Board Spotlight: Chuck Ritter
We’re thrilled to welcome Chuck Ritter to the NatureBridge family. Chuck joined the Olympic Board in January 2019 and we recently sat down with him to learn more about him and his connection to nature.
When I think about the intersection of the mission of NatureBridge and the current state of our world climate, it’s critical that we not only take immediate actions in this decade before us, but instill a sense of urgency and priority among our younger generation to do a far better job of loving our planet.Chuck Ritter
Tell us about your professional career. #
I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Regent on the South Dakota State Board of Regents. As a governor-appointed board member, it was fulfilling to give back to the state that had invested in my education and to provide stewardship in a field I feel so strongly about.
My experience co-founding a startup, learning through mistakes, working with extraordinary people and having good fortune along the way made me a better leader and person. Most rewarding was contributing to the construction of a company that has been able to give so much professional opportunity to a great group of people.
After 22+ years of consulting, I’m exploring my next opportunity. I served as President of Point B for four years, a Fortune magazine #1 best place to work, and I’m excited to find the next leadership opportunity which allows me to lead with heart, develop great leaders and grow a company beyond the future they see for themselves.
Why is serving on the NatureBridge board important to you? #
When I think about the intersection of the mission of NatureBridge—essentially to connect young people to our natural world and build stewards of our planet—and the current state of our world climate, it’s critical that we not only take immediate actions in this decade before us as human beings, but instill a sense of urgency and priority among our younger generation to do a far better job of loving our planet than we did.
Do you have a story of one of your favorite experiences in nature or a national park? #
I remember making an overnight trip through Rocky Mountain National Park when I was just out of college and in the darkness of the night, we found ourselves surrounded by a herd of deer that had just stopped about us. It was a 15–20 minute journey for us to navigate safely, but it was an incredibly peaceful and, oddly enough, quiet experience that really spoke to the wonder of nature.
Stories
In Memory of Ty Cobb: A Visionary Leader of Resilience and Impact
Ty Cobb, former CEO of Yosemite National Institutes (now NatureBridge), passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024 in Reno at the age of 84. Known for his visionary leadership, resilience, and ability to inspire collaboration, Ty guided YNI through some of its most difficult moments while building a foundation for its future growth and success.
WildLink November 2024: Woodlake High School
This November, Woodlake High School students and chaperones arrived in Yosemite for their first year as a WildLink school, and we are so excited to have them on the team! That means that the brave students who signed up for this expedition had virtually no idea what to expect before signing up for the trip, because none of their peers had experienced it before them! The week, although quite frigid, was full of lovely views, learning about Wilderness, spending lots of time by the river, and enjoying the beauty of Yosemite Valley and Wilderness. Their educators Sarah and Amelia were excited to help this group feel a sense of belonging in this place. They were also lucky enough to be joined by Ranger Lissie on their first day in the Wilderness!
Fall Reflections from NatureBridge Yosemite
As an environmental science educator, I spend a lot of time teaching about nature, but this season I’ve been finding that as it turns out, nature has a lot to teach us, too. Sometimes I can let the trees, the meadow, and the lichen teach for me. They show us how to respect each other’s boundaries, how to celebrate differences, how to work together, and how to lean on each other’s strengths in order to exist in a new place. These lessons felt incredibly relevant to me heading into the first week of November, a notoriously busy time at NatureBridge Yosemite. I wanted to focus on messages of kindness and inclusivity with my students, I wanted them to feel a sense of belonging in this new space, and I also hoped that they would share those messages with others.