50 Years of Eagles Nest Wilderness 1976 - 2026!

You only turn 50 once, and ESWA threw Eagles Nest Wilderness a deserving party on July 12th!  The celebration highlighted the Eagles Nest’s creation story, and provided inspiration for stewarding the next 50 years.  Read more here from the Vail Daily!  

Senator Dylan Roberts delivered a special tribute from the Colorado Senate, stating that the Senate: 

Hereby extends heartiest congratulations and commendation to Eagles Nest Wilderness.

The Colorado Senate proudly recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Eagles Nest Wilderness and celebrates its lasting legacy as one of Colorado's most treasured public lands. Since its designation in 1976, the Eagles Nest Wilderness has protected more than 135,000 acres of spectacular landscapes and vital wildlife habitat while inspiring generations of Coloradans to explore and steward the outdoors.

The Colorado Senate commends the Eagle Summit Wilderness Alliance and all who have helped preserve this remarkable wilderness for future generations.

The celebration featured an impressive lineup of presenters who informed almost 100 attendees about the 12 years of struggle to get this Wilderness designated, and ways for each of us to stay active and engaged in support of our public lands. Our heartfelt thanks to each of you for all your work for Wilderness: 

• Land Acknowledgement: Susie Kincade - Conservation Advocate, Nature-Based Minister

• Bill Mounsey’s Family: Kerry Donovan - Former Colorado State Senator

• The Battle for Eagles Nest: Mark Pearson - Author, Historian, and Wilderness Advocate

• Current Challenges to Wilderness: Scott Fitzwilliams - Former USFS Supervisor WRNF

• Looking Ahead: Michael Gorman - Wilderness Workshop Campaign Director

• Special Tribute: Dylan Roberts - Colorado State Senator

If you missed the event, you can watch the video here.  Also, be sure to check out the photographs here!  We gave special recognition to Diana Donovan and Currie Craven. Diana, and her father Bill Mounsey, were instrumental in creating the Eagles Nest Wilderness. In 1994, John Currie Craven founded ESWA’s predecessor organization, Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness, serving as president for over two decades.

We were fortunate to be joined by so many stewards of this land. Thank you first to our USFS colleagues, who inspire us daily with their professionalism and dedication. Local government and civic leaders were present, including Scott Beebe of Vail Mountain Rescue, Vail Valley Foundation’s Martha Brassel, and representatives from Eagle County, Town of Vail, and Town of Silverthorne. 

When Senator Roberts spoke last fall at our annual gathering of Wilderness nonprofits, his biggest piece of advice was to collaborate and build coalitions. Sunday’s celebration included numerous public lands and environmental groups, whose dedicated staff and volunteers annually provide tens of thousands of hours of work protecting our wild places and wildlife habitat. Thanks to Eagle River Coalition, Eagle Valley Land Trust, Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance, Walking Mountains Science Center, Wilderness Watch, and Wilderness Workshop. We are stronger together. 

And of course, so many dedicated ESWA volunteers showed up! You are amazing: Last year you provided over 8,000 volunteer hours as Volunteer Wilderness Rangers and Trailhead Hosts, hiking over 3,000 miles of Wilderness trails and addressing topics like Leave No Trace practices & fire safety with almost 13,000 Wilderness users. Our tireless crosscut Sawyers have already this year cleared almost 1,000 trees blocking Wilderness trails using nonmechanized handsaws. ESWA trail crews are out building bridges, maintaining Wilderness trails, and removing illegal fire rings. Our generous donors have helped us raise funds to bring back two seasonal US Forest Service Wilderness Rangers, provide essential supplies and materials, and help keep our saws sharp! 

Please stay in touch, continue to volunteer, donate, and advocate for our Wilderness Areas.  We could not do this work without you.  

Special notes of appreciation for 

• Snarf’s : Thank you to our local Snarf’s for helping us feed 100 people with their delicious sandwiches.  

• Outer Range Brewing Company: Thank you - your donation to this special event was deeply appreciated by all! 

Photography by local photographer Ella Peters.