ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATURE ASSOCIATION INC.
The Rocky Mountain Nature Association (RMNA) is one of sixty-five cooperating associations nationwide that work with the national park system. Established on July 8, 1931 it is one of the oldest cooperating organizations in the nation. Its nonprofit, corporate charter was issued on June 20, 1955.MISSION STATEMENT AND ACTIVITIES
The Rocky Mountain Nature Association's purpose is to support research, interpretive and other educational programs of the National Park Service and allied public agencies. To accomplish these objectives the RMNA publishes, sells and distributes interpretive materials to the general public. It also conducts educational seminars each summer and offers membership in the RMNA to the general public. The profit from these activities enhances educational and research programs. In 1986 the RMNA created an allied nonprofit, the Rocky Mountain National Park Associates, which merged back into the RMNA December 1, 2005. It is currently known as the RMNP Fund and operates under the umbrella of the RMNA. The Fund raises money for significant long-term improvement projects within Rocky Mountain National Park including land acquisition, capital construction, restoration and preservation of historic structures, development of educational exhibits, construction of trails and development of wheelchair accessible pathways.BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
Marlys Polson, Estes Park, President Frank Kugeler, Denver, Vice President Bud Duryea, Estes Park, Secretary Richard Coe, Estes Park, Treasurer Robert Dern, Estes Park Walter Emery, Denver Elizabeth Grant, Denver Peter Grant, Denver |
Dr. Richard Hoffman, Denver Dr. Taru Hays, Denver James Nissen, Estes Park Bill Lively, Dallas, TX William Sweet, Denver Bill Tindall, Estes Park Marvin Woolf, Boulder Curt Buchholtz, Estes Park, Executive Director |
ORGANIZATION
Governing the RMNA are guidelines established by the incorporating charter (dated June 20, 1955), the most recent Bylaws of the Rocky Mountain Nature Association (adopted June 10, 2002), and agreements with agencies of the U.S. Government and State of Colorado. The overall operation of the RMNA is supervised by a Board of Directors, which sets policy, approves annual budgets, supervises the Executive Director and approves the organizational structure of the RMNA. The Board includes a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The primary agent of the RMNA is its Executive Director.ORIGINS
Started by local citizens and Rocky Mountain National Park's Chief Naturalist, the Nature Association was established on July 8, 1931. For decades the Rocky Mountain Nature Association has assisted the National Park Service in the realm of publishing educational material, offering seminars, assisting with research, and providing aid to the park. The RMNA projects that first year were the production of two booklets, the first about geology, another about Native Americans of the local area.COLLABORATIVE PARTNER
The Rocky Mountain Nature Association works in tandem with one other nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations: the Rocky Mountain Heritage Society. Offices as well as board and staff members for the two nonprofit organizations are the same. Missions of the two organizations differ.ACTIVITIES, SPECIAL PROJECTS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Assists with natural and cultural history education through the development of interpretive publications for visitors, including several award-winning publications. Operates 46 interpretive sales areas in four states in addition to interpretive sales centers in Rocky Mountain National Park and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
- Was a major contributor to improvement projects like the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, the Moraine Park Museum renovation, and Lily Lake Visitor Center. Assisted with the construction of the Fall River Visitor Center and with the development of its wildlife education exhibits.
- Supports various research projects including elk management, plant populations and revegetation fellowship research, and songbird habitat.
- Assisted with construction of wheelchair-accessible trails at Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, Lily Lake and Coyote Valley.
- Provides opportunities to study natural and cultural history through the Rocky Mountain Field Seminar program offered in Rocky Mountain National Parks, at State Parks, and in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey..
- Coordinates the endowed Justine and Leslie Fidel Bailey Fellowship Program which annually provides a gifted graduate student the opportunity to conduct research within the park. Manages the Daniels-Rocky Mountain National Park Conservation Corps, a special work program for young people through the Rocky Mountain National Park Associates.
- Supports the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, the Colorado State Parks, and U.S. Geological Survey through a return on the profit of interpretive sales.
- Founded in 1986 and provides management for affiliate, the Rocky Mountain National Park Associates, which in turn has raised some $10 million for park projects
- Manages a membership program currently at 4,000 members. Benefits include the RMNA Quarterly Newsletter, membership gifts, discounts on books and seminars, and an annual picnic. Holds events to raise park awareness.
- Offers a mail order service, which includes internet sales. An annual publication called The Guide, offered through the RMNP info office and the local Chamber, provides pre-visit orientation.
- Assists with land purchases like the 40-acre Jennings tract in the Kawuneeche Valley, 56 acres near Lily Lake and 40 acres near Grand Lake – expanding park boundaries or protect buffer zones.
- Founded in 2002 and provides management for an affiliate, the Rocky Mountain Heritage Society, to assist in the preservation of historical structures. Provides management for The Shirley S. Scrogin Charitable Trust, the legal owner and Trustees of the Fall River Visitor Center.