CBMBA receives sustainability accolade

No money, but recognition and exposure

The Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA) trail work season has begun. CBMBA just wrapped up their first trail work day of the summer last Thursday, adding an new section to the Lower Cement Creek trail. This Friday, June 6, they’re hosting their annual membership/fundraiser dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. at Rainbow Park, followed by their second trail work day Saturday, June 7 on the Upper Upper Loop, starting at 10 a.m.
Their efforts in trail building and trail improvements, as well as “bridge building”—i.e., bringing various groups in the community together to create a more positive outdoor experience for locals and visitors—continue to gain local recognition.
Now they’ve made their presence known on the national level.
Last week, CBMBA found out that they were one of 50 organizations, out of 600 applicants, that won a sustainability award from SHIFT.
SHIFT, a group based out of Jackson Hole, Wyo., is in the process of “creating a framework for 21st century conservation,” according to their president, Christian Beckwith.
Essentially, they reach out to communities throughout North America and Mexico that are similar to Jackson Hole and label them as GEMS, Gateways to Environments of Major Significance.
Organizations within these communities, or GEMS, submit applications to participate in a conference in Jackson Hole.
Out of 600 submitted, CBMBA’s application was accepted and invited to participate.
Beckwith explains that GEMS communities have “natural capital,” i.e. their surroundings. Whether it’s the views, the trails or what have you, natural capital needs preservation and SHIFT hopes to offer an opportunity for such communities to gather together to discuss and, ultimately, create change or a SHIFT.
“Use GEMS to affect discourse on the national and international level,” explains Beckwith. “We want to help create networks among GEMS that could help affect change, help shape policy and approaches to natural capital.”
According to CBMBA president John Chandler, the whole process started with a phone call this past winter.
“I got a phone call one day from a woman to explain what SHIFT does and she said we were mentioned as a possible applicant,” says Chandler. “I sent off the application back in February.”
While no money is included in the award, Chandler does see the opportunity to participate in the SHIFT conference as a positive one and a chance to meet with other trail building and advocacy groups from areas such as Whistler, B.C. and Park City, Utah.
“What we hope to get out of it is certainly information,” says Chandler, “to find out what others are doing and what’s working for them, learn what these other organizations are doing and share our experiences working with other groups in our valley.”
He also hopes to do a little local promotion.
“More people will find out about CBMBA and how awesome it is to ride in Crested Butte,” says Chandler.
Ultimately, Beckwith believes groups such as CBMBA provide a pipeline for the younger demographic of backcountry users to get involved in conservation.
“Groups like CBMBA are stewards of the places they play and get the next generation into wild places, which is the first step to getting young people involved in conservation,” says Beckwith.