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.

This past November, we welcomed WildLink alumni and their families back for the annual WildLink Family Weekend—an event that continues to strengthen the bond between people and place. Held at the newly opened National Environmental Science Center (NESC), the weekend was a celebration of connection, both to the park and to the ever-growing WildLink community.

Venture Academy’s second round of 2024 WildLink students arrived in Yosemite full of wonder, excitement, and on the lookout for bears. With a $10 per person pot, stakes were high to be the first to see the famous furry critters. Their fearless chaperones—Mr. Meza, a seasoned WildLink participant and expert whistler, and Ms. Dustin, a lifetime Yosemite visitor and lover—encouraged the students to bring their best selves. After settling into their cabins, the group met with their educator Katie for dinner and an evening of stargazing by the Merced River. The headlights of climbers spaced out like a constellation on Washington Column’s rock face after dark, far above the valley floor, and was a twinkling inspiration for these soon-to-be adventurers.

On a chilly autumn afternoon, NatureBridge's National Environmental Science Center (NESC) in Yosemite National Park welcomed its very first school groups, marking a pivotal moment for NatureBridge. This state-of-the-art facility has been over 10 years in the making, and we are thrilled to announce that students are now officially on campus, laughing, learning, and engaging with all of the opportunities for immersive learning at the NESC.

Another great WildLink trip to a beautiful Wilderness area is in the books! This October, a group of exceptional high school students from Health Careers Academy in Stockton, CA ventured out for a week of adventuring in the wild lands of Yosemite’s high country. There they found new friends, resilient parts of themselves, sweeping mountain views, and even a deer swimming across a frigid alpine lake for seemingly no reason! They were joined by National Park Service Wilderness Ranger Jacob and NatureBridge educators Sarah and Sophia.

Earlier this year, we mourned the loss of William “Bill” Anders, a true environmental champion and visionary leader whose impact resonated deeply for NatureBridge and society at large.

As a member of the historic Apollo 8 mission in 1968, Bill captured the iconic “Earthrise” photo—a stunning image of our small, delicate planet rising over the moon’s horizon. Reflecting on this moment, he remarked, “We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth.”