Walking Mountains offers unique programs to allow people of all ages and backgrounds to explore nature, gain scientific understanding, and learn about the wonders of our mountain environment. The generous support of our community is essential to provide these programs for free or at reduced cost. Donor giving levels and related benefits are available here.
The reach of Walking Mountains is broad - over 400,000 lives this past fiscal year alone, from toddlers to adults of all ages, through the below programming, fulfilling its mission - to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education. The Walking Mountains comprehensive events and activities calendar is available here.
Youth Programs for school-aged children, including complimentary field science days and after-school Girls in Science Program for local school children along with Summer Science Camps.
Community Programs for locals and visitors of all ages, including early childhood family educational programs, low-cost/no-cost workshops and lectures, the complimentary Sustainable Film Series and Climate Speaker Series, along with nature walks and low-cost guided back-country hikes and snowshoes.
Exploremos, a community group managed by Walking Mountains in collaboration with many local partner organizations where participants enjoy various outdoor activities to connect more with nature, our world, and our people. All activities are in Spanish and low-cost or free.
Foley Graduate Fellowship Program for Walking Mountains graduate fellows who teach Walking Mountains summer science camps and school field science programs while earning an M.A. in Science Education and residing in a campus community
Sustainability Programs for locals and visitors, both at the residential and business level, including facilitation, leadership and programming to achieve climate action goals and improve social, economic and environmental resilience in Eagle County as well as serving as a resource and education hub to inspire action from local to global
Through this education comes action in preserving our magnificent surroundings and the outdoor activities that we cherish, as witnessed in Walking Mountains’ sustainability initiatives.
The mission of Walking Mountains Science Center is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education.
In 1998, under the name Gore Range Natural Science School, founder Kim Langmaid recognized a need for region-wide environmental science education in the Eagle Valley that involves students K-12 in the natural world. Kim also saw the need for natural science programming for families and adults. She recognized that the same benefits we would provide for students; developing an interest in science, reconnecting them to the outdoors and building a stewardship ethic, were just as applicable to all ages.
In 2013, Walking Mountains folded in with another local nonprofit called The Eagle Valley Alliance of Sustainability to further expand programming and sustainability efforts. Today the sustainability department offers multiple programs that help businesses, residents and governments reduce their energy use, become certified sustainable businesses and help local events reduce their impact via Zero Waste diversion. In 2018, Walking Mountains helped Vail achieve certification as a Mountain IDEAL Sustainable Destination, recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Walking Mountains also facilitates the Climate Action Plan for Eagle County.
Today, Walking Mountains is a leading science and environmental stewardship education resource for the region, reaching the lives of more than 400,000 people annually, including through year-round programming at four locations (Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon, Nature Discovery Center atop Vail Mountain, Vail Nature Center and at the Sweetwater property in Gypsum). Walking Mountains' cornerstone Youth Programs are aligned with state and national curriculum standards, and are designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Walking Mountains serves Eagle County students from over 20 public and private schools, but the public school population that is served looks a great deal like many inner cities, with approximately 52% Hispanic, 42% eligible for free and reduced lunch, and 35% classified as English Language Learners. Walking Mountains programs are a necessary experience for disadvantaged students that might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage in hands on science learning in the outdoors. With the LEED Platinum Science Center in Avon completed in 2011, school children now come to the Science Center for programs, learning in state of the art classrooms and using the greater outdoors as the primary classroom.
In addition, Walking Mountains serves residents and visitors in the Eagle Valley (Vail Valley) through engaging adult and family programs in natural science and sustainability offered in partnership with the US Forest Service, Vail Resorts, Vail Recreation District, Town of Vail, Eagle County and others.
"I am speaking as a mother as well as a teacher here. I feel the Girls in Science program is an amazing opportunity for young ladies to have hands-on opportunities to work with science through engaging experiments and activities. The program has really helped my daughter to think like a scientist (she conducts experiments at home and writes down the process and findings). The girls that participated in the program from my class exhibited more scientific knowledge and were more willing to take risks in answering hypothetical science questions during our simple machines unit at school."
- Elementary School Teacher and Parent of "Girls In Science" Student
"Walking Mountains has so much to offer! The naturalists are knowledgeable and great with kids of all ages. The Science Center is absolutely beautiful with educational, interactive exhibits for children and short nature trails for all. Year-round programming offers something for everyone at very reasonable fees, if not free. Whether you live here or are visiting, Walking Mountains is a must!"
- Community Programs Participant
"Walking Mountains Camps are such a delight for my daughter who craves scientific stimulation during the summer, and being outdoors in our backyard is a bonus. The counselors are always amazing and so are the programs. I think she has kept every field journal from every camp....that's a lot of field journals!"
- Parent of Summer Science Camps Participant
"Walking Mountains is a wonderful mix of fun and education. And the scholarships available make it possible for my daughter to do awesome stuff instead of sitting at home all summer."
- Parent of Summer Science Camps Participant & Scholarship Recipient
"As a small business, our environmental impact is not that big, however, being able to see what's going on with our energy use has shown us ways to reduce our costs. We are trying to get smarter and have less impact. It just makes sense."
- Local Business Owner and Actively Green Program Participant
" I didn't realize how much money I was spending on my energy bills, until I was signed up with the program. I've seen a big difference. Now I'm saving at least 50 percent on my energy bills, and that means a lot to me and my family."
- Energy Smart Participant
Organization name
Walking Mountains
other names
Walking Mountains Science Center, WMSC, Gore Range Natural Science School
1998
Tax id (EIN)
84-1436731
Category
Education, Science & Technology, Environment, Public & Societal Benefit, Youth Development
Organization Size
Large Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Child Care Credit
Address
318 Walking Mountains Lane PO Box 9469Mailing
PO Box 9469Eagle County, CO, US