Roaring Fork Valley conservation celebrates ‘first-of-its-kind’ partnership – AspenTimes.com

Report on a Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Colorado

Introduction: A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development

In 2022, a strategic partnership was formed between the Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT), The AES Corporation, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). This collaboration represents a significant advancement in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating a model that integrates renewable energy development with comprehensive land conservation. The initiative directly embodies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by uniting non-profit, corporate, and governmental entities to address complex environmental challenges.

The partnership’s core objective is to demonstrate that progress toward SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 15: Life on Land are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, interdependent for long-term success. As stated by AVLT Deputy Director Torrey Udall, “You can’t solve climate change without protecting habitat, and you can’t protect habitat in perpetuity without solving climate change.” This highlights the initiative’s commitment to SDG 13: Climate Action by building resilient landscapes.

Key Project Outcomes and Contributions to SDGs

The partnership has yielded tangible conservation results across several Colorado counties, each contributing to specific SDG targets.

Eagle County: Advancing SDG 15 (Life on Land)

• Conservation of the 4,251-acre Three Meadows Ranch was completed.
• This project secures a vast area of intact habitat and historic ranchland, directly contributing to SDG Target 15.1 (conserve and restore terrestrial ecosystems) and SDG Target 15.5 (protect biodiversity and natural habitats).
• The preservation of the area’s rural character also supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Garfield County: Targeting SDG 6 and SDG 15

• Ongoing projects focus on areas south of Silt and Rifle, where habitat fragmentation pressures are high.
• Key activities include:
  1. Stream restoration efforts to improve watershed health, directly addressing SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (Target 6.6).
  2. Securing historic agricultural properties to maintain both food production and open space.
  3. Protecting large tracts of natural habitat critical for deer and elk migration, a primary goal of SDG 15.

Pitkin County: Integrating Agriculture and Conservation

• Active collaboration with agricultural producers on properties that support both the valley’s rural character and its natural systems.
• This work ensures that grazing and hay production coexist with wildlife habitat, demonstrating a balanced approach that supports SDG 11 and SDG 15.

Innovative Funding for a Sustainable Future: The Solar Mitigation Fund

A cornerstone of this partnership is the creation of Colorado’s first voluntary Solar Mitigation Fund, a replicable model for linking clean energy projects with conservation finance.

• Contribution to SDG 7: The fund was initiated by a voluntary contribution from The AES Corporation of $400 per acre from its High Mesa Solar project, demonstrating a commitment to responsible development under SDG 7.
• A Model for SDG 17: This mechanism, which brings together a solar developer, a land trust, and a state wildlife agency, offers a promising framework for how private development can actively fund public conservation efforts.
• Direct Impact on SDG 15: Funds are restricted to CPW-approved projects that enhance or replace wildlife habitat. An initial $26,000 was allocated to support the Three Meadows Ranch conservation project, directly channeling revenue from clean energy into the protection of life on land.

Future Priorities and Long-Term Vision

The collaboration will continue to identify and protect high-priority wildlife areas, focusing on a holistic approach to building regional resilience. The partnership’s future work will prioritize the following types of landscapes, reinforcing its commitment to a broad range of Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Riparian habitats: Critical for achieving SDG 6 and SDG 15.
2. Farm and ranch lands: Essential for local economies and preserving community character under SDG 11.
3. Migration corridors and seasonal ranges: A key target for protecting biodiversity under SDG 15.
4. Areas resilient to changing climate conditions: A direct action to enhance ecological resilience in line with SDG 13.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several interconnected issues related to environmental conservation, renewable energy, and community partnerships, which directly address or connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 15: Life on Land: This is the most prominent SDG, as the article’s central theme is the conservation of land and wildlife habitats. It details efforts to protect “critical wildlife habitat,” “intact habitat and historic ranchland,” and “deer and elk migration” corridors.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly links conservation with climate change, stating, “You can’t solve climate change without protecting habitat, and you can’t protect habitat in perpetuity without solving climate change.” The partnership aims to create “resilient landscapes” and reduce “the pressures of a warming climate.”
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The partnership involves The AES Corporation, an energy company, and discusses “responsible energy development,” specifically mentioning the “High Mesa Solar project.” This connects the conservation efforts directly to the promotion of clean energy.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire initiative is built on a “first-of-its-kind” partnership between a non-profit land trust (AVLT), a private energy corporation (AES), and a government agency (Colorado Parks and Wildlife). The text repeatedly emphasizes “collaboration” and “working together” to achieve shared goals.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The article mentions specific actions aimed at improving water ecosystems, such as “stream restoration efforts that will improve watershed health” and the protection of “riparian habitats.”
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The conservation efforts aim to preserve the region’s character and heritage. The article notes that the projects support the “valley’s rural character” and protect “iconic working lands” and “historic agricultural properties.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities described, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 15 (Life on Land):
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The article’s focus on “stream restoration efforts” and protecting “riparian habitats” directly aligns with this target.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity. The core mission of the partnership is to conserve “critical habitats” and keep “large tracts of natural habitat” intact to support wildlife like deer and elk.
2. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The partnership model itself is an example of integrating climate action (renewable energy) with conservation planning at a local and regional level.
3. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The involvement of AES and its “High Mesa Solar project” contributes to this target by advancing renewable energy development.
4. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The collaboration between AVLT (civil society), AES (private sector), and CPW (public sector) is a direct embodiment of this target.
5. Under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
   • Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems. The “stream restoration efforts that will improve watershed health” mentioned in the article are a direct action towards achieving this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 15.5: The area of land conserved. The article provides a specific figure: “4,251 acres” for the Three Meadows Ranch project. The total acreage protected by the partnership would be a key indicator.
• Indicator for Target 7.2: The development of renewable energy projects. The existence of the “High Mesa Solar project” is a specific indicator of progress.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The establishment and number of multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article describes the creation of the partnership between AVLT, AES, and CPW as a key achievement.
• Indicator for Target 6.6: The number of restoration projects. The mention of “a number of private conservation opportunities across Garfield County, he noted, from stream restoration efforts” implies that the number of these efforts can be tracked.
• Financial Indicator: The amount of funds mobilized for conservation. The article specifies that AES contributed “$400 per acre” to the Solar Mitigation Fund and that “$26,000” from this fund was used for the Three Meadows transaction. This serves as a direct financial indicator of the partnership’s impact.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aspentimes.com