1. – John Muir
“Between every
two pines is a
doorway to a
new world.”
Join an adventure for change
in YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
THE NATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE CENTER

2. The National Environmental Science Center will allow us to reimagine
environmental science education. It will be the most advanced facility of its
kind. From the stunning buildings to the backdrop of Yosemite National
Park, it will provide the space, the tools, the technology, and the gifted
outdoor educators so that students, teachers, and guests will learn, explore,
and create new educational benchmarks.
Now is the time to propel conservation, exploration, and environmental
science to new heights. To do so, we need like-minded partners like you. Here
is why it is worth the effort to join us on this adventure for change:
THE MISSION
“Thanks to these experiences at
Yosemite, I began to develop an
environmental conscience that lead me
to choose not just a career but a life
dedicated to environmental protection.”
– Ray Cheung, NatureBridge Student
THE REASONS
Building a National Beacon: The future of
environmental science begins with this project. For more
than 40 years NatureBridge and the National Park Service
have partnered to provide world-class environmental science
to over 1 million participants. The National Environmental
Science Center in Yosemite will cultivate the next generation
of scientists, conservationists, and community leaders.
Quality & Impact: The National Environmental Science
Center will serve as a laboratory for modeling best practices
in the field of environmental education. By opening our
doors to thought leaders from around the world, we will
spark innovation. Through our research and practice we will
become an accessible resource for environmental science
education practitioners.
Meeting an Urgent Need: With only 21% of the
nation’s 12th-grade students proving proficient in science,
coupled with growing environmental challenges, the need
for specialized focus on environmental science is urgent.
Young people suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder, spending
less than seven minutes outside each day. At the National
Environmental Science Center, children will spend over eight
hours a day learning to connect with and understand nature.
Modeling Efficiency & Sustainability for the Future:
The National Environmental Science Center will dramatically
increase NatureBridge in Yosemite’s program participation
to 20,000 students per year. But it’s not just the numbers.
The center will integrate the latest design and energy
efficiency concepts to provide a model of sustainability that
students can interact with and learn from, firsthand. The
center has been designed to meet the highest levels of LEED
certification and will be a Net Zero facility.
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Feeling awe, even for a moment, can shake the foundation of what we believe. It arouses courage to face
the unknown, rewarding us with excitement and discovery. Its resonance is undeniable. At its most basic,
awe incites a pause, and at its most potent, a lifetime of dedication.
Awe can come from many places, but none parallels nature’s ability to humble and astound. The pinnacle
expression of nature’s awe-inducing prowess is the majesty of Yosemite National Park. Standing at the
base of El Capitan, walking amongst giant sequoias in the Mariposa Grove, or basking in the embrace of
the grand cathedral of the Yosemite Valley, your heart flutters, your thoughts slow, and a feeling unlike
any other overwhelms. That is awesome.
As the pace of modern demands exponentially quickens, experiencing awe and wonder is rare. However,
for over 40 years NatureBridge and Yosemite National Park have partnered to plant the seed of
environmental stewardship in our youth, through immersive experiences in nature paired with science-
based education.
The National Environmental Science Center is an unprecedented project. It heralds a new era for science-
based environmental education on a national scale by serving as a residential laboratory for modeling best
practices and promoting innovation within the broader field of environmental education.
This project is not a dream; it’s a declaration. It’s a resounding commitment to conservancy, an investment in hundreds of thousands of life-changing educational
experiences and their cumulative impact on multiple generations of young people. In short, it proclaims:
AWE: THE RESULT OF EXPOSURE, THE EXPRESSION
OF WONDER AND THE FUEL FOR CURIOSITY.
LONG LIVE AWESOME
THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
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3. THE CENTER & SUSTAINABILITY
1. Highly insulated and air-tight building envelopes and abun-
dant daylight reduce the need for energy use in buildings.
2. Elimination of fossil fuel use except for cooking and emer-
gency power generation.
3. Use of local materials, including the use of Incense Cedar for
wood siding, the same species of trees that naturally grow
on the site.
4. On-site photovoltaic for a renewable energy resource.
5. Bio-gas recovery system, an additional renewable energy
resource to heat water.
6. Ground source heat pump wells for building heating, do-
mestic water heating, and cold storage refrigeration.
7. Water comes from and returns to local watershed, and on-
site use is reduced by 60 percent over current use.
8. Greywater harvesting system collects water for use in
flushing toilets.
9. Durable materials for longevity and limited maintenance.
10. Triple-glazed windows for additional energy efficiency in
the buildings
The National Environmental
Science Center will provide a
permanent, sustainable home
for environmental science
in Yosemite. Setting the
endeavor further apart from
any previous undertaking
is the thoughtfulness and
priority placed on assuring
the center harmonizes with
its immediate environment.
From the final selection
of Henness Ridge inside
Yosemite National Park
as the optimal location to
the careful sourcing of the
construction materials, no
detail was left unconsidered.
THE IMPACT
7 MINUTES
Average time
children and
teens spend
outside, daily.
224: Future capacity available
year-round for environmental education.
100%: Level of
Universal Access.
60: Current capacity available year
round for environmental education
0: Number of
National Parks that
have an education
facility like this.
8+ HOURS
Time children and teens
spend outside every day
of a NatureBridge Program 100%
THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
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4. As we approach the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service,
we are inspired by John Muir’s bold vision, his revolutionary words, and his
accomplishments. It is now our time to imagine new ways to foster environ-
mental literacy for future generations.
Construction of the National Environmental Science Center has
begun, but to complete the project we are calling for additional
support and allegiance from foundations, corporations, and individuals for
whom conservation, environmental science education, and the future impact
of environmental stewardship are top priorities.
Generous supporters have provided a strong foundation for the $56
million campaign to realize our vision of building the National
Environmental Science Center in Yosemite National Park.
Join us on this adventure for change.
JASON MORRIS | jmorris@naturebridge.org | 415-992-4760
WE’RE READY. JOIN US.
· Anonymous
· The Anders Foundation
· Matthew A. Baxter, Jr.
· S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
· The Benjamin Family Foundation
· David G. and Maureen E. Brown
· The Eucalyptus Foundation
· Randi and Bob Fisher
· John and Elaine French Family Foundation
· The Kendeda Fund
· Stephen H. Lockhart, M.D., Ph.D. and Karen Bals
· Elizabeth G. Maughan Charitable Foundation
· The McConnell Foundation
· National Park Service
· Allan J. and Kristina J. Prager
· The Keith and Judy Swayne Family Foundation
· William W. and Leslie Thompson
· NatureBridge Board of Directors (past and present)
Current Major Funding Provided By ($50,000+):
THE JOURNEY
2019
Photovoltaic,
amphitheater
2018
Classrooms, east bath house,
four east cabins, remaining
water treatment
2017
Crane flat ecological
restoration
2014 - 2016
Surface level
construction begins
2014
Break ground on
first buildings
2013
Underground utility
project starts
2012
Domestic water
project completed -
funded by NPS
2010
National Park Service
Approval Record of
Decision for selection
of Henness Ridge
2009
Final Environmental
impact statement issued
2007
Range of alternatives
identified
2005
Full-time Project
Manager hired
Our goal is to provide future generations with the environmental know-how to create healthy
communities and a healthy planet.
The National Environmental Science Center will influence these two pillars of our vision. From the point
of conception, every design detail of the center has been informed by the educational experience. This
student-centric approach to design will result in an unrivaled environment to deliver our educational
curriculum. Closely paralleling the focus on programmatic needs is our commitment to creating a
universally accessible campus.
Our educational philosophy and core framework in action
Increasingly complex environmental challenges inspire us to deepen the impact of NatureBridge
programs. By exposing students to the wonder and science of nature, we teach them to analyze and
understand scientific data, encourage collaboration with peers, and increase science literacy.
Our multiday residential environmental science programs spark our students’ curiosity and builds their
confidence to critically analyze the world around them. Students are challenged to make informed
decisions about the relationship between humans and the natural world, and to protect and sustain our
natural resources.
Our programs inspire remarkable personal growth, improved interpersonal skills, and increased academic
ability. This all adds up to our ultimate goal: fostering environmental literacy to sustain our planet.
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE:
“The power
of imagination
makes us infinite.”
– John Muir
A Proud Partner of the
National Park Service
THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
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5. L ON G
L I V E
A W E
S OM E
THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
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