Board Spotlight: Laura Sigman
NatureBridge board member Laura Sigman’s goal has always been to merge her two passions: the environment and children’s health. As a physician in Washington, DC, Laura knows all about the importance of the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. That’s why she has been on the board for our Mid-Atlantic Region (MARE) campus located in Prince William Forest for the last six years. But her connection to NatureBridge didn’t begin there.
“I learned about NatureBridge from a childhood friend who moved from LA to DC,” Laura reflects. “Coincidentally, she and I went to summer camp in Northern Minnesota together as kids, and later were there as counselors. Having grown up in the Chicago suburbs, it was at camp that I developed a deep love of the outdoors and an interest in environmental science and education.”
Now, as a pediatrician in a high-volume children’s emergency department, Laura sees the many challenges that families face around physical and mental health, access to resources and structural inequities. That’s also why being involved with NatureBridge is so important to her. Laura states, “Ensuring that more children from the diverse populations I serve around the DC area have access to programs that allow them to experience the outdoors is a main goal of my involvement with NatureBridge.”
Getting involved in NatureBridge was a perfect way to bring together my interests in the environment and children’s health and well-being.Laura Sigman, Physician and MARE Board Member
Ultimately, Laura's goal is to increase the impact of NatureBridge in the Washington, DC area. “Living in the nation’s capital, which has vibrant and diverse communities as well as incredible green space, including a ‘hidden gem’ of a national park that runs through the city, and beautiful areas like Prince William Forest and Shenandoah National Park within 1-2 hours’ drive, I think the region is uniquely poised to expand the impact of NatureBridge,” she notes. But it’s not just about expanding our reach. Laura knows that NatureBridge’s programs make a lasting impact on students of all backgrounds and is critical to the future. “Ultimately," Laura says, "I’d like to see MARE develop programs that provide multiple touch points through different stages of childhood, leading to more diversity in outdoor enthusiasts and environmental education.”
I’d like to see MARE develop programs that provide multiple touch points through different stages of childhood, leading to more diversity in outdoor enthusiasts and environmental education.Laura Sigman, Physician and MARE Board Member
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.