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.

Earlier this year, we mourned the loss of William “Bill” Anders, a true environmental champion and visionary leader whose impact resonated deeply for NatureBridge and society at large.

As a member of the historic Apollo 8 mission in 1968, Bill captured the iconic “Earthrise” photo—a stunning image of our small, delicate planet rising over the moon’s horizon. Reflecting on this moment, he remarked, “We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth.”

In April 1985, a group of seventh graders from Vallejo Junior High School embarked on an unforgettable educational trip to NatureBridge Yosemite, then known as the Yosemite Institute. As part of the school’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program, these students experienced outdoor science education, thanks to several dedicated teachers who believed in the value of connecting students with nature. For Alma McKenry, a city kid from Vallejo, CA, the trip to Yosemite felt like stepping into the great unknown.

Outdoor environmental education programs like NatureBridge offer a unique and transformative approach to engaging students. A recent study by the Stanford University and the North American Association for Environmental Education shows that overnight outdoor school can have profound impacts on students by improving their academic and emotional development. Here are five ways outdoor school programs can advance your students’ learning this school year.

We, the Armstrong Scholar Leaders, write this blog post for all of you reading from your home, work desk, or bathtub. We also write this for Joie. Many of the Armstrong Scholars chose to start their journal entries in this way, wanting to connect with and involve Joie Armstrong in their process.

Sam Matlock (she/they), former NatureBridge student and current Coastal Camp staff member, has come full circle in their journey with NatureBridge. Growing up in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Mariposa, CA, Sam has always had a passion for spending time outdoors and for exploring the natural world. Their eighth grade class trip to NatureBridge Yosemite planted a seed for what a career in outdoor education could look like. Now a Coastal Camp counselor spending the summer at NatureBridge Golden Gate in the Marin Headlands, Sam marvels at the amazing ways in which their path has led them back to NatureBridge. Sam’s story is an inspiring testament to the lasting impact NatureBridge makes on its students and educators alike.

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of hiking 6+ miles up 2,000 feet in elevation, by picturesque Barney Lake and Crown Point, with a team of eight wonderful humans who had volunteered to carry a resupply of food and various supplies to the 2024 Armstrong Scholars.

David “Jay” Flood passed away peacefully on July 4 after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. Jay was a legend at NatureBridge (then Yosemite National Institutes) and contributed more in his two terms as Chairman of the Board than one can measure. He is remembered as an incredible human being, stellar leader, and inspirational guiding light.

On a warm afternoon in June, a group of students and chaperones from Monache High School arrived at Yosemite National Park for their first ever WildLink expedition. As they drove through the Wawona Tunnel and saw the historic Tunnel View, students remarked on the vastness of nature, as none of them had ever seen Yosemite Valley before. The group drove into the valley to meet one of their NatureBridge leaders and went for a short walk to Lower Yosemite Falls. As they enjoyed the cooling spray of the rushing falls, excitement built for their time in Yosemite.