Board Spotlight: Anne Baxter
Anne Baxter’s connection to NatureBridge spans over 30 years, though her connection to nature extends well beyond that. Anne came to California from the east coast and fell in love with the majestic Sierra Nevada, where she could be found backpacking, birding and fly fishing. That love for the mountains led her to take her 5th and 6th grade students to Yosemite each year. Those trips to Yosemite often created a connection with the natural world for these students that would last a lifetime.
Anne’s passion for nature manifested itself both in her personal and professional life. While a public school teacher at Hoover Elementary School in Redwood City, Anne ran the school district’s outdoor education program. The joy she found in seeing the awe and wonder of the outdoors in students’ expressions eventually led her to lead Outward Bound courses as a way to continue to nurture young outdoor enthusiasts and leaders.
In 1994, Anne’s nephew Matthew Baxter joined NatureBridge (then the Yosemite Institute) as an educator. After a tragic rock climbing accident that resulted in Matthew’s death, the Baxter family created the Baxter Award in Matthew’s honor as a way to support NatureBridge staff in their adventures and deepen their connection to nature. Anne’s passion for the Baxter Award can still be felt today in her frequent visits to our Golden Gate campus, where she regularly connects with staff and encourages them to pursue adventure and apply for the award.
Every year, I am so moved by Student of the Year speeches and Baxter Award recipients. I still remember the first Baxter Award recipients, who took their very young children biking and camping through New Zealand! Those stories will always stay with me.Anne Baxter, NatureBridge Board Member
Today, Anne lives in Point Reyes, CA and has had a private practice as a clinical psychologist for the past 35 years. She has watched NatureBridge go through many transitions and sees an opportunity for a transformative moment today. Anne’s addition to the NatureBridge Board of Directors—along with her experience and work in the field—gives her a unique opportunity to connect with staff and develop their enthusiasm for outdoor education.
I want to do whatever I can to nurture the future stewards of our planet. NatureBridge lets young people experience the natural world, and that awakens something so important in them.Anne Baxter, NatureBridge Board Member
Anne is regularly inspired by the expressions of people getting to connect with the world around them, whether it's going on a biking adventure in New Zealand or interacting with aquatic life in our Marine Lab. The look of wonder and enthusiasm in students keeps her going and inspires us all.
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.