Chaffee Rec Adopters
A Program of Chaffee County & GARNA
Program Overview
Stewarding Our Public Lands
Chaffee County is over 80% public lands that sees high visitation rates. The Chaffee Rec Adopter program is a land stewardship volunteer program funded by Chaffee County through the Common Grounds ballot initiative and implemented by GARNA. We work collaboratively with the USFS, BLM and CPW to take care of our public lands through dispersed campsite cleanups, fencing projects, sign installation and other projects the agencies need.
Visit our Program Calendar for upcoming events, or better yet, sign up below for our specific Public Lands email to be alerted of volunteer opportunities! Or contact Rose to learn more!
Get Involved
Become a Chaffee Rec Adopter
The Chaffee Rec Adopters are a collaborative volunteer group that takes care of our public lands. You can join group events or go out on your own. Sign up at the email link above to get notified of events, including training opportunities and volunteer events.
Adventure by Nature Pledge
By taking the Adventure By Nature Pledge, you help us protect and preserve our home and public lands by recreating responsibly in the outdoors. Your support allows future generations the ability to enjoy it just as you have. Sign The Pledge →
Program History
Recreation in Balance Initiative
The Recreation in Balance initiative was born from a desire to protect Chaffee County’s recreation opportunities amidst a growing population. The program is one of the prongs of the Chaffee Common Ground effort, and seeks to establish baselines for outdoor recreation visitor impacts, and then find solutions to mitigate those impacts while supporting our tourism based economy. Envision Chaffee County started in 2016 when a group of citizens came together to discuss the future of Chaffee County. In 2017, the County signed the initiative as an official proclamation, and the group created the Envision Community Action Plan. GARNA helped to develop the initiative as a Core Team member. In 2025, funded through Common Grounds and Chaffee County, GARNA continues the work of caring for our public lands through volunteer stewardship events.
Chaffee County Outdoor Recreation Management Plan
In 2021, the Chaffee Rec Plan was released by the Rec in Balance task force to address the growth of recreation in Chaffee County. Some of the top objectives including sustainable camping, volunteer impact, infrastructure and protecting wildlife. GARNA supports these efforts through programs such as Porta-Potties on Public Lands, Boreal Toad Monitoring and the Chaffee Rec Adopters program. See The Plan →
