Sponsor Spotlight: Michael Doyle Properties
NatureBridge is fortunate to have the support of numerous organizations that share our vision and passion for our mission. As we gear up for our annual Evening on the Lake event in Seattle, we’d like to highlight Michael Doyle Properties, one of the evening’s many generous sponsors. Thanks to individuals like Michael Doyle, our programs are not only able to continue, but to thrive. Leading up to Friday’s event, he took the time to shed light on his personal connection to NatureBridge.
Michael understands the importance of both connecting young people to the outdoors through effective environmental education and continuing the preservation of our national parks. In fact, he believes the two are critical, which led to his sponsorship of Evening on the Lake and our mission to inspire stewardship of our planet.
Reflecting on family excursions to Yosemite National Park as a child, Michael recalls these adventures as times of discovery and learning. The respect and awe he gained for nature during those national park visits, which he considers among the most memorable parts of his childhood, have stayed with him to this day. His hope is that he can carry on the traditions of outdoor exploration and education with his own family.
I want my two young children to have similar experiences, to enjoy parks in their childhood, to learn how to simply ‘be’ in nature. In 10 years, when I ask them if they want to raft [or] kayak the Grand Canyon with me, I want them to say yes… and I want there to be a Grand Canyon as we currently know it.Michael Doyle
In addition to a commitment of advocacy, integrity and service to his clients, Michael prioritizes giving back. For each property marketed or acquired with his help, a donation is made to the Windermere Foundation, Plymouth Housing Group, Family Works and YouthCare. This year, we are very thankful to have Michael and Michael Doyle Properties as an Evening on the Lake sponsor.
A celebration of our outdoor environmental science programs in Olympic National Park, Evening on the Lake is an annual opportunity for attendees to connect with our educators and explore the impact of our programs. Contributions from the evening support our scholarship fund, which grants many deserving kids the opportunity to discover learning through the natural world.
Stories
In Memory of Ty Cobb: A Visionary Leader of Resilience and Impact
Ty Cobb, former CEO of Yosemite National Institutes (now NatureBridge), passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024 in Reno at the age of 84. Known for his visionary leadership, resilience, and ability to inspire collaboration, Ty guided YNI through some of its most difficult moments while building a foundation for its future growth and success.
WildLink November 2024: Woodlake High School
This November, Woodlake High School students and chaperones arrived in Yosemite for their first year as a WildLink school, and we are so excited to have them on the team! That means that the brave students who signed up for this expedition had virtually no idea what to expect before signing up for the trip, because none of their peers had experienced it before them! The week, although quite frigid, was full of lovely views, learning about Wilderness, spending lots of time by the river, and enjoying the beauty of Yosemite Valley and Wilderness. Their educators Sarah and Amelia were excited to help this group feel a sense of belonging in this place. They were also lucky enough to be joined by Ranger Lissie on their first day in the Wilderness!
Fall Reflections from NatureBridge 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.