Alumni Community
We're so glad you're here! By joining the NatureBridge Alumni Community, you're becoming part of a nationwide network of students, families, educators, and supporters who share a passion for nature, science, and lifelong learning. As a member, you'll receive invitations to alumni events, opportunities to reconnect with NatureBridge educators and fellow alumni, share your story, hear inspiring stories from across our community, and exclusive NatureBridge alumni benefits.
Alumni Benefits
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) #
We’re excited to share a special opportunity from our friends at NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), the global leader in outdoor education. As a NatureBridge alum, your student is eligible for $500 off any Summer 2026 NOLS expedition that is 10 days or longer.* Apply now with coupon code NYA88J at checkout.
Students can build on their time at NatureBridge by elevating their leadership and wilderness skills with NOLS’ immersive, real-world learning experiences that challenge young people to step outside their comfort zone and develop the confidence to lead. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, college preparation, or the adventure of a lifetime, NOLS will help you unlock your full potential and create the kind of leader you want to be. Join NOLS on a rafting, backpacking, or sea kayaking expedition or at any of the many other magnificent places in between!
We’ve partnered with Blog Posts
Coming Full Circle: Claire Darcy’s Journey from NatureBridge Student to Staff Member
For Environmental Science Educator Claire Darcy, NatureBridge isn’t just a workplace—it’s a place where her past and present meet, shaping a future rooted in stewardship, curiosity, and community. As a multi-campus educator and site manager, primarily at NatureBridge Prince William Forest Park, Claire brings a unique blend of passion, experience, and perspective to her roles, inspired by a deeply personal connection to NatureBridge’s mission.
2025 Student of the Year: Subiksha Shri Palanisamy Mythili
Subiksha Shri participated in a NatureBridge program with her classmates from Lawson Middle School at our Yosemite campus in January 2025. A passionate hiker, dancer, and devoted steward of the natural world from Cupertino, CA, Subiksha Shri is a shining example of how transformative experiences in nature can shape young minds and hearts.
"Science became fun" at NatureBridge for Alum Laura Lomeli Russert
Laura Lomeli Russert is a NatureBridge alum who grew up in Groveland, CA and now calls Washington, D.C. home. Laura’s journey with NatureBridge began when she attended the Golden Gate campus as a young student with her class from Tenaya Elementary. Laura credits NatureBridge with shaping not only her love for nature but also her passion for education and science. "Science became fun,” she recalls. “You weren’t learning from a textbook anymore, and it became so much more real." Her hands-on, scientific experiences at NatureBridge laid the foundation for her eventual pursuit of a Ph.D. in psychology. “I feel like I owe a lot to NatureBridge."
2024 Olympic Student of the Year: Ames Black O'Neal
We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Olympic Student of the Year: eighth grader Ames Black O'Neal.
Ames participated in a NatureBridge program with his seventh grade class from Portland, OR at our Olympic campus in spring 2024. As a self-described "nature nut," Ames was surprised by how much he learned at NatureBridge and how meaningful he found the hands-on, immersive experience to be. As he later reflected, "Learning is so much more impactful when you are surrounded by the subject matter."
From City Girl to Outdoor Advocate: Alma McKenry’s NatureBridge Journey
In April 1985, a group of seventh graders from Vallejo Junior High School embarked on an unforgettable educational trip to NatureBridge Yosemite, then known as the Yosemite Institute. As part of the school’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program, these students experienced outdoor science education, thanks to several dedicated teachers who believed in the value of connecting students with nature. For Alma McKenry, a city kid from Vallejo, CA, the trip to Yosemite felt like stepping into the great unknown.
Staff Spotlight: Sam Matlock
Sam Matlock (she/they), former NatureBridge student and current Coastal Camp staff member, has come full circle in their journey with NatureBridge. Growing up in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Mariposa, CA, Sam has always had a passion for spending time outdoors and for exploring the natural world. Their eighth grade class trip to NatureBridge Yosemite planted a seed for what a career in outdoor education could look like. Now a Coastal Camp counselor spending the summer at NatureBridge Golden Gate in the Marin Headlands, Sam marvels at the amazing ways in which their path has led them back to NatureBridge. Sam’s story is an inspiring testament to the lasting impact NatureBridge makes on its students and educators alike.