Overview
Walking Mountains Science Center is a Colorado non-profit that provides environmental education and sustainability programs for youth, families, and the community. Its offerings include Youth Programs such as field science trips, Girls in Science, summer camps, and STEM labs; Community Programs like guided nature walks and lectures; and Sustainability Programs offering energy assessments, a Zero Waste initiative, and the Actively Green business certification. The center differentiates itself with a place-based, multi-location model and an LEED Platinum science center that serves as a teaching tool, plus partnerships with schools, local governments, and businesses to support climate action. Its goal is to build environmental stewardship and scientific literacy while reducing the region’s carbon footprint and embedding sustainable practices across Eagle County, funded largely by philanthropy to keep programs accessible.
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- 2025 annual report showed 418,408 lives reached, proving broad community demand.
- Zero Waste diverted 66,000 pounds from 132 event days in FY2025.
- Climate Action Week 2026 and Actively Green deepen employer and municipal partnerships.
What critics are saying
- FY2025 operating loss hit $378,882 on $6.94 million expenses.
- Vail Nature Center closed for summer 2026, exposing dependence on town-controlled assets.
- Over 66% of revenue comes from philanthropy, creating donor-concentration risk.
What makes Walking Mountains Science Center unique
- Avon Tang Campus and Vail Mountain sites anchor year-round place-based learning in Eagle County.
- Climate Action Collaborative positions Walking Mountains as convener for 30-plus local stakeholders.
- LEED Platinum facilities and sustainability certifications embed operations into the mission itself.
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