Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — As we reflect on the past few years since the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council was created and observe the tremendous progress it has made, one of the important outcomes is that we have created four jobs within a nonprofit organization with a small budget. These part-time positions are integral to helping YVSC grow existing programs that have become mainstays for the community as well as to explore new programs and projects that will enhance sustainable efforts in our beautiful valley.

Our new hires are Kim Kline, who will take on the important role of coordinator; Erica Olson, who will help with administration and our online presence; Anne Mudgett, continuing to help us with granting and funding; and Andy Kennedy, stepping into the role of Zero Waste coordinator. In addition to the staff positions, the amount of volunteer hours this board of directors has put into the organization during the past two years is exceedingly generous.

Our new team will help us continue to bring the community such valued programs and events as Earth Hour, the Zero Waste Initiative, Talking Green, Every Day is Earth Day, ReTree Steamboat, Green Building, Sustainable Schools, and our monthly community meetings.

April 22 will mark the 41st Earth Day. For most of us in Routt County, this date will come and go without much notice. This is not because of a lack of concern and involvement, but because this date falls during the vagaries of mud season. Many of us will recognize this day in our own ways, among a multitude of highly involved organizations increasing the valley's strides toward sustainability.

Instead of focusing on a single day with the rest of the world, our community goes the extra mile with a weeklong schedule of events named "Every Day is Earth Day." This year, our celebration will run from May 14 to 21, concluding with a veritable frenzy of events, including the annual Routt County Clean-Up Day and the ever-popular Community Recycling Drop Off.

Several organizations participated in the festivities last year, with more joining us this year. As a tribute to the communal effort promoting recycling, conservation and other environmentally responsible decisions, "Every Day is Earth Day" will culminate in an expo where members of our community can meet representatives from various nonprofits. That week takes an impressive amount of work and funding to pull off, and we greatly appreciate the time and hard-earned money of our supporters.

We at YVSC thank all of the die-hard supporters, volunteers and sponsors who help us continue to bring these programs and awareness to the community. The difference it makes is visible and measurable. Visitors and residents see the value in sustaining our pristine environment, and we hope to continue to foster these principles throughout the valley.

Stay tuned, join in, consider supporting us, and watch us grow. Visit www.yvsc.org to keep up to date, donate or sign up for our newsletter.

Angela Ashby is chairwoman of the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council's board of directors.