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, 75% of which are children. 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
• 16th Anniversary in 2010
• More than 6,000 people served annually
• 250+ member households
• Member of the Durango School District 9-R Science Curriculum Review Committee. 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
• Partnerhip programs with the Division of Wildlife and Leave No Trace
• Offers trainings and continuing education to over 50 volunteer naturalists and Senior Naturalists each year
• 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

PROGRAMS 

• Award winning school classroom programs and field trips
• After-school enrichment programs
• Naturalist-led hikes and snowshoe excursions
• Outdoor workshops
• Volunteer naturalist trainings
• Annual Bluegrass Festival
• Annual Earth Day Celebration
• Mountain Film on Tour
• Summer camps
• Monthly Durango Herald column
• Teacher and Senior Naturalist Trainings
• Open Nature Center Days
• Educational Rafting Trips
• Pre-school aged Wee Walkabout

HUMAN RESOURCES 

• 12-20 member volunteer board of directors
• 3 paid staff members and numerous seasonal contractors
• 1 AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America - see staff)
• Over 10 volunteer Senior Naturalists
• Over 50 volunteer naturalists in 2009, with 1,965 hours served ($35,361 in-kind contribution)

VISTOR and PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS 

• Over 6,000 people served in 2009
• 74% school audiences (includes teachers,students, volunteers, and chaperones)
• 26% adult/family audiences

FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

• $143,700 annual budget (2010)
• 65% Contributed Revenue
• 35% Earned Revenue
• Endowment Fund
Managed by the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado

AWARDS 

• 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