Projects

Mountain Studies Institute — Environmental Monitoring Project

Contact Information:
OSM/VISTA: Michael Costello
Supervisor: Aaron Kimple
Address: FLC 1000 Rim Dr., C.O. Mountain Studies Institute, Durango CO. 81301
Phone: 970-247-7071
Email: Costello_M2 AT fortlewis DOT edu
Website: www.mountainstudies.org
US Congressional District: CO 3
County: La Plata

Description of organization and mission:

MSI's mission is to enhance understanding and sustainable use of the San Juan Mountains through research and education.

The Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is an independent, 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit center of knowledge established in 2002 in Silverton, Colorado. A sustaining premise of MSI is that collaborations among researchers, educators and policy makers with an interest in the San Juan Mountains and other mountain systems worldwide can provide increased knowledge and understanding of mountain environments and communities and the issues that affect them.

Mountain ecosystems have gained international attention in recent years. There is widespread recognition that mountains are fragile environments, vulnerable to global climate change, soil erosion, watershed and forest degradation, fires, urban encroachment and other human impacts. Occupying approximately one-fifth of the world's land surface area and occurring in 75 percent of the world's countries, mountains supply resources, goods and services to more than half the world's population. Mountains collect and store global water resources, providing up to 60 percent of downstream fresh water in humid regions and up to 95 percent in arid environments. In addition, they contain important natural resources, support rich biological communities, attract tourists and sports enthusiasts, and host cultural diversity and human heritage. However, the information needed to better understand and quantify increasing impacts on mountain ecology and cultural activities is severely lacking. Hence there is a critical need for an institution such as the MSI.

MSI encourages the interdisciplinary study of the scientific, cultural, human and historical aspects of the San Juan Mountain environment. MSI provides research and learning services to researchers, land managers, college and university students, educators, public agency staff and scientists, elected officials, and members of the public within and beyond the region. Over the next five years MSI expects to provide an array of services including: reasonably-priced accommodations, offices or laboratories, meeting rooms, storage, field study site selection and support, instructors, assistance with public land permit acquisition, administration of grants and contracts, and identification of public land and community research opportunities.

Goals of the OSM/VISTA in the Upper Animas Watershed

The OSM/VISTA assists MSI in building the capacity of the organization. This includes grant writing, fundraising, development of a community volunteer base, and support for various projects conducted by MSI and its partner organizations.

The VISTA's intent is to help develop and coordinate within the community local monitoring teams to continue ongoing monitoring projects on a self sustaining basis. These programs include air quality, water quality, snowpack, and wetland monitoring. He/she will also seek funding for the continued growth of MSI through fundraising, membership, and grants. The VISTA will be developing "citizen science" programs through which local volunteers will be able to help gather useful data about the San Juan Mountains.