Mountain Park Environmental Center

Mountain Park Environmental Center's mission is to provide environmental education programming
in order to create an ecologically literate citizenry that understands, respects, enjoys, and cares for
themselves, their families, their community and the natural world.

Our broad vision is that education will play a vital role in creating to a sustainable human presence in
our communities (and on our planet) that considers the Natural World in all of its decisions and
choices.

The vision that led to the creation of Mountain Park Environmental Center (MPEC) is built on a
foundation of promoting societal ecological literacy through environmental education. Or, to put it
more simply, providing opportunities for people to learn about and connect with Nature. A decade
later, this vision continues to be the guiding principle of our organization. Our programs for children
and adults have received numerous awards and media coverage and serves several thousand
people every year.

The years leading up to the opening of MPEC saw Pueblo Mountain Park, owned by the City of
Pueblo, as an under-utilized, but ideal, outdoor classroom. There had even been talk of the City
liquidating the park. Through the work of a dedicated group of Pueblo area visionaries, Mountain
Park Environmental Association, a 501c3 non-profit organization, was established in 1999 to
facilitate the creation of the Center. In close collaboration with the Greenway and Nature Center of
Pueblo (GNC), the University of Southern Colorado (USC), and the Pueblo Parks and Recreation
Department, MPEC became reality in March 2000, when the Center officially opened our doors.

During our first three years, MPEC operated in a limited partnership with the GNC, including
administrative ties with USC. Since March 2003, due to changes at USC and the GNC, MPEC has
been operating as an independent 501c3 non-profit corporation.

In July 2008, MPEC took over management of Pueblo Mountain Park from the City of Pueblo's
Parks and Recreation Department. This development greatly expanded the scope of our work in
the park.

From March 2000 through October 2008, MPEC was headquartered in Pueblo Mountain Park's
main caretaker building. The building's 1500 square feet served as an Interpretive Center, a
classroom and meeting space, a Nature Gift Shop and offices. In October 2008, after completing
Phase 1 of the Horseshoe Lodge Revovation, MPEC has been headquartered in the completed
portion of Pueblo Mountain Park's historic Horseshoe Lodge. This greatly expanded space now
allows for an expanded Interpretive Center with hands-on displays on the natural and cultural history
of the area, the Nature Shop, three classrooms / meeting spaces, public restrooms, a biomass
heating system (and many other "green" building elements).