1971 Society Donor Spotlight: Tracy Thompson
A stunning photograph of Yosemite National Park by the late wilderness photographer Galen Rowell hangs on Tracy Thompson’s wall. The image has hung in every office Tracy has ever had, including the law firm that introduced her to NatureBridge in 1992, but it was nearly lost when the firm suddenly and unexpectedly shut down for financial reasons.
“My first thought was to run in and save the Galen Rowell photograph so that the firm’s creditors wouldn’t get it,” says Tracy.
The photograph means a great deal to Tracy; it was originally a gift from NatureBridge (then Yosemite National Institute) in recognition of the firm’s generosity to the organization. It was Tracy who sparked that generosity, suggesting that the firm make all its future work for NatureBridge pro bono in exchange for bringing students from the Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School in San Francisco’s Bayview District to the Golden Gate campus for an overnight program.
“The kids went out there and it was an unbelievable experience for them,” she says. Many of them had never been away from home or seen the ocean before.
The kids went out there and it was an unbelievable experience for them. Many of them had never been away from home or seen the ocean before.Tracy Thompson
Inspired by the program’s impact on the students and her own love of the wild, Tracy provided pro bono legal services to NatureBridge for years, before joining the National Board of Directors in 2000. She served for 19 years in a variety of roles, from Vice Chair of Operations, to Board Secretary and Chair of the Risk Management and Nominating Committees. With her most recent commitment to NatureBridge, Tracy joins the 1971 Society, a community of dedicated donors who have bequeathed legacy gifts to the organization. She has directed her bequest toward scholarships for children whose access to nature is otherwise limited and whose lives would be forever changed by NatureBridge’s transformative programs.
As much as she treasures it, Tracy is even gifting the Galen Rowell photograph to NatureBridge.
“I’ve got a note taped to the back of it, ‘Return to NatureBridge when I die,’” Tracy laughs. “I truly am just the steward of the photograph.”
We are deeply grateful for Tracy’s time on the board, her stewardship of the beloved photo and her generous legacy gift that ensures future generations of students the opportunity to explore our national parks through environmental science. If you’d like more information about planned giving at NatureBridge, please contact Aaron Rich, Chief Development Officer at arich@naturebridge.org or 415-992-4761.
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.