Sacred Mountains
Program
Mountains have always been the repositories
for deeply held values and cultural beliefs; and when conservation
is grounded in such meaningful traditions, it is eminently more
sustainable. Through its Sacred Mountains Program, The Mountain
Institute combines spiritually diverse perspectives on mountain
environments—-peaks, streams, meadows, forests, flora, and
wildlife—-with conservation projects in national parks and
other protected sites around the world.
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with the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), TMI has developed innovative
interpretative and educational materials and activities in five of
the country’s mountainous parks, including Mt. Rainier, Cascades,
Rocky Mountain, Hawai’i Volcanoes and Great Smokies, where
ancient Cherokee legends are being incorporated into trail markers
and a learning center. Worldwide, the program will begin work in
Huascarán National Park in Peru, and in Sagarmatha National
Park in Nepal, where a “pilgrim’s trail” is being
restored with emphasis on cultural traditions and legends of the
native people who built it.
The Mountain Forum
Established in 1995 as a worldwide network,
with partners in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South
America, The Mountain Forum connects grassroots mountain communities,
development organizations, research institutions, international
policy-makers, and many others interested in mountain issues. With
a membership of 3600 individuals and 310 organizations in more
than 128 countries, and an email list of 13,000, the Mountain Forum’s
mission is to increase understanding and support for mountain conservation,
community and culture through education, advocacy, and outreach.
TMI provides training and technical support to networks around
the world, conducts e-consultations on mountain issues, and maintains
a website of more than 7000 pages which includes a calendar, an
on-line library, and expanded services. Please visit www.mtnforum.org
for details.
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International Year
of the Mountains
The United Nations designated 2002 as the
International Year of the Mountains; and organizations and governments
worldwide joined a collaborative effort to celebrate mountains
and to focus attention on their issues and unique needs.
The Mountain Institute took a leading
role in this global endeavor, working closely with the Swiss
Mission to the United Nations and the UN’s Food & Agriculture
Organization (FAO). TMI presented its work at important international
summits in Italy, Peru, South Africa, Bhutan, and Krygyzstan
and a new International Mountain Partnership, which will carry
forward the “mountain agenda” in the coming years,
was created as a result of IYM.
Refer to Program
Summaries for more information
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