What is AIMF?

The Aspen International Mountain Foundation (AIMF) is a Colorado nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting sustainable development in the world's mountain communities.  Formally organized in 2001 in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, AIMF evolved over a decade of working collaboratively with the United Nations' Environment Program (UNEP), the City of Aspen, the Aspen Institute, Aspen Sister Cities, and other public and private organizations that produced a series of international conferences focusing on issues facing mountain communities.                                                         

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Why is it so critical to focus on sustainable development in mountain communities?      

• Mountains cover about 25 percent of the earth's surface and are home to 12 percent of the world's population.
• Mountains are crucial to all life on earth; protecting mountain ecosystems and promoting stability in mountain regions is essential.
• Half of humanity depends on mountains as a source of fresh water.
• Mountains are home to some of the world's most important and threatened biodiversity.
• The genetic diversity preserved in mountain ecosystems helps to ensure the world's future food security.
• Mountain ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to the impact of global warming and are early indicators of climate change.
• War, poverty, hunger, and environmental destruction threaten the web of life that mountains support.
• The future of mountains and a large portion of the people who call them home are threatened by armed conflict, global climate change, exploitative mining, and unsustainable forestry and agriculture practices.
• As much as half of the mountain population in developing and in transition countries — from 250 to 370 million people — are vulnerable to food insecurity.