Stories from the Field

When I Grow Up I Want To Be An Environmental Educator!

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We asked our NatureBridge educators to describe how their childhood love of nature influenced their journey to become the environmental educators they are.  Here's what they said! Photos depicted are them immersed in nature as kids and adults: then/now. 

In sixth grade, I spent five beautiful days at Whiskeytown Environmental School in Northern California. Despite the rain throughout the week, I did not want to leave, and when I went back as a camp counselor in high school, I began to dream of some day being an outdoor educator myself. Well, I didn't really plan for it, but five years later, the opportunity came and a dream came true! Life has a funny way of doing that.
Karen Gallardo Cruz, NatureBridge educator
karen gallardo cruz
Karen Gallardo Cruz, then
Karen Gallardo Cruz, now
Karen Gallardo Cruz, now
I hope to share my passion for the outdoors with youth through environmental education and inspire their own connection and stewardship for the earth. As a Latina in this field, I hope to be a role model for young students of color to explore natural protected areas near their homes and also science careers.
Lesly Caballero, NatureBridge & Latino Outdoors educator
lesly caballero, then
Lesly Caballero, then
lesly caballero, now
Lesly Caballero, now
Growing up, camping and going on outdoor adventures were things I considered a hobby. I never knew these experiences would lead me to a career where everyday I get to teach other young adults the same 'lessons' I learned about caring for themselves, others, and nature.
Lisa Ribaric, NatureBridge educator, Yosemite
lisa, then
Lisa Ribaric, then
lisa now
Lisa Ribaric, now
I have always had a love for nature. My appreciation and respect for the natural world came later, as I became more educated. My goals are to educate students, in the hope that they too will love the natural world and want to preserve it. If I can inspire a handful of kids, hopefully they will be able to inspire others and that ripple effect will continue on, leading to a generation of conscious and responsible people.
Missy Cottone, NatureBridge educator, Santa Monica Mountains
Missy then
Missy Cottone, then
Missy, now
Missy Cottone, now
My dream to impact the environment and be involved with nature and youth is to help young people of color feel comfortable in spaces that may not always feel comfortable to them. I hope to provide comfort through my own presence as a person of color, former English language learner, and someone from a low income background with immigrant parents. I hope that my presence in an outdoor space as an educator can help other youth not represented in the outdoors feel empowered to pursue outdoor activities recreationally and/or professionally.​​​​
Alejandro Granados, NatureBridge educator, Yosemite
Alejandro then
Alejandro Granados, then
Alejandro Granados, now
Alejandro Granados, now
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