Case for Support
Purpose: The Rocky Mountain Nature Association's "Publications for the Next Generation" program produces educational materials to encourage awareness, appreciation, and enjoyment of national parks and forests. It assists the National Park Service and Forest Service in extending a conservation message to young people, hoping to interest them in the wonders of their public lands. As understanding grows, so will appreciation. It is the Nature Association's goal to educate the next generation, nurturing their interest in our natural heritage of parks and forests.
History: The Rocky Mountain Nature Association publications program was a cornerstone of the organization's foundation in 1931. It was established to educate visitors about the natural and cultural history of the park. Starting with small pamphlets and brochures about plants and wildlife, the program gradually broadened to include a variety of topics, from geology to ecology, from plant identification to historical preservation. In 1997, Nature Association supporter Janet Hagen provided a donation making possible a sticker and game book for children, Trail Ridge Road Adventure. In 2004, a gift from Taru and Bill Hays created the children's Explorer newspaper.
Accomplishments: Since 1931, the RMNA publications program has created a host of interpretive books, many award winning. Recent titles include: Rocky Mountain Rustic: Historic Buildings of the Rocky Mountain National Park Area; Wildlife Viewing in Rocky Mountain National Park; Trail Ridge Road Adventure; Rocky Mountain National Park: A Natural History Handbook; High Country Names; Facing the Frontier: The Story of the MacGregor Ranch; Geology Along Trail Ridge Road; the award-winning Junior Ranger Adventure: Mount Evans Scenic Byway; Alpine Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountains; Plants of Rocky Mountain National Park; My Pioneer Life: The Memoirs of Abner E. Sprague; A Day in Rocky; and a variety of trail and road guides. Most of these resulted from donations.
Annual Need: More books, brochures, and other educational items should be developed to explain parks, forests and conservation to kids. Annually, the Nature Association needs $20,000 for the development of publications specifically geared towards children.