CT Deborah Knutson, Fraser, CO Albert and Dorothy Ossinger, Lakewood, CO Snowy Peaks Winery, Estes Park, CO
Dixie George and Annabell Whorton, Steve Korby, Broomfield, CO Greg and Carin Spalla, Seymour, IN
Mary and Mike Ko ke, Fountain Hills, AZ Donna Owens, Gunnison, CO Donna Spence and Darrell Sle e, Waco, TX
Longmont, CO: Linda and Kenneth Kovar, Fort Collins, CO Pacific Western Technologies, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sprenkle, Boulder, CO
In memory of Christopher George John Kundts and Raylene Decatur, Denver, CO Ron and Jackie Springer, Estes Park, CO
Karen Langsley and Jill Wilcox, Wheat Ridge, CO Ken and Diane Staroscik, Firestone, CO
Carol Gerlitz, Boulder, CO: Dripping Springs, TX: Richard and Diane Palmer, Estes Park, CO Bridget Stauring & Michael Garmon,
In memory of William Braddock In memory of Donald G. Langsley, M.D. Rick and Vicki Papineau, Estes Park, CO
Ken and Nancy Larner, Evergreen, CO Divide, CO
Miriam Gilbert, Boulder, CO Paul and Joan Lavell, Boulder, CO Jeanne Paradeis, Denver, CO: Gene and Martha Stehman, Fort Collins, CO
Marykay L. Gillam, West Des Moines, IA In memory of Dan Paradeis
Deborah Stephens, Kiowa, CO
Deryl Gingery, Loveland, CO Bill and Kay Sterre , Fort Collins, CO
Duane and Janet Gingrich, Dunwoody, GA
Rosemary Stoffel, Denver, CO
Stanley Gray, Urbana, IL Marty Stokely, Zionsville, TN
Ken and Cynthia A. Graziani, Fairfax, VA Janet Stonington, Louisville, CO

Donald Groves, Glen Haven, CO
Cheryl & Jack Gummere, Grand Junc on, CO:

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 15

Roger & Carol Struve, Estes Park, CO Joe and Barb Wasung, Greeley, CO

Wilbur and Geraldine Stutheit, Allen & Georgia Weber, Lakeway, TX Quick - Fix Science

Fort Collins, CO Ronald & Marlys Weberg,

Lenore and Fred Swaim, Loveland, CO

Colorado Springs, CO Karen Weedman, Fort Collins, CO

Caesar and Peggy Sweitzer, Ruth Anne Weisenauer & David Neumann,

Chatham, NJ Brevard, NC:

Nancy and Ned Sworts, Arvada, CO In memory of Marlene Willey Distribution
and Habitat-
John and Pat Taylor, Silverthorne, CO Marlene and William Wenk, Denver, CO use of Martens

Karen TenHuisen, Mountain Lakes, NJ Carol Wernet, Louisville, CO

Teradata, Stuart, FL Western Sod Installa on/

Herbert and Sharon Thompson, Kenneth P. Juengst, Loveland, CO

Decatur, IL Gary and Dawn Wexell, Sycamore, IL:

John Thompson, Camarillo, CA In memory of Kris Medley

Phoebe and Jack Timberlake, Donelda Wheatley, Yukon, OK

Flat Rock, NC Pamela & Roger Whi ed, Springport, IN

John and Tate Todd, Greeley, CO William and Kathleen Wilkes,

Andrea Tolzmann, Chicago, IL: Prairie Village, KS

In honor of Jerry and Margaret Lawrence & Linda Williams, Estes Park, CO The Ques on: What is the

Spangler Nancy Williams, Sea le, WA distribu on and habitat-use of
American martens in the park?
Sherry Tooker, Linda Doherty, Irving S. Willison and Jean G. Ellinwood,
American martens are arboreal
Superior, CO Rochester, NY (tree-dwelling) specialists that prey
on chickarees and birds when in trees
Mary Truax, Stow, OH Lorraine Wilson, Lafaye e, CO but also rou nely take ground species
such as voles and ground squirrels.
Larry & Linda Tryon, Fort Collins, CO Dale & Kathleen Winder, Fort Collins, CO Research has shown that although
martens are unlikely to go ex nct,
Susan Turman, Denver, CO: Joe and Lori Wisniewski, Lansing, MI local popula ons can be in danger
of ex rpa on. One way to begin to
In memory of Marcia and Bill Joy Wolf, Racine, WI monitor a species and its popula on Illustra on: Wendy Smith
status is to look at where the animal
Turman Jim & Arlene Wood, Manitou Springs, CO prefers to live and how o en it is The Results: Marten habitat
detected. Few studies have looked at
Charlie and Jan Turner, Golden, CO Ruth M. Woodward, Loveland, CO habitat use at the southern range of was best described as moist west
the American marten, and none have side forests with riparian mixed
Walter Turnquist, New London, CT: Larry and Mary Alice Woody, Kailua, HI been conducted in Rocky Mountain conifer stands.
Na onal Park. Na onal parks are
In honor of Dallas, ditch-digging YourCause, Carrollton, TX intended to protect all na ve species Martens were photographed at 22 of 25
and park managers were interested (88 percent) sites on the west side of the
snow-bound buddy Dave and Be y Zimmer, Long Grove, IA in having baseline informa on on this Con nental Divide and six of 32 (18.8 per-
cent) on the east side. Martens occupied
Union Pacific Railroad, Andover, MA William Zinke, Boulder, CO beau ful but rarely seen mammal. over 90 percent of the western part of
the park, while occupancy rates were only
Doug Van Auken, Prairie Village, KS Kenneth and Eilene Znidersic, The Project: Use remote 20-30 percent for the eastern part of the
park. All three sta s cal models conclud-
Jean & Joe Van Winkle, Estes Park, CO Louisville, KY cameras placed five km apart ed that martens prefer the west side of
throughout the park to deter- the park in riparian mixed conifer stands.
Gerry and Beth Vander Meer, mine habitat use and prefer- The drier lodgepole and ponderosa pine
ence of martens in the park. stands common east of the Con nental
Nicholasville, KY All in Memory of Joanne Abbo : Divide were typically avoided by martens.
Roger Baldwin and Louis Bender from Also, martens were shown to avoid open
Vanguard Charitable/Elizabeth Dennis, Julie and Mar n Harrington, Denver, CO the New Mexico Coopera ve Fish habitats. One excep on to this is their use
and Wildlife Research Unit placed of rockfields, which may provide cover
Boston, MA Canton and Ann O’Donnell, Denver, CO 25 remote-sensor cameras through- and foraging opportuni es.
out Rocky Mountain Na onal Park
Deirdre Viera-Holler, Youngstown, NY Fred and Carolyn Seale, Longview, TX from early August to late October in This summary is based on published,
2004-2006. They used bait to a ract peer-reviewed and/or unpublished reports
Ronald Villio , Highlands Ranch, CO martens to the camera sta ons. Once available at the me of wri ng. For more
the researchers collected the pictures informa on about the park’s research pro-
Tom Waddell, Golden, CO All in Memory of Gordon Goff: from the cameras, they used three gram, see www.nps.gov/romo. (Photo and
sta s cal models to analyze marten map: Roger Baldwin and Lou Bender)
Diana & Gary A. Wade, Loveland, CO Aus n & Mary Jo Andrews, Estes Park, CO occurrence as a func on of habitat
and landscape variables (eleva on, Photo: NPS/Russell Smith
Rob and Fran Wagner, Canton, MI Erin S. and Stanley H. Clark, Normal, IL soil type, canopy cover, etc.). They
also analyzed habitat use on the
Ronald and Linda Wagner, two sides of the Con nental Divide
and how humans influence marten
Roeland Park, KS All in Memory of George Guthrie: behavior.

Richard O. Walker, Butler, PA Margaret Guthrie, Estes Park, CO

Karen M. Waller, Saint Joseph, MO: Susan Hoppenworth, Estes Park, CO

In honor of our fantas c RMC staff Kathryn Irons, Estes Park, CO

Gloria and John Walsh,

Orland Park, IL All in Memory of Tamara Schaefer:

Claire Walter, Boulder, CO Jack and Mary Overly, Estes Park, CO

Sharon Ward, Fort Collins, CO Doris Berryhill, Estes Park, CO

Jim Warner, Fort Collins, CO Barbara and Ken Cole, Estes Park, CO

Arthur & Edith Wartburg, Boulder, CO Marilyn Herrmann, Estes Park, CO

Thomas and Rachelle Washburn, Serendipity Trading Company,

Estes Park, CO Estes Park, CO

PARK PUZZLER SOLUTION

Charles Money, execu ve director Nonprofit
Nancy Wilson, Quarterly editor Organiza on
PO Box 3100 US Postage
Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 586-0108 PAID
Permit #184
Estes Park, CO

Ypsilon winter views

Photo: Conservancy Member Denny Longsworth

Nature Notes
<Whew!> High winds in December on the park’s east side are keeping us on our ing, a comic side-note to an
toes, while considerably less wind on the west side beckons outdoor enthusiasts
to explore the many trails, snow and sublime scenery that remain a well-kept otherwise serious venture.....
secret during the winter months.....RM Conservancy Director of Finance Sarah
Rhode braked for three young-looking bobcats that ran right in front of her car During a Field Ins tute hike
in mid-December in Estes Park.....Quarterly Editor Nancy Wilson discovered
a purple crocus blooming in her “dormant” garden in mid-November in Estes to Lawn Lake this fall, leader
Park.....East District Naturalist Kathy Brazelton put her Halloween jack-o’-lantern
out by the front porch for trash day. A buck mule deer came by and, while tast- Geoff Elliot and the group
ing it, got the ghoulish gourd hooked on one of his large antlers. He proudly
promoted the holiday as he walked around all a ernoon gaily festooned with the members caught sight of a
gored pumpkin.....Re red Colorado River District Informa on Specialist Debbie
Mason witnessed a moose fight in late November on the west side of the park cow moose and a calf brows-
near Grand Lake. This was not the ritual antler-to-antler ba le of the fall rut. This
was a disagreement over whose salt lick was whose. The neighbor to one side of ing in the willows just below
her home had a salt lick behind his house, but then added two more. Then, the
neighbor on the other side of Debbie’s home put a salt lick in his yard, all with the old dam.....Also, while
the hope of drawing this gargantuan and unpredictable ungulate closer to his
house. On this par cular a ernoon, Debbie no ced a cow and calf moose at the scou ng the Chasm Lake trail
three-salt-lick house. Then she no ced a young bull at the one-salt-lick house
on the other side. That was cool. Everyone was ge ng along. Then, the young for another program hike,
bull joined the females at the three-salt-lick house. At first, the cow moved to a
different salt lick with her calf, but the young bull followed her and she’d move Geoff observed a long-tailed
again. A er a while they agreed to be together. Then, a bit later, there were two
cows with calves and the young bull. As Debbie watched, the young bull and one weasel that was being chased
of the cows rose up on their hind legs and were swa ng each other with their
front legs. At least twice. Then the cow with the smaller calf le and the remain- off by a marmot a er the wily A white-tailed ptarmigan in winter plumage photographed on
ing three went back to licking salt at the three-salt-lick house.....Park Resident
Alison Rivers reported a backed-up sewage line that was found to have been predator tried to sneak up on Fla op Mountain by Conservancy member Marlene Borne-
caused by a “playful“ squirrel that thought it fun to drop pinecones down the
sewer vent pipe in her yard.....Debbie also spo ed an ermine slinking through some young marmots that were man. Males sport a fleshy red eyecomb above the eye as a
the deep snow. It appeared as a shadow followed by a black dot — the pure hanging out amidst the rocks..... brilliant but minimalist nod to the common flamboyance of
white body leaving only the shadow but the black- pped tail a dead giveaway..... Estes Park residents Art Messal male birds. Cool, but not too surprising that ptarmigan have
Conservancy Member Marlene Borneman reported that a pine squirrel, a.k.a. and Michelle Hiland were out feathers on their feet to provide extra insula on, but did you
chickaree, had been harves ng spruce and ponderosa cones from a wide area in for a run in the park in early know they also have extra feathers in their nostrils? Every
her neighborhood in Estes Park and then storing them around her yard, including December, on the trail from li le bit helps in the land above the trees!
in a downspout and under the barbecue grill. Once the offending squirrel was
given the nickname “Rocky,” Marlene was loathe to chase him away. They now the Upper Beaver Meadows Road to Deer Ridge Junc on. On the way, they encountered
watch Rocky’s daily scurrying and carefully note where he stores them.....Photog-
rapher Gene Putney went to Moraine Park in mid-December near sunset. He was two buck mule deer locked in a deadly ba le. Their antlers were stuck together and one
the only person there and watched a pack of five coyotes hun ng together as a
team. The river was frozen and when they crossed it they were slipping and slid- had already died, probably succumbing to the cold and fa gue. The other was struggling

to free himself and was pulling the carcass of his defeated opponent slowly across the

ground. Exhaus on was evident. Nature can be brutal. According to Kyle Pa erson, park

informa on officer, this type of antler entanglement is very rare. The park sent rangers

to inves gate and one of the deer was s ll alive. When assessing naturally occurring

events, the park considers the safety of its personnel, visitors and wildlife to determine

if addi onal interven on is warranted. In this case, the rangers took ac on to free the

remaining live mule deer.....RM Conservancy Warehouse Dude Jeremiah Ramirez took

the photo of Dream Lake Ice (see cover image) this winter. As he walked across the frozen,

wind-swept lake, he was mesmerized by the designs of the seemingly endless cracks and

bubbles embedded within the ice.....Estes Park residents Michael and Susi Sisk reported

evidence of a bear that had figured out how to break into cars. One evening in early

November, they looked outside to where their cars were parked in their driveway and

no ced that the lights in all three vehicles were on. On closer inspec on, they realized

that all three had one door hanging open, and they were just in me to see the culprit

backing out of the last car, rump first. The bear had systema cally checked out each car,

opening the latches on each. Luckily, it didn’t get trapped in any of them because that can

be a nightmare — for everyone!....We all are looking forward to the winter sols ce and

longer days — a beacon of hope in the dark of mid-winter. Have hope!

RMConservancy.org