INTRODUCTION 

While Durango Nature Studies grew out of an informal discussion in 1992 between two friends, its success has been a result of a vision developed by a handful of local residents. Ann Rilling and Janet Kenna were the first to talk about creating an organization dedicated to educating the community about the natural environment. Ann, who had a penchant for hummingbirds, suggested opening a wild bird store, while Janet suggested a nature center.

In late 1993, Ann and Janet were joined Caroline Johnson and Winston Dines. The group's ideas quickly took shape and focused on creating a non-profit nature center that could double as a natural preserve. For the next six months, Janet, Winston and Caroline began writing curriculum for programs, while Ann hammered out plans for a site.

The group eventually found a semi-permanent home on 40 acres owned by Lorraine Higby north of Elmore's Corner. The Higby property provided countless natural attractions valuable to DNS's mission. The Florida River was a prime resource for riparian education with ponds, turtles, fish, snails and aquatic insects. A forest of ponderosa pines, grasslands, and pocket gophers completed the site.

By June of 1994, DNS was in operation. Exchange students from Japan, who were spending the summer in Durango while studying at Fort Lewis College, were DNS's first customers. That same year, the first Board of Directors was formed and DNS incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

With its non-profit status in place, DNS created a membership base, secured grants, and raised money. During its first year, DNS trained 10 volunteer naturalists and raised $5,600 in membership fees.

By the fall of 1994, DNS reached out to its target audience, school children. The organization's founders had identified a niche in school curricula, recognizing that most schools lacked the kind of programming DNS could offer. They also understood that such programs were critical to a student's education.

With the support of teachers and school districts, DNS naturalists reviewed school science standards, lesson plans, and educational goals, tailoring programs to state-mandated science requirements. The result was DNS's introductory program, Children Discovering Nature, which included an in-class presentation and a three-hour tour of the Higby property.

PROGRAMS AND PROGRESS  

In 1995, Ann, Janet, and Winston moved from positions with the Board to part-time, paid staff. Ann became Executive Director; while Janet and Winston were Lead Naturalists. Caroline remained on the Board of Directors.

Paid staff represented one facet of growth in the organization, while student numbers represented another. The first season, DNS served 368 children. In the next year, participation grew to 1,165. By 2001, CDN had grown to more than 2,300 students.

Soon, DNS branched out regionally. School-aged children participated in the week-long Junior Naturalist Field School at the old Fort Lewis site in Hesperus and DNS developed programs for school holidays, summer camps, and resident naturalists. Over the years, students from Aztec and Farmington were regular participants, while other students came from Arizona, California, Illinois, and New Jersey. DNS also reached out to local educators by teaching them how to present nature lessons in the classroom or to lead nature walks for teacher certification programs. Families and adults also benefited from DNS's growth as parents and children trekked through snow, learned about feathered vertebrates, built birdhouses, or gazed at stars.

Over the years, the DNS staff has created innovative programs about the natural world, sometimes teaching through photography, sometimes through taxidermy, other times through naturescaping, slideshows, and readings. By 2001, program options had grown to nearly 40 and included partnerships with civic groups, parks and recreation programs, Cub Scouts, churches, museums, and Elder Hostels.

MONEY MATTERS  

Support for DNS comes from numerous sources. In general, membership fees and grants fund the organization, although DNS relies on additional sources of revenue such as Wild Words, Earth Day, and its Nature Film Series.

The numbers tell the story about a solid base of supporters such as foundations like the Ballantine Family Fund, Bacon Foundation, Ruth H. Brown Foundation, and the H. O. Peet Foundation. In addition, in-kind contributions such as volunteer hours are a critical component to DNS's success.

LAND ACQUISITION  

Money and members allowed DNS to make a substantial move in 1998. The original vision, to own land and create a nature center, began taking shape. Ann had been watching a 360-acre ranch in Bondad slowly being subdivided. When a 140-acre tract became available for sale, the DNS board quickly moved to create a land acquisition plan. With grants, donations, and negotiation, DNS bought 105 acres of the property for $130,000, an amount $60,000 less than market value because of the seller's willingness to add a conservation easement.

Wanting to add the other 35 acres, more fundraising and negotiations took place. Ultimately, a group of private supporters bought the remaining acreage. A year later, they placed a conservation easement on the land, which allowed DNS to purchase the 35 acres for $1. After six years, DNS had a place to grow ideas and develop unlimited program curricula.

Today, the Durango Nature Center has become an invaluable hands-on outdoor learning center for the community. A network of supporters and experts has helped identify plant species, study the river's ecology, document the area's geology, and research options for ponds, accessibility and composting toilets. Volunteers have spent hours busting thistle, marking trails, and picking up trash, making the center more inviting and user-friendly, while maintaining its wildness.

In addition, the Durango High Noon Rotary Club gave the center a $10,000 donation, which enabled DNS to construct a footbridge across the Florida River made from recycled building and gas well steel. Later, the Durango Lion's Club donated just over $10,000 to build the pavilion at the site. Volunteers donated 177 hours to make a place of shelter a reality. As a result, the Nature Center continues to attract visitors who want a glimpse of mountain lions, water striders, horny toads, ant lions, tarantulas, Bullock's orioles, collared lizards, speckled dace and much, much more.

MOVING FORWARD  

Durango Nature Studies is a story of success. The organization is a unique regional resource that has taught people from all walks of life about our natural environment, and the ideas formed over coffee in 1993 are now a reality.

While DNS has grown and changed as we continue to add or adapt programs according to the needs of our constituents, the vision put forth in 1993 is still intact - a dedication to educating our the community about the wonders and importance of natural environment.

We invite you to explore this site, call us with questions, or come for a visit.

Staff Bios