Impact Stories

Kim Gesicki-Robinson retired from Merryhill Elementary School in 2019 after spending 30+ years as a teacher, and nearly as many years bringing her students to NatureBridge. After speaking with her for a short time, it’s no surprise that she’d find a way to bring kids into the outdoors even after retirement. It was some of the most meaningful work she did as a teacher, and it was some of the most meaningful time the students spent with her.

“I have former students of mine, some of them in their 30s and 40s, who came to visit me after I retired and all they talked about was our time at NatureBridge.”

After years of bringing students to NatureBridge in Yosemite, Joy Walters decided to deepen her commitment to getting kids outside by joining NatureBridge's monthly giving program. Read about how her experiences in the field inspired her philanthropic support.

In the 5th grade, Kia went on a field trip to NatureBridge in Yosemite that would shape the rest of his life. 14 years later, he reflects on that trip and how it influenced his path today.

7th graders Jordan and Noah make the case for NatureBridge and why all kids deserve to have experiences in the outdoors.

Less than one year after California wildfires led to the closure of our Southern California campus, Boeing generously granted NatureBridge $120,000 to support environmental science education for Southern California kids at our campus in Yosemite National Park, enabling hundreds of transformative experiences.

Noah is a former TEEM participant and a senior at Redwood High School in Larkspur, CA. Having learned about climate change at school, he wanted to take action. He was introduced to the Citizens Climate Lobby, and spoke with Peter Joseph, the head of the Marin Chapter. On November 10, 2019, Noah flew solo for the first time to attend an advocacy day in Washington, D.C.

NatureBridge's Karli Cowman is in her fifth year of her "dream job" as TEEM Manager. She recently caught up with some of the TEEM participants from her very first year with the program. Find out how the TEEM experience shaped these individuals.

Melissa Gayle, one of two NatureBridge leaders on the 2019 Armstrong Scholars program, reflects on the journey and the contributions of the Scholars during their time in Yosemite's backcountry.

We caught up with 2018 NatureBridge Student of the Year, Marisa Granados, an environmental steward and climate activist who is already accomplishing big things.