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 Pagosa Springs 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
• 14th anniversary in 2008
• More than 6,000 people served annually
• 250+ member households
• Member of the Durango School District 9-R Science
Curriculum Review Committee
PROGRAMS
•
School classroom programs and field trips
• After-school enrichment programs
• Naturalist-led hikes and snowshoe excursions
• Outdoor workshops
• Volunteer naturalist trainings
• Wild Words events
• Summer camps
• Monthly Durango Herald column
• Monthly Farmington Daily Times column
HUMAN RESOURCES
• 12-20 member volunteer board of directors
• 4 paid staff members and numerous
seasonal contractors
• 1 AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America - see staff)
• 190 volunteers in 2006, with 5,100 hours served ($93,483 in-kind contribution)
VISTOR DEMOGRAPHICS
• 6,013 people served
in 2007
• 74% school audiences (includes teachers,students, volunteers, and chaperones)
• 26% adult/family audiences
• Geographic range from Silverton to Farmington & Cortez to Pagosa
Springs(60 mile radius around Durango)
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
• $168,000 annual budget
(2008) 77%
for program expense 23%
for general & administrative
expense
• 86% Contributed Revenue 40% Foundation grants 32% Donations (includes
members, individuals, and businesses) 11% Government 3% Donated goods & services
• 14% Earned Revenue 11% Program fees 3% Special events
• Endowment Fund Managed by the Community
Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado
