Mountain Studies Institute
Mountain Studies Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit mountain research and education center founded in 2002 in Silverton, Colorado, serving San Juan Mountain communities through citizen-science monitoring, environmental research, and free K-12 environmental education programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSilverton, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Mountain Studies Institute does
Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit mountain research and education center founded in 2002 in Silverton, Colorado, with a second office in Durango. The organization develops "science people can use" for the San Juan Mountain region by conducting and facilitating community-driven environmental research, providing educational programming, and running environmental monitoring programs. Its work is shaped by local environmental concerns — water quality impacts from historical mining and wildfires, forest health, invasive species, and high-elevation ecosystem degradation — rather than academic priorities.
MSI's core product portfolio is organized into three pillars. (1) Community Science: citizen-science monitoring programs including Colorado River Watch, Bighorn Sheep Monitoring, E. coli Monitoring, Invasive Plant Monitoring, PikaNet, Salmonfly Monitoring, and La Plata Project Monitoring. (2) Research: Animas River Monitoring, Forest Health, Water and Snow, Climate, and Ecosystems (including rare iron fen restoration at 12,000 feet developed with Dr. Rod Chimner), plus published data and reports. (3) Education: the Environmental Pathways Program launched in August 2020 with Fort Lewis College and the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, the San Juan Resilience Youth Summit (100+ students in 2022), Rising River Stewards, the Forest and Fire Learning Series, and teacher resources. Proprietary technical work includes 15-year fen restoration techniques and peer-reviewed publications on Pinus ponderosa seedlings.
MSI's business model is nonprofit grant and donation funded. The organization is a U.S. tax-exempt 501(c)(3) supported by individual donations, sustaining donors, and grant funding from sources including Great Outdoors Colorado ($260,200 for the San Juan Stewardship Project) and the National Forest Foundation. Educational programs are free to students, and community/citizen-science participation is free. Go-to-market is community-led through school district partnerships, K-12 and college pipelines, direct volunteer engagement, public events, and email/newsletter outreach. MSI partners with Fort Lewis College, Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (via AmeriCorps eeCorps), Telluride Venture Accelerator, Newmont Corporation, San Juan Mountains Association, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, and the San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership.
Mountain Studies Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mountain Studies Institute
- Legal name
- Mountain Studies Institute
- Website
- https://mountainstudies.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Mountain Studies Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit mountain research and education center founded in 2002 in Silverton, Colorado, serving San Juan Mountain communities through citizen-science monitoring, environmental research, and free K-12 environmental education programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mountain Studies Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Research and Education Services
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Project Screening, Scoping & Baseline Studies (EUAHAAAA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) & Due Diligence (BPAHAJAB), EIA/ESIA Documentation & Technical Studies (Air/Water/Noise/Traffic) (EUAHAAAC)
Keywords
Where Mountain Studies Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Silverton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Mountain Studies Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: MSI generates revenue through individual donations, sustaining donor programs, and direct contributions from supporters. The organization is a U.S. tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
- Grant Funding: MSI receives grant funding from organizations such as Great Outdoors Colorado ($260,200 for San Juan Stewardship Project) and National Forest Foundation for specific projects and programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free programs for students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Mountain Studies Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) conducts and facilitates environmental research, provides educational opportunities and internships, and conducts environmental monitoring in the San Juan Mountains region. The organization develops science that people can use to address environmental issues including water quality, forest health, climate impacts, and ecosystem preservation through community-driven citizen science and K-12 education programs.
Product overview
Mountain Studies Institute is a non-profit research and education center offering a portfolio of environmental science programs rather than a traditional technology product. Their core offerings include community/citizen science monitoring programs (water quality, wildlife, invasive species), research programs (forest health, climate, ecosystems), and education programs (youth summits, curriculum, teacher resources). These programs work together to advance mountain science and empower San Juan Mountain communities through data-driven environmental stewardship.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Community Science Programs Citizen science monitoring programs including Bighorn Sheep Monitoring, Colorado River Watch, E.coli Monitoring, Invasive Plant Monitoring, La Plata Project Monitoring, PikaNet, and Salmonfly Monitoring that enable community members to participate in environmental data collection in the San Juan Mountains.
- Animas River Monitoring Program Water quality monitoring and research program assessing impacts from the 416 Fire and historical mining on the Animas River watershed for community stakeholders and partner agencies.
- Forest Health Program Research and monitoring program focused on forest ecosystem health, wildfire impacts, and forest restoration in the San Juan Mountains, including Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) trials.
- Water and Snow Program Monitoring program assessing water quality, snowpack, and hydrological conditions in mountain environments for use by communities, agencies, and researchers.
- Climate Program Research initiatives studying climate change impacts on mountain ecosystems and communities in the San Juan Mountain region.
- Ecosystems Program Monitoring and restoration efforts for high-elevation wetlands including rare iron fens, wildlife habitats, and alpine ecosystems, featuring innovative fen restoration techniques developed with Dr. Rod Chimner.
- Mountain Learning Education Programs Educational programming including the Environmental Pathways Program, Rising River Stewards, Forest and Fire Learning Series, and curriculum resources for K-12 students in partnership with Fort Lewis College.
- San Juan Resilience Youth Summit Annual student conference enabling middle and high school students to present research on local environmental issues and resilience topics; the 2022 summit hosted over 100 students from across the San Juan Mountain region.
- Data and Reports Published research data, monitoring reports, and scientific publications from MSI research programs used by partners, agencies, and researchers.
- Annual Conferences and Workshops San Juan Mining and Reclamation Conference and other professional development events for stakeholders, scientists, and community members.
- Volunteer Programs Hands-on stewardship opportunities including Native Seed Ball Project, invasive weed removal, tree planting, and restoration activities; 52 volunteers planted 900 trees in the 416 Fire burn area.
Quantifiable outcome
- 900 trees planted in 416 Fire burn area by 52 volunteers
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Mountain Studies Institute
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Mountain Studies Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Mountain Studies Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Fort Lewis CollegecorePartnership for the Environmental Pathways Program - a year-long program where students study snowpack, water quality, air pollution, and other environmental issues. MSI provides real-world, hands-on experiences in partnership with Fort Lewis College and the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative. The program was launched in August 2020.
- Southwest Colorado Education CollaborativecoreCo-host of the Environmental Pathways Program alongside Fort Lewis College and MSI, supporting academic exploration, career readiness, and student leadership development.
- Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE)corePartnership through the Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps) AmeriCorps Program. MSI brings AmeriCorps members to serve on their Community Science Team. CAEE places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Colorado to focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK-12 students.
- Telluride Venture Accelerator (TVA)flagshipPartnership for the Mining Solutions Bootcamp - a seven-day bootcamp for startups focused on solving problems in water pollution and degraded mine lands. TVA brings mentoring, strategic coaching, and networking with industry experts and investors.
- Newmont CorporationflagshipPartner in the Mining Solutions Bootcamp. Newmont is committed to sustainable management of active and legacy mining operations and supports innovative solutions for responsible mine management.
- San Juan Mountains AssociationcorePartner in the GOCO-funded San Juan Stewardship Project and various conservation efforts in the San Juan Mountains.
- Telluride InstitutecorePartnership for wildlife monitoring program on the Telluride Valley Floor. MSI and Telluride Institute's Watershed Education Program (WEP) work together with Sheep Mountain Alliance.
- Sheep Mountain AlliancecorePartnership with MSI and Telluride Institute for wildlife monitoring program using 10 infrared cameras on the Telluride Valley Floor.
- Colorado Parks and WildlifecorePartnership involving Colorado River Watch program - engaging 140 groups each year monitoring 600 stations covering 400 rivers across Colorado.
- Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement PartnershipcoreRegional stakeholder group formed in 2018 including MSI, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, San Juan Conservation District, town of Pagosa Springs, and others working on cooperative water projects.
- Trout UnlimitedcoreMember of the Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership working on water resource management and recreation access projects.
- The Nature ConservancycoreMember of the Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership focusing on environmental protection and watershed health.
- San Juan Headwaters Forest Health PartnershipcorePartnership of over 10 years promoting forest and watershed health in Southwest Colorado. Includes Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) trial study at Jackson Mountain.
- San Juan National ForestcorePartner in forest health monitoring, citizen science programs, and restoration efforts throughout the San Juan Mountains.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Mountain Studies Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Yellowstone Forever: Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park, supporting conservation, education, and scientific research in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. While operating at significantly larger scale, it parallels MSI's nonprofit research-education model within a single iconic mountain ecosystem.
- The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is one of the world's largest environmental nonprofits, operating in all 50 U.S. states and globally. MSI is a partner through the Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership; TNC's Colorado chapter pursues the same water and forest conservation objectives as MSI at far greater scale and budget.
- Trout Unlimited: Trout Unlimited is a national nonprofit dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. MSI is a partner through the Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership; TU operates MSI's model (watershed monitoring, restoration, education) at a national scale.
Direct peers
- Walking Mountains Science Center: Walking Mountains is a nonprofit science and environmental education center in Vail, Colorado serving Eagle County. Its programs in natural science, sustainable schools, and watershed/forest monitoring closely mirror MSI's combination of research, education, and community citizen science in a mountain setting.
- Eagle River Watershed Council: Eagle River Watershed Council is a Colorado-based nonprofit focused on watershed health monitoring, restoration, and community engagement in Eagle County. Its program mix of water quality monitoring, restoration projects, and education mirrors MSI's core San Juan Mountains portfolio at a comparable scale.
- Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES): ACES is a Colorado-based nonprofit environmental education and conservation organization operating in the Roaring Fork Valley. Like MSI, it combines citizen science, environmental education for K-12 students, watershed monitoring, and community stewardship programs in a specific mountain region — making it a closely comparable operational model.
- The Mountain Institute: The Mountain Institute is a nonprofit organization working globally to preserve mountain environments and improve livelihoods of mountain communities. It shares MSI's focus on mountain-specific science, community engagement, and education, and operates in the Andes, Himalayas, and Appalachians, giving it a broader geographic reach than MSI.
- High Country Conservation Center: High Country Conservation Center is a nonprofit in Summit County, Colorado focused on conservation, climate action, and community education in a mountain setting. It shares MSI's small-staff nonprofit model and integrated research-education-stewardship program structure.
- San Juan Mountains Association: San Juan Mountains Association is a nonprofit focused on public lands stewardship and education across the San Juan Mountains region. It directly partners with MSI on the GOCO-funded San Juan Stewardship Project and shares MSI's geographic focus and combined stewardship/education mission.
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory: RMBL is an independent, year-round mountain field station in Gothic, Colorado dedicated to scientific research and education. MSI shares RMBL's niche of conducting peer-reviewed ecological research and providing research-training opportunities in a remote mountain setting, though RMBL is more academic-focused.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Mountain Studies Institute social profiles
Digital presenceMountain Studies Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mountain Studies Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Mountain Studies Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mountain Studies Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mountain Studies Institute
What does Mountain Studies Institute do?
Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) conducts and facilitates environmental research, provides educational opportunities and internships, and conducts environmental monitoring in the San Juan Mountains region. The organization develops science that people can use to address environmental issues including water quality, forest health, climate impacts, and ecosystem preservation through community-driven citizen science and K-12 education programs.
Is Mountain Studies Institute a public or private company?
Mountain Studies Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Mountain Studies Institute founded?
Mountain Studies Institute was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Mountain Studies Institute based?
Mountain Studies Institute is headquartered in Silverton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mountain Studies Institute make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are grant Funding.
Who are Mountain Studies Institute's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Yellowstone Forever, The Nature Conservancy and Trout Unlimited. Direct peers are Walking Mountains Science Center, Eagle River Watershed Council, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), The Mountain Institute, High Country Conservation Center, San Juan Mountains Association and Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory.
Does Mountain Studies Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mountain Studies Institute.
What industry is Mountain Studies Institute in?
Mountain Studies Institute's product category is Environmental Research and Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHAHAE, Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs, with a secondary code of EUAHAAAA, Project Screening, Scoping & Baseline Studies. Its NAICS code is 54162 and its SIC code is 8731.