Defining Adventure
What is adventure and what does it mean to be adventurous? What is tradition? While you can find the definitions in a dictionary (see below), the execution of adventure+tradition is up to the individual. Here at NatureBridge (where I met my partner in love and adventure in 1992) I continue to find people who are interested in joining me for some wacky and not always fun - but always eventful - excursions.
Since 1999 I have made a tradition of sleeping outdoors for New Year’s Eve. Most years I try for a bit of adventure, although to me it’s not the adventure of death-defying, squirrel wingsuit-wearing style. There are years when I have gotten many takers, and others when it’s just been me and my sometimes reluctant partner, Hugh. “It’s cold! It’s dark!” and yet he still keeps me company.
This year, joining us skiing out to Sentinel Dome in Yosemite National Park were my colleagues Nessa Schear, Sam Webster and Nessa’s sister visiting from an Ivy League college back east. It was one of the hardest skis I have ever done out to Sentinel and it marked the first time I did not ski up the dome. It was just too icy! And yes, it was cold! I am not sure how cold, but cold enough for the water bottles to freeze inside the tent if you did not sleep with them in your sleeping bag, which apparently, I was the only one doing.
So here’s to a great 2019 with many more years of traditions and adventure, whatever those might be for each individual.
Adventure: an exciting or remarkable experience (Merriam-Webster.com, 2019)
Tradition: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action or behavior (ibid.)
Stories
2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz
At NatureBridge, we celebrate the stewards of today and foster the development of the stewards of tomorrow, working to inspire environmental stewardship in all our participants. Our goal is to motivate our students to make waves and be changemakers in their communities and for our planet.
Each year, NatureBridge honors a student who has demonstrated leadership, growth and a commitment to protecting our natural world as a result of their participation in a NatureBridge program. This year’s honoree will be recognized and will speak at An Evening Outside with NatureBridge on Thursday, May 16 at our Golden Gate campus.
We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz.
An Interview with Evening Outside Keynote Speaker Dr. Britt Wray
The minute we found out about the work of Dr. Britt Wray, we knew we wanted to learn more about her. A well-respected author and scientist, Dr. Wray possesses expertise in an area of research we talk about a lot at NatureBridge—specifically how we can be resilient, hopeful, and actionable amid a changing world, including the climate crisis. We’re thrilled that Dr. Wray will be joining us on May 16 for An Evening Outside with NatureBridge as our Featured Speaker. Ahead of the event, we had the chance to ask her a few questions relating to her work and her connection to the mission of NatureBridge.
Staff Spotlight: Appreciation for Miho Aida
Miho Aida (she/they) has held multiple roles at NatureBridge over the past twenty-four years, including Environmental Science Educator, Community Connection Coordinator, Field Staff Scientist, Marine Project Coordinator, Pacific Rim Environmental Education Specialist, Armstrong Scholars Educator, Diversity Coordinator, Equity and Inclusion Manager, and Director of Equity and Inclusion. Now, on the eve of Miho's departure, we asked them to reflect on their time at NatureBridge and share a bit about their upcoming adventures.