1996 
Founding Roaring Fork Conservancy board members envision organization building and running a nature/river center in Basalt.

1997
Basalt Town Manager Ken Mueller and Roaring Fork Conservancy tour potential “nature center” sites in Basalt.

1998
Roaring Fork Conservancy launches environmental education program to work with local schools; secures first conservation easement at Heron Point.

1999
Roaring Fork Conservancy joins state-wide Colorado River Watch program.

2001
Roaring Fork Conservancy promotes ballot initiative 2E - Basalt Open Space and River Front Parks that will fund land acquisition; initiative passes with over 67% support.

Most favorable River Center site identified adjacent to Basalt’s new Riverfront Park. Site is proximate to the Roaring Fork and Fryingpan Rivers but out of floodplain, near open space parcels, wildlife habitat, popular angling and boating destinations, downtown Basalt, schools, and public transportation.

2002
Town of Basalt purchases former Levinson property with 2E funds and has goals of creating a riverfront park and selling land to Roaring Fork Conservancy for a River Center.

River Center Committee (made up of board, staff and community members) organized; Roaring Fork Conservancy staff develop initial program with space requirements

Rocky Mountain Institute hosts a River Center design charette using Janine Beymus’ concept of Biomimicry. Six finalist architects participate. Harry Teague Architects of Basalt, Colorado selected to design River Center.

2003
Initial negotiations to purchase 16,000 square feet of land at west end of downtown beside Basalt's new Riverfront Park.

Roaring Fork Conservancy staff visit several interpretive centers seeking ideas. River Center "Dream Book" created.

Cornerstone Society established for lead donors as initial commitments are received for land purchase.

2004
Roaring Fork Conservancy creates the first draft of the River Center Plan, living document with information on project.

Roaring Fork Conservancy updates its mission statement and relates it to River Center vision. New mission is: “To inspire people to explore, value, and protect the Roaring Fork Watershed.”

National Association for Interpretation’s associate director Lisa Brochu conducts interpretive planning workshop with board and staff to determine interpretive themes and messages of River Center.

Core Committee created to plan early stages of River Center fundraising.

2005
Roaring Fork Conservancy closes on purchase of 16,000 square feet of land near new Old Pond Park and Roaring Fork River.

2006
Roaring Fork Conservancy meets with interested parties regarding vision of the future River Center and creates a vision statement: “The River Center will be an innovative education center that inspires people to explore, value, and protect their rivers.”

River Center Committee begins search for exhibit designer.

2007
Public and stakeholder input on River Center vision gained at four focus group meetings throughout watershed.

ECOS Communications of Boulder, Colorado selected to design interpretive exhibits for River Center.

Harry Teague Architects creates conceptual architecture and ECOS Communications creates conceptual exhibit designs.

2008
Roaring Fork Conservancy makes final payments on land purchase; owns property free and clear.

BlueGreen of Aspen, Colorado selected to assist Roaring Fork Conservancy with approval process for River Center project.

2009
Roaring Fork Conservancy submits development application for project to Town of Basalt.

Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) provides design assistance grant to study energy efficient design. Beaudin-Ganze of Avon, Colorado selected to conduct Resource Efficiency Analysis report for River Center. Study completed October 2009.

2010
Town of Basalt Planning & Zoning Commission approves River Center development application, forwards application to Town Council in March.

Basalt Town Council approves River Center site zoning change, development application, and conceptual design in June.