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MOUNTAINS . . .The health of the planet can often be judged by events in the mountains. Only
the most inaccessible parts of the planet remain unaltered by humans. Being the most remote areas on all continents, mountains shelter remnant and sometimes pristine ecosystems, serving as centers for surviving
biodiversity and often harboring endangered human groups alongside rare plants and animals. Mountains exert a strong spiritual draw on people. Increasingly, they are the only available
destination for adventure in a setting not dominated by other people. Mountains are sensors for environmental change. Extending through layers of atmosphere and climate, they witness shifts in
glaciers, treelines and ranges of animal species, foreshadowing significant global changes at lower altitudes. Through the research of mountains, AFFIMER hopes to increase global understanding of
alpine environments and their importance in predicting future cultural, climate and geographic changes in the world in which we live.
HISTORY . . .A California Public Benefit Corporation, organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable purposes, the American Foundation for International Mountaineering
Exploration and Research (AFFIMER) is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. AFFIMER is
dedicated to promoting the exploration of mountains for the purpose of increasing geographic, cultural, and scientific understanding of the global alpine environment. Founded in 1990 by a group of alpine
mountain climbers and researchers from across the United States, AFFIMER is governed by a volunteer board of directors and receives its funding from private contributions and donations from the public. |
