Walking Mountains Science Center hosted a sold out crowd of guests at their fundraising gala, A Taste of Nature, on Wednesday, July 12th. The evening celebrated another successful year of educational programs and sustainability initiatives along with honoring Dr. Jason Glass and Alan Danson for their long-time commitment.
Unbeknownst to the crowd, a special announcement about the organization’s future was going to be shared that evening.
“Next year Walking Mountains will celebrate 20 years of providing hands-on science education and sustainability initiatives for our community. Since opening the doors of the Science Center’s Tang Campus in Avon six years ago, we have experienced exponential growth in our programs,” said Markian Feduschak, President of Walking Mountains Science Center.
Given the extent of this demand and the critical need for education that inspires environmental stewardship, their Board of Directors has decided to fulfill this demand by launching a comprehensive fundraising campaign to expand their campus and programs. This expansion includes purchasing the 6-acre lot adjacent to the Science Center in Avon and 224 acres of land along Sweetwater Creek in Dotsero. The campaign will allow Walking Mountains to better serve the entire community from Vail to Gypsum well into the next 20 years.
Walking Mountains is grateful to a group of dedicated supporters who have already pledged generous gifts to the campaign. Jay, Molly and Amanda Precourt committed $1.5 million; The Borgen Family committed $1 million; The Tang Family donated $1 million; and Eagle County Open Space donated $1 million.
The Borgen and Precourt families have joined together to help Walking Mountains create the Borgen Precourt Center for Sustainability to address the need for additional classroom, conference and office space at the Science Center Campus in Avon. The Precourt family has designated $500,000 of their gift to the purchase and development of the Sweetwater Campus in Dotsero.
The Tang Family and Eagle County Open Space donations went towards the acquisition of the adjacent 6 acres of land at the Science Center Campus in Avon that was purchased in December 2016. A conservation easement was placed on 3.5 acres of that land and is held by the Eagle Valley Land Trust.
“We are most grateful that many families and individuals that made this campus possible are now providing the leadership support so we can increase our impact. We look forward to engaging the entire community to reach our fundraising goals and to sharing more of our exciting plans as they develop,” said Feduschak.
There was a perfect synergy between the campaign announcement and the evening’s honorees. Both Mr. Danson and Dr. Glass have been formidable figures in the recent growth of Walking Mountains.
Alan Danson received the Reach for the Peak Award for his enduring commitment to Walking Mountains and his transformational leadership role within the organization. Dr. Jason Glass was honored with the Founder’s Stewardship Award for actively demonstrating Walking Mountains’ mission through his vision and leadership in the educational field and in promoting science education.
To learn more about the comprehensive campaign contact Patty White, VP of Development, pattyw@walkingmountains.org or 970.688.4164
About Walking Mountains Science Center
Walking Mountains Science Center’s mission is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education. Visit www.walkingmountains.org or call 970.827.9725 for more information.
