Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus

National Outdoor Leadership School

Building the Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus

For years, the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute dreamed of a campus devoted to teaching emergency medicine in a wilderness setting. In 2010, a perfect storm of opportunity allowed this dream to become a reality. NOLS acquired 243 acres in Red Canyon with the help of landowners Dr. Charles and Mary Ann McMahon. Further generous support from Mr. Hansjörg Wyss made the Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus (WWMC) possible. High Plains Architects, P.C., designed the new campus and general contractor MBA Construction Co. began building in October 2011. On November 4, 2012, the WWMC opened its doors to students.

It would not have been possible to build this campus without the generosity and enthusiasm of WMI�’s supporters. Thank you for all you contributed to this project. Together, we are building a new chapter in the history of Red Canyon and NOLS. We hope you enjoy this glimpse into the story of the WWMC, a story that you helped us write.

Exploring Red CanyonFrom the cliffs to the riverbed, the varied landscape of Red Canyon supports innumerable people and animals alike. Hunters and gatherers traveled to this area as early as 10,000 years ago, while homesteaders and ranchers more recently used the land to raise sheep, horses, and cattle. Large game animals continue to migrate through the canyon, sharing the land�’s resources with a diverse cross-section of other animals.

The Adams Ranch

Walter and Vida Adams lived on what is now the Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus from 1908 to 1959. From freighting to ranching to running moonshine, they found a variety of uses for this land. They had five children, the most rambunctious of whom was Lila, also known as �“Red Canyon Red�” due to her bright red hair.

Building a New ChapterThe Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus is designed to create an optimal learning environment for students of wilderness medicine. Small cabins provide quiet places for study and relaxation, while the dining hall and student commons are gathering spaces that foster a sense of community. The classrooms are equipped with movable furniture and rubberized ooring to facilitate both traditional teaching and skills practice. Our �“classroom�” continues out of doors with real-life simulations in wild and realistic terrain.

The Educational Facility

High-Performance Design

The National Outdoor Leadership School strives to foster a culture of sustainability in which environmentally responsible decisions are an integral part of life. The Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus was designed with this goal in mind. From renewable energy sources to water efficient appliances, each decision we made was evaluated for its impact on this fragile, arid landscape. We believe our commitment to environmental sustainability makes this campus much more than a collection of buildings; the buildings themselves have lessons to share.

Student Housing

Staff Residence

Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus DedicationThe WWMC was dedicated on October 12, 2012. Hansjörg Wyss, accompanied by his grandchildren, NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute Director Melissa Gray, NOLS Chair Kate Williams, and NOLS Executive Director John Gans, cut the ribbon, officially opening the new campus.