Diversity

NatureBridge connects youth from all backgrounds with the wonder of the natural world.

We are committed to providing high-quality science and environmental education that welcomes youth from all economic, cultural, and family backgrounds and to accommodating all physical, learning, and language abilities with our inclusive curriculum.

Each year more and more teachers and students participate in our hands-on programs through scholarships, which support more than 30 percent of our schools.

To date, NatureBridge has funded scholarships and programs aimed at increasing diversity with about $10 million in individual contributions; foundation, government and corporate grants; and retail sales and conference fees.

“I never thought I could see anything so amazing. I got to do things I thought I would never do, like climb a mountain and go on a hike at night! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime.”  —Yosemite Institute student

Diversity builds educational outcomes

Our investment in diversity enables us to reach an increasingly diverse student base, train staff on cultural competencies, and develop program content relevant to the diverse populations we serve.  

Our educators develop extensive knowledge of students’ communities, lives, and cultures, and allow students to incorporate their experiences into lessons.

We value multicultural environmental education and honor students’ diverse languages and communication styles. Our bilingual educators enable us to teach in several languages, and our teaching methods are English learner-friendly. 

"I felt better prepared by having Natural Connections in class before going to Olympic Park Institute – I could look at the slug and ask 'what’s it doing?' rather than 'what is it?'"  — Olympic Park Institute student

Support scholarships

Despite a close proximity to open spaces, many children grow up with little or no exposure to nature. Thousands of urban youth in California and Washington have never even been to the beach.

Your donation can help students from all backgrounds have a life-changing experience in our national parks with NatureBridge.

“I asked one of my fifth-grade students how often he and his family get to go to the beach. ‘We've gone to the beach once,’ was his answer. Without your scholarship help, our school of 75% AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) kids would be hard pressed to come up with the tuition simply through fundraising. These are the kinds of kids we should all be willing to help.” —Doris Estudillo, Fifth-grade teacher, Flowery Elementary School, Sonoma, Calif.