Staff Spotlight: Eva Foster

Eva was first introduced to NatureBridge (formerly Olympic Park Institute) in 2004, when she was a high school science teacher in Pierce County, WA. She attended a teacher event at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and met Derek Staub, who was tabling there for NatureBridge. Derek told Eva about the Elwha River dam removal process and restoration project that NatureBridge students have the opportunity to study, and Eva says “That was what pulled me in.” She responded by signing up a group of students from her school district (a mix of homeschool students in grades 4-9) for a trip to NatureBridge in October 2004. Once Eva arrived at NatureBridge, she says, “my whole attitude got a lift for students… I fell in love with outdoor education at that point.” In 2006, Eva joined the NatureBridge staff as the Olympic Natural Connections Manager, and she has served in several different sales and outreach roles since then.

“If I go back to what was the most fun,” Eva muses, “my favorite would be classroom visits… It’s kind of like doing improv!” She remembers an unforgettable moment in which a bird flew in through an open window and flew all around the classroom while she was presenting: “It was chaos.” Despite the challenges, Eva always jumped at the chance to connect with students and teachers, and she says that teaching environmental science classes—specifically those focused on the Elwha River’s dam removal and restoration—was “near and dear to my heart.” 

Eva also recalls teaching a lesson alongside then-Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne to fourth graders at B.F. Day School in Seattle. Secretary Kempthorne was visiting Seattle to host a NPS a “listening tour” of the region. NatureBridge later received a sizeable federal grant, due in part to his interest in our programs.

Eva did not hesitate to respond: “It’s the people, hands down. It’s working with people who are interesting, curious—people who challenge me to look at situations in a new way.” 

As a 72 year old, Eva notes that working at NatureBridge has “rounded my life out.” It isn’t often that we get to work with people of different generations, she says. “I get to see a lot of different perspectives based on generational experiences in the world.” 

“I want NB to survive,” Eva emphasizes. “I want it to be 100 years old! I hope that it changes so it can adapt to the world that is changing. But I think what we have and what we believe is very basic. I don’t think we’re going to go out of style or that people are going to get tired of us. I want us to stay true to our values and continue to be our mission out in the world and continue to be a great place to work.”

“I want less screen time and more movement,” Eva avers. While there are travel destinations she’s hoping to see in retirement, Eva is most excited about opportunities to serve her community and enjoy time with her extended family. She has signed up to volunteer at the Seattle Symphony, and she hopes to spend more time rowing, dancing, cooking, and practicing yoga. Above all, she is looking forward to spending time with her loved ones. “[I want to] enjoy life with my partner Larry…and his family and my family.”

Thank you, Eva, for your many years of service and for championing environmental education opportunities for thousands of students! Your presence, passion, and impact at NatureBridge will be appreciated far into the future.

Eva with the NatureBridge Sales Team at NatureBridge Golden Gate in December 2023