Nature+Curiosity+Community
Our 2025 staff retreat at Rock Bottom Ranch was a chance for our team to step away from the everyday and reconnect—with each other, with our surroundings, and with the values that shape our work. The 113-acre Rock Bottom Ranch serves as Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ (ACES) mid-valley hub for environmental education, wildlands preservation, and sustainable agriculture.
We kicked things off with a discussion on communication and design, inspired by architect Cory Squire’s reflections in People, Planet, Design. the reading prompted us to think critically about how the language we use to describe our work shapes not only our projects, but also our culture, our collaborations, and our collective impact. Together, we explored what it means to communicate authentically as designers—how storytelling can advance ideas, build understanding, and inspire stewardship within and beyond our teams.
The team gathered for a vibrant, locally sourced lunch prepared by Chef Mark Hardin of Field2Fork. In the afternoon, Rock Bottom Ranch Director John Middleton led us on an insightful tour of the property. We learned how the ranch operates as a living classroom—modeling regenerative agriculture, rotational grazing, and land stewardship practices that protect water, soil, and climate resources. The experience deepened our appreciation for how design and ecology intersect. Reminding us that thoughtful design starts with listening to the land.
Creativity flowed throughout the afternoon. Local artist and educator Nika Meyers guided a watercolor session, encouraging us to slow down, observe, and translate the beauty of our surroundings onto paper. Later, CCY Architect Will Young led a hands-on clay workshop, introducing the simple yet meditative process of shaping “pinch pots.” Both sessions offered moments of reflection and play—inviting us to reconnect with the tactile, sensory joy of making.
Our time at Rock Bottom Ranch was far more than just a retreat—it was an opportunity to strengthen our connections, foster creativity, and reflect on how we work together. We left feeling inspired, connected, and ready to bring new ideas to our work!
Local artist and educator Nika Meyers guides an afternoon watercolor session
