NatureBridge Names New Olympic National Park Campus Director

Non-profit veteran Stephen Streufert brings leadership and passion to inspire stewardship

SAN FRANCISCO — November 8, 2011 — NatureBridge is pleased to announce its new Olympic National Park campus director, Stephen Streufert. As the most recent addition to the senior leadership team, Streufert brings more than 25 years of experience in program and instructional leadership to NatureBridge, the largest nonprofit residential environmental education partner of the National Park Service. His professional history includes leadership roles at the North Carolina Outward Bound School, National Outdoor Leadership School, and other environmental and marine education-based organizations.

Prior to his position at NatureBridge, Streufert was the executive director at Salish Sea Expeditions, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for students to design and conduct scientific research from the decks of a 61' sailing vessel on Puget Sound. His strong leadership and vision led to a successful two-fold growth in student participants, initiated the region’s premier student environmental science symposium, and secured the organization’s first federal grant. In his new position, Stephen will continue to build on the rich heritage of programs to drive innovative hands-on technology that engages and inspires thousands of students each year. He will also work to provide improved methodologies and curriculum for teachers and schools, and meet the urgent need to make environmental education a part of every child’s experience.

“We are very excited to add someone with such an extensive background in environmental education to our senior leadership team,” said Susan Smartt, president and CEO at NatureBridge. “Stephen’s enthusiasm for outdoor science education is apparent, and his belief in the power of nature to engage our children and inspire them will ensure success at our Olympic National Park campus.”

Celebrating its 40th year, NatureBridge reaches approximately 30,000 students from 600 schools each year through its three- to five-day field science programs in Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Olympic National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Channel Islands National Park. Please visit NatureBridge for more information and find out how to support its mission.

About NatureBridge

Founded in 1971 as Yosemite Institute and based in San Francisco, NatureBridge is the leader in residential field science and environmental education for America’s youth. Its mission is to inspire personal connections to the natural world and responsible actions to sustain it. A signature partner of the National Park Service, NatureBridge currently operates campuses in Yosemite National Park; Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Olympic National Park in Washington State; Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area; and Channel Islands National Park. It collectively serves more than 40,000 participants annually through field science, youth leadership, and teacher training programs. NatureBridge partners with a diverse mix of corporate, environmental, education, federal, and state organizations also focused on nurturing environmental stewardship, including Clif Bar, Google, Klean Kanteen, National Geographic Education Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, Oracle and REI. NatureBridge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, log on to www.naturebridge.org.

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