VISION 

As an integral member of our community, Durango Nature Studies inspires a positive personal relationship with our natural world through outdoor learning, thereby promoting enhanced respect for nature.

MISSION 

Founded in 1994, Durango Nature Studies is a 501(C)(3) non-profit dedicated to providing nature, science, and environmental education to the students and communities of the Four Corners.

ABOUT 

Durango Nature Studies has been bringing hands-on, outdoor, nature education to the Four Corners community since 1994. We teach students, adults, and families from Durango, CO to Cortez, CO, and from Silverton, CO, to Farmington, NM – an area of over 12,000 square miles! With a small core staff and a core of dedicated volunteers, interns, and contractors, DNS serves approximately 6,000 people every year. Our school programs conform to national, state, and local education standards.

DNS FACTS 

• Owners & operators of the 140-acre Durango Nature Center
• Administrative offices in downtown Durango
• 18th Anniversary in 2012
• More than 6,500 people served annually
• 350+ member households
• Member of the Durango Science Collaboration, along with 9R School District and the Durango Discovery Museum. Works side by side with an advisory board of educators in the region
• Partner organization in helping CAEE to create an environmental literacy plan for the state of Colorado
Operates Fort Lewis College Internship Program
• Partnership programs with the Division of Wildlife, Leave No Trace, and Southwest Conservation Corp
• Offers trainings and continuing education to over 50 volunteer naturalists and Senior Naturalists each year
• Key Staff Project Wild and Project Learning Tree Facilitators
• Each summer runs the area's most successful outdoor summer camp for kids age 6-11, and a backpacking camp for kids age 12-14. Our summer camp won a state-wide award in 2010 for Excellence in Environmental Education
• Offers a Docent Program that staffs the Nature Center on Saturdays, May - October

PROGRAMS 

• Award winning school classroom programs and field trips
• After-school enrichment programs
• Nature Center open to the public on Saturdays, along with interpretive hikes and Jr.
Naturalist activities
• Naturalist-led hikes and snowshoe excursions
• Outdoor workshops, nature films, and concerts
• Volunteer naturalist and docent trainings
• Annual Bluegrass Festival
• Annual Earth Day Celebration and 5k Run
• Mountain Film on Tour
• Summer camps
• Summer Field Trips and River Days
• Monthly Durango Herald column
• Teacher and Senior Naturalist Trainings
• Educational Rafting Trips
• Pre-school aged Wee Walkabout
• Internship Programs

HUMAN RESOURCES 

• 12-20 member volunteer board of directors
• 3 paid staff members and numerous seasonal contractors
• 1 Seasonal Intern
• Over 10 volunteer Senior Naturalists
• Over 50 volunteer naturalists in 2010, with 2,283 hours served ($41,085 in-kind contribution)

VISTOR and PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS 

• Over 6,500 people served in 2010
• 63% school audiences (includes teachers,students, volunteers, and chaperones)
• 37% adult/family audiences
• Site partner for FLC Archaeology Field School
• Geographic range from Silverton to Farmington & Cortez to Pagosa Springs (60 mile radius around Durango)

FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

• $139,529 annual budget (2011)
• 57% Contributed Revenue
• 43% Earned Revenue
• Endowment Fund
Managed by the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado

AWARDS 

• 2010 Excellence in EE Award from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
• 2007 Higher Education Award from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
• 2004 Citizen/Community Award from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
• 1999 Partnership Award from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education