Gore Range Natural Science School (GRNSS) is a 501(c ) (3) environmental education school that annually serves over 12,000 residents of, and visitors to, Eagle County, Colorado. The Science School daily realizes its mission “to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship through natural science education" through a combination of innovative school programs, summer youth science camps, adult seminars, and year-round interpretive programs.
Life-long Vail resident Kim Langmaid founded Gore Range Natural Science School in 1998 with the goal of creating a community-based organization that provides a relevant approach to teaching science and educating students of all ages about the ecology of the natural world. Since its inception, the Science School has become a community leader in a region-wide effort to grow healthy communities by educating a local citizenry to make informed decisions about the natural environment.
A key component of this involves youth-focused, place-based educational opportunities that turn our “backyard” into a living laboratory. The Science School provides hands-on, natural science field learning that augments traditional classroom education, develops scientific understanding, and builds a meaningful connection to the natural world. Currently, over 1,000 K-12 students participate annually in our three to five-day natural science learning adventures. Programs support state and district level curriculum standards in science, math and geography.
Gore Range Natural Science School delivers year-round environmental education through a variety of programs:
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School Programs: We partner with public and private schools to annually provide over 1,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students with 3-to-5-day hands-on, natural science field learning. GRNSS works closely with teachers to ensure that field course curriculum align with state and district standards in language arts, math and science. The Science School also assesses 5th and 7th grade programs with the goal of tracking student interest, literacy and satisfaction related to material presented.
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Summer Youth Science Camps: For youth entering grades 1-4, we offer weeklong day camps that explore the natural histories of animals, plants, rivers and rocks. For youth entering grades 5-9, we offer weeklong overnight camps that explore ecology, field research, outdoor leadership, low-impact backcountry travel, and wilderness living.
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Adult Natural History Seminars: These one- and multi-day programs take place during the summer and are led by expert, guest instructors. Topics span the natural sciences, from geology to botany to glaciology.
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Guided Naturalist Programs: The Science School's staff of naturalist interns leads all-ages nature explorations (summer and winter) from the Nature Discovery Center atop Vail Mountain. Naturalists also lead programs from the Vail Nature Center in summer.
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Professional Development: The Science School trains the nation’s up-and-coming environmental education and naturalist professionals. School programs and summer science camps are taught by Natural Science Educators who participate in an intensive fifteen-month graduate program. Guided naturalist programs are led by winter and summer naturalist interns who receive extensive interpretive training.
Strategic Vision
The work of GRNSS Board of Directors and staff is guided by the organization’s Five Year Strategic Plan, which is annually reviewed and updated each fall. The plan identifies three long-term goals the organization seeks to fulfill in the next five years.
1. To provide natural science education, cost effectively, to an increasing number of children enrolled in Eagle County public and private K-12 schools.
2. To broaden the reach, diversity and revenue-generating capability of year-round adult and youth programs offered to residents of, and visitors to, the Vail Valley.
3. To establish GRNSS and the Vail Valley as a nationally recognized center of excellence in environmental education specializing in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain ecosystem.
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Part traveling nature center, part moving billboard, and part transportation hub, the Earth Mobile has become an integral component of GRNSS’ school programs and community outreach. The Earth Mobile demands to be noticed. Wrapped with images from GRNSS’ school programs and with the stunning nature photography of local artist Brett Hochmuth, the Earth Mobile has dramatically increased GRNSS’ visibility throughout Eagle County. GRNSS uses the Earth Mobile for travel to field sites, for program support and as a booth backdrop at local markets and festivals. The Earth Mobile was made possible by a 2003 Learning Opportunities Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. GRNSS is grateful to Vail Resorts, Slifer Smith and Frampton, FirstBank of Vail, Vail Daily, Bacon Family Foundation and New Belgium Brewing Company for their generous support of this project.
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Nature Discovery Center
In September 2004, the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) honored GRNSS, Vail Resorts, and the Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest with its annual Environmental Business Award for the Nature Discovery Center Partnership. GRNSS is committed to working with all Discovery Center partners to further develop the facility and its programs into a national model for resort-based environmental education. This honor joins our 2002 El Pomar Award for Environmental Excellence as evidence of the value and need of our mission and the quality programs that serve this goal.
2002 Award of Environmental Excellence
On December 2, 2002, Gore Range Natural Science School was awarded the Robert V. Menary Award for Environmental Issues by the Colorado Springs-based El Pomar Foundation. The award recognizes "organizations that have achieved excellence in their efforts to support the preservation of natural surroundings and promote environmental awareness and conservation."
The El Pomar Awards for Excellence, which recognize and reward outstanding nonprofits in Colorado, are unique in that candidate organizations do not apply for the awards, but are instead nominated or sought out by the selection committee.
GRNSS is proud to have received this recognition and will use the award to continue providing exceptional natural science education to students and adults in Eagle County and beyond.
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Learn more about GRNSS by reading feature stories appearing in local and regional news sources.
HAUTE CUISINE IN THE HIGH HUTS
October, 27, 2006: Chef Thomas Newsted donates his time, services and food to create an unforgettable Gore Range Natural Science School culinary event in the rustic kitchen of the Peter Estin Hut. Read the complete article featured in the Vail Daily: Page 1; Page 2
SHOW ME THE BEETLE!
October 30, 2005: Battle Mountain High School AP Environmental Science students come face to face with the mountain pine beetle during an October 2005 field study conducted near Minturn, Colorado. Join Gore Range Natural Science School educator, Julie Shapiro, in the field as she guides students through the early stages of pine beetle research, a project featured in the Vail Daily. View complete article: page 1; page 2
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For general inquiries, please email science@gorerange.org or contact us at:
Gore Range Natural Science School
P.O. Box 9469
82 E. Beaver Creek Blvd., Suite 202
Avon, CO 81620
970.827.9725
fax: 970.827.9730
Carol Busch (ext. 13) serves as Director of Marketing & Communications. Carol has a wide-ranging background in tourism, marketing, communications, development and natural resource interpretation. Prior to moving to the Eagle Valley, Carol lived in her hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado, where she earned an M.A. in Communication Development at Colorado State University. Carol received her B.A. in English from the University of Washington in 1993. She’s crazy about mountain biking, telemark skiing, yoga, fine food, salsa dancing, and being outdoors.
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Lara Carlson (ext.15), represents GRNSS at Avon Elementary School as our Avon In-School educator. Lara has completed a summer naturalist internship and two Natural Science Educator seasons as part of the GRNSS staff. She graduated from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, with a BS in Outdoor Education. Lara's prior work in outdoor and environmental education include positions at Ferry Beach Ecology School, Audubon Center of the North Woods, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, and the Cable Natural History Museum. She is currently working toward obtaining her Colorado teaching license. During her free time, Lara enjoys making pottery, and spending time outdoors hiking and skiing. |
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Shawn Davis (ext. 31) - Graduate Fellow in Natural Science Education
Capt. Shawn Davis is delighted to be a member of GRNSS as a Graduate Fellow in Natural Science Education. His most recent work experience was at NorthBay on the Chesapeake in Maryland where he taught Baltimore City 6 th graders ecology, character development, and adventure education. Shawn received his B.S. in Botany from University of Delaware in 2001. He obtained his USCG Captains License in 2006 and is presently working on a graduate degree in Environmental Education through CSU. In his spare time, Shawn enjoys rock climbing, sailing, living sustainably, traveling, cooking, listening to jazz, mountain biking, skiing, and reading.
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Doug Dusenberry (ext. 21) - Development Staff
Doug joined the Science School in the summer of 2006 to manage and administer all aspects of the School’s Capital Campaign from facilitating donor solicitations to managing the campaign’s budget, volunteers and communications. Doug has served as a Volunteer Coordinator, Program Director, and Executive Director during his decade-long career in nonprofit management. A native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Doug earned his B.A. in Biology from the University of North Carolina and an M.S. in Public Administration with an emphasis in Recreation Management at North Carolina State University. He lives with his wife Laurie and three children in Eagle.
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Markian Feduschak (ext.11), Executive Director, came to GRNSS after fifteen years with Outward Bound West where he served as field instructor, course director and Colorado Program Director. He has spent extended periods of time rambling and working in the schools namesake, the Gore Range. Throughout his career in outdoor education Markian has focused on leadership development, effective teambuilding, staff training, and risk management. Markian resides in Eagle with his wife and two young daughters. He received his B.A. in English from the University of Colorado. |
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Gina Garrett (ext.17), Youth Programs Director
Gina manages oversight of all school group and summer youth programs and supervises the Science School's staff of four Graduate Fellow Educators. Gina obtained her B.S. in Agricultural Science with an emphasis in Environmental Science from Truman State University. Her passion for the outdoors and natural science developed during a study abroad experience in Tasmania, Australia. Upon her return, Gina worked four seasons for Yellowstone National Park before discovering the field of environmental education through work as an instructor at the Orange County Outdoor Science School, located in the San Bernadino Mountains of Southern California. Gina returned to school, earning a dual teaching licensure in Elementary Education and Special Education from the University of Colorado at Denver, as well as a M.A. in Science Education. After teaching in the classroom for two years she felt the pull to return to the mountains so that she may enjoy her favorites – hiking, biking, skiing and, of course, teaching kids about the natural world!
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Beth Garrison (ext. 12) - Graduate Fellow in Natural Science Education
Beth grew up in Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Ohio Northern University with a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies in 2003. She fostered her love of teaching environmental education at the Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery in Nederland, Colorado, and continued to teach both children and adults about the natural world as a Naturalist at John Bryan State Park in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and as an Environmental Educator at Rocky Mountain National Park. Before arriving at the Science School, Beth spent two years on the east coast as an Environmental Educator for a solid waste management agency in southeastern Virginia teaching about recycling, composting, landfills and waste to energy processes. Beth is extremely excited to be working at Gore Range where she can share her passion for the natural world with students in the outdoor classroom of the beautiful and inspiring Rocky Mountains. In her spare time she loves playing outside with her dog Tucker, hiking, backpacking, paddling, skiing, traveling, enjoying live music and playing the banjo.
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Natalia Hanks (ext. 30), Director of Development, has been working for government and non-profit organizations for over 30 years and brings to Gore Range Natural Science School a strong background in fundraising, program management as well as science education. A native of Washington DC, Natalia graduated from Averett University with a degree in English and history and did graduate work at University of Virginia. Government positions included program management for the President’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the Smithsonian and grant coordination for the National Endowment for the Arts. Natalia has also worked for the Farmington, CT schools as a tutor and instructor, as development director for Hartford, CT based Aid to Artisans and as instructor and development director for Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Prior to accepting her position with GRNSS, Natalia was director of development and membership for the Vail Valley Foundation.
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Sarah Gobbs-Hill (ext. 16) - Graduate Fellow in Natural Science Education
Sarah loves teaching environmental education to students of all ages from pre-school to high school, though her “absolute favorite aged kids” are middle school students. Sarah grew up in Helena, Montana, and loves being outdoors. She graduated from Montana State University with a B.S. in Environmental Biology and a B.A. in Spanish. Before being an educator and graduate fellow at the Science School, she was constantly challenged by her 7 th grade science students in Houston, Texas, where she was a Teach for America corps member. She enjoys spending time skiing, backpacking, hiking or cooking with her husband Sean Hill. She also loves spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite hobby is laughing.
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Sean Hill (ext. 28) - Graduate Fellow in Natural Science Education
Sean can't think of much he would rather be doing professionally than teaching Environmental Science to kids. Sean grew up in Colorado Springs, and attended Colorado Mountain College in Leadville (and Steamboat). He earned a B.S. in Environmental Biology from Montana State University in Bozeman (where he met his amazing wife) and during college worked as a field ecologist for the Big Sky Institute. Prior to working at Gore Range, he was teaching high school science in Houston with Teach For America. Sean’s interests outside of work include practically all things outdoors, especially backpacking, snowboarding, telemarking, mountain biking and playing frisbee.
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Kim Langmaid (ext. 29) founded Gore Range Natural Science School and served as its Executive Director until Januarly 2004. Kim now serves as the School's Graduate Studies Director and is currently enrolled in the Antioch New England Environmental Studies doctoral program. Kim holds a Masters degree in Environmental Education from Prescott College in Arizona where she serves as a Graduate Advisor. She is a graduate of Teton Science School’s Professional Residency in Environmental Education and holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Colorado State University. Kim is a graduate of the C.R.C. Nonprofit Management and Leadership program and the White River Institute’s Leadership Vail Valley. She is a life-long resident of Vail, CO.
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Erin-Rose Schneider (ext. 10), joined GRNSS the summer of 2007. She is primarily responsible for office management, student registrations, bookkeeping, and administrative support for Gore Range Natural Science School. A Native of Maine,
Erin-Rose graduated from Syracuse University with a M.S. in Environmental Engineering. She spent a year in Eagle County enjoying outdoor adventures before moving to Boulder, where she worked as an engineer for an environmental consulting firm, supporting project work in pollution prevention, sustainable land development, and Superfund remediation. Erin-Rose recently returned to Eagle County after realizing that her heart was in the mountains. In addition to working at GRNSS,
Erin-Rose is a part-time raft guide for Lakota Guides in the summer and a ski instructor for Beaver Creek Children’s Ski School in the winter.
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Ann Stevenson (ext. 14), Community Programs Director, comes to GRNSS from Golden where she recently worked as the Service Director for an outdoor adventure summer camp for high school students. A Colorado native, Ann completed her Bachelors degree in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism with a concentration in Interpretation from Colorado State University and obtained a Masters degree in Teaching from Colorado College. Ann loves living in the Rocky Mountains and has spent multiple summers guiding backpacking programs and horseback rides at various ranches and summer camps. As part of her most recent position, Ann guided multi-week programs in Costa Rica and Ecuador. She loves to travel, but she is very glad to be back in the Rockies where she can ski in the winter and hike in the summer!
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Gore Range Natural Science School is governed by an outstanding group of dedicated volunteers that play a major role in shaping our vision and direction.
Board Members Only
Buck Elliott, Chair – Edwards, CO
Carolyn Pope , Vice Chair – Edwards, CO
Dan Patten , Treasurer – Edwards, CO
Phil Brodsky, Secretary – Avon, CO
Karen Berndt – Vail, CO
Kathy Borgen – Denver and Vail, CO
Kelly Bronfman – Atherton, CA
Diana Cecala – Edwards, CO
Alan Danson – Vail, CO
Holly Elliott – Edwards, CO
Markian Feduschak – GRNSS Executive Director –
Eagle, CO
Ted James – Eagle, CO
Kim Langmaid – GRNSS Founding Executive Director –
Vail, CO
Susie & Paul Lyons – Vail, CO
Lynne & Peter Mackechnie – Edwards, CO
Brenda & Joe McHugh – Vail, CO and Dallas, TX
Eileen & Gary Miller – Vail, CO
Craig Nelson – Edwards, CO
Steve Pope – Edwards, CO
Susan & Rich Rogel – Avon, CO
Lisa & Chip Ruth – Vail, CO
Debbie & Ric Scripps – Avon, CO
Jeff Seidel – Wolcott, CO and New York, NY
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Based in Avon, Colorado, Gore Range Natural Science School is home to a dedicated and talented staff. The Science School hires a combination of permanent, temporary and seasonal staff to fill a variety of administrative, educational, and interpretive programming needs.
Permanent Positions - There are currently no openings.
Graduate Fellowship in Natural Science Education - Accepting applications for Summer 2009
Naturalist Interns - Winter 2008/09 announcement will be posted in early fall
All applicants, whether responding to a posted announcement or seeking future employment consideration, must submit a completed and signed application form.
Gore Range Natural Science School Employment Application Form
In order to view the GRNSS Employment Application, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. To download the software for free, click here.
Gore Range Natural Science School operates under special use permit from the White River National Forest
and is an equal opportunity service provider.
PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT
GRNSS offers a casual working environment, attracts friendly, dedicated professionals, and supports individual career development. Permanent staff turnover is typically low, though our needs continue to evolve as GRNSS programming grows. As permanent positions become available, we will announce them here.
There are currently no openings.
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SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT
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Naturalist Interns
GRNSS manages and staffs the Nature Discovery Center, atop Vail Mountain's Adventure Ridge and the Vail Nature Center, and provides additional program support to resort concierge services throughout the Eagle Valley. The Nature Discovery Center and the Vail Nature Center each host a variety of popular programs for youth, adults, and families. GRNSS Naturalist Interns lead nature hikes, work with Vail Recreation District children's programs, give evening programs, and, in the winter, lead snowshoe hikes and ski tours at Vail and Beaver Creek resort. This is a seasonal position lasting 3-5 months.
Seasonal Naturalist Positions
Description:
The Summer and Winter Naturalist internship is designed for those wishing to broaden their experience in the field of interpretation and environmental education. Naturalists work on a rotating schedule which includes: researching, planning and presenting interpretive talks and snowshoe walks at each of our partner locations (US Forest Service – White River National Forest, Holy Cross District and Vail Resorts), preparing and teaching short ecology lessons, staffing nature/visitor centers, conducting field research within the White River National Forest, teaching lessons for an after school youth program, observing and providing support for Natural Science Educators and working on administrative projects and interpretive exhibits.
View Full Summer Naturalist Description
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Each year over 40 volunteers selflessly give hundreds of hours of their time to help GRNSS further its mission to raise environmental awanresness and inspire stewardship in Ealge County. Volunteers assts staff with special fundraising and marketing projects, chaperone student sin the field, staff information booths at markets and festivals, and play a significant role int eh management of GRNSS by providing expertise in planning, accounting, marketing, communications and fundraising.
GRNSS’ Volunteer Rangers are always looking for new faces to help out with special events, projects, school programs, summer markets and other fun volunteer opportunities. Both long- and short-term projects are available. Contribute to youth environmental education in Eagle County by volunteering at GRNSS!
Current Volunteer Needs
School Program Chaperones - School programs typically take place from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. Responsibilities include group management and serving as a back-up in case of student emergency. This is a great opportunity to spend the day outdoors learning about your mountain environment.
Mail Party Assistance - From our conference room in Avon, you can assist us with the glamorous work of labeling envelopes for bulk mail distribution. A few times a year the work is more engaging - we fold, stuff and seal envelopes. Always, the company is wonderful and snacks are provided.
Data Entry - The Science School has a significant amount of data entry work we need help with thanks to a recent conversion in our donor management system. Data will be entered directly into a new software system that is user friendly and easy to learn. If you are proficient in Excel, working in Raiser's Edge should be straight forward. Work is scheduled to being in mid-October 2006. Call Beth Wiseman directly at 970-827-9725 ext. 10 to get involved.
Photographer – GRNSS seeks individuals with digital cameras and time to visit school and summer programs. Help expand GRNSS’ digital library by taking photos in the field. An eye for composition and an ability to take close-in shots desired.
To get involved, call or email Carol Busch:
Phone: 970-827-9725 ext. 13
Email: carolb@gorerange.org
Interested? Please fill out and return our Volunteer Application.
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Gore Range Natural Science School operates under special use permit by the White River National Forest, USDA Forest Service.
Gore Range Natural Science School is an equal opportunity employer. GRNSS does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, creed, or sexual orientation in any of its policies or programs.
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