Elevating knowledge,
EMPOWERING
ACTION

Shaping the future of mountain environments and societies together

Sept. 23-25 | Basalt, CO
Sept. 23-25 | Basalt, CO

The Moving Mountains Summit leverages the combined power of local and Indigenous knowledge, western science, policy and advocacy to address mountain sustainability and justice in the face of rapid climate change.

Take action with mountain stakeholders from around the world

Join academics, practitioners, educators, students, decision-makers, community knowledge holders and Indigenous rights-holders from 18 networks across six continents and 50+ countries. Examine the most critical challenges and opportunities mountain communities face. Help build pathways to sustainability across mountain systems worldwide.

Together, we can move mountains.

REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT
September 22-25, 2022
Rocky Mountain Innovation Hub
Basalt, Colorado USA
Mountain momentum is building

The United Nations designated 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, and we’ll explore how to achieve sustainable development that is also inclusive and just at the Moving Mountains Summit.

The Summit will immediately precede the UN Mountain Partnership meeting in Aspen, CO and will deliver a vision and action plan for mountains co-produced at the Summit, representing the braiding of local and Indigenous knowledges, perspectives and values with western science.

What’s happening at the Summit?

We envision transforming mountain science and sustainable development to be more collaborative, just, impactful, and based on multiple values and knowledge systems.

The Moving Mountains Summit will launch an initiative aimed at identifying and implementing pathways to sustainability across mountain systems worldwide. In doing so, we will address four critical knowledge gaps for mountain sustainability:

  1. Contributions of local and Indigenous knowledge to adaptation and transformation.
  2. Nature-based solutions for climate change in mountain systems.
  3. Approaches to strengthen local governance, and build equitable partnerships for sustainable livelihoods and policy.
  4. Synthesis across diverse mountain contexts of transformative pathways. Knowledge gaps may be addressed across themes of food security and autonomy, sustainable water and energy, and mountain services and products.

There is a unique convergence of global threats and opportunities affecting mountains: the urgent need for climate solutions now, the continuing effects of COVID-19, the designation of 2022 as the United Nations International Year for Sustainable Mountain Development and our recent National Science Foundation award that offers an opportunity to co-produce a mountain sustainability program with our partners worldwide.

Now is an ideal time to convene multiple sectors of society across mountains worldwide to set an agenda and an actionable roadmap for the future. This vision and roadmap will be guided by a commitment to decolonization and efforts rooted in a collaborative science-with-society approach.

The Moving Mountains Summit will launch activities that showcase, learn, build, engage and evaluate:

  • Showcase: We will share existing innovations and success stories, building off local and Indigenous expertise and other approaches. Our Mountain Showcase will highlight research, practice, creative works and products as the basis to chart actions.
  • Learn: We will provide opportunities for in-depth learning and reflection about topics of interest to participants. Topics may include nature-based solutions, carbon management, social innovation and change, Indigenous Evaluation Frameworks, Collective Impact, and diverse knowledge and value systems.
  • Build: We will create a shared plan with defined strategies, metrics, and partnerships for the future. The outputs will include a shared vision, goals, and a co-produced initial action plan. We will also form thematic communities of interest and regional learning-action collaboratories.
  • Engage: The Summit will include diverse pathways for community-building and engagement, including dynamic discussions and hands-on working groups, time outdoors and social time with an evening of mountain-inspired music and celebration.
  • Evaluate: We will create daily opportunities for individual and group reflections on the Summit process, goals, action plan and ways forward.

How to get to the Summit
Directions to the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) from Denver:

  • Get onto US-6 W.
  • Take the I-70 W exit toward Grand Junction. Continue for 145 miles.
  • Take exit 116 toward Ski Areas/Sunlight Man/Snowmass/Aspen.
  • Turn right onto CO-82.
  • Continue straight onto CO-82 E.
  • Turn left onto Two Rivers Road.
  • RMI will be two miles ahead on the right.

Directions to the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) from Grand Junction:

  • Head east on 1-70BL E/Pitkin Ave toward S 14th Street.
  • Keep right at the fork, follow signs for I-70 E. Continue for 80 miles.
  • Take exit 116 for CO-82 E towards Glenwood Springs/Aspen.
  • Turn left onto CO-82 E.
  • Continue straight to stay on CO-82 E.
  • Turn left onto Two Rivers Road.
  • RMI will be two miles ahead on the right.

Where to stay at the Summit
Participants will be staying at three different venues: Aspenalt Lodge, Basalt Mountain Inn and Frying Pan River Lodge. All rooms have been pre-reserved, and all three locations are within easy walking distance from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and downtown Basalt. On Thursday, Sept. 22, there will be a registration desk open from 6 to 8 p.m. MT at RMI for participants to get hotel information and check in. If your flight or arrival is outside of that period, we will be contacting you directly to let you know where you will be staying.

Aspenalt Lodge
157 Basalt Center Circle
Basalt, CO 81621
(970) 927-3191
[email protected]

Basalt Mountain Inn
220 Midland Avenue
Basalt, CO 81621
(970) 927-4747
[email protected]

Frying Pan River Lodge
100 Frying Pan Road
Basalt, CO 81621
(970) 927-9927
[email protected]

Pre-meeting preparation

Please click here to review the pre-Summit preparation instructions.

Thermal comfort in a net-zero building

The Rocky Mountain Institute’s Innovation Center is a supremely efficient, net-zero building. Please click here to review the recommendations for how to maximize comfort in this cutting-edge space, and pack accordingly.

Moving Mountains Summit Sponsors
Mountains 2022 logo
Town of Basalt
Network Partners
Ready to collaborate for a sustainable future?
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Reach out with questions, to learn more about the Summit or to submit your ideas about future areas of focus for our growing Alliance and our annual event.
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