The Walking Mountains community is sad to report that we lost a longtime colleague and friend, Tom Gaylord, in November. Tom was the Director of the Vail Nature Center for nearly 20 years and was hugely influential to the style and content of naturalist programming that we do today. As the “fearless leader” of the Hiking Club, he gained a fiercely loyal following for his incredible knowledge of the area and easygoing confidence as a guide. He was a huge supporter of Gore Range Natural Science School when it was founded and served on its board in its early years. He was adamant that Walking Mountains take over Vail Nature Center operations upon his retirement and we’ve been trying our best to fill his shoes for the last 10 years.
Kim Langmaid, Walking Mountains’ founder, worked with Tom at the Vail Nature Center in the 1990s:
Tom truly loved sharing the natural world with others. Especially children. He was genuinely friendly and outgoing with everyone he interacted with. He would greet each visitor to the Vail Nature Center with heartfelt enthusiasm. He brought so much energy and passion for sharing nature with others into every program he led, whether it was a beaver pond tour or a wildflower walk or simply exploring the exhibits and trails along the Nature Center Preserve. He also cared for all of the precious wild creatures who call the Nature Center home. He was a wonderful friend and colleague and I will miss him dearly.
Hannah Rumble, Community Programs Director, worked with Tom at the Vail Nature Center for seven years until he retired:
Tom was my guide and mentor, but also my adoptive grandfather. We had a unique working relationship where he welcomed all of my opinions and let me try any idea as long as I typed his emails for him.
I am so grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to establish a life and career in Eagle County. He would convince me to close up the center sometimes and “play hooky” so we could drive around and explore new trails together. He taught me how to be a supportive boss and encourage others to pursue their passions. His motto with staff was “you can’t do anything wrong here” and he inspired me to not take anything too seriously except for the most important things, like family, friends, and health. I strive to live as purposefully as he did.
Tom was technically a “tree guy” by trade but he loved wildlife, and had a trained eye for spotting unique observations in nature. No one knew the hiking trails, or all the best views or best wildflower fields, better than Tom. He taught everyone he interacted with to love and care for nature. Tom and his lovely wife Sandy were welcoming, kind, and created community wherever they went. We will miss him dearly, but we are grateful for the memories.
A celebration of life will be planned by his family for summer 2024.
