Aspen Center for Environmental Studies announces 2025 summer events

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is set to host experts on a wide variety of all-new summer events for the 2025 season in the Roaring Fork Valley.

‘The Ecology on the Wing: Behavior of Butterflies and Friends’  

“The Ecology on the Wing: Behavior of Butterflies and Friends” will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, at The Catto Center at Toklat, located at 11247 Castle Creek Road in Aspen.

This short course is a field workshop that will explore the diversity of butterfly and winged-insect ecology and behavior of both the adult and immature stages. Butterflies are one of the best-known and most intensively studied groups of insect groups — they are easily observed, readily identified, and offer a wide range of behaviors to study and interpret. Their complete metamorphosis permits comparison of the ecologies of four distinct life stages (egg, larva, pupa, and adult), each of which displays unique adaptations to different habitats. 

Dr. Boyce Drummond, who instructs this program, will facilitate field experiences that include teaching simple but powerful field investigative techniques the students can use for their own research, teaching, or personal enrichment. There will also be a mix of readings and lectures to provide an overview of ecological adaptations of butterflies to their environment. 

This class costs $100, with a 10% discount for members. Advance registration is required in order to ensure appropriate planning for the field experience.

The Toklat Summer Welcome Party 

Enjoy a free summer celebration with ACES by participating in The Toklat Summer Welcome Party from 2-6 p.m. on Friday, July 11, at The Catto Center. 

ACES welcomes the public to this treasured wilderness retreat. The Catto Center at Toklat reopened after renovations in December 2024. Through ACES, Toklat continues to honor its legacy as a cornerstone of the Aspen community and a beacon for ecological education and inspiration. For those that want to bike, they can ride up to Castle Creek Valley to enjoy the live music, refreshments, and community connection. Others may want to bring hiking boots and head up to one of the gorgeous trails in Castle Creek Valley.

Free William A. Nitze community lecture: Robin Wall Kimmerer, ‘What Does the Earth Ask of Us?’ 

This free community lecture will take place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Paepcke Auditorium.

The speaker, Robin Wall Kimmerer, is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the widely acclaimed author of “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.” The well-received book was adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith in 2022.

A talk with Jean-Martin Fortier

A Jessica Catto Dialogue: “The Market Gardener” with Jean-Martin “JM” Fortier will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at The Arts Campus at Willits.

Fortier is a pioneer in the small-scale, organic farming movement. He will share his insights and experiences from his past 20 years in market gardening, delving into how the transformative power of ecological farming can restore and ignite local communities. He will highlight success stories and innovative ventures that continue to shape the future of regenerative agriculture. 

This talk aims to inspire and equip attendees with the knowledge and passion to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable food system.

Farmer workshop with Jean-Martin Fortier

A farmer workshop with Fortier takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Rock Bottom Ranch. There will be a morning and afternoon session. His workshop will explore mastering the art of efficient farming, including what are the most profitable field crops in a market garden and the keys to profitability. 

The Birdsong project: ‘Tune Into Birds’ 

The Birdsong Project “Tune into Birds” takes place on Monday, Aug 4, at Hallam Lake Nature Preserve. ACES welcomes visitors to a special event series intended to drive conservation action through music and art through a partnership between The Birdsong Project, National Audubon Society, and Aspen Music Festival and School.

The Birdsong Project was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer and music supervisor Randall Poster, known for his longtime work with Wes Anderson and Martin Scorsese. The project was conceived and inspired by Executive Producer Rebecca Reagan, who brought a grand creative vision and wisdom to the project. Additional executive producers are Elliot Bergman, Stewart Lerman, and Lee Renaldo.

The ambitious project brings together an array of talent, from decorated actors, Pulitzer prize winners, top musicians, and more. Contributors include Olivia Wilde, Sean Penn, Robert Pattinson, Greta Gerwig, Mark Ronson, Nick Cave, Elvis Costello, Ad-Rock, Bette Midler, Danielle Haim, Florence Welch, and hundreds of others.

These producers and artists are proud donors to the National Audubon Society, supporting its mission to protect birds and their habitats now and into the future.

There are more community programs to come.

Free Naturalist-guided hikes, birding outings, yoga, egg collection, and many other community programs at our three sites will continue this summer. For more information, visit aspennature.org.