|
Please Contribute Now. Help MSI to make a difference!
MSI is a federally recognized 501c3 non-profit and Colorado Enterprise Zone Project. All sonations are tax deductable and those more than $200 are eligible for a 25% Colorado tax credit.
Please mail your pledge or check to:
Mountain Studies Institute - Facility Fund
Post Office Box 426
Silverton, CO 81433
HELP MSI BUILD AN INTERNATIONAL FIELD STATION
MSI seeks your financial assistance to build a Mountain Field Station designed to host researchers, students and volunteers and provide an information center to facilitate education and the sharing of knowledge.
MSI aims to acquire 10 acres of land to build a mountain research and education campus in Silverton, CO. The land already supports 7 small cabins and a main lodge. The Institute currently leases the property to operate our field station. MSI intends to update the existing structures and build additional structures using a phased approach. The campus will consist of cabins, a laboratory, library, office and computing facilities for students and researchers conducting studies in the San Juan Mountains.
LOCATION
The San Juan Mountains are ideal because:
- The mountain range includes habitats and species found nowhere else in the southern Rocky Mountains, i.e. arctic mosses.
- The region supports nine stratified ecosystems from alpine to shrub-steppe communities.
- The terrain exposes a geologic history of 1.8 billion years with the highest concentration of rock glaciers (relict glaciers) in the continental US.
- Silverton is the “heart of the San Juan Mountains,” making it an ideal central location.
- There is a rich cultural heritage including Native American tribes and mining history ideal for anthropological studies.
THE PROPERTY
- Has existing structures to meet the needs of MSI for the next five years.
- Has an iron fen with ample wildlife viewing opportunities and wetlands restoration potential.
- Contains the historic Silverton kids fishing pond, which will be reopened to the residents of Silverton.
- Is far enough away from town to create a sense of “wilderness” but close enough to add to the local economy.
- Houses RV’s for visiting and long-term BLM/USFS employees and researchers.
THE FUNDING PLAN
Phase I ($750,000) Base facilities
2009: acquire 10 acres of land ($465,000)
2010 to 2012: remodel the main lodge to fulfill the needs of the users by adding laboratory space, an updated classroom and updated bath facilities.
Phase II ($2M) Campus development
2012-2015: construct new passive energy (LEED building) cabins, labs, lodge, library & computer facilities.
CURRENT CAMPAIGN (9/18/09)
- MSI has received $88K from over 35 donors.
- An additional $45K was awarded as a challenge grant from a Foundation.
- An additional challenge grant offers a dollar for dollar match up to $100K.
- Contributions to the campaign that exceed $100 will be acknowledged on a plaque displayed prominently in the lodge.
- Extraordinary donations can be awarded naming rights to rooms ($10K), to buildings ($100K).
Aerial photo of the field station
Proposed Plan for Phase II of the Field Station
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mountain Studies Institute
Jim Donovan or Katy Rende
1315 Snowden St. # 305, P.O. Box 426
Silverton, CO 81433. Tele 970-387-5161
or
Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive,
Durango, CO, 81301. Tele 970-247-7071
info@mountainstudies.org
www.mountainstudies.org
|
