Yosemite

Venture Academy’s second round of 2024 WildLink students arrived in Yosemite full of wonder, excitement, and on the lookout for bears. With a $10 per person pot, stakes were high to be the first to see the famous furry critters. Their fearless chaperones—Mr. Meza, a seasoned WildLink participant and expert whistler, and Ms. Dustin, a lifetime Yosemite visitor and lover—encouraged the students to bring their best selves. After settling into their cabins, the group met with their educator Katie for dinner and an evening of stargazing by the Merced River. The headlights of climbers spaced out like a constellation on Washington Column’s rock face after dark, far above the valley floor, and was a twinkling inspiration for these soon-to-be adventurers.

On a chilly autumn afternoon, NatureBridge's National Environmental Science Center (NESC) in Yosemite National Park welcomed its very first school groups, marking a pivotal moment for NatureBridge. This state-of-the-art facility has been over 10 years in the making, and we are thrilled to announce that students are now officially on campus, laughing, learning, and engaging with all of the opportunities for immersive learning at the NESC.

Another great WildLink trip to a beautiful Wilderness area is in the books! This October, a group of exceptional high school students from Health Careers Academy in Stockton, CA ventured out for a week of adventuring in the wild lands of Yosemite’s high country. There they found new friends, resilient parts of themselves, sweeping mountain views, and even a deer swimming across a frigid alpine lake for seemingly no reason! They were joined by National Park Service Wilderness Ranger Jacob and NatureBridge educators Sarah and Sophia.

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.

The first Venture Academy WildLink group of 2024 arrived in Yosemite on a clear August Sunday afternoon. The weather was sunny and warm. After several hours driving over from Stockton, CA, the group was ready to get out of the vehicles, breathe in some fresh air, and stretch their legs. Once they arrived in Yosemite, Mika, a participant, remarked, “Everything is so peaceful and calm.”