Welcome CFO Leslie Smith
We are excited to introduce NatureBridge’s new CFO Leslie Smith! Leslie comes to us with a wide-spanning background in nonprofit and for-profit finance and business operations, as well as a passion for and love of outdoor learning and experiences. “My fondest outdoor experiences are so closely connected to being with people I love, like visiting the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area with my grandparents during the summer or hiking in Tahoe with my mom,” Leslie recalls. “But for sheer awesome natural beauty, one of my favorite places is Zion National Park in Utah.”
Leslie’s interest in nature and science extends from her younger days, both as a student in middle school and all the way to college and beyond! “I was very fortunate to experience first-hand the benefits of outdoor environmental education at a young age. From visiting the Marin Headlands as a middle schooler, to doing research at a Montana field station as a geology major during college, those early life experiences profoundly shaped my understanding of the natural environment and its stewardship,” Leslie explains.
I'm excited about the way NatureBridge immerses students from diverse backgrounds in the natural sciences while fostering personal growth and igniting a lifelong passion for conservation.Leslie Smith, NatureBridge CFO
Among the things Leslie is looking forward to in joining NatureBridge is participating in our mission to connect young people of all backgrounds to the wonder and science of nature. She states, “I'm excited about the way NatureBridge immerses students from diverse backgrounds in the natural sciences while fostering personal growth and igniting a lifelong passion for conservation. It’s an honor to join such an impactful and highly-regarded organization, and I look forward to doing my part to help NatureBridge continue its important work for generations to come.”
Stories
Staff Spotlight: Dylan Meek
“I don’t know if I’d have such a keen interest in what I do now” without experiencing NatureBridge programs as a middle schooler, says current NatureBridge staff member Dylan Meek. As a seventh grader, Dylan and her classmates from Southern California attended an environmental science program at Yosemite Institute (known today as NatureBridge Yosemite). That trip represented Dylan’s first visit to a national park and her first exposure to the field of outdoor education. Now on staff as the Lab Steward at NatureBridge Golden Gate, Dylan ensures that the environmental science educators have everything they need “to get the most out of the lab spaces” on campus.
2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz
At NatureBridge, we celebrate the stewards of today and foster the development of the stewards of tomorrow, working to inspire environmental stewardship in all our participants. Our goal is to motivate our students to make waves and be changemakers in their communities and for our planet.
Each year, NatureBridge honors a student who has demonstrated leadership, growth and a commitment to protecting our natural world as a result of their participation in a NatureBridge program. This year’s honoree will be recognized and will speak at An Evening Outside with NatureBridge on Thursday, May 16 at our Golden Gate campus.
We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz.
An Interview with Evening Outside Keynote Speaker Dr. Britt Wray
The minute we found out about the work of Dr. Britt Wray, we knew we wanted to learn more about her. A well-respected author and scientist, Dr. Wray possesses expertise in an area of research we talk about a lot at NatureBridge—specifically how we can be resilient, hopeful, and actionable amid a changing world, including the climate crisis. We’re thrilled that Dr. Wray will be joining us on May 16 for An Evening Outside with NatureBridge as our Featured Speaker. Ahead of the event, we had the chance to ask her a few questions relating to her work and her connection to the mission of NatureBridge.