Boeing: Building Access to the Outdoors
Less than one year after California wildfires led to the closure of our Southern California campus, Boeing generously granted NatureBridge $120,000 to support environmental science education for Southern California kids at our campus in Yosemite National Park. Boeing’s investment, along with contributions from other supporters, allowed twelve Southern California school groups—674 kids and 99 of their teachers—to attend overnight environmental science programs in Yosemite. These twelve schools—including Davis Middle School, Leuzinger High School and Schurr High School—have an average free and reduced lunch qualification rate of 63%; and ten of the twelve qualify as a Title 1 school.
For those 674 kids, the experience was transformational. One NatureBridge educator remarked:
As I noticed the curiosity and enthusiasm these sixth graders exhibited, it made me wish that every child could have an immersive outdoor experience like the one these students had in Yosemite. Unfortunately, many schools and communities face barriers to getting outdoors: being able to take time away from work, cost prohibitive travel and lodging, and a lack of resources to know where to begin.Jasmin Gonzalez, NatureBridge Educator
Boeing’s support helped break those barriers. For the 50 students who visited Yosemite from Davis Middle School in Compton, CA—where 85% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—the experience was full of firsts, including seeing snow for the very first time.
They also saw a bobcat and a bald eagle, conducted a macroinvertebrates study near a family of deer and built a shelter out of fallen branches and bark to protect the group from an imaginary storm—and then dismantled it to practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. They explored the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias which are some of the largest and oldest living things on the planet.
“NatureBridge is such a powerful experience for our students who don’t have the opportunity to get out into the mountains and nature,” said Jeff Harris, Director of School and Community Partnerships for Compton Unified. “Cost was a huge barrier, but NatureBridge’s donor community provided the much needed funds to cover costs.”
Upon reflection of their time in Yosemite, students shared that they felt welcomed in the park, that Yosemite was indeed a space for them. Others discovered a piece of themselves in the awesome nature surrounding them:
We are like sequoia trees because we’re tough and we hold each other up like the roots of sequoias do.Student, Davis Middle School
It is because of Boeing and the incredible support of our donors that these students experienced the simple joy of discovering the outdoors. An experience that will empower and inspire them to better understand, celebrate and protect the natural world.
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.