Outside Magazine names San Francisco's NatureBridge as one of America's best places to work in 2011

Nonprofit that inspires personal connections to the natural world and empowers environmental stewards is named one of 50 select companies

SAN FRANCISCO, August 4, 2011 – NatureBridge today was named to Outside Magazine’s fourth annual "Best Places to Work" list. The environmental education nonprofit ranked 30 out of 50 selected companies. The full list and related story will be published in the September issue of Outside Magazine, available on newsstands August 16, 2011.

The largest residential field science and environmental education partner of the National Park Service, NatureBridge reaches more than 40,000 participants every year through immersive environmental science programs. The organization currently has 180 employees working at its four park locations in Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Olympic National Park, as well as at its San Francisco headquarters. Experienced field science educators lead K-12 students on a three to five day program in one of the most beautiful classrooms imaginable. Students are inspired to connect with the natural world and learn how their actions impact the environment around them, both positively and negatively. NatureBridge strives to empower these youth to be the next generation of environmental stewards at school, home, in communities and around the world.

"NatureBridge is an organization that attracts and motivates great people," said Aaron Rich, director of NatureBridge’s Golden Gate-based campus "It’s exciting to spend each day in the beautiful setting of our National Parks and work alongside people who are committed, results-oriented and serious about making a difference for students and the environment."

Outside’s "Best Places to Work" project celebrates the innovative companies setting a new standard for a healthy work-life balance. The list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association and Best Companies Group. The yearlong selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in the United States. Participating companies were then sent confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs.

"Every NatureBridge employee is passionate about our mission to provide exceptional environmental education to tomorrow's leaders," said Susan Smartt, president and CEO at NatureBridge. "Couple the staff’s enthusiasm and professionalism with the breathtaking setting of our National Parks, and you have a truly inspiring work atmosphere."

All of the results were analyzed by Best Companies Group experts, who selected the 50 companies that strive to enhance their employees’ enjoyment of active endeavors, and environmental and social involvement.

"These 50 companies are successful precisely because they support a proper work-life balance," says Michael Roberts, Executive Editor of Outside. "Happy workers that feel part of an active community are guaranteed to be more engaged and productive. And the companies on our list are offering amazing benefits: organic cafeterias, on-site fitness classes, reimbursements for gym memberships and ski passes, opportunities for on-the-clock community service, and much more."

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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