By Shannon Lukens. Courtesy photo.
A new exhibit has been installed at West Lincoln Park. It is called, “The Yampa River: From the Flat Tops to the Green River.” You can see it on the outside walls of the West Lincoln Park restroom building, across the river from The Art Depot.
The display is a collaboration between the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Friends of the Yampa. It features the history of the Yampa River as well as the river’s impact on ecosystems and wildlife. The panels also display the uses, needs, and threats.
Local photographers Noah Wetzel, Ben Saheb, John Fielder, and Abby Jensen all contributed pictures for the panels.
Steamboat Radio News received two press releases on the new display. They are both below, with more information.
Press Release from Tales from the Tread Museum; Jan. 15, 2025
“River Exhibit Unveiled at West Lincoln Park”
“Nature is paying a high price as our rivers dry up, and alarm bells are sounding as we witness declining flows in our beloved Yampa.” John Fielder, photographer, environmental advocate
“The Yampa River: From the Flat Tops to the Green River” exhibit, on display at the Tread of Pioneers Museum from June 2023-May 2024, will spring new life this winter as an outdoor display on the exterior walls of the restrooms at West Lincoln Park.
A collaboration between the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Friends of the Yampa, this exhibit focuses on the historical and scientific aspects of the Yampa River and its valley, as well as the river’s hydrology, ecosystems, wildlife, uses, needs, and threats. The exhibition also highlights the effects of climate change, drought, and other impacts on the river, as well as the work of local and state-wide organizations trying to protect the river that is so vital to northwest Colorado.
“We were thrilled to be able to work with Friends of the Yampa on this exhibit and that it will have larger viewership for a longer time in West Lincoln Park. We grateful for Friends of the Yampa’s partnership, and to the City for allowing us to utilize the West Lincoln Park public space” said the museum’s Executive Director, Candice Bannister. “We hope these exhibits help boost the collective efforts to effectively utilize, enjoy, and protect the river as an irreplaceable resource.”
Exhibit highlights include striking river imagery from local and Colorado photographers, including Noah Wetzel, Ben Saheb, John Fielder, and Abby Jensen. John Boyan at Northwest Graphics assisted the museum team to create stunning designs for the exhibit panels.
The public, local schools, clubs, and camps are invited to West Lincoln Park year-round to experience this Yampa River exhibit, along with the current exhibit at the museum featuring the work of esteemed photographer and environmental advocate John Fielder. “Lens on the River: A Photographic Journey on the Yampa River with John Fielder” is a rare chance to see Fielder’s local work and love of our river in a collection.
“Stewardship stems from understanding the value of our finite resources like the river and our ecosystems and determining our roles in protecting natural and historic resources,” said Bannister.
As an added bonus, the interior version of the exhibit from the museum, will move to Friends of the Yampa’s expanded space on the corner of 8th and Oak Streets inside the old Photo Express House (opening date TBD).
“As more visitors and locals continue to learn about and connect with the Yampa River, we hope to inspire a movement of river stewardship and joint efforts to help safeguard it,” said Jenny Frithsen, environmental program manager at Friends of the Yampa.
More info.: treadofpioneers.org
Press Release from City of Steamboat Springs; Jan. 17, 2025.
Yampa River Exhibit Installed at West Lincoln Park
Partnership Highlights Historical and Scientific Aspects of the Yampa River
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-January 17, 2025–The Yampa River: From the Flat Tops to the Green River exhibit is now on display on the exterior walls of the West Lincoln Park restroom building.
A collaboration between the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Friends of the Yampa, the outdoor exhibit focuses on the historical and scientific aspects of the Yampa River and its valley, as well as the river’s hydrology, ecosystems, wildlife, uses, needs, and threats. The exhibition also highlights the effects of climate change, drought, and other impacts on the river, as well as the work of local and state-wide organizations trying to protect the river that is vital to northwest Colorado.
“We are grateful for Friends of the Yampa’s partnership, and to the city for installing the panels and allowing this display in the West Lincoln Park space” said the Tread of Pioneers Museum Executive Director, Candice Bannister. “We hope these exhibits boost the collective efforts to effectively utilize, enjoy, and protect the Yampa River as an irreplaceable resource.”
The exhibit panels feature striking river imagery from local and Colorado photographers – Noah Wetzel, Ben Saheb, John Fielding, and Abby Jensen. John Boyan at Northwest Graphic assisted in creating the stunning panel designs. The city’s facilities team installed the six exhibit panels on Wednesday braving frigid temperatures ahead of the holiday weekend.
As an added bonus, the interior version of the Yampa River: From the Flat Tops to the Green River exhibit, originally on display at the Tread of Pioneers Museum from June 2023 to May 2024, will move to Friends of the Yampa’s expanded space on the corner of 8th and Oak Streets in the near future.
“As more visitors and locals continue to learn about and connect with the Yampa River, we hope to inspire a movement of river stewardship and joint efforts to help safeguard it,” said Jenny Frithsen, environmental program manager at Friends of the Yampa.
The public, local schools, clubs, and camps are invited to bring students to the museum and now West Lincoln Park year-round to experience this feature exhibit, along with the museum’s current exhibit: Lens on the River: A Photographic Journey on the Yampa River with John Fielder. Fielder was esteemed photographer and environmental advocate, whose images immortalized the landscapes of nearly every county in Colorado.