This August, Walking Mountains Science Center celebrates the five-year anniversary of their Science Center’s grand opening in Avon. Since the state-of-the-art LEED Platinum Certified facility opened, the variety and quantity of their natural science programs, as well as the number of residents and visitors that participate in them, has increased exponentially.
The science and environmental education nonprofit began in 1998 as Gore Range Natural Science School. The original headquarters for the innovative grassroots organization was the Red Cliff school. Since then, the organization has evolved into Walking Mountains Science Center, which provides locals and visitors from pre-k to gray with opportunities to explore nature, gain a scientific understanding, and learn about the many wonders of our mountain environment through natural science and sustainability programs.
Since the beginning, Founder Kim Langmaid knew that the scope and demand of their programs was so broad it required a home base. In 2002, the Tang Family generously donated the five acres of land the campus currently sits on.
“We always had the idea that if we build it, they will come. I’m overwhelmed to see our lofty goals coming to fruition, and can’t wait to see what the next five years bring us,” said Kim Langmaid, Founder & Vice President, Walking Mountains Science Center.
The campus in Avon was not only the first location that was built specifically for Walking Mountains, it gave the organization a more central location in the Eagle Valley to reach more people.
“Establishing a campus of our own allowed us to take ownership of our mission to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education within the Eagle Valley community. With a home of our own, we have been able to reach new heights and serve more people annually than we ever expected, and that number continues to grow,” said Markian Feduschak, President, Walking Mountains Science Center.
In 2010, the year before the Avon Tang Campus opened, Walking Mountains programs served over 26,000 people with their hands-on natural science education programming. Within one year of opening the Science Center, that number grew to over 29,000 individuals served in a single year. After five years, Walking Mountains nearly tripled that number to over 82,000 people served.
The Science Center and the subsequent growth of Walking Mountains’ programs would have never been possible without the generosity of their donors and the unrelenting community support they receive every day. The staff at Walking Mountains are grateful to bring their passion and knowledge to a community who shares their value for stewardship of the great outdoors.
“A great deal of our success is due to the hard work and dedication of our amazingly talented staff. Their enthusiasm towards are mission are what makes our programs so impactful and unique,” said Feduschak.
You can learn about all of their programs by visiting www.walkingmountains.org.
About Walking Mountains Science Center
Walking Mountains Science Center’s mission is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education. Visit www.walkingmountains.org or call 970.827.9725 for more information.
