Alumni Community

When high schooler Rebecca Welch boarded a bus at 5 a.m. in a Safeway parking lot, she had no idea that she was about to embark on a journey that would forever transform her worldview, career path, and relationship with the outdoors. A quiet tenth grader from Burney, CA, Rebecca had never gone hiking, never camped, and rarely traveled outside her small rural community. But thanks to a teacher’s encouragement and a winning essay, she found herself en route to Yosemite National Park to take part in a NatureBridge program. Now a teacher herself, Rebecca credits the NatureBridge trip during her sophomore year with unlocking a whole new path for her future.

For many students, a few days and nights spent at NatureBridge represents their first deep dive into exploring the natural world. They hike among towering trees, collect scientific data within various ecosystems, reflect under starlit skies, and begin to see themselves not just as visitors to nature—but as part of it. A spark has been lit.

Jen Kidder, Campus Director at NatureBridge Olympic and longtime outdoor educator, knows that spark is often just the beginning of a life-long journey. “A NatureBridge experience can light a spark of interest in nature, in science, in spending time with new people,” she says. It can “build confidence that they belong. Later, that can open a door to new interests, career ideas, or maybe just the confidence to try something else new.”

When Dave Yacubian arrived at the windswept Marin Headlands in Northern California as a NatureBridge (formerly The Headlands Institute) Field Science Educator in 2001, he already had a deep connection to wild places. His initial connection—first sparked during a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course in the Rocky Mountains that Dave participated in when he was 20 years old—has shaped a career dedicated to environmental education and the transformative power of the outdoors. Dave’s roots run deep with both NOLS and NatureBridge—and he sees powerful connections between the two organizations.

Terri Carta has spent most of her life championing the importance of preserving natural spaces. Growing up in Southern California, Terri avidly explored parks and outdoor spaces with her family, but it wasn’t until high school that she learned what it means to advocate on their behalf. Her conservation journey began not with a specific career goal, but with a class trip to NatureBridge (formerly Yosemite Institute) that combined adventure, discovery, and the power of Dr. Seuss’ book "The Lorax."

For Environmental Science Educator Claire Darcy, NatureBridge isn’t just a workplace—it’s a place where her past and present meet, shaping a future rooted in stewardship, curiosity, and community. As a multi-campus educator and site manager, primarily at NatureBridge Prince William Forest Park, Claire brings a unique blend of passion, experience, and perspective to her roles, inspired by a deeply personal connection to NatureBridge’s mission.

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."