Background Statement
The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds, Inc., is the organization that since 1987 has supported Colorado's own National Park Service site, the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. With views of Pikes Peak, it offers rich displays of Eocene fossils, massive petrified redwood stumps, and historical ranch buildings to explore. A diverse ecosystem, that changes with the seasons, provides potential glimpses of elk, antelope, bear, Abert squirrels, prairie dogs and mule deer.
Our 21st century forest has also been a living lab for research of wildflowers, birds, insects and climate for decades. It is located just an hour west of Colorado Springs in Florissant. The Friends have supported fossil research interns and K through 12 educational experiences in the classroom and onsite to connect students to our high montane ecosystem.
Our historical education programs teach about the Indigenous people, the early settlers and the impacts of our modern civilization on the environment.
The National Park Service budgets for interpretive staff, maintenance of park infrastructure, scientific research and educational displays. The Monument staff are interpreters and guardians of the fossil and wildlife resources. It is a family-friendly place for picnics and a site to learn more about the relationships of Indigenous people and modern settlers on this land.
The Friends’ financial support pays for trail maps, Jr. Ranger supplies, outreach materials and transportation for school districts, recreational programs like Art-in-the-Park and outdoor exploration. They purchase benches and maintenance materials for the trails. The Friends have even supported major infrastructure projects that were beyond the Park Service budget. The all-volunteer Friends of Florissant partner with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society for Night Sky programs at the Monument, and the Lake George and Colorado Springs Gem and Mineral organizations for educational outreach programs around the state.
Since its inception, the Friends of Florissant have provided countless volunteer hours at the Monument, scholarships for advanced-degree research paleontologists, biologists and educators. Your support can continue this vital work, so many more children and adults can experience this local Colorado gem.