Donations are pouring in to preserve an area used by Aspen school children for outdoor learning. Since fundraising started, more than $50,000 has been raised for the “Marble Basecamp.” Marci Krivonen has more.
Letters to the editor, challenge grants and social media have helped bring in private dollars to purchase the “basecamp.” It’s a 57-acre scenic plot Aspen middle school students have used for five decades. Previous private owners allowed them access. Now the land is for sale and the nonprofit Aspen Valley Land Trust is trying to buy it. They would conserve it and continue outdoor education there. Valery Kelly with the Land Trust says the weekend alone brought in more than $4000.
"We have an incredibly broad base of support and a lot of people who understand how important this is. It’s one of those chances we have to protect a little gem up in the mountains that otherwise would go to private development."
About $120,000 still needs to be raised. Many donations so far have come from people with connections to the Aspen schools, like parents, teachers and former students.