On Saturday, February 23, 2008, the Stark Mountain Foundation will hold its fifth annual Gala and Silent Auction - at Mad River Glen, in Fayston, Vermont. Last year's event raised over $25,000 and we look forward to another funfilled weekend. New this year is a Silent Auction running throughout Presidents' Week, ending at 1:00 p.m. on February 23.  The Gala will take place from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. on the 23rd, and there will be an open house at the Kent Thomas Nature Center from 10:00 a.m. to noon that day.  A limited number of tickets will be sold at the Mad River Ticket office and are $25 each until February 21, $35 after 2/21.

Interested in donating to the Silent Auction?  Click here for a donor form.

The Stark Mountain Foundation is a non-profit organization which was created in 2001 to complement the Cooperative's goals of "preserving and protecting" the environs of General Stark Mountain. Specifically, the Foundation was created to help fund long-term projects, to help preserve the mountain environment, educate the public, acquire or protect adjacent lands, and support qualified capital projects that the Co-op is unable to achieve without additional help.

The Stark Mountain Foundation has continued to grow and expand. The Foundation has supported: tree planting (Kay's Grove), culvert restoration, erosion control, the summer camp, educational displays, the naturalist program, the Kent Thomas Nature Center and a reserve for land acquisition.  Recent accomplishments include the establishment of a carbon offset program at Mad River, partnering with the Green Mountain Club to raise funds to endow the cost of maintaining a section of the Long Trail which passes along the ridgeline of Stark Mountain, continued maintenance and updating of the Ken Thomas Nature Center, and co-sponsoring "Step It Up For the Mountains" in Waitsfield, Vermont, as part of Earth Day 2007.

Thanks to all who help make the Gala and Auction such a fun and successful event each year!