Stories from the Field

With a love for both the mountains and the ocean, NatureBridge Yosemite Board Secretary Stephanie Yu shares her personal connection to nature as well as her passion for advancing diversity and inclusion in the field of outdoor environmental education.

Since its establishment nearly a century ago, Prince William Forest has served as a place for Washington, D.C. youth to discover the natural world. The history of the park dates back to a legacy of access and, eventually, inclusion—a legacy that continues to be upheld by NatureBridge today.

Satvika Iyer is one of the three honorable mentions for 2019 Student of the Year.

Joshua Velazquez is one of three Honorable Mentions for the 2019 Student of the Year award.

Rylan Mamola is one of the three honorable mentions for 2019 Student of the Year.

Each year, NatureBridge honors a student who has demonstrated leadership, growth and a commitment to protecting our natural world as a result of a NatureBridge program. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate Kinzie Klein for her remarkable spirit and courage. Despite her Cystic Fibrosis, Kinzie never hesitated to take on a challenge in Yosemite National Park.

The NatureBridge Educator Development Program (EDP) provided Marley with a platform to combine her love of adventure with her passion for increasing access to the outdoors. Today, the Golden Gate educator spends her days in the Marin Headlands, sharing her zest for the natural world, knowledge of the environment and commitment to diversity with NatureBridge students.

Prince William Forest Park (PRWI) has so much to offer the students who visit it, particularly in terms of natural features for exploring and the park’s close connection to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. During the trail days with students, it is not unusual for us to spend a good part of the day hiking.

As we reflect on an informative and fun-filled evening, we want to recognize Van Ness Feldman, one of our many Evening on the Lake sponsors.