A reliable solution

Dollars in motion

Now at full capacity

What are the goals of the Great American Outdoors Fund?

Examples of what could have been lost without Revolving Fund capital at the ready:

A TREASURED HISTORY FOREVER SAFE AT WEROWOCOMOCO VIRGINIA

Of the many adventures documented by English explorer Captain John Smith, perhaps none is more legendary than his meeting Pocahontas. Nearly lost from the annals of history is the village where they met.

Werowocomoco was the headquarters of Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas’ father, who ruled over 30 Native American tribes and controlled over 10,000 square miles of what is now southeastern Virginia. For centuries this likely birthplace of Pocahontas has been one of the most debated and sought-after historic sites in the country.

In collaboration with native tribes and landowners, archaeologists confirmed the location of the lost Native American village. The Conservation Fund purchased the 264-acre site as the first land acquisition for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail—funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund was critical.

Why This Project Matters

We stepped in to provide the capital needed to purchase Werowocomoco from the current landowner when they were ready to sell, then transferred it to the National Park Service. Our Revolving Fund played a vital role in saving this site—keeping it forever safe from development.

 

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SWIFT ACTION PROTECTS COLORADO’S PRISTINE SWEETWATER LAKE

Sweetwater Lake has an eclectic history. Nearly 100 years ago, Louis “Diamond Jack” Alteri, a gangster who would later have ties to Al Capone, fled to the picturesque lake to evade authorities and rival gangsters. Since then, subsequent owners have attempted to develop the area with a large-scale resort including housing units, a hotel and a golf course, and even create a bottled water facility that would siphon water from one of its springs. The local community and the U.S. Forest Service long wanted to see Sweetwater Lake preserved and open to the public but couldn’t compete with bids from developers and investors.

The Conservation Fund was able to secure a contract to purchase the property when it came on the market. This was a critical first step towards protection. With strong grassroots support, we worked with the Eagle Valley Land Trust to secure funding from a coalition of partners, including Eagle County and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). State and local funds leveraged the significant funding needed from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund which ultimately allowed us to transfer the property to the U.S. Forest Service for inclusion in the White River National Forest in 2021. White River National Forest is the most visited national forest in the country, and home to the popular ski areas of Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge.

Why This Project Matters

Now complete, this pristine 488-acre property is open for public recreation, including fishing, horseback riding, boating and camping, and will increase access to recreation areas like Flat Tops Wilderness, the Ute Indian Cave and the Ute-Sweetwater Trail. Critical habitat for elk, deer, osprey, bald eagles, and other wildlife, as well as an important component of the Upper Colorado River watershed are forever safe from development.

“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to help make Sweetwater Lake and the surrounding site amenities available to our children, grandchildren and others who visit this beautiful area. It is not too often that an opportunity like this exists to truly have an impact on the power of the outdoors in people’s lives.”

—The Wiemer Family (dedicated to Randy Wiemer, lover of Sweetwater Lake)

 

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