Golden Gate

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."

Outdoor environmental education programs like NatureBridge offer a unique and transformative approach to engaging students. A recent study by the Stanford University and the North American Association for Environmental Education shows that overnight outdoor school can have profound impacts on students by improving their academic and emotional development. Here are five ways outdoor school programs can advance your students’ learning this school year.

We, the Armstrong Scholar Leaders, write this blog post for all of you reading from your home, work desk, or bathtub. We also write this for Joie. Many of the Armstrong Scholars chose to start their journal entries in this way, wanting to connect with and involve Joie Armstrong in their process.

Sam Matlock (she/they), former NatureBridge student and current Coastal Camp staff member, has come full circle in their journey with NatureBridge. Growing up in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Mariposa, CA, Sam has always had a passion for spending time outdoors and for exploring the natural world. Their eighth grade class trip to NatureBridge Yosemite planted a seed for what a career in outdoor education could look like. Now a Coastal Camp counselor spending the summer at NatureBridge Golden Gate in the Marin Headlands, Sam marvels at the amazing ways in which their path has led them back to NatureBridge. Sam’s story is an inspiring testament to the lasting impact NatureBridge makes on its students and educators alike.

Ever since I heard about the amazing experience known as NatureBridge from my sibling, I dreamed about the day it would finally be my turn. After watching them go off and seeing how much fun they had I’ve been even more ecstatic. Finally I was old enough and my dream was coming true.

Meet Audrey Galo, NatureBridge’s new Equity and Inclusion Director. Audrey (she/her) lives in Vallejo, CA, and embodies a rich cultural heritage as a result of growing up in Chicago with Central American roots.

NatureBridge’s Golden Gate campus is at the forefront of providing transformative marine science education through our innovative Intertidal Lab. This unique facility allows students to observe tide pool life, understand coastal ecosystems, and develop a love for environmental stewardship. For many, it’s a transformative experience that sparks a passion for science and conservation.

Sixth grade teacher Stephen Sugay knows student success requires going beyond typical coursework to include personal development and interpersonal connections. “We try to foster community building and couple that with actual learning in other subject areas,” he says. “NatureBridge helps us achieve those things.”

On May 16, we hosted our annual fundraising event, An Evening Outside with NatureBridge, at our Golden Gate campus. In classic Bay Area fashion, the fog and mist arrived as unexpected guests, but the weather did not deter us from celebrating a momentous occasion for NatureBridge: for the first time at this event, we raised over $1.1 million, which will go to directly supporting our students, our campuses, and our staff. We were awe-inspired by our Student of the Year, Kai Diaz, who shared how they felt as though they could touch the stars during their trip to NatureBridge in Yosemite, and our featured speaker Dr. Britt Wray shared incredible insights on how young people can influence the hearts and minds of their families when they bring the lessons of NatureBridge home. We want to thank everyone who was able to join and support us at Golden Gate, and we hope to see you at our next event!