New Pioneers of the Yampa Valley

Our world seems to always be on the edge of a new frontier. Today, we are beginning a new era driven by growing populations and decreasing resources. Without naming this new frontier, the Community Alliance of the Yampa Valley is asking the question: Who will be our new pioneers?

The Alliance is accepting nominations for “New Pioneers of the Yampa Valley ” through September 15 (see information at right). Winners will be announced at a celebration on October 21 at the Depot Arts Center in Steamboat Springs.

New pioneers are those who are leading us to a sustainable future. They may be leading the way by starting new businesses, developing local policies or regulations, creating or running community programs, or even inventing new technologies. 

On October 21, we will celebrate those selected as our New Pioneers with a dinner of locally grown foods at 6:30 at the Depot Arts Center in Downtown Steamboat Springs. At 7:30, we will present a multimedia presentation on the “New Pioneers of the Yampa Valley ” and their ideas. 

The event is open to the public. Tickets will be sold in advance for $20 for the general public and $10 for Community Alliance members. At the door tickets will be available for $25 and $15. If you purchase a membership to the Community Alliance for $30 at the door, admission to the event will be included. 

By recognizing and supporting these people and their work, the Community Alliance hopes to maintain, promote, and grow sustainable practices in our valley. The Community Alliance expects the event will be an opportunity to learn about some of the innovative and positive projects people are doing. And that by coming together to celebrate, the community can network and nurture up and coming ideas.

Everyone is welcome to submit a nomination. For more information, contact Maggie at the Community Alliance office at 970-879-6252.

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Our New Pioneers

You can make a nomination for a New Pioneer by opening our Nominating Form (Excel format), saving a copy to your computer, and emailing the completed form to Maggie Berglund. Below are brief descriptions of the award categories including:

• Land & Conservation
• Community & Culture
• Construction & Design
• Youth Projects
• Resource Conservation
• Sustainable Business

Land Stewardship & Conservation

Exemplary stewards of the land, by using innovative or traditional methods that are affordable and accessible:

• using sustainable practices on their property
• protecting an important piece of habitat
• managing & maintaining recreational lands

Community Stewardship & Culture

Acting to protect and enhance our local communities through

• community regulations or policies
• cultural programs, events that bring us together as a community
• other programs that strengthen our relationships with each other

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Building Construction & Design

Creating or renovating buildings to use fewer resources by using:

• recycled materials
• energy efficiency measures
• renewable energy
• means that are affordable and accessible to the general population

Be sure to include photos with your nomination in this category.

Youth Projects

Recognizing the young people (18 and under) and their efforts to contribute to the sustainability of our community by efforts such as:

• a classroom project
• raising money for a worthy cause
• educating people about important issues
• building solar panels
• controlling noxious weeds

Resource Conservation Technologies & Practices

Exciting technologies and practices used locally to conserve our precious resources such as:

• a car-sharing program
• a recycling program
• new technologies to create or use alternative fuels
• organizational policies that reduce resource consumption

Sustainable Business

• Sustainable use of resources
• Employee policies that support employee health and reward decreased resource use

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