A Letter from the Chairman...

February 2005

Dear Friends and Supporters of The Mountain Institute,

With the new year already upon us, The Mountain Institute is looking forward to an exciting future. After three years at its helm, Catherine Cooke retired at the end of 2004, making a smooth transition of leadership to interim President and CEO Bob Davis. Mr. Davis’ 25 years of experience at TMI combined with Ms. Cooke’s continued presence on the Board of Trustees will ensure that past achievements continue to thrive and vigorous new projects and partnerships develop.

Your support in 2004 made some wonderful work possible. Important new projects will begin in 2005---including the exciting Tibet Plateau Development Program, which aims to develop enterprise, improve rangeland, and preserve culture in Tibet. This project is a wonderful example of international partnership on behalf of sustainable development. Also in their early stages are new projects in Central Asia focusing on conservation and sacred traditions.

Of course our work in conservation, community development and cultural preservation continues in the Andes and the Himalayas; and our Appalachia Program is expanding its educational thrust to inspire and prepare leaders in all these arenas. A number of international exchanges will also take place---an opportunity for stakeholders in every region where TMI works to travel to another part of the world, discovering “common ground” so necessary to our global society.

Please join us in thanking Catherine Cooke for the outstanding contributions she has made to the mountain world and to TMI. As we embark on new adventures, we will continue to bring you stories of our successes from the field.

Best regards,

Joseph Teplitz
Chairman, Board of Trustees