Partnering with Chaffee County

Nestlé Waters is an active corporate citizen in the communities in which we operate.  In addition to becoming a local commercial tax-payer and employer, our Good Neighbor Policy establishes other commitments to benefit our local communities. Across the nation, Nestlé Waters supports local causes including education, recycling, conservation, emergency response, and other community-specific needs. We begin creating partnerships at the outset of our projects and work to grow those relationships long-term as we operate in our communities.

In Chaffee County, our outreach to the community takes many shapes.  First, as we evaluated the feasibility of developing the Ruby Mountain Springs project we began introducing Nestle Waters to the community as producer of high quality beverages strongly committed to environmental protection and careful management of water and energy resources.  During this introduction, we employed a stakeholder process to engage the community to become informed about the project and to become involved in helping us shape the project to best fit with Chaffee County’s rural character.  Prior to, during, and after project permitting in Chaffee County, Nestle Waters proactively solicited input from local residents and organizations to best meet the needs and desires of the community.

During the stakeholder process, and continuing today as we operate, we have explored with charitable and community organizations ways in which Nestle can help address local needs and issues.   The community has identified local jobs, conservation of water and land resources, and education (particularly science and natural resource education), as significant needs in Chaffee County.  Nestle Waters’ commitment to helping meet these needs is illustrated below.  In addition, charitable organizations in the County stressed the importance of local companies’ on-going support of worthy causes, events, and acute needs that arise from time to time.  Therefore, Nestle Waters responds accordingly through our annual programmatic giving efforts.

Local Jobs and Tax Payments

Citizens, businesses, and local officials identified the challenges of a rural economy in employing people and generating income for the community and governmental services.  Therefore, Nestle responded by hiring local contractors to do the majority of the construction of the project which injected more than $3 million into the local economy.  Additionally, Nestle employs local truck drivers to do at least 50% of the transport of water from the Ruby Mountain Springs.  Nestle also based its Natural Resources Manager for Colorado in Buena Vista, and has contracted with local companies for ongoing project support and maintenance.

In 2010, Nestle’s local tax payments were more than $20,000 which will increase to approximately $80,000 in 2011 and beyond.  These tax payments help support Buena Vista Schools, Chaffee County Government, Chaffee County Fire Protection District, Chaffee County EMS, the Library District, the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District, and other local service providers.

Land and Water Conservation

Nestle Waters’ properties along the Arkansas River in Chaffee County provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife including bighorn sheep, deer, eagles, osprey, hawks, waterfowl, and beaver (link to photos).  Nestlé Waters is committed to protecting the springs and habitats on its properties in Chaffee County.  More than 115 acres on the Ruby Mountain Springs and Bighorn Springs properties will be protected under Nestle Waters’ Land Management Plans (link) approved by Chaffee County, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  Ultimately, Nestle Waters will place both properties into permanent Conservation Easements.

Part of Nestle Waters’ Land Management Plan calls for the continued grazing of the Bighorn Springs property which supports Chaffee County’s goal of maintaining local agriculture.  Nestle is working with Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Natural Resources Management (NRM) department, NRCS, CDOW, a certified holistic management consultant and local rancher to implement a holistic grazing plan focused on land health to enhance forage for wildlife.  Nestle Waters is making the Bighorn Springs property available to grazing by the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) in support of its local agricultural operations.

At the request of CDOW, Nestle Waters has provided to the CDOW an easement to allow for future public fishing access to the Arkansas River at the Ruby Mountain and Bighorn Springs properties.  The CDOW will provide signage and manage the easements as part of its extensive fishing-easement system along Colorado rivers.

Habitat Reclamation and Preservation

Nestlé Waters is reclaiming the site of the dilapidated fish hatchery at the Ruby Mountain Springs.  The hatchery infrastructure is being removed and the land will be restored to a more natural condition to enhance the function of the springs, wetland and riparian habitat for the abundant wildlife in the region.  An added benefit of the reclamation is the beautification of a site along one of the most popular white-water rivers in the US.  (Add before and after photos)

Nestlé Waters began a stakeholder process in September 2010 to plan and design the Habitat Reclamation Project, and worked closely with CMC, CDOW, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, and other local specialists to complete the reclamation plan.  The Ruby Mountain Springs Habitat Reclamation Project will be constructed under a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.

Education

Nestle Waters is strongly committed to supporting education, and particularly in the areas of science, water resource and natural resource management, and recycling.  We believe that by supporting educational opportunities locally and nationally, people can make more informed decisions about resources and recycling.  Nestle Waters’ support of education in Chaffee County takes many forms including making its properties available for study and resource management training, sponsoring events and workshops, financially supporting organizations dedicated to local schools, and programmatic funding to meet acute educational needs as they may arise.  Specific support for science education is listed further below.

Opportunities on Nestle Waters Lands

Nestle Waters is collaborating with CMC, local schools, and local conservation organizations to make the Bighorn Springs and Ruby Mountain Spring properties available to these groups for study and monitoring of ecology, water resources, and grazing management.  These properties provide exceptional transects of wetland and riparian to arid upland zones.  CMC is providing management support and annual monitoring of these properties which allows for students within the NRM program to obtain hands-on training in a variety of disciplines on a well-controlled and monitored site.  CMC and local middle and high school staff and students will have the opportunity to participate in the Ruby Mountain Springs Habitat Reclamation Project, and once completed, attend field trips and annual monitoring events.

At the suggestion of NRCS, Nestle sponsored in 2010 a holistic management planning short-course for CMC ecology students including classroom and field instruction on the Bighorn Springs property.  Through holistic practices, previously under-grazed or over-grazed lands recover and increase the function of the land to retain water and produce forage for wildlife.  CMC and Nestle Waters are exploring ways to continue this valuable training for future students.

Support for Resource and Science Education

Nestle Waters is committed to supporting water and energy resource and recycling education nationally in the communities where we operate.  Nationally, Nestle Waters has been a cornerstone contributor to Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), which provides science education and curriculum training and support for teachers across the US. Nestle Waters is working with other local entities and will be hosting Project WET events in Chaffee County in the coming years, the first to be held in Buena Vista during the fall of 2011.

Based on community input regarding improving science education and our corporate commitment, Nestle Waters established education endowments of $250,000 each with two established local non-profit organizations: Support our Schools Salida! (SOSS) and the Buena Vista Education Assistance Fund (BVCEAF).  In 2010, the annual distribution from these growing endowments provided $12,500 to each non-profit to fund student scholarships, science equipment, and teaching resources not available from tight district budgets.  These endowments invested with The Denver Foundation are growing and annual educational-support distributions will increase over the years.  Nestle Waters encourages local philanthropists and companies to explore the work of these organizations and to contribute to them.

Based on a special request from the Salida Middle School Principal in 2010, Nestle provided an additional $20,000 to purchase technology-based science curriculum for 5th through 8th grades to replace out-of-date science textbooks that for one grade were 20 years old.  Nestle also provided an additional $20,000 to the BVCEAF to be disbursed to Buena Vista schools in 2010-2011 to meet acute needs.

At the request of Chaffee County High School (“CCHS”), Nestle assisted CCHS staff and students in facilitating a stakeholder process including other district schools, the US Forest Service (USFS) and CDOW to formulate a Master Plan for facility improvements at the Little Annie Conservation Camp.  The Camp is used by K-12 classes within the Buena Vista School District, as well as other organizations, to provide hands-on education in ecology, geology, water resources, conservation, local history, orienteering, team-building, and community leadership. The Master Plan is being used by CCHS to guide and foster Camp improvements, such as additional bunkhouses and educational pavilion, potable water and waste management systems, to allow for greater camp use and educational opportunities.  The top priority identified in the CCHS Plan was creating a potable water supply for the camp.  In 2011, Nestle Waters funded the drilling and installation of a hand-operated well, which is now providing water to campers.

A list of education projects and scholarships Nestle Waters has supported locally is presented here.

Recycling

Nestle Waters has taken great measures to reduce, recycle, and reuse its plastic and other packaging materials in its manufacturing and transportation operations (link).  Nationally and locally, Nestle Waters explores and supports ways to stimulate others to adopt these values, and in Chaffee County has made strides to increase awareness of and participation in recycling.

Institutions are often overlooked when recycling is considered, but represent a significant source of recyclable materials.  In the Buena Vista School District, recycling in years past was only undertaken on an individual scale by a few teachers with a dedication to recycling.  Recognizing the need for support, Nestle Waters’ representatives worked with district teachers and administrators to implement a program for coordinated recycling in the combined Middle and High School campus.  Based on school input, Nestle Waters provided the funding for materials to construct a dump trailer and the first of three recycling dumpsters.   Industrial Arts class students built the trailer and dumpster to allow for collection and transport of recyclables to Angel of Shavano Recycling Center.  At the request of the school district, Nestle Waters purchased classroom bins and recycling containers to be placed in high-traffic areas of campus.  To support the community-service aspects of their educational programs, Nestle Waters financially supported the Academic Decathlon and Science Olympiad classes, and the InterAct Club to begin conducting school-wide collection of recyclables.

In response to a request from the Chaffee County Fair Committee, Nestlé Waters purchased and donated durable recycling containers to be used at future County Fairs.  In addition, we maintain a number of recycling containers that have been used on-loan for local events which are available upon request.

Health Promotion and Emergency Response

As a corporation committed to health and wellness, water education, environmental conservation and emergency response, Nestle Waters has supported and/or partnered with national organizations such as Keep America Beautiful, American Heart Association, Project WET, American Red Cross, AmeriCares, Ducks Unlimited, and many more.  In keeping with our commitment to healthy living and emergency response in Chaffee County we have supported numerous local causes and events including the following organizations: Chaffee County EMS, Channel 9 News Health Fairs in Buena Vista, Cotopaxi, Saguache, Salida, and West Cliff, American Cancer Society - Tenderfoot Hill Climb, Chaffee County EMS and Chaffee County Fire Protection District.

Support of Local Causes and Events:

Nestlé Waters recognizes the value of tourism and special events to the local economy and therefore has provided financial and product support for many organizations and events (a partial list follows):

• • Arkansas River Double Haul Fundraiser
  • Balloonavista
  • Boys & Girls Club and Buena Vista Fall Fest Fundraiser
  • Buena Vista Boy Scouts - Eagle Scout Project
  • Buena Vista 4th of July Parade
  • Buena Vista Autumn Color Run
  • Buena Vista High School - After Prom, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Wrestling, Mountain Bike Team
  • Buena Vista Optimist Club Fundraiser
  • Buena Vista Rotary Club
  • Buena Vista Youth Soccer and Baseball
  • Avery Parsons Elementary - Odyssey of the Mind
  • Chaffee County Fair – Fair and Fairgrounds Recycling Program
  • Collegiate Peaks Music Festivals
  • Collegiate Peaks Stampede Rodeo
  • Community Recycling – Loaners Bins
  • Fallen Bikers Memorial Motorcycle Rally Salida
  • Paddle Fest – Buena Vista
  • S to SS Disabled Veterans Bike Tour Salida Rest Stop
  • Salida Baseball Foundation
  • Salida Cyclones Swim Team
  • Salida High School - Basketball, Drama, Football
  • Salida Rotary Club - Salute to Veterans
  • Salida Middle School - Teaching Garden
  • Trout Unlimited Collegiate Peaks Anglers Banquet Fundraiser

Nestle Waters is tremendously proud to be a part of the Chaffee County community.  Since 2007, the company has worked to be an open, engaging, and contributing member of this region and looks forward to many years of collaboration and partnerships that benefit us all.