by Alan Carpenter
We had another great CRA annual conference in Steamboat Springs. Successful events are the result of work by many people, and I want to acknowledge the work of a few of them. Bill Chase organized the field trips to Trout Creek and the Gott property, recruited speakers, and made the contact with the Steamboat Grand Hotel. Jay Thompson headed up the awards committee, recruited speakers, and worked with the hotel to iron out many details. Renee Garfias of the Bureau of land management created a attractive agenda for the conference. I want to thank Susan Otis of the Yampa Valley Land Trust for organizing a field visit to the Green Creek Ranch for CRA board members so we could meet Bill and Elaine Gay and see for ourselves the excellent work they have done with their riparian areas. Ann Oliver of The Nature Conservancy hosted a field trip to the Carpenter Ranch Preserve. And, last but not least, I thank all the speakers who gave of their time so we could learn more about riparian area restoration and management.
We have new officers on the CRA board. Gwen Kittle of NatureServe is President, Denise Culver of the Colorado Natural Heritage Program is president-elect, and Jay Thompson moves to Past-president. They will do a terrific job leading CRA during the coming year.