Environmental Service and Education Programs
Current Programs
| Colorado Springs | Garden of the Gods Pikes Peak |
| Pikes Peak Region | Beaver Creek Wilderness Study Area Shelf Road Climbing Area |
| Southern Colorado | South Colony Lakes Basin, Sangre de
Cristo Range |
| Utah | Indian Creek Canyon, Utah |
| Other Programs | Earth Corps |
Research Projects
| South Colony Lakes Basin Restoration Study |
| North Crystal Creek Basin (Pikes Peak) Research and Demonstration Project |
General Program Information
The Rocky Mountain Field Institute hosts environmental service and education programs at several locations within the Colorado region. These programs focus on the completion of critical preservation and restoration work planned in direct partnership with federal, state and local land management agencies. RMFI programs include education on the natural history, ecology and conservation issues of the areas where the programs are held. RMFI is funded through a variety of federal, state and private sources. RMFI programs, and the type of work that is completed under them, change from year-to-year; however, most programs are part of multi-year initiatives. RMFI open enrollment and public programs are voluntary, and participants do not receive financial compensation.
Types of Programs
Public Open Enrollment Programs
RMFI offers programs on an open enrollment basis for the general public.
Group Programs
RMFI offers programs for groups including schools, organizations, and businesses.
Earth Corps
Earth Corps is an intensive, for-credit, 30-day program for undergraduate students that is offered in conjunction with the Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The program takes place in remote wilderness locations. Upon successful completion of the program students will earn 4-hours of college credit (GES 446: Field Studies in Geography).
Internships
Internships for undergraduate students are offered on a select basis to assist RMFI in completing specific projects. Internships do not normally provide financial compensation.
Program Location and Length
RMFI programs are conducted in both front country and backcountry environs, and vary in length from 1-day to 30-days (Earth Corps).
Who Can Participate
Most RMFI programs require arduous physical labor. The age limits are:
- 1-day open enrollment programs- 16+ years of age and older
- Multi-day backcountry open enrollment programs- 18+ years of age
Special group programs for youth younger than 16 can be organized in conjunction with schools and organizations; however, this is dependent upon the type of work projects that RMFI has scheduled.
Cost and What's Provided by RMFI
RMFI programs are provided at no cost to participants. Tools are provided. For backcountry programs, food and group equipment are provided.
Transportation
RMFI does not provide transportation either to or from programs.
Registration/Application Information
Participants are asked to register in advance for both open enrollment and group programs. An application is required for multi-day, backcountry programs, and for Earth Corps. All participants must sign a Release Waiver prior to their participation.