FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2017
Contact: Annie Schuler
aschuler@naturebridge.org
415-992-4767
Eric Raymond
The North Face
510-748-2714
eric_raymond@vfc.com
San Francisco, CA — NatureBridge is proud to announce The North Face awarded a 2017 Explore Fund grant to support Bay Area scholarships for our Yosemite National Park programs.
“We’re elated to have the continued support of The North Face as we shape the environmental stewards of tomorrow,” said Cassie Hughes, NatureBridge Senior Grants Officer. “The 2017 Explore Fund Grant will allow us to provide more underserved students with a life-changing learning experience that will have a reverberating impact for years to come.”
The North Face selected a total of 43 nonprofits that create opportunities for people to develop a passion for the outdoors and desire to care for local parks and public lands. Selected programs use outdoor exploration as a catalyst for positive personal or societal change, to encourage healthy lifestyles, and promote environmental stewardship.
“A desire and willingness to explore and care for our outdoor playgrounds is part of our brand DNA ,” said Ann Krcik, senior director of Outdoor Exploration at The North Face. “We are proud to support these outstanding programs that expose participants to benefits of the outdoors. Through The North Face Explore Fund grants, we are building a community of outdoor explorers and inspiring people to love and protect the places where we play.”
NatureBridge provides hands-on environmental science programs for children and teens. Our multi-day programs take place outdoors in the magnificence of nature’s classroom, where students are immersed in the wonder and science of our national parks in Yosemite, Golden Gate, Olympic, Santa Monica Mountains, Channel Islands, and Prince William Forest.
Founded as Yosemite Institute in 1971, today NatureBridge welcomes more than 700 schools and 30,000 students and teachers each year to our six campuses. After more than 40 years of teaching and inspiring students, NatureBridge has provided life-changing experiences for more than 1 million participants and is a national leader in the field of environmental education.
As part of its mission to start a global movement of outdoor exploration, The North Face introduced Explore Fund (www.explorefund.org) in 2010 and the program has since provided more than $2.75 million in grants to organizations committed to inspiring people to explore the outdoors and care for the environment.
To learn more about NatureBridge and its programs, visit naturebridge.org.
ABOUT NATUREBRIDGE
Founded in 1971, NatureBridge connects young people to the wonder and science of the natural world, igniting self-discovery and inspiring stewardship of our planet. As the largest residential education partner of the National Park Service, the organization serves more than 35,000 students each year and offers programs in national park locations in California, Washington state and Virginia. For more information, visit naturebridge.org.
ABOUT THE NORTH FACE®
The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1966. Headquartered in Alameda, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company's products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.