When you think of culture, what do you include? Maybe the traditions and holidays your family holds dear. Or your favorite works of art hanging in a museum or gallery. Or the festivals and events we celebrate as a collective each spring, summer and fall.
Do you add to this list foundational contributions made to us by the natural sciences and natural history? Maybe not.
But these “disciplines” function just like the more typical arts and culture experience we might include. The natural sciences and natural history ground us in a deeper understanding of who we are and where we come from, in all the richness of our diversity. They inform our current state of being and connect us to the natural world all around us. And the clarity of the information they offer can also illuminate possible paths forward. Organizations who provide this critical element to our larger understanding of culture have been elemental to the SCFD since its inception.
As we prepare to celebrate Earth Day, the SCFD honors the contributions of the dozens of organizations it funds whose scientific missions educate, enhance and illuminate our understanding of the world around us.
SCFD-funded organizations work every day to advance our understanding of the natural world and spark scientific curiosity in our children. They accomplish real world conservation on a local, national and global scale. And they work to provide avenues for each of us to connect, or reconnect, with the wonder of this state, nation and earth we call home.
You can learn more about the Natural Science and Natural History organizations the SCFD supports
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
In their words: Conserving birds and their habitats through science, education and land stewardship. [Link to our video]
In their words: Bluff Lake Nature Center is a unique urban natural area dedicated to educating and inspiring people of all ages to respect, protect, and connect with our natural world.
Boulder County Audubon Society
In their words: Boulder County Audubon Society is a voice for birds and wildlife conservation through habitat protection, conservation advocacy, and nature education.
In their words: To foster an appreciation of invertebrates by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation.
City of Aurora Open Space & Natural Resources
In their words: We are stewards of open spaces essential to Aurora’s quality of life.
In their words: To create extraordinary experiences that champion the wonder and joy of childhood.
In their words: To unite the energy, interest, and knowledge of the students and lovers of the mountains of Colorado. To collect and disseminated information regarding the Rocky Mountains on behalf of science, literature, art and recreation; to stimulate public interest in our mountain areas. To encourage the preservation of forest, flowers, fauna and natural scenery; and to render readily accessible the alpine attractions of this region.
In their words: To advocate for the environment, connecting people with nature through education, conservation, and research.
In their words: Secure a better world for animals through human understanding.
In their words: To connect people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
In their words: Be a catalyst! Ignite our community’s passion for nature and science.
In their words: To cultivate gardeners, grow food and nourish community. To offer neighborhoods the essential resources for community gardens, including ongoing technical expertise.
In their words: To conserve wildlife and natural ecosystems, provide citizen science experiences, and inspire and educate our community to benefit people and biodiversity.
In their words: To educate the public about, and ensure the preservation of, the natural and historic resources of Dinosaur Ridge, Triceratops Trail, and the surrounding areas.
Growing Gardens of Boulder County
In their words: To enrich the lives of our community through sustainable urban agriculture. To provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with their food, the land and each other.
In their words: To provide an educational opportunity to understand and appreciate the interaction of wild living things in their natural environment, and the importance of preserving the world in which they live.
The Hudson Gardens & Event Center
In their words: To serve the community by providing a forum for educational, cultural and artistic events and activities, drawing upon the beauty and resources of our regional display garden and our community partners.
In their words: To showcase the history of Lafayette, Colorado, especially as it relates to coal mining and miners’ lifestyles. To serve and educate the interested public through the collection, preservation, and interpretation of artifacts and materials that represent the history of the Lafayette area.
In their words: To promote environmental education and nature interpretation for Arvada and surrounding communities.
Morrison History Museum
In their words: To serve the curious by acquiring, preserving, and displaying objects related to local paleontology while promoting critical thinking and science literacy.
In their words: Our mission is to elevate the care and protection of wildlife by fostering memorable and lasting connections that inspire our community to become more environmentally conscious through collaboration, education, and rehabilitation.
In their words: To inspire excitement for learning through practical work experience in a farm setting while fostering respect, responsibility, curiosity, caring, and grit for youth within the City and County of Denver.
In their words: Our goal is ocean conservation through research and education. We educate and empower future generations to preserve our ocean and become future leaders in conservation. We do this by connecting youth with the wonders of the ocean and the importance of hands-on conservation through programming that highlights scientific exploration.
South Suburban Parks and Recreation – Nature Programs
In their words: To further the appreciation of natural open space for our community through direct positive experiences.
In their words: To provide year-round educational programs to people of all ages to foster a lifelong appreciation of the environment and to promote an environmentally aware, responsible and ecologically sound community.
In their words: To engage all families in educational, hands-on experiences that connect curiosity, creativity, and discovery.