The River Stewards are a new group formed in 2008. Targeting the 25-40 year old range, Roaring Fork Conservancy wanted to reach out and involve a younger group of local professionals in our charge of bringing people together to protect our rivers. Our goal is to educate and empower the Stewards to help them better understand the watershed and serve as local emissaries to Roaring Fork Conservancy.

	Scott Bayens is a real estate broker with Mason and Morse who will help form our “River Realtor” program that aims to better connect Roaring Fork Conservancy with the brokerage community and the riverfront property owners in the valley. Scott is also vice president of the Aspen Board of Realtors and involved with the Aspen Young Professionals Association, Realtors for Wilderness, and Habitat for Humanity.
	Cassia Furman is an attorney with Leavenworth & Karp, P.C. in Glenwood Springs and is a river/waters advocate.
	Larry Jones is the Assistant Superintendent for the Roaring Fork Club golf course in Basalt. Through the River Stewards he has a plan for reaching out to the golf course managers in the valley to help promote best practices for golf course effluent management.
	Andrew Light, a Roaring Fork Valley native, recently returned to the valley to work in research and development for Roaring Fork Lodging Company after working in San Francisco and Costa Rica. A former fishing guide, Andrew is excited to get reacquianted with his home rivers and get involved with RFC.
	Paul Noto began his career in the Roaring Fork Valley as a fishing guide in 1997. After attending the University of Colorado School of Law from 1999-2002, Paul returned to the valley to begin a career as a water lawyer with Patrick, Miller and Kropf, P.C. Paul recently became a shareholder of the firm. Paul brings a unique understanding of the legal issues affecting the Roaring Fork River basin to the Stewards.
	Rachel Polver is an accomplished river runner who has solid ties within the river community in the valley.
	Fletcher Yaw was born in Aspen and has been active in our environment ever since. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Natural Resource Management. This has provided him with both an understanding and passion for the environment. Much of his study focused on water resources and management. He brings knowledge and passion to an issue that has and will become more and more important to Colorado and the Roaring Fork watersheds in the future. Says Fletcher: "Protecting our rivers is vital to a sustainable future for the critters as well as for recreation, irrigation, and the economy we depend on. Working with Roaring Fork Conservancy gives me the opportunity to give back to the community and try to make a difference on an issue that I have a deep rooted connection to."
	Valerie Alexander Yaw, a founding member of the River Stewards, is principal at Bluegreen, a broadly talented landscape architecture studio that addresses all phases of development, from concept through implementation. The firm’s design services range from environmental restorations to resort landscapes, civic spaces and community master plans. Bluegreen’s policy services include land use and zoning codes, attainable housing programs, residential and historic design guidelines and community participation packages. Valerie’s passion for environment led her to Roaring Fork Conservancy and creates the foundation for establishing this new subcommittee, River Stewards.