Stories from the Field

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:

Sixth grader Cade Sutton and his school are from Colorado, and during our week together the students were getting really stoked about Pacific Northwest tree identification. Recognizing their interest, on our challenge hike day up Mt. Storm King I offered recitations of a couple tree-themed poems I had written to those who wanted to hear. Cade was particularly excited about these and continued his curiosity and engagement in learning about the trees around him... On Cade's turn, he shared that what rocked about his day was "being able to express myself through poetry." Teary eyed, it warmed my heart to know he not only had the courage and confidence to share his work with our trail group, but also that he had an opportunity to follow his passions at NatureBridge. Experiences like this remind me how our programs can make a lasting impact, or are made to last—just like the cedar tree of Cade's poetic affection. 

On a recent autumn afternoon in Yosemite Valley, Seth Gurgel and Jen Leung looked on in delight as their two-year-old son Auggie marveled at the texture of fallen leaves and explored with his fingers the tiny seeds hidden within alder cones. Ada Meyer, a NatureBridge Environmental Science Educator, guided Auggie in these tactile experiences, watching his face light up with each new discovery. Although NatureBridge programming is geared toward school-age children, Ada’s background in early childhood development came shining through as she and Auggie excitedly engaged with their environment. Ada had volunteered to shepherd the young children of a few very special visitors this week, because the NatureBridge national and regional boards were on campus for the annual board retreat. “That was our first glimpse of the power of NatureBridge with our own kid,” Seth remarks.