Stories from the Field

May came along and the weather continued to warm as summer approached. WildLink welcomed the third trip of the year: Woodlake high school. The Woodlake students gathered on a warm spring morning at their high school on the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada. Excited and ready for an adventure the group loaded up their vehicles and began their journey toward Yosemite National Park. It was a long and windy road but eventually the group made it to the National Environmental Science Center (NESC). Their NatureBridge Educator Sam greeted them. The group unloaded and settled into their cabins, gathering for dinner afterwards. A quick orientation and dinner was served. After dinner the group had a chance to come together, slow down and enjoy a relaxing evening getting to know each other.

The second WildLink expedition of 2026 welcomed Porterville High School students. It was still early spring and Yosemite smiled when one of the last spring snow storms arrived along with the students. The group was thrilled by the sight of snow, as well as a bit worried about their upcoming four day expedition into the backcountry. Excitement was high as the group was greeted by one of their educators Sam and settled into the cabins after arriving, taking some time to play with the snow that had fallen.

The WildLink 2026 season opened in early April with the new participating group Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School and the biggest rain storm of the Spring. The group arrived at the National Environmental Science Center (NESC) on a clear and sunny Monday afternoon. Staying the first two days at the NESC while preparing for their four day backpacking expedition into the Yosemite wilderness. Accompanied by their brave chaperone Sally and Juana and guided by amazing educators Kelly and Katie, the group was in good hands to make the best out of the expedition. The forecast can be fickle early in the season and the week ahead showed a slight chance of thunderstorms.

Each year, NatureBridge honors a student who has demonstrated leadership, growth, and a commitment to protecting our natural world as a result of their participation in one of our environmental science programs. This year’s honoree will be recognized and will speak at An Evening with NatureBridge, which will be held on Thursday, May 7 in San Francisco, CA. We are thrilled to announce our 2026 Student of the Year: Milin Sekhon.

The "Hard Core" challenge didn’t originate at NatureBridge. Plenty of outdoor education programs have passed around the same challenge. But something about it rooted itself deeply in Yosemite Valley—especially in the years after the pandemic, when rebuilding connection and culture mattered more than ever. And sometimes that’s how stewardship begins—not with a grand gesture, but with an apple eaten to the core.

For Justin Umholtz, environmental education is about more than teaching science. It builds belonging, invites students into stewardship, and helps them see how they fit into something larger. From the Marin Headlands as a student to Hawai‘i as an educator, his journey reflects the lasting power of experiencing the wonder of wild places.