DENVER―April 1― The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has received $4.85 million in gifts from the Avenir Foundation for all aspects of collections conservation, including constructing and equipping a new collections center, rehousing collections and endowing long-term conservation. The Museum renamed its collections center, which opened in February 2014, the Avenir Collections Center to recognize the Avenir Foundation for its generous support.

The Avenir Collections Center, formerly the Rocky Mountain Science Collections Center, is a climate-controlled, secure preservation and research facility, dedicated to housing, studying, and preserving the Museum’s nearly 1.5 million precious artifacts and specimens. This new state-of-the-art facility has positioned the Museum as a global leader in collections stewardship.

The Lakewood-based Avenir Foundation supports arts and culture through education and preservation, truly living up to its name, which was inspired by the French word l’avenir, “future or time to come.”

“We are very grateful to the Avenir Foundation for their outstanding support,” George Sparks, president and CEO of the Museum, said. “Their commitment to our community helps the Museum ensure that the stories, science and wonder inherent in our scientific treasures will endure for generations.”

About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region’s leading resource for informal science education. Our mission is to be catalyst and ignite the community’s passion for nature and science. The Museum envisions an empowered community that loves, understands, and protects our natural world. As such, a variety of engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum visitors celebrate and understand the wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205. To learn more about the Museum, visit dmns.org, or call 303-370-6000. Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. Connect with the Museum on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.