Honoring Donald Rees: The Visionary Founder of NatureBridge

This past November, I had the chance to visit with Don at his home in Palm Desert, CA. It was a wonderful opportunity to laugh, share stories and photos, and reflect on the tremendous legacy of this leader--with an idea ahead of its time. Despite being on hospice care, Don was alert, smiling ear-to-ear, and eager to look back at NatureBridge’s origin story, the influence of his family, the impact on students, and the many great partners he worked with along the way.

Our almost three hours together included snippets from his daughter, Ann Rees McGreevy, and Donald’s sister Bobbi, who provided colorful commentary, provocative questions, and a more in-depth backstory. 

Don enthusiastically responded to myriad questions about the founding of Yosemite Institute  (now NatureBridge). From Don’s recollection, it was a 1970 trip through Yosemite (that included covering miles of trail with a very young Ann on top of a very heavy Kelty backpack) that spurred the idea. Don observed that his kids were remarkably engaged and alert, and “they just seem to learn so much more than they might in the four walls of a classroom.” 
With the partnership of Yosemite National Park leadership and new friends at the Curry Company, the concept was launched. Early days included barn-raising activities at Crane Flat transforming a 1930s Blister Rust Camp into a home for students in our nation’s most iconic national park. I saw photos of Don wielding a circular saw, his wife Jo Ann carrying plywood, and his kids (Chris, Carol, and Ann) utilizing paintbrushes and sewing needles. It was a family—and indeed—a community affair.

The early years of Yosemite Institute required Don to be on the road a lot, driving up and down California, and trying to convince schools of the merits of this outdoor school concept. Fortunately, Don’s credibility as a math teacher at the well-respected Polytechnic High School in Pasadena allowed him to step through many doors and take sales calls with authority.

Over the course of our visit, Don and I sifted through a large box marked "YI - KEEP!" The experience of taking in the classic black and white photos (many shot with Don’s 1960s Leica camera that he pulled from a bedside table) from the early founding days was profound. Don’s memory was sharp as he recounted early staff and board members, Yosemite National Park partners, and more as we bounced from picture to picture. When our gathering was over, his daughter Ann turned to me and shared that she hoped we would be willing to accept that box as a gift when Don passed.

Shortly we’ll reflect more on the history of Crane Flat as we settle into our new Yosemite campus, the National Environmental Science Center (NESC). Undoubtedly, photos from Don’s banker’s box will make their way onto the walls of our new campus, tying our remarkable history with our compelling and necessary future.

Don, thank you for your bold idea. For imagining an unproven concept and for creating an organization that has welcomed, energized, taught, and inspired over 1.6 million students. I know you’ll rest in peace knowing that you have had a profound impact on this earth and so many of the people that inhabit it. Thank you.