Mountain Studies Institute Strategic Plan 2021-2023

Strategic Plan 

2021-2023 

ADVANCE SCIENCE 

EMPOWER COMMUNITIES 

INNOVATE SOLUTIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

A great deal of internal and external critical thinking was devoted to developing this extension of the 

original (2015-2020) plan. We would like to thank our board of directors, the Executive Director, Marcie 

Bidwell, and the MSI staff for assisting with this monumental task. Specifically, we would like to thank 

G. Sam Foster, Board President 2017-2018, Mark Stiles, and Rob Milofsky, current Board President, for 

leading the Strategic Planning Committee. 

We would also like to recognize Dr. Robert Blair (1943-2015) who inspired the formation of MSI and 

functioned as its creative muse, and whose passing reminds us of the contribution of many leaders in 

the San Juan Region who have devoted themselves to land stewardship and conservation.

CONTENTS 

HISTORY AND NICHE 1 

MISSION AND VISION 2 

OUR GOALS 3 

OUR CORE VALUES & RELATIONSHIPS 4 

ADVANCE MOUNTAIN SCIENCE 5 

EMPOWER COMMUNITIES 7 

INNOVATE SOLUTIONS 9 

CAPACITY GOALS 11 

NEXT STEPS 13 

APPENDIX 15

1 

Mountain Studies Institute 

HISTORY AND NICHE 

MSI was first conceptualized in the late 1990’s as a “living classroom without walls” in the San Juan Mountains 

through discussions with over 20 collaborators. Conversations brought together members from the Town of 

Silverton, San Juan County, Fort Lewis College, San Juan Public Lands Center (USDA Forest Service and Bureau of 

Land Management), and many others to develop the concept of a non-advocacy, mountain center of education 

and research in Silverton, Colorado. As the effort grew, the group hosted the State of the San Juan’s Conference 

at Purgatory Resort, proving the need for leadership and desire for mountain research in the region. MSI was 

granted legal status as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2002. Two federal appropriations through the US 

Forest Service were sponsored by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, which helped establish the Institute. 

Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) has partnered with San Juan Mountain communities to foster and enhance 

understanding and sustainable use of our valued natural resources since 2002. We have grown to embody 

a dynamic initiative to care for the San Juan Mountains, one of Colorado’s most special places. Through 

applied research, education, and stewardship programs, we strive to go beyond scientific inquiry to the 

meaningful application of knowledge and information that makes a difference in the quality of life for mountain 

communities and for the environment in southwest Colorado. MSI was created to expand knowledge about 

mountain systems, their connections, and their environmental challenges; to ensure that such knowledge is 

readily available to decision-makers and leaders in mountain communities; and to contribute to the well-being of 

Silverton, Durango, Pagosa Springs, and Telluride as well as the San Juan mountain region in general by helping 

to improve the overall health of the mountain ecosystems, and specifically diversify Silverton’s economy. 

Our focus on mountain systems rather than the isolated components has made us unique since the beginning. 

We have always seen people as important elements within mountain systems and have actively pursued applied 

research that includes human actions in disturbed, modified, and non-pristine environments, such as our lands 

that have been mined, grazed or otherwise managed. The issues of our time, such as climate change and air 

quality, remind us that the world is intricately connected, and all actions have cascading effects that reach across 

time and space. While other organizations may focus on a particular aspect of a mountain environment such as 

water quality, we have pursued the creative tension at the intersections of disciplines, such as how air quality 

impacts high alpine lakes’ water quality through deposition of mercury and nutrients, as an example of a systems 

approach. 

In the last nineteen years, we have grown significantly, the scope of our work and expertise has expanded, and 

our partners have multiplied. Simultaneously, so have the types of challenges and opportunities facing our 

mountain communities.

Strategic Plan 2021-2023 2 

OUR MISSION 

To empower communities, managers, and 

scientists to innovate solutions through advancing 

mountain research, promoting education, and 

improving best practices. 

OUR VISION 

We cultivate collaborations that enable resilient 

mountain communities to articulate issues, develop 

partnerships, and ignite initiatives that sustain the 

social, cultural, natural, and economic resources of the 

San Juan Mountains and mountain systems worldwide.

3 


OUR GOALS 

Advance 

Mountain Science 

Empower 

Communities 

Innovate 

Solutions 

• Identify scientific 

information needs and 

knowledge gaps relevant to 

the resilience of people and 

mountain ecosystems. 

• Recruit and include diverse 

voices, perspectives, and 

under-represented people 

in our work, on our staff, 

and in our collaboratives. 

• Collaborate with community 

members and stakeholders 

to design and conduct 

research relevant to 

emerging issues. 

• Strengthen and increase 

our monitoring capacity 

and infrastructure to 

better understand shifting 

systems, including rapid 

and long-term changes and 

immediate, chronic, and 

episodic events. 

• Raise awareness, 

understanding, and a 

culture of stewardship 

through community 

engagement, collaboration, 

stewardship actions, and 

accomplishments. 

• Promote learning about 

mountain systems and 

scientific literacy in K-12 and 

higher education. 

• Develop future leaders 

in our communities with 

science skills, understanding 

and appreciation for 

natural resources, and 

tools through hands-on 

training and professional 

development. 

• Innovate solutions to 

address challenges relevant 

to mountain communities, 

now and in the future. 

• Facilitate new methods 

of collaboration and 

science-based initiatives to 

promote and sustain social, 

ecological, and economic 

resilience. 

• Promote innovative 

solutions at multiple scales, 

connecting place-based 

innovations to higher levels 

of decision-making and 

discussion to be inclusive, 

diverse, and representative. 

• Translate science into 

usable formats and useful 

knowledge for the public 

and decision makers.


OUR CORE VALUES & RELATIONSHIPS 

A set of interconnected values and principles guide our work. These values are demonstrated through a variety 

of research and educational approaches. MSI focuses on both the ecological concerns and community needs of 

the San Juan Mountains region during a time of significant social, economic and environmental transition. 

1) Is Place-Based in the San Juan Mountains 

MSI is an active part of the social, physical, and ecological landscape of the San Juan Mountains region. We 

are consistently informed and driven by our sense of place. We seek to learn alongside our communities 

and serve as a connector to help disseminate information and knowledge to our partners and stakeholders 

here in the San Juans—and beyond to other communities around the world. 

2) Enhances Interactions between Natural Resources and Communities 

MSI builds capacity by emphasizing the interaction among natural resources, social and economic change, 

and needs for community understanding and/or adaptation. 

3) Seeks Useful and Meaningful Outcomes 

MSI stresses applied science and meaningful research that results in useful outcomes, pursuing 

opportunities that link science, community understanding, and knowledge. 

4) Leads by Example 

MSI leads by example, engaging in hands-on forest, watershed and river restoration work on the ground 

when it can be structured as a participatory action research, pilot testing, and/or education activities. 

5) Cultivates Collaborative Partnerships 

MSI works through collaborative partnerships in all phases of its research and education processes. We 

seek to enhance the strengths of our partners by building productive relationships and connections. 

6) Encourages Active Community Involvement 

MSI is committed to empowering communities through consistent inclusion and active involvement of 

community leaders in science-based initiatives, citizen science, and stewardship. 

7) Sponsors Community Dialog in Public Forums 

MSI fosters collaborative dialogue to enable people with the skills, information and opportunity to 

participate in and inform community decision making. We use innovative applications to connect people to 

address ecological and community concerns in the San Juan Mountains. 

8) Seeks Resilient, Adaptive Solutions 

MSI tests new solutions to vexing problems, emphasizing resilient, adaptive solutions.

There is no power greater for change than a community

discovering what it cares about. Margaret Wheatley

7 


ADVANCE MOUNTAIN SCIENCE 

ISSUE STATEMENT: 

The rapid environmental and societal changes that are taking place locally 

and globally pose considerable challenges to the fabric of natural and social 

systems. Coping with the challenges will require new discoveries, improved 

knowledge, robust and relevant information, and the ability to use these 

advances appropriately. While scientific advances and discoveries are 

constantly being made, there is often a significant disconnect between the 

scientists generating the information and the policy makers and managers 

who are trying to use that information. 

Priorities for Action 

• Mountain conditions are constantly changing. Research—and the policy and 

programming it should inform—also needs to be ongoing and adaptive. 

• We need to learn—and then apply that learning—at the same pace and with 

agility, unafraid of changing course or shifting our focus. 

• MSI will use a process to prioritize which research questions and initiatives we are 

addressing to ensure we are asking the right questions. 

• Collaboration across communities, expertise, and perspectives is key to breaking 

down barriers and realizing relevancy. We will intentionally include diverse voices, 

perspectives, and experiences in the process of identifying, conducting, and 

applying mountain science. 

• To overcome the disconnect between the scientists 

generating the information and the decision 

makers who need to use this information, we 

seek new pathways for mountain research 

to inform decision-making on policies, 

regulatory frameworks, and programming.


IF WE: 

Identify scientific information needs and knowledge gaps relevant to the 

resilience of people and mountain ecosystems; 

Recruit and include diverse voices, perspectives, and under-represented people 

in our work, on our staff, and in our collaboratives; 

Collaborate with community members and stakeholders to design and conduct 

research relevant to emerging issues; 

Strengthen and increase our monitoring capacity and infrastructure to better 

understand shifting systems, including rapid and long-term changes and 

immediate, chronic, and episodic events; and 

Translate science into usable formats and useful knowledge for the public and 

decision makers, 

THEN: 

Information gaps are filled and new knowledge improves strategies and actions 

that supports mountain ecosystem resilience; 

Decision makers are better informed with improved knowledge and have 

relevant data to plan, manage, and set policies for protecting ecosystems; and 

Communities and stakeholders will value the importance of mountain 

ecosystems to the survival of nature and people, 

AND THEREFORE: 

The San Juan Mountain ecosystems will become resilient, 

and the continued and healthy existence of this vital resource will be 

assured for future generations.

9 


EMPOWER COMMUNITIES 


Everyday, the world is becoming more complex and interconnected. We are ever more 

dependent on the earth’s limited resources, a fragile climate, and fellow humankind. 

As a society, we are more global, technological, and mobile with each generation. 

Recent events in 2020 have highlighted the need to address environmental injustice 

and inequity in our society and community. Success in the 21st Century—our human 

and natural welfare—will depend on our awareness, understanding, collaboration, 

and capacity for action. We have a moral imperative to create a sustainable, 

equitable, and resilient community and environment that benefits all people. 

Achieving environmental integrity, social equity, environmental justice, and economic 

prosperity is not a lofty ideal, but a necessity for our planet and people to survive. 


• Access to resources, information, education, participation, and influence is not equal. As 

MSI’s mission is to empower all within our communities, we work to raise awareness and 

end systemic racism and environmental injustice that affects Black, Indigenous, and People 

of Color. We renew our dedication to elevate all voices, identify and address barriers to 

participation, and promote equity and inclusion in our initiatives. 

• Knowledge alone does not lead to action. MSI embraces a holistic approach for transformative 

action through increasing awareness, connecting people with our unique mountain resources, 

building knowledge and skills, and increasing capacity to participate and act. 

• Complex problems require collaboration 

and connected action. Beyond science, MSI’s 

programs need to increase literacy in systems 

thinking, problem solving, and 21st century 

skills. 

• Critical scientific information is being 

lost in politicized debate, distrust or 

misunderstanding of science and the scientific 

process. MSI is uniquely poised to work 

toward rebuilding trust and understanding of 

the role of science and collaboration through 

our community-based initiatives.


IF WE: 

Raise awareness, understanding, and a culture of stewardship through 

community engagement, collaboration, stewardship actions, and 

accomplishments; 

Promote learning about mountain systems and scientific literacy in K-12 and 

higher education; and 

Develop future leaders in all our communities with science skills, understanding 

and appreciation for natural resources, and tools through hands-on training and 

professional development, 

THEN: 

People build connections, are better informed, and are equipped to support 

scientific endeavors through investing, funding, collaborating, and stewardship 

activity; 

More youth envision a path as future leaders in science, have opportunities to 

explore and practice leadership; and 

More people trust science, make informed decisions, and take action to protect 

and/or restore our environment, 


A science-literate public will appreciate the value of our unique mountain 

systems, understand scientific principles and emerging issues, engage in 

stewardship and civic action, apply the knowledge gained to conserve and 

protect our natural resources, and inspire the behavior and beliefs of those 

around them.

11 


INNOVATE SOLUTIONS 


The challenges of our time—environmental degradation, climate change, drought, social 

disruption—call us to find new solutions, methods of collaboration, and creativity to 

improve lives and the environment. To effect change requires asking questions, challenging 

the norms and practices of people and institutions, and thinking differently about our work, 

about the way we do our work, and about who is doing the work. It also requires creating a 

culture and support network that believes change will result in a better outcome. 


• Invest in our capacity to facilitate the full cycle of understanding, thereby evolving and solving 

complex problems—investigate, define, prototype, test, adapt, and apply—to increase the pace 

and scale of developing and adopting solutions that meet community needs. 

• Strengthen our ability to facilitate and lead initiatives in design thinking that generates solutions 

that are local and generated in partnership with end-users and intended benefactors. 

• Enhance support for networks and collaborations which will yield benefits from continuous 

learning and emergent organizational practices to accelerate and institutionalize rapid learning. 

• Support the design process and new ideas at the peer and institutional levels. MSI models of 

collaboration will build networks, support leaders, and reduce risk in innovation. 

• Stress the urgency of local context in our 

work. There is often a lack of urgency among 

governmental and donor decision-makers to 

understand local problems and conditions. Instead, 

decisions are based on generalized viewpoints 

instead of contextualized, local data that carries 

significant downstream effects on broader 

ecosystems. 

• Guide innovation to be local, relevant, and beneficial 

for the users of the solutions.


IF WE: 

Innovate solutions to address challenges relevant to mountain communities, 

now and in the future; 

Facilitate new methods of collaboration and science-based initiatives to 

promote and sustain social, ecological, and economic resilience; and 

Promote innovative solutions at multiple scales, connecting place-based 

innovations to higher levels of decision-making and discussion to be 

inclusive, diverse, and representative, 

THEN: 

A network of practitioners with the knowledge, skills, experience, and 

confidence to advance the state of practice and policies is active; 

Market and donor demand for applied mountain science is increased and 

sustained; and 

More people and institutions contribute to, support, and activate science, 


The resilience of the mountain ecosystem is strengthened through restorative 

and regenerative solutions that are derived from and supported by a 

myriad of community voices and institutions. This includes a local economic 

ecosystem that supports mountain science and its applications.

13 

Mountain Studies Institute Institute 

CAPACITY GOALS 

Our strategic goals require significant resources and capacity to accomplish. As part of the strategic 

planning process, we reviewed our internal capacity and resources. In response, we established a set of 

capacity goals to ensure that we have the people, resources, and policies necessary to attain our vision. 

1) SUPPORT OUR PEOPLE, ENHANCE OUR CULTURE 

Our talented staff and board are the strongest assets of the organization. Our goal is to 

maintain a high level of capacity by providing the necessary development and support for 

staff and board, as well as ensure our organizational culture fosters teamwork, collaboration, 

and positive outlook and growth. Staff professional development will receive greater 

attention. We will ensure our work environment is conducive to productive and satisfying 

work and reflects the technology needs of the day. 

3) DEVELOP A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS AND ADAPTIVE LEARNING 

It is imperative that MSI staff are at the forefront of scientific advancements in mountain 

science and are versed, trained, and competent in leading-edge technologies. We must remain 

aware of how we impact, or are impacted by, our partners, the political and economic climate, 

and current issues that can influence our collective success. The rapidly changing world of 

information technology also presents challenges and opportunities. We will ensure resources 

are made available and effectively used and that MSI thoughtfully evaluates its work to 

understand our effectiveness, adapt as needed, and constantly improve our approaches. 

5) EMBRACE STORYTELLING TO SHARE “SCIENCE PEOPLE CAN USE” 

MSI strives to fill information needs and knowledge gaps that enhances knowledge and 

informs better decisions to sustain our communities and mountain systems. Yet, our 

audience—as varied as it gets—has different interests and information needs, as well 

as preferred modes of engagement. We will develop and implement a communication 

strategy that leverages our work into engaging and relatable stories (Science People Can 

Use), enhances our social media presence, and connects to the values and interests of our 

communities, policy and decision-makers, and funders.

Strategic Strategic Plan Plan 2021-2023 14 

2) BE A HIGH-LEVEL NONPROFIT INSTITUTION AND TRUSTED PARTNER 

We seek to serve a wide geography of the San Juan Mountains region which spans many 

thousands of square miles, is separated by mountain passes, and includes diverse cultures 

and values. We receive funding from a variety of sources, and develop and participate in 

numerous collaborative partnerships. Our donors, partners, board, and staff deserve nothing 

less than absolute transparency, accountability, and fiduciary responsibility, and our growth 

depends on it. Therefore, MSI will deliver those attributes. 

4) BUILD FINANCIAL RESOURCES THAT UNDERGIRD SHORT AND 

LONG-TERM STABILITY 

We need to ensure that our people and programs have the resources they need to succeed. 

To achieve long-term stability, we require a diverse funding portfolio, productive relations 

with funders, and strong partnerships. We will strengthen our rainy-day reserve fund and 

carve out base-operational funds to support targeted innovative research activities. This 

will enhance staff opportunities to contribute directly to the body of mountain science 

research and/or its application. We will embark on a comprehensive fundraising strategy that 

advances MSI into new markets and revamps its donor giving platform.

15 


NEXT STEPS 

MSI’s Strategic Plan 2021-2023 sets forth the organization’s vision, three strategic goals, and 

internal organizational capacity goals. Each strategic goal is supported by a defining issue 

statement, priorities for action, a theory of change, and concrete objectives and initiatives 

designed to meet the goal. A set of capacity goals completes the Strategic Plan, communicating 

the strengths MSI will build on and the gaps it will address to realize the plan. MSI’s Strategic 

Plan is co-created by MSI’s Board of Directors and all staff every three years. It is approved by the 

Board of Directors and enacted by MSI’s senior 

leadership through annual workplans, with highlevel 

results reported quarterly to the Board. 

Staff’s individual contributions to goal attainment 

will be inscribed in annual workplans and 

measured in annual performance reviews. 

Our goal is to attain our vision by working 

collectively toward our strategic and capacity 

goals to ensure MSI contributes effectively 

to advancing mountain science that provides 

solutions for strengthening the resilience of the 

San Juan Mountains, as well as demonstrates 

best practices and models that can be replicated 

further afield. MSI’s work is indeed place-based 

and local—but it carries global impact on the 

world’s resources.


Strategic Plan, Work Planning, and Evaluation Process 

MSI Executive Team 

measures progress and 

reports to staff and the 

Board; adapts and adjusts 

plan goals and objectives 

as needed 

Board and staff 

co-develop Strategic Plan 

in participatory process 

Quarterly & 

Annual 

Reporting 

3-Year 

Strategic Plan 

Adopted 

MSI supervisors work 

with direct reports on 

staff workplans aligned 

to annual organizational 

workplan; hold regular 

check-ins on progress 

and issues 

Annual Staff 

Workplans 

Implemented 

Annual 

Organizational 

Workplan 

Enacted 

MSI Leadership Team 

develops annual plan 

aligned to Strategic 

Plan with clear roles, 

responsibilities, and 

accountability

17 


APPENDIX 

GOAL 1: ADVANCE MOUNTAIN SCIENCE 

Objectives 

Objective 1: Identify scientific 

information needs and 

knowledge gaps relevant to 

the resilience of people and 

mountain ecosystems 

Objective 2: Recruit and include 

diverse voices, perspectives, and 

under-represented people in our 

work, on our staff, and in our 

collaboratives 

Objective 3: Collaborate with 

community members and 

stakeholders to design and 

conduct research relevant to 

emerging issues 

Objective 4: Strengthen and 

increase our monitoring capacity 

and infrastructure to better 

understand shifting systems, 

including rapid and long-term 

changes and immediate, chronic, 

and episodic events 

Initiatives 

• Establish a system to prioritize research initiatives and 

investments; ensure the entire mountain system, from high 

alpine elevation to downstream gradients, is addressed. 

• Grow MSI’s ability to lead research and monitoring efforts, as 

well as data management, through strengthening expertise, both 

internally and externally, to support research initiatives. 

• Re-establish the San Juan Collaboratory to advance and formalize 

research partnerships, especially with local and regional-based 

educational institutions. 

• Increase efforts to recruit and hire diverse staff, board members, 

interns, and researchers. 

• Analyze and improve efforts for our collaborations to be more 

inclusive and representative of the communities in which we 

work. 

• Provide appropriate inclusiveness training to all staff and make it 

available to collaborators. 

• Demonstrate thought leadership such as through development 

of science communications, papers, and journal articles that 

represent our place and build integrated perspectives in our 

ecologies and communities. 

• Connect science to decision-makers and the public through 

workshops, forums, media, and MSI communication initiatives. 

• Develop strategy with partners to harness diverse perspectives 

and enhance collaborative research design and implementation. 

• Assess monitoring infrastructure needs to support emerging and 

prioritized research initiatives. 

• Prepare and train for planned and unplanned monitoring events 

in order to respond during disturbance and rapid changes. 

• Obtain funding, tools, and methods for relevant monitoring that 

are cost effective, robust, and sustainable, such as automation, 

citizen science, and remote sensing. 

Objective 5: Translate science 

into usable formats and useful 

knowledge for the public and 

decision makers 

• Develop communication and marketing tools to better 

disseminate scientific activity and findings. 

• Offer science-based forums presenting best available science 

and lead debate on the research questions.


GOAL 2: EMPOWER COMMUNITIES 

Objectives 

Objective 1: Raise awareness, 

understanding, and a culture of 

stewardship through community 

engagement, collaboration, 

stewardship actions, and 

accomplishments. 

Objective 2: Promote learning 

about mountain systems and 

scientific literacy in K-12 and 

higher education. 

Objective 3: Develop 

future leaders in all our 

communities with science skills, 

understanding and appreciation 

for natural resources, and tools 

through hands-on training and 

professional development. 

Initiatives 

• Develop curriculum for the public and students combining 

science, collaboration, and systems thinking, and take it to scale. 

• Provide opportunities to build environmental and scientific 

literacy through developing digital and dispersed offerings, 

including virtual and online options, citizen science, and 

trainings, including summer work-learn programs. 

• Develop partnerships with local businesses and organizations 

to promote mountain science, stewardship and conservation 

through co-creation and sponsorship. 

• Build trust and reduce polarization of information through 

programs that is are relevant to people’s interests and locales. 

• Advance our facilitative skills in supporting dialogue, diverse 

perspectives, and representation. 

• Strengthen existing and develop new partnerships with schools 

and other environmental organizations with participatory action 

goals in order to reach broader audiences, as well as enhance 

our work and that of our partners. 

• Communicate the outcomes- transformative experiences, media, 

videos, and testimonials; identify key contacts and partners 

within communities and partner organizations who will have a 

multiplier effect on our activities and messaging by encouraging 

others in their circle to act and spread the word. 

• Identify and engage underrepresented people and voices 

in science learning, career development, and community 

conversation opportunities. 

• Partner with social science experts to improve the outcomes and 

beneficial impacts of community discussions and participatory 

science for all. 

• Work with local (Four Corner states) higher education institutions 

to facilitate professional development in the natural science and 

natural resource management fields. 

• Share success stories from champions and interns on how MSI 

programs impacted their professional development.

19 


GOAL 3: INNOVATE SOLUTIONS 

Objectives 

Objective 1: Innovate solutions 

to address challenges relevant to 

mountain communities, now and 

in the future. 

Objective 2: Facilitate new 

methods of collaboration and 

science-based initiatives to 

promote and sustain social, 

ecological, and economic 

resilience. 

Objective 3: Promote innovative 

solutions at multiple scales, 

connecting place-based 

innovations to higher levels of 

decision-making and discussion 

to be inclusive, diverse, and 

representative. 

Initiatives 

• Deploy cutting edge design thinking/methods to elicit innovative 

solutions, including using tried and true approaches in new 

contexts or with new partnerships. 

• Test and prototype new ideas and technologies through pilot 

projects, partnerships, incubators, adaptive management, and 

resource generation. 

• Continuously monitor and evaluate programs to improve 

program delivery for transformative experiences and innovative 

best practices. 

• Build diverse and inclusive networks of leaders and scientists 

who initiate and promote innovative approaches to sciencebased 

problem-solving through MSI’s Science & Innovation 

Center. 

• Position MSI in science-based coalitions and formal networks as 

the science advisor, fluent in design techniques. 

• Explore creative market approaches to conservation finance 

and partnerships with corporate/business partners whose 

actions and values align with and support MSI’s mission and 

organizational goals. 

• Document the impact of learning and adaptation, then 

disseminate the results and impacts widely; identify avenues for 

putting results in the hands of decision-makers at all levels. 

• Elevate new or underserved voices in MSI work through inclusive 

recruiting practices for partners, staff, and internships in order to 

generate new perspectives and experiences. 

• Develop long-term relationships with interns, volunteers, and 

young professionals for mutual learning and generation of new 

ideas which will advance through their careers.


Students get hands-on experience in monitoring their local watershed as part of MSI’s Silverton Ecology Camp.

970-387-5161 

info@mountainstudies.org 

P.O. Box 426 Silverton, CO 81433 

679 E 2nd Ave #8 Durango, CO 81301

Mountain Studies Institute Strategic Plan 2021-2023

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