Case for Support

Purpose: In 1996 Leslie Fidel Bailey of Boulder, Colorado, provided an endowed fund to establish the Justine and Leslie Fidel Bailey Fellowship program for Rocky Mountain National Park. Its purpose was to offer a season-long experience of research for scholars working on advanced degrees who could also benefit by using the park as their outdoor laboratory.

History: Following the success of the Bailey Fellowship, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association has received contributions to fund additional fellows. In 2001 a bequest from Muriel E. McCormick created a fund to benefit students of history. Most recently, in 2005 and 2006, Anne and Richard Howland provided a two-year fellowship, resulting in six appointments given to young scholars. The Howland Fellows worked with Rocky Mountain National Park's environmental education department and the Nature Association's field seminar programs. The success of park fellowships depends both upon the generosity of donors and the creativity of Fellows who address the evolving research and educational needs of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Accomplishments: Subjects studied by these scholars has varied widely. From bighorn sheep to exotic plants, from the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps to the origins of stewardship, these Fellows have examined many nuances of the park on their journey to advanced degrees. A lifelong researcher himself, Mr. Bailey insisted that these scholars should also make their research available to the public. For that reason, scholars are asked to convey the lessons they have learned through public presentations.

Sample comments from Fellows:

"I hope that the park will benefit from my findings and be able to use the information for future interpretive programs, possible wayside exhibits, etc."   Julia

"The fellowship gave me the opportunity to work closely with the park staff. I was thus able to gain direct insight into how cultural landscape management decisions are actually made as opposed to simply reading official reports of the process." Manish

Annual Need: Fellowship programs and related projects vary widely in time and funds required. Research grants to undergraduates begin at $2,500 per semester. Graduate level research may exceed $10,000 per semester.  The Nature Association's budget for the Fellowship Program ranges from $15,000 to $25,000 annually.

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