As most of you know, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association is the funding arm of Rocky Mountain National Park. This is useful to the park as they man the visitor center gift shops, hold seminars, support the Junior Ranger program as well as the RMNP Youth Conservation Corps. Certainly they provide other valuable services as well.
RMNA states that they are… “Committed to the fulfillment of National Park Service goals, especially in the preservation of the park’s wilderness character and the education of its visitors.” They also boast that… “Since 1986, the RMNA has completed over 40 projects valued at more than $10 million for the protection and improvement of Rocky Mountain National Park.” No one would question their dedication or their effort, indeed they should be congratulated. Curt Buchholtz, Executive Director has been an important part of the organization for a number of years and the RMNA is respected and busy in maintaining their role in service to RMNP.
Now, is it time that some changes are made? Is the RMNA doing all that they can for park preservation and answering the needs of future, not just current project and educational needs?
For years the RMNA has heralded the cry of raising money for single projects. Hey members, let’s raise money for a handicapped trail and campground at Sprague Lake. Let’s buy Lilly Lake so it won’t be drained. Let’s buy and preserve a few acres near a park entry to preserve that corridor. These are all worthy projects and successful ones. However, they are minor steps in a road that should lead to bigger ideas and long term success as the park and the nature association face future difficulties and needs.
Why hasn’t the RMNA begun a fund raising project to raise tens of millions of dollars for long term needs? Colorado is blessed with several successful corporations that have foundations supporting many different projects throughout the world. Are they adequately being tapped to build an annuity for Rocky’s future? Is there a longer term plan? Perhaps it is time to have a staff member dedicated strictly to a long range funding endeavor that is not dedicated to one or two smaller projects, but is dedicated to the future of RMNA and RMNP.
