Rocky Mountain Conservancy
Rocky Mountain National Park
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Rocky Mountain National Park and provides millions of dollars annually in funding and in-kind support through flagship programs like the Conservation Corps, Field Institute, and the Next Generation Fund supporting the Junior Ranger and other extensive environmental education programs for school children.
The Conservancy supports the park with research, wildfire recovery, trail maintenance and construction, land acquisition within and adjoining the park for conservation and protection, and restoration of historic buildings.
The Conservancy also funds equipment and training for Rocky’s Search & Rescue team—the third busiest in the National Park Service with about 180 major SAR incidents annually.
Some other examples of the numerous initiatives the Conservancy funded in 2023 include:
- Constructed new workforce housing for Rocky and Conservancy staff, researchers, and educational fellows with initial occupancy this year.
- Maintained and improved 295 miles of trail, including burn-impacted areas.
- Assisted park trail crews with repairs to the Longs Peak Trail and installation of riprap pavers to strengthen the popular trail and protect fragile tundra.
- Historic preservation of the Holzwarth homestead site including reconstruction and stabilization of cabins and outbuildings.
- Indigenous Connections project in collaboration with Tribal Nations whose traditional homelands includes Rocky.
- Purchase of horses, mules, and llamas to support Rocky’s backcountry operations.
- Funding the popular Junior Ranger program. See page 50 for details on how to become a Junior Ranger!
- Research on Rocky’s declining amphibian populations and funding to support reintroduction of boreal toads.
Field Institute
One of the Conservancy’s signature programs is its renowned Field Institute. Recognized subject matter experts lead field-based, hands-on learning experiences in the park.
A wide range of topics are available, including wildflowers, mammals, birds, cultural history, photography, and painting, and writing. Visitors who believe in “collecting experiences, not things” can explore course offerings and register at RMConservancy.org/learn-with-us or by scanning the QR code on the ad below.
Show Your Support!
It’s easy to support Rocky Mountain National Park and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Become a member, shop in our visitor center and online nature stores (members receive a 15 percent discount), donate money (or even donate your unwanted vehicle!), or participate in Colorado’s RMNP license plate program.
State residents can purchase the unique RMNP plate for a $30 donation. One hundred percent of the funds generated through this program supports Rocky. Get your license plate today at RMConservancy.org.
Conservation Corps
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Conservation Corps celebrated its 20th anniversary last summer.
The Conservancy raises funds through grants and donations to hire more than 50 young adults who serve, learn, and live in Rocky and the surrounding Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest through a summer-long Americorps opportunity.
These crew members support trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, historic preservation, and visitor-use site improvements.
Over the course of their summer service, they earn a living allowance, gain valuable professional skills, learn about public land management, and develop a conservation ethic.
Corps members continue to make significant contributions to reopening trails and backcountry campsites destroyed in the historic 2020 Cameron Peak and East Troublesome wildfires, which impacted about 30,000 acres within the park.