Week of Gratitude at NatureBridge
Editor's note: Earlier this fall, we asked NatureBridge staff members who and what they're grateful for this season. Many of them named fellow NatureBridge co-workers! Here are a few of their responses:
Hagit Elaz, Director of National Operations #
I am so grateful for Casen Splain [National Salesforce Administrator]. She is always ready to share her smarts, knowledge and the perfect meme or TikTok that fits the moment. I could not imagine doing Salesforce without her. Her intelligence and quick wit are truly inspiring.
Joe Zofrea, Olympic Operations Manager #
I am so grateful for everyone on our kitchen and facilities team who work EVERYDAY to make sure that our students are fed and comfortable while they are here. Thank you to Andre, Adele, Bre, Dave, Spencer, Tara, Robert, Jesse and Al.
Cheyenne Palmo, Olympic Environmental Science Educator #
Aspen Dobbins is not only an incredible educator and education assistant, but she is one of the most kind and thoughtful friends a person can ask for. On campus, Aspen puts so much work into ensuring that every educator is supported and has resources that they need to be prepared in the field. As a friend, she cares so much about her friendships and is always there to listen. I am so incredibly thankful for her friendship. She is truly amazing!
Felicity Holmes, Olympic Environmental Science Educator #
Maggie Wise, best friend. Maggie is consistent with her behavior, wise, reaches for inner and external clarity.
Lydia Vanderburg, co-worker. When I think of what coworkers I trust, I can trust Lydia the most. I have spent the most time with her and have seen consistent behavior over the years. She is honest to herself and honest with us about who she is, her quirks, her strengths, her flaws. Also a great mentor for other educators in the field of environmental education.
Emily Volz, Olympic Education Manager #
Chelsea Leven puts so much thought and intention into her role as Education Manager - Science Lead. I appreciate everything she has brought to our team at Olympic.
Stories
Fall Reflections from NatureBridge Yosemite
As an environmental science educator, I spend a lot of time teaching about nature, but this season I’ve been finding that as it turns out, nature has a lot to teach us, too. Sometimes I can let the trees, the meadow, and the lichen teach for me. They show us how to respect each other’s boundaries, how to celebrate differences, how to work together, and how to lean on each other’s strengths in order to exist in a new place. These lessons felt incredibly relevant to me heading into the first week of November, a notoriously busy time at NatureBridge Yosemite. I wanted to focus on messages of kindness and inclusivity with my students, I wanted them to feel a sense of belonging in this new space, and I also hoped that they would share those messages with others.
An Incredible 10th Anniversary of Evening on the Lake
On October 25, the Amazon Meeting Center in downtown Seattle buzzed with celebratory energy as over 300 NatureBridge guests and supporters gathered for the 10th anniversary of "Evening on the Lake," our signature Pacific Northwest fundraising event for our Olympic campus.
"Science became fun" at NatureBridge for Alum Laura Lomeli Russert
Laura Lomeli Russert is a NatureBridge alum who grew up in Groveland, CA and now calls Washington, D.C. home. Laura’s journey with NatureBridge began when she attended the Golden Gate campus as a young student with her class from Tenaya Elementary. Laura credits NatureBridge with shaping not only her love for nature but also her passion for education and science. "Science became fun,” she recalls. “You weren’t learning from a textbook anymore, and it became so much more real." Her hands-on, scientific experiences at NatureBridge laid the foundation for her eventual pursuit of a Ph.D. in psychology. “I feel like I owe a lot to NatureBridge."