50 Years of Celebrating Planet Earth
In 1968, astronaut Bill Anders snapped this photo, Earthrise, from the capsule of Apollo 8. Seen around the world, people paused and reflected on their relationship with our home planet.
Just two years later, Earth Day was launched. Raising awareness about environmental concerns, it spurred the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. It provided common ground for Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, and urban and rural populations to advocate for the health of their communities.
It also inspired the creation of NatureBridge. In 1971 we opened our doors as Yosemite Institute. In fact, Bill Anders served on our founding Board of Directors. Today, his wife Valerie Anders serves as the Emeritus Chair of our NatureBridge Olympic Board and for 49 years we’ve connected young people to the natural world, deepening science learning and inspiring a lifetime of environmental stewardship. All because of a moment when humans set out to explore the moon, and instead discovered the Earth.
Today we celebrate our 50th Earth Day. With so much work still to be done, I find hope in the next generation, in the empathy exhibited daily by my two sons working alongside me in this pandemic, and in Earthrise:
It still reminds us that distance and borders and division are merely a matter of perspective. We are all linked in a joined human enterprise; we are bound to a planet we all must share. We are all, together, stewards of this fragile treasure.Bill Anders
This message rings truer than ever as we confront the crisis that has swept our globe. We are all connected. This planet is our only home. It is our greatest gift, and our greatest responsibility is to care for it and for each other.
Whether it is safely going for a walk or finding an activity from our Outside Still Open Guide for you and your family, we hope you find time today to celebrate our planet and reflect on your relationship with the natural world.
Happy Earth Day! And please, take care.
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.