MISSION
To serve as a leader, catalyst and resource for building a sustainable and resilient Yampa Valley region.
YVSC is a nonprofit organization based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Our work as an organization is to find ways to connect knowledge to actions that build a more sustainable and resilient community. This starts with finding common ground, core values and places of connection, to collaboratively create initiatives that sustain the rich cultural and natural heritage we treasure. We lead programming across five priority areas including Waste Diversion, Energy, Transportation, Resilient Land and Water and Community Engagement, all anchored in strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resiliency to projected changes in the region.
UPCOMING EVENTS
june 2023
01junAll Day30CARbon-Free Challenge

Event Details
The weather is warming up, flowers are blooming, and we are all ready for long, summer days spent outside. That’s why we at YVSC are so excited to bring back
Event Details
The weather is warming up, flowers are blooming, and we are all ready for long, summer days spent outside. That’s why we at YVSC are so excited to bring back a summer activity staple, the CARbon-Free Challenge, taking place from June 1-30.
As in years past, participants will log their miles for the chance to win awesome prizes from our local sponsors and have the ability to take part as a solo rider, family, or adult team. Participants can log miles for commuting, running errands going out, etc., all while using an alternative form of travel (e.g. walking, biking, longboarding, rollerblading, etc.). To learn more and register visit https://yvsc.org/carbon-free-challenge/.
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Time
june 1 (Thursday) - 30 (Friday)
01jun9:00 am02(jun 2)4:00 pmYampa Basin Rendezvous

Event Details
How are we, as a community, managing snows and flows amidst historic long-term drought to ensure our own water resilience? This question will be at the forefront of the 2023
Event Details
How are we, as a community, managing snows and flows amidst historic long-term drought to ensure our own water resilience? This question will be at the forefront of the 2023 Yampa Basin Rendezvous. This 2-day event will provide an overview of the record weather and water extremes that continue to define our present and future in the Yampa River Basin, and whether current water and riparian land management practices will lead to the resilient future we desire. The overarching goal is to provide a venue that encourages a science-based, community-centered approach to create informed, adaptive, proactive, and science-based management strategies for the Yampa Basin’s natural resources and communities. Register today at the link below.
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Time
1 (Thursday) 9:00 am - 2 (Friday) 4:00 pm
Location
Colorado Moutain College Albright Family Auditorium
1275 Crawford Ave
Registration
Register10jun10:00 am3:00 pmMica Gardenscapes Yampascaping Plant Sale

Event Details
On Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., YVSC is excited to partner with Mica Gardenscapes, located in Oak Creek, on an upcoming plant sale. Find
Event Details
On Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., YVSC is excited to partner with Mica Gardenscapes, located in Oak Creek, on an upcoming plant sale. Find us on the corner of Sharp Ave. and Main St.
With a focus on perennials, natives, and drought tolerant species, Claire Scanlon, owner of Mica Gardenscapes, and YVSC will be on hand to help you select plants to create a beautiful Yampascape.
Yampascaping is the process of transforming a yard or other piece of land into one that is more appropriate to the Yampa Valley region. It brings the floral communities we find on our trails and along our rivers to the land around our homes and businesses, which in turn conserves water, stabilizes soil, reduces weeds, and provides food for birds and pollinators.
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Time
(Saturday) 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location
Main Street Park
Corner of Sharp Ave and Main St
15jun8:00 amYampa Valley Climate Crew - Reforesting the Muddy Slide Fire Burn Scar

Event Details
Reforesting the Muddy Slide Fire Burn Scar Come join us alongside the US Forest Service to plant trees at the site of the Muddy Slide Fire. In 2021,
Event Details
Reforesting the Muddy Slide Fire Burn Scar
Come join us alongside the US Forest Service to plant trees at the site of the Muddy Slide Fire.
In 2021, the Muddy Slide Fire burned over 4,000 acres during a 3 month period. Larger and more intense fires resulting from a changing climate are affecting our forests’ ability to regenerate naturally. It’s crucial that, in the absence of this regeneration, we help restore our forests through reforestation efforts. Climate Crew volunteers will join the US Forest Service to replant five acres of burned area at the Muddy Slide Fire site over three days. Reforestation after a wildfire is the first step in creating more resilient forests that will continue to sequester carbon and provide healthy watersheds.
Difficulty: Medium
Please contact ryan@yvsc.org with any questions.
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Time
(Thursday) 8:00 am
Registration
SignUp Link16jun8:00 amYampa Valley Climate Crew - Reforesting the Muddy Slide Fire Burn Scar

Event Details
Reforesting the Muddy Slide Fire Burn Scar Come join us alongside the US Forest Service to plant trees at the site of the Muddy Slide Fire. In 2021,
Event Details
Reforesting the Muddy Slide Fire Burn Scar
Come join us alongside the US Forest Service to plant trees at the site of the Muddy Slide Fire.
In 2021, the Muddy Slide Fire burned over 4,000 acres during a 3 month period. Larger and more intense fires resulting from a changing climate are affecting our forests’ ability to regenerate naturally. It’s crucial that, in the absence of this regeneration, we help restore our forests through reforestation efforts. Climate Crew volunteers will join the US Forest Service to replant five acres of burned area at the Muddy Slide Fire site over three days. Reforestation after a wildfire is the first step in creating more resilient forests that will continue to sequester carbon and provide healthy watersheds.
Difficulty: Medium
Please contact ryan@yvsc.org with any questions.
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Time
(Friday) 8:00 am
Registration
SignUp Link17jun8:00 amYampa Valley Climate Crew - Reforesting the Muddy Slide Fire Burn Scar

Event Details
Reforesting the Muddy Slide Fire Burn Scar Come join us alongside the US Forest Service to plant trees at the site of the Muddy Slide Fire. In 2021,
Event Details
Reforesting the Muddy Slide Fire Burn Scar
Come join us alongside the US Forest Service to plant trees at the site of the Muddy Slide Fire.
In 2021, the Muddy Slide Fire burned over 4,000 acres during a 3 month period. Larger and more intense fires resulting from a changing climate are affecting our forests’ ability to regenerate naturally. It’s crucial that, in the absence of this regeneration, we help restore our forests through reforestation efforts. Climate Crew volunteers will join the US Forest Service to replant five acres of burned area at the Muddy Slide Fire site over three days. Reforestation after a wildfire is the first step in creating more resilient forests that will continue to sequester carbon and provide healthy watersheds.
Difficulty: Medium
Please contact ryan@yvsc.org with any questions.
more
Time
(Saturday) 8:00 am
Registration
SignUp Link21jun1:00 pm2:30 pmCommunity Meeting: Quarterly Partner Update

Event Details
On Wednesday, June 21 from 1-2:30 p.m., local environmental advocates will share what YVSC and its partner organizations have been up to in their mission to act as
Event Details
On Wednesday, June 21 from 1-2:30 p.m., local environmental advocates will share what YVSC and its partner organizations have been up to in their mission to act as stewards to the local environment and community. All are welcome, and will have an opportunity to learn more about upcoming events and ways to get involved.
The free meeting will be held via Zoom, and participants should register online to attend. To register, click the link below.
Time
(Wednesday) 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Registration
Register21jun5:30 pmRoutt County Climate Action Plan (CAP) Collaborative - Public Open House

Event Details
Over the last nine months, technical experts in the sectors of Energy, Transportation, Waste, Land Use and Economy have been convening monthly to develop recommendations to best implement the Routt
Event Details
Over the last nine months, technical experts in the sectors of Energy, Transportation, Waste, Land Use and Economy have been convening monthly to develop recommendations to best implement the Routt County Climate Action Plan (CAP). Their recommendations (actionable projects and initiatives that best drive climate action) and the CAP implementation plan will be shared publicly at the Collaborative Public Open House June 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at CMC’s Allbright Auditorium. Please join us and meet the Collaborative Board and Working Groups, learn about the recommendations and get engaged as we move into the implementation phase of the Climate Action Plan.
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Time
(Wednesday) 5:30 pm
Location
Colorado Moutain College Albright Family Auditorium
1275 Crawford Ave
Registration
SignUp Linkjuly 2023
06jul8:00 amYampa Valley Climate Crew - Seedling Survey at the Silver Creek Fire

Event Details
Join us, alongside the US Forest Service, to conduct surveys on post-fire seedling regeneration at the Silver Creek Fire! The Routt National Forest in Buffalo Park was ravaged by
Event Details
Join us, alongside the US Forest Service, to conduct surveys on post-fire seedling regeneration at the Silver Creek Fire!
The Routt National Forest in Buffalo Park was ravaged by the Silver Creek Fire in 2018. Conifer forests are vitally important in the fight against climate change, as they both sequester carbon and store moisture in our watersheds. The US Forest Service is planning to reforest the area in spring 2024, but must first determine priority sites. To help in this effort, we will be measuring seedling regeneration and mapping future reforestation sites to determine where tree planting will be necessary. This project will occur over three days, so please sign up for whichever days work best for you!
Difficulty: Medium
Please contact ryan@yvsc.org with any questions
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Time
(Thursday) 8:00 am
Registration
SignUp Link07jul8:00 amYampa Valley Climate Crew - Seedling Survey at the Silver Creek Fire

Event Details
Join us, alongside the US Forest Service, to conduct surveys on post-fire seedling regeneration at the Silver Creek Fire! The Routt National Forest in Buffalo Park was ravaged by
Event Details
Join us, alongside the US Forest Service, to conduct surveys on post-fire seedling regeneration at the Silver Creek Fire!
The Routt National Forest in Buffalo Park was ravaged by the Silver Creek Fire in 2018. Conifer forests are vitally important in the fight against climate change, as they both sequester carbon and store moisture in our watersheds. The US Forest Service is planning to reforest the area in spring 2024, but must first determine priority sites. To help in this effort, we will be measuring seedling regeneration and mapping future reforestation sites to determine where tree planting will be necessary. This project will occur over three days, so please sign up for whichever days work best for you!
Difficulty: Medium
Please contact ryan@yvsc.org with any questions
more
Time
(Friday) 8:00 am
Registration
SignUp Link08jul8:00 amYampa Valley Climate Crew - Seedling Survey at the Silver Creek Fire

Event Details
Join us, alongside the US Forest Service, to conduct surveys on post-fire seedling regeneration at the Silver Creek Fire! The Routt National Forest in Buffalo Park was ravaged by
Event Details
Join us, alongside the US Forest Service, to conduct surveys on post-fire seedling regeneration at the Silver Creek Fire!
The Routt National Forest in Buffalo Park was ravaged by the Silver Creek Fire in 2018. Conifer forests are vitally important in the fight against climate change, as they both sequester carbon and store moisture in our watersheds. The US Forest Service is planning to reforest the area in spring 2024, but must first determine priority sites. To help in this effort, we will be measuring seedling regeneration and mapping future reforestation sites to determine where tree planting will be necessary. This project will occur over three days, so please sign up for whichever days work best for you!
Difficulty: Medium
Please contact ryan@yvsc.org with any questions
more
Time
(Saturday) 8:00 am
Registration
SignUp Link09jul5:00 pm8:00 pmInsight: Art for Climate Action

Event Details
YVSC is excited to present our first annual fundraiser event, Insight: Art for Climate Action. We believe that art is a powerful way to educate around climate science and communicate
Event Details
YVSC is excited to present our first annual fundraiser event, Insight: Art for Climate Action. We believe that art is a powerful way to educate around climate science and communicate sustainability efforts to a wider community. Art enables us to combine intricate scientific topics with beauty and emotion, allowing us to connect with our own hummanness. We at YVSC value art as an important means of communicating science and inspiring action, and this fundraising event has been built with those intentions in mind.
Artists have been invited to create pieces based on prompts that engage three key climate action areas: Resilient Land & Water, Waste Diversion, and Energy & Transportation. These pieces will be auctioned off during a grand evening complete with delicious appetizers, beverages, and live music at the beautiful La Joya Dulce Ranch.
25% of the proceeds from the sale of each artwork will be allocated directly to the participating artists who will be in attendance to discuss their works, providing them with vital support and recognition for their creative contributions.
For more information, visit yvsc.org/insight-art-for-climate-action/.
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Time
(Sunday) 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
La Joya Dulce
47050 CO Rd 129
Registration
RegistrationCREATING SUSTAINABILITY ACTION THROUGH:

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NEWS, IDEAS, AND PAST EVENTS
Join this year’s CARBon-Free Challenge to reduce your emissions
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