Walking Mountains Science Center

A nonprofit organization

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 378,200 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.


  • Youth Programs for early childhood to school-aged children, including complimentary field science days and after-school STEM programs for local school children and early childhood family educational programs

  • Community Programs for locals and visitors of all ages, including low-cost/no-cost workshops, lectures, guided back-country hikes and snowshoes along with nature walks

  • Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement (EVOM) where Walking Mountains leads a group of organizations and community members striving to provide equal access to the outdoors and opportunities for multilingual programming for primarily Spanish-speaking youth and their families

  • 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


Mission

The mission of Walking Mountains Science Center is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education.

Background Statement

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, serving more than 127,000 people annually 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 near Dotsero). 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 23 public and private schools, but the public school population that is served looks a great deal like many inner cities, with 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 Data

Summary

Organization name

Walking Mountains Science Center

other names

Walking Mountains Science Center, WMSC, Gore Range Natural Science School

Year Established

1998

Tax id (EIN)

84-1436731

Category

Education, Science & Technology, Environment, Public & Societal Benefit, Youth Development

Organization Size

Large Organization

Address

318 Walking Mountains Lane PO Box 9469
Avon, CO 81620

Mailing

PO Box 9469
Avon, CO 81620

Service areas

Eagle County, CO, US

Phone

970-827-9725

Other

978-621-8738

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